If you follow my blog, you know my husband will be boarding a plane for South Korea in the next couple weeks. That means we have been packing like crazy.
I have been so thankful for any resource we can find about what to bring and what is provided and how an international PCS even works. I’ve been trying to read up on all the information I can get, but I do wish there was more.
Because of that, I’m writing this post for anyone else who is preparing for a move to South Korea. Your destination, housing, or packing list might not be exactly the same, but I hope this gives you a better idea of what’s ahead, helps you plan, and even reminds you of a few things you might have forgotten to pack otherwise.
For the most part, the Army usually provides some of the big essentials like a bed, a dresser, a washer, a dryer, a microwave, a stove/oven, a refrigerator. Most likely, you will not have to take any of these things.
The things you bring will be divided into three sections:
Household Goods — Any furniture or large things you want shipped over, which can take several months to arrive.
Unmanned Baggage — Small kitchen appliances, household supplies, bedding, clothes, etc.; these things can take about one month to arrive.
Manned Baggage — This is the stuff you will take in suitcases on the airplane. Your checked baggage if you will. Include anything you want right away when you arrive.
And I’d like to throw one more in the mix:
Carry On — This is the bag you will bring on the plane with you. I felt it was important to add this because this will probably be the longest flight of your life, so you will definitely want to take some things with you.
Now, let’s get to the list!
I divided my list by rooms, and then used a highlighter to mark which things would be unmanned baggage and which things should go in his checked baggage. You will have to decide that on your own. Feel free to copy and paste this list into a Word document and make any changes you need. Then print it off and get started on your packing! I used the list we made for the things my husband is taking and then adding anything else I thought you might want.
Kitchen
- George Foreman Grill
- Toaster
- Spices
- Condiments
- Snacks
- Plates
- Bowls
- Silverware
- Cups
- Tupperware
- Pots/Pans
- Strainer
- Can opener
- Cutting board
- Kitchen Towels
- Utensils
- Knives
- Pot holders
- Small crock pot
- Wine opener
- Wine glasses
- Egg Poacher
- Mixing bowls
- Coffee maker/pot
- Dish soap
- Dish sponge
- Broom
- Cook Books
- Water filter
- Casserole Dish
- Cookie sheet/Pizza pan
- Cheese grater
- Potato peeler
- Salt and pepper shakers
Bathroom
- Towels
- Shower curtain
- Shower curtain hooks
- Shower rug
- Hand Soap
- Body Wash
- Shampoo
- Loofa
- Razor
- Razor charger
- Shaving stuff
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Clippers
- Floss
- Mouth wash
- Deodorant
- Cologne
Bedroom
- Pillows
- Sheets
- Blankets
- Mattress Pad
- Air mattress
- Fan
- Hangers
Living Area
- TV
- PlayStation/DVD Player
- DVDs
- Outlet strip
- Home decor/photo frames
- Rugs
- Humidifier/Dehumidifier
Other
- Civilian Clothes
- Uniforms
- Dress Uniform
- PTs
- Shoes
- Undergarments
- Coat
- Jacket
- Rain coat
- Vacuum
- Laptop
- Laptop charger
- Small hand tools (Hammer, screw driver, etc.)
- Headphones
- iPad
- GoPro equipment
- Sports equipment
- Bicycle
- Laundry basket
- Hamper
- Medications
- Luggage
Paperwork
- Passport
- Money
- Credit Card
- Orders
Carry On
- Snacks/Gum
- Water bottle
- Passport
- Orders
- Wallet/Money/Credit Card
- Pillow/Blanket
- iPad
- Headphones
- Books/Magazines
- Ear plugs
- Eye mask
- Eye drops
- Ibuprofen/Medications
Keep in mind that they do have a PX on post, so my husband plans to buy some things once he arrives. For instance, rather than buying a TV here and having it shipped, he plans to buy one once he arrives.
Obviously, not everyone is going to need everything on this list — for instance, if you hate to cook and plan to eat at the DFAC or restaurants most of the time, you won’t need as many kitchen supplies. This list is just a way for you make sure you don’t forget anything!
The Army has a Loan Closet, where you can borrow items such as pots/pans, plates, bowls, cups, television, can opener, etc. These items can be loaned for a 30-day period, while you wait for your unmanned baggage to arrive.
If you can think of something else that should be on this list, feel free to comment.Ā
This sounds so exciting! I am very interested in South Korea! We have a plan to move there at some point with my boyfriend! Wish you a great time! Thanks for the post! It is definitely very useful!
I’m glad this was helpful Rhonda! I’m in South Korea right now visiting my husband, so be sure to check back often. I’ll be doing lots of posts on South Korea. Good luck in your future move! š
South Korea! This sounds so adventurous! I have always wanted to go there and to other Asian countries too! But I have never thought of moving there! Thanks for the list, I will definitely use it some day when going somewhere for a long time! Thanks and good luck! <3
Thanks Courtney! It definitely feels adventurous! š I hope you make it to Asia someday!
How do you like it there? Was the move easy? My husband I just got orders to go there. I am weighing the options of going or not! We have a large dog and a cat that are also a huge consideration! Thank you š
Hey Kayla, I’m not sure whether to say congrats or sorry about the orders you guys got. I didn’t actually live there with my husband, but I did get to spend two months visiting. My advice, after going through that year, is to go. If you can make it work to go with your husband, go. I wish very very badly I had went for the full time, even if it meant being there longer than we wanted. Honestly, I didn’t love it there mostly because of the food and the culture shock, but I’m sure I would have gotten used to it if I had lived there. I did, however, loved exploring with my husband while I was there. There are so many neat places to see and things to do. So many great weekend trips and it’s so cheap to travel to nearby countries. We took a trip to the Philippines while I was there and it was awesome. Be sure to check out my other posts about areas around South Korea so you get an idea of what all there is to do. And if you are going to be near Seoul, it is very Americanized there and I think you would like it. My husband was stationed down south, so it was a much different experience. Hope that helps!
Im torn too. This blog has helped. We have 2 kids ages 5 and 8. Im not sure if this is a place i want to take my kids or if we should just wait out the year and have him fly home a few times.. i would like to visit him but it would be scary flying alone with my boy… bow that you have been there would you go with your children?
Morgan,
I spent two months — one in the spring, and one in the fall — in Korea visiting my husband. In all honesty, I wish I had went with him and lived there. The number one reason being that it would have been better for our marriage. I also think it would have really been good for us and we would have gotten to explore so many more places. (It’s a lot cheaper to travel over there to areas nearby.) I can’t remember ever feeling not safe while I was there. It was definitely overwhelming at times to be in such a different culture, but I would personally recommend going and even taking your children. If your husband is going to be in the Seoul area, I really recommend going — it is a much more Americanized area. We visited Seoul a couple times and it was a huge difference from where my husband was stationed in Daegu. I hope that helps! Good luck in making a decision, and I hope you at least get to visit once for the experience!
Did you have any trouble with bring pantry items like spices, canned foods, opened bags of flour? I’ll skip the liquids but I would prefer not to toss the rest. Thanks!
My husband didn’t take anything like that, but just bought new when he got there. It will really depend on your moving company as to whether they will let you take those things. If they do, I suggest putting them in plastic Ziplock bags — individually — so that if anything spills or leaks, it won’t ruin all your stuff or make as much of a mess. Hope that helps Brandi!