A medical tourism packing list organized by category, from non-negotiable medical documents to the China-specific items most patients forget. Print this before you book your flight.
A medical tourism packing list has 40+ items across 7 categories, and the one item most patients forget (a VPN subscription for China) is the one that makes everything else easier. This list is organized by priority: medical documents first, comfort items last. Pack the top categories even if you ignore the rest.
Current as of March 2026.
Medical documents are the single most important category, and missing even one can delay your surgery by 2-5 days. A 2023 study in BMC Health Services Research (opens in new tab) found that 12% of international patients experienced procedural delays due to incomplete records. Keep originals in your carry-on and digital copies in cloud storage.
Category | Priority | Key Items | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Identity & Legal | Non-negotiable | Passport (6+ months validity), visa, hospital confirmation letter | Carry-on only, never checked luggage |
Medical Records | Non-negotiable | Imaging (CD/USB, DICOM), lab results (<30 days), pathology reports | Email a backup copy to yourself |
Insurance & Contacts | Non-negotiable | Travel insurance policy, emergency contact list, embassy numbers | Print + digital copies |
Prescriptions | High | Medication list (generic names, dosages), allergy card in English/Chinese | Original pharmacy bottles required |
Financial | High | Cost estimate from hospital, payment confirmation, HSA/FSA cards | See our HSA/FSA payment guide |
Travel | Medium | Flight itinerary, hotel confirmation, ground transport details | Share with your coordinator |
Passport (valid for at least 6 months past your return date)
Hospital confirmation letter with your coordinator's name, direct phone number, and email
Medical records package: diagnosis report, imaging on CD or USB (DICOM format), lab results from the past 30 days, pathology reports if applicable
Medication list with drug names, dosages, and prescribing physician (generic names, not brand names, translate better internationally)
Treatment plan and cost estimate from the hospital, printed and in email
Travel medical insurance policy with emergency contact number (see our insurance guide)
Emergency contacts list: your US doctor, your hospital coordinator, your travel insurance hotline, your companion's phone number, the US Embassy in Beijing (+86-10-8531-4000) or Shanghai (+86-21-8011-2200)
One copy in your carry-on. One copy emailed to yourself. One copy with your companion. Never pack medical documents in checked luggage.
Bring a 30-day supply of current medications in original pharmacy bottles, plus a 7-day buffer. Chinese customs requires proof that medications are prescribed to you, per Chinese customs regulations (opens in new tab). And don't assume you can pick up US-brand prescriptions at a Chinese pharmacy, because most aren't stocked.
Current prescriptions in original bottles with prescription labels showing your name
Compression stockings (graduated, 15-20 mmHg) for the return flight to reduce DVT risk, per American College of Chest Physicians guidelines (opens in new tab)
Over-the-counter basics: acetaminophen, ibuprofen, antacid, anti-diarrheal, melatonin for jet lag
Post-surgical supplies recommended by your surgeon before departure (if any)
Allergy card listing all drug allergies in English and Chinese (your hospital coordinator can prepare the Chinese translation)
Don't bring controlled substances in quantities exceeding a 30-day personal supply. China's drug import regulations are strict. If you take opioid pain medication, carry your prescription letter and limit your supply to what you'll need for the trip. For a full pre-travel preparation timeline, see our step-by-step guide.
Dr. Lin Chen, MD, director of the Travel Medicine Center at Mount Auburn Hospital and associate professor at Harvard Medical School, recommends that all surgical travelers "pack medications in carry-on luggage with a physician's letter in both English and the destination language. Lost checked bags shouldn't mean missed doses."
Clothing for recovery needs to accommodate surgical sites, swelling, and limited range of motion. What you pack depends on which body part is getting operated on, but 5-7 days of clothing covers most 14-21 day medical trips.
For joint surgery (knee, hip, shoulder):
Loose-fitting pants with elastic waistbands (no jeans, no buttons below the waist)
Slip-on shoes (no laces; you won't be able to bend)
Shorts that clear the surgical dressing
For upper body surgery (cardiac, breast, abdominal):
Button-front or zip-front shirts (you won't be able to pull anything over your head)
Loose sports bras (post-breast surgery, per surgeon recommendation)
High-waisted pants that don't press on abdominal incisions
For any surgery:
Comfortable sleepwear (hospital gowns are provided, but your own clothes feel better during recovery)
A warm layer (hospital rooms run cool)
One set of "going out" clothes for post-discharge sightseeing
Hospital stays at Class 3A international departments include laundry service, so you don't need to overpack. For help choosing the right hospital, see our comparison guide.
Technology is more important for a medical trip to China than for regular travel, primarily because of China's internet restrictions. A 2024 Freedom House report (opens in new tab) confirmed that Gmail, Google Maps, WhatsApp, and most Western social media remain blocked without a VPN.
Phone with a VPN pre-installed and tested. ExpressVPN and Astrill are the most reliable options as of 2026. Set this up before you leave.
