Tips from families who have already been to China.
RVing is wonderful but now we are not used to having to pack lightly. I'm compiling a packing list based on other BTDT (been there, done that) families have suggested. Unlike here if we need something we won't be able to count on just running to a store. Even though Walmart is in China the products are different. For example the pampers are not as absorbent. Antibiotics, diaper rash cream, cough drops, XL/tall clothes or paper plates are not available. We are planning on some sightseeing before Gotcha Day but after that we might be in the hotel rooms a lot. You might think because products are made in China they are available. In reality the name brand products are shipped to the US and then back to China making the prices higher than at home.
RVing is wonderful but now we are not used to having to pack lightly. I'm compiling a packing list based on other BTDT (been there, done that) families have suggested. Unlike here if we need something we won't be able to count on just running to a store. Even though Walmart is in China the products are different. For example the pampers are not as absorbent. Antibiotics, diaper rash cream, cough drops, XL/tall clothes or paper plates are not available. We are planning on some sightseeing before Gotcha Day but after that we might be in the hotel rooms a lot. You might think because products are made in China they are available. In reality the name brand products are shipped to the US and then back to China making the prices higher than at home.
Luggage allowances
US Airlines allow 50# and one checked bag per ticket, one 15# carry on bag and one personal item (purse or backpack). China airlines allow 44# and two checked bags, carry on and personal item. If traveling both we will need to meet the requirements of both airlines. So, 44# checked luggage in one bag. Can you imagine 44#? clothes, paperwork, medicine, entertainment, snacks. Joseph and Jewels stuff must also fit in our allowance flying to China. They will not have their own baggage allowance until they have their own tickets. I think we will be packing very light for them and buying clothes, formula and other supplies there. Taking the train will require even less luggage so packing light is imperative. Great advice from others is pack what you think you need. Then remove half. I'll try. NO liquids or gels are allowed in your carry-on on domestic in China flights. Like between Hong Kong and Beijing.
dry dishwashing soap sponges
irish spring bar soap
Aveeno oatmeal bath packets
nail clippers
daytime clothes that can double as pajamas
Get into the US Citizens line at your port of entry with “brown envelope”. Line will take forever. Up to 4 hours but more commonly 2 hours. With tired cranky kids and adults.
TO DO LIST
Chinese card: make laminated "adoption" card in Chinese, English and Pinyin explaining why we're in China in case we are not with guide when stopped by curious people.
order Ergo baby/toddler carrier
order attachment books and toddler sign book
order “no jet lag pills”
Find out which ATM cards work in China. Choose visa cards to bring.
order travel supplies
passport necklaces plastic zippers
Passport organizer (LL Bean) - husband wore daily for cash, passports, etc.
Travel neck wallet (LL Bean) - I only wore for travel days to carry passport
luggage scale for leaving chinaRFID blocking wallets - Passports issued after 2006 (or sometime around there) has a chip in them that emits via a radio frequency the information from your passport. There are differing opinions on what data is transmitted, but I'm not taking any chances.
Find camera cords, memory cards, chargers
Film a video touring our home, store, bedrooms, grandparents and pets. Download it on our laptop for Joseph to watch in hotel and on plane.
Download movie videos and games on laptop
Download podcasts or audio books
Make extra copies of ALL documents for safe (passports, visa page,license, cr. cards) - Also leave extra copies of ALL paperwork at home
PLANNING TIPS
Airline
Make sure you reserve the bulkhead seating for Jewel for flight home. You get oodles more leg room and you get a bassinet for the baby to sleep in. It doesn't cost any more than any other ticket. Request a king sized bed rather than two "double" beds. The double beds are really slightly larger than a twin; two people really can't fit in them.
Pack all suitcase items in bags in case of tears in suitcase
Every suitcase holds 1/4 of each persons items in case one is lost.
Liquids in bags and then in sealed plastic boxes to use as dish tubs. If you take the cap off liquids or loosen the top or pop up the lid then squeeze out the air, thus creating a vacuum, before tightening the lid, it won't leak. Put them in a ziplock bag anyway for double protection.
ASK FOR HELP - Before you leave, be bold and ask some folks if they would bring you a meal for the week you get home. You will need it! When you are so tired that you feel like someone drugged your drink when you weren't looking, making dinner is the last thing on your mind. If you are really bold, ask someone to clean your house for you and put some essentials in your frig for you before you get home too.
Clothing tips
Do not count on laundry until Guangzhou. Pack as needed.
Nylon clothes will dry in room after washing. Not cotton.
Take and toss old socks/undies and have fresh new ones waiting at home.
Pack clothing in roll up space bags. They don’t need a vacuum. take extras as they sometimes break.
Jewel
La ba ba = poop in Mandarin
Pampers Do not open they are factory compressed
Huggies overnights
unscented wipes
scented diaper disposal bags
diaper rash cream
Formula in case you can't get to the store right away
variety bottles and nipples
sippy cup spill proof and no valve also
drool towels
plastic or cloth bibs we don’t mind throwing away.
cheap easy to wash and dry washcloths cheerios
stacking cups
rice cereal
gerber puffs
teething tablets or gel
vicks baby rub
infant gas drops
baby motrin
baby tylenol
liquid medicine syringe
baby cough syrup
baby vicks patches
infant glycerin suppositories
diaper rash ointment
saline nasal spray
nasal aspirator
thermometer
prune baby food or dried
huggies disposable wash clothes with soap included Eucerin calming cream lotion for after baths
baby shampoo and soap
blanket
8 onesies
3 footed sleepers for layering also
8 outfits
socks
jacket
hat
hair ribbons or headbands
Joseph
Huggies pull ups?
toothbrush
underwear
6 outfits
t-shirts for layering
jacket
pajamas
snuggle blanket
Household goods
Thermos for hot bottle water
paper plates
paper bowls
plastic forks, spoons Pre-wrapped plastic-wear sets?
sharp knife
toddler spoon or fork
suction cup bowl
snack trap from BRU or target or other snack bowlsdry dishwashing soap sponges
2 Small plastic bins for snacks or liquids, sized 14x11x6.5 -For washing dishes and when empty put our treasures in it for the trip home.
tide packets
clothes pins for drying line
pump hand soap
napkins
paper towels
kitchen sized trash bags
Ziplocks are useful for everything. Bring one 2 gallon sized one for the clothes your child came in on Gotcha Day. If you are getting finding day clothes, bring a second 2 gallon sized bag.
Plastic quart jar with tight sealing lid for storing cool water and mixing formula.
Foods
pedialyte powder
dried apples and fruit
beef jerky
peanut butter
peanut butter crackers
snack bars like we took to Disney
instant oatmeal
water flavoring packets
Splenda
Cheerios
goldfish
peppermints for upset tummies
Medicine
Mom’s PRESCRIPTION medicine!!!
Eric’s PRESCRIPTION medicine!!!
melatonin
zanax
CIPRO - a prescription for traveler's diarrhea.
Immodium
2 thermometers!
Band-Aids
latex gloves
mucinex
dayquil pills
rolaids
benadryl for kids and adults
Antibiotics
dramamine
spearmint gum
peppermints
cough drops, throat lozenges
tylenol and ibuprofen
allergy pills
cortisone ointment for itch
fungus cream, ringworm
lotrimamin AF for yeasty diaper rash
scabies cream
lice treatment
yeast infection pills
children’s tylenol strips and ibuprofen
contacts and glasses
Miscellaneous Packing
GIFTS - We need 5 gifts at our civil affairs appointment (for the civil affairs official, his assistant, 2 orphanage representatives, and the notary). You will not need any in Guangzhou.
sunscreen
hand sanitizer packets
power voltage converters Magellan's has a great guide to walk you through which ones you need. http://www.magellans.com/store/util/ElecWiz?Args=
power strips
power strips
febreeze for smoky smelly rooms
disinfecting wipes for airplane armrests and tables
sewing kit for adjusting kids clothes
charge & download cables for big camera
batteries for silver camera
video camera charger
diaper safety pins
bubble wrap for breakables
scissors
pocket knife
light weight shower curtain for picnics in room on dirty carpets
pens and paper
laundry bags or pop up clothes hampervideo tripod for Gotcha Days?
Swim attire for everyone and floaties. Swim diapers. swim caps
Toiletries
puffs tissue
toilet paper full size and travel sizes too
flush-able wipes in case of Giardia
travel shampoo. Buy more at careffour in Beijing (French version of Mega Walmart)
hairspray
deodorant
toothpaste for everyone to share
floss
8 toothbrushes just in case
hairbrush
feminine hygiene products
Q-tips
disposable razorsirish spring bar soap
Aveeno oatmeal bath packets
nail clippers
nail file
tweezers
contact rewetting drops
contact cleaning solution
Toys
inflatable ball
foam ball
crawl tunnel
bubbles
colored pencils, paper
bath toys
colored water pellets
park toys like a frisbee
Personal Packing for Each Person
shirts
jeans or pants
pairs socks and underweardaytime clothes that can double as pajamas
baseball cap for bad hair day
personal support garments for mom
take and toss jackets or hoodies for Beijing
light weight extra shoes in case yours get wet
General Flight Tips
Each carry-on bag is allowed a 1-quart bag of liquids, each must be 3 oz. or less.
Wear your heaviest clothes (jeans, sneakers, jackets) and pack lighter clothes (cargos, slacks).
Lost/Delayed Luggage - Put a copy of your itinerary in the outside pocket as well as your hotel info. Also write itinerary on the actual luggage tag.
Carry ons
$100 bills with cardboard placeholders in water proof labeled bags.
Information of hotels - you need hotel name/address for China immigration on airplane Contact sheet for US doctors and important ppl, including adoption agency
2 clear tie shut folders size A4 not letter size for paperwork (office depot)
passports
copies of passports for in room safe (leave a copy at home too)
extra passport photos
Backup emergency credit cardspencils, pens and paper
motion sickness bags
Sunglasses
Playing cards/card games
Travel pillow (Amazon-Lewis N. Clark adjustable travel neck pillow)-LOVED
tylenol
gum
snack bars
peanut butter crackers
laptop and charger
iphones and chargers
contact drops
eye plugs and eye mask
one change of clothes for everyone
cameras (pack cables)
carry on duct tape for repairs at baggage carousel
reading books
game boys with chargers
business cards with name, blog, email etc. in case you run into someone you want to contact
Very Important. If you make an in-country flight in China, NO liquids or gels are allowed in your carry-on at all. They will make you throw them away. If you do accidently miss something liquid and it ends up in your carry-on, wrap it inside something inside your carry-on and the x-ray may miss it. We were able to do this with Benadryl.
Paperwork to Carry On
DOCUMENTS TO BRING WITH YOU TO CHINA (I-800A) (per CAWLI)
HAND CARRY THESE DOCUMENTS! Do NOT put them in your checked luggage!
Please get 2 transparent plastic envelopes to separate these documents into two categories as outlined below:
FOR THE AMERICAN CONSULATE:
These forms must be presented to the American Consulate in a clear, legal size (if possible) plastic envelope that can be fastened or sealed. Make sure to purchase this before you travel!
1. Medical Examination For Immigrant Form from the American Consulate in Guangzhou: HYPERLINK "http://photos.state.gov/libraries/guangzhou/47024/Adoption/Medical%20Forms%202009.pdf%20" http://photos.state.gov/libraries/guangzhou/47024/Adoption/Medical%20Forms%202009.pdf DO NOT FILL OUT THESE FORMS! All the forms are for adoptees, so our guides in China will help with these forms after you finish the Chinese adoption.
2. Copy of INS form 171-H (or I-797, 797C, this is the same as the 171-H) "Notice of Favorable Determination". Be sure it is still valid! This document expires 15 months after the date of completion of advanced processing - the expiration date is listed on the form.
3. Copy of the I800 Provisional Approval and National Visa Center Letter
4. American passport with two photocopies of the photo and signature pages of each passport (parents only). Write “China Adoption With Love, Inc.” on your passport copies.
5. One original current home study/update in English. An amendment to the home study if you changed address, if you are adopting a special needs child, if you have any change in criminal record, marital status or income. If the social worker that does your home study amendment is not the social worker that did your home study, you need to provide a copy of the new social worker's license.
6. Vaccination Affidavit. One signature is good enough, and the signature needs to be notarized. The child’s name on this form should be his/her Chinese name (pg. 31).
7. American Consulate Adoption Document Checklist. DO NOT FILL OUT THESE FORMS! Our people in China will do this form for you (pg. 30-31).
8. The Citizenship Certificate Number if you are a naturalized citizen.
If YOU ARE MARRIED AND ONLY ONE SPOUSE IS TRAVELING, you will need to bring these additional documents:
8. A copy of the CCAA acceptance letter of the assigned child signed by both parents.
10. A home study update (for any major household changes and/or orphan’s conditions – e.g. special needs, different age, not addressed in the original home study for CIS approval). The update needs to state that the adoptive parents meet all state pre- adoption requirements.
FOR THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT:
1. Notice of Traveling to China to Adopt issued by China Center of Adoption Affairs. This document comes to the CAWLI
and will be given to you at the travel meeting. Bring four copies as well as the original. The names on the Chinese document
must be the same as on your passports!
2. 2x2" passport photo of each parent for registration. (Even if one spouse is traveling, both parents need to include their picture.)
3. Four copies of photo and signature pages of the passport for each parent.
4. One copy of the visa page in your passport.
5. A copy of original home study if adopting from Beijing City.
6. One copy of your complete dossier documents if you adopt from Ji Lin Province. (The agency will provide the documents.)
IN CHINA TIPS
Take more pictures than you think you want. Take oodles. You won't regret it. And, take more video too. Pictures don't capture the sounds and the language like video does.
If you like something and are debating whether to buy it, just buy it. Everything is so cheap, and you may regret it if you don't.
Souvenir Shopping
Rule of haggling--Aim for 1/4 of the original price they tell you. You may have to threaten to walk away. They will act irritated, but they will come down to your price
Pearls
Real Jade
squeaky shoes
shoes for the next 3 years. Narrow feet are hard to fit.
Ask your guide where your Hague Adoption Certificate is. Do not leave it with “brown envelope”. You need to keep this. Do not open “brown envelope”.
COMING HOME
Get into the US Citizens line at your port of entry with “brown envelope”. Line will take forever. Up to 4 hours but more commonly 2 hours. With tired cranky kids and adults.