What kind of groceries should I carry from India when moving to the US for studies? Is it allowed? And like what makes sense to take vs buy there?
You can definitely take groceries, just nothing with fresh fruits/veg/meat. Customs are not so strict if you stick to dry, sealed, labelled items. I took like 2 packs of ready-to-eat curries, some instant poha, khichdi, masala, maggi. Indian snacks help big time when you’re new and miss home food. Also take your favourite chai stuff if you drink it, it’s wayy expensive there.
@anonymous57 , just came across this and thought I’d drop a quick answer. I did my master’s in the U.S. and had the same questions when I was preparing to leave for the first time.
Yes, you can carry groceries from India as long as they’re dry, packaged, and sealed. Avoid anything fresh, frozen, or with meat, since it won’t make it through customs.
Here’s what usually makes sense to bring: basic masalas in small, labeled packets, a few ready-to-eat items (like MTR for the first week or two), snacks you love from home, and maybe some dal or pulses to get started. A pressure cooker and tawa are super useful and much more expensive in the U.S., so if you plan to cook regularly, it’s worth packing them.
Once you’re there, you’ll find Indian stores in most cities or nearby suburbs. Things like rice, atta, dal, oil, frozen parathas, and even paneer are easy to find. So don’t stress about carrying everything. Just bring what will make your first few weeks more comfortable while you settle in.
If you need a packing list or help deciding what to take versus what to buy there, feel free to reach out. Happy to help.
1 Like