WeChat installed and activated. WeChat is how China communicates. Your coordinator, taxi drivers, restaurants, and pharmacies all use it. Set up your account and link a payment method before departure.
Portable battery pack (10,000+ mAh). Hospital rooms don't always have convenient outlet access.
Translation app (Google Translate works offline with downloaded Chinese language pack, but you'll need the VPN for the online version)
Tablet or e-reader for recovery downtime. You'll have hours of waiting. Bring entertainment.
Universal power adapter (China uses Type A and Type I outlets, 220V)
The VPN is the one item most patients forget, and it's the one that causes the most frustration. (Honestly, it should come pre-loaded on every medical tourist's phone at the airport.) Install it, test it, and make sure it works before your flight.
Dr. Marty Makary, MD, MPH, professor of surgery at Johns Hopkins University, advises patients traveling for surgery to "have all communication channels tested before departure. Post-operative patients who can't reach their care team or family due to connectivity issues experience measurably higher anxiety levels." For more on China's healthcare system and what to expect on the ground, see our overview.
Comfort items make the difference between a tolerable hospital stay and a miserable one. Chinese hospital rooms are functional but sparse compared to US private rooms, according to patients who've stayed at top-tier hospitals for foreigners.
Your own pillow (if you're particular about sleep quality)
Earplugs and eye mask (hospitals are never quiet)
Snacks from home (familiar food when hospital meals don't appeal; packaged only, no fresh produce through customs)
Books, magazines, or downloaded shows (recovery involves long stretches of boredom)
Photos or a small comfort item from home (sounds trivial until you're 7,000 miles away post-surgery)
Skip the heavy items. Your companion can buy anything you've forgotten at a Shanghai or Beijing convenience store, which are open 24/7 and within walking distance of every major hospital.
China-specific items address the practical realities of spending 2-3 weeks in a country with different infrastructure, internet, and payment systems. Per a 2023 McKinsey report on China's digital economy (opens in new tab), 92% of urban transactions are cashless, so mobile payment setup is essentially mandatory.
VPN subscription (see Technology section; this is worth mentioning twice)
WeChat Pay or Alipay setup (link an international credit card; cash is rarely used in Chinese cities)
Small amount of RMB cash (1,000-2,000 RMB, roughly $140-$275, for the rare vendor that doesn't take mobile payment)
Power adapter (Type A/Type I, 220V; your US phone charger works with just a plug adapter since most chargers are dual-voltage)
Pocket Wi-Fi rental (if your VPN is unreliable; pick up at the airport for $5-$10/day)
Business cards with your name, hotel address, and hospital address in Chinese characters (your coordinator can prepare these)
Don't bring perishable food, plants, or excessive quantities of any medication. Chinese customs is efficient but thorough on restricted items. But do bring patience: the first 48 hours involve a learning curve with apps and payment systems that pays off quickly. For a side-by-side look at China vs. other medical tourism destinations, see our comparison.
Knowing what to leave behind saves luggage space and customs hassle. About 30% of first-time medical tourists overpack, according to travel coordinators at major Chinese hospitals.
Excessive cash. WeChat Pay and Alipay work everywhere in Shanghai and Beijing. $200-$300 in RMB covers emergencies.
Expensive jewelry. Leave it home. Hospital stays mean shared spaces.
Work laptop (unless you genuinely need it). Recovery is not productive time. Accept that.
Heavy books. Download everything. Your carry-on needs space for medical documents.
Gifts for hospital staff. Kind thought, but unnecessary and sometimes awkward. A written thank-you note in English is appreciated more.
If you're wondering about overall costs and savings, our savings calculator breaks down the numbers. And for the complete pre-surgery checklist, we've got a dedicated walkthrough.
Yes, you can bring personal medications into China in quantities for personal use (up to a 30-day supply), per Chinese customs regulations published by the General Administration of Customs. Keep medications in original pharmacy bottles with prescription labels showing your name and the prescribing doctor. Carry a letter from your US physician listing each medication, dosage, and medical necessity. For controlled substances (opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants), limits are stricter and you should carry your prescription plus a doctor's letter explaining the medical need. Contact the Chinese Embassy or your hospital's international department for guidance on specific medications.
Hospital rooms at Class 3A international wards provide basic toiletries (soap, shampoo, towels, toilet paper), but they're institutional quality. Bring travel-sized versions of your preferred products: toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, face wash, moisturizer, and any specialty items (contact lens solution, hair products). Shanghai and Beijing have Watson's, Olive Young, and 7-Eleven stores within walking distance of major hospitals where you can buy anything you forgot. Don't pack full-sized bottles. Your luggage space is better used for medical documents and recovery clothing.
Yes, bring prescribed medical equipment including CPAP machines, blood glucose monitors, and any prescribed orthopedic aids. Most CPAP machines are dual-voltage (110-220V), so you just need a plug adapter for China's Type A or Type I outlets. Carry a doