International Travel Packing Checklist for Pakistanis — Don't Forget Anything

Documents — The Non-Negotiables

• Passport — valid for at least 6 months beyond return date
• Visa — printed plus digital copy
• CNIC — original plus 2 photocopies
• Flight tickets (printed + digital screenshot)
• Hotel / accommodation booking confirmation
• Travel insurance certificate
• Foreign currency — exchange in Pakistan, airport rates are 8–12% worse
• International ATM card — notify your bank before travel
• Emergency contact list on paper — in case phone is lost or dead

Electronics — Adapter Types by Country

• UAE / Saudi Arabia / UK: Type G adapter (same as Pakistan — often no adapter needed)
• USA / Canada: Type A/B adapter (two flat pins)
• Europe / Turkey / Malaysia: Type C adapter (two round pins)
• China: Type A and Type I adapters
• Universal travel adapter — safest option if visiting multiple countries
• Power bank (check airline rules — generally max 100Wh in carry-on only)
• Laptop with charger
• Phone with international roaming enabled OR local SIM plan arranged

Pakistani-Specific Items People Always Forget

These are things Pakistanis genuinely miss abroad and are hard to find:

• Shan or National masala packets — sealed, within limits
• Achi sauce (Nurpur, Mitchell's) — small bottle
• Chai patti — tea bags or loose leaf, especially Pakistani black tea
• Halal snacks for the flight — Pakistani namkeen, biscuits
• Antibiotic prescription from your doctor — pharmacies abroad require local prescriptions
• Stomach medicine (Entogermina, Flagyl) — Pakistani stomachs often react to foreign food
• Prayer times app + travel prayer mat
• List of local halal restaurants at your destination

Clothing Tips

• Check the climate at your destination — dress layers for Europe and Canada
• Carry one formal outfit — for visa appointments, formal meetings, or religious visits
• Quick-dry fabrics are worth the investment for travel
• Comfortable walking shoes — broken in before the trip, not new

Pakistani Customs on Return — What You Can Bring Back

• Duty-free allowance: PKR 50,000 per person (approximately USD 175–200)
• Electronics for personal use are generally allowed (one laptop, one phone)
• Gold: up to 50g for women, not typically allowed for men without declaration
• Gifts: personal use quantities only — multiple units suggest commercial import
• Alcohol: not permitted for import into Pakistan
• Large amounts of foreign currency must be declared at customs