Packing for an international move is vastly different from a vacation; you are essentially distilling your life into a few boxes. Start by categorizing items into "Essentials" (meds, documents, two weeks of clothes) and "Delayed" items. Use vacuum-seal bags to compress clothing, which saves space for heavier items like books or small keepsakes. Place heavy items at the bottom near the wheels to maintain the suitcase's center of gravity. Wrap fragile electronics in soft knitwear rather than bubble wrap to save space. Crucially, photograph the contents of every bag for insurance purposes before sealing them. Ensure you leave room for a universal power adapter and a copy of your new lease or work visa. If you are moving to a drastically different climate, prioritize packing "high-utility" layers over bulky single-use coats. Finally, weigh your bags with a digital scale to avoid massive "excess baggage" fees, which in 2026 can often exceed the cost of shipping the items separately via sea freight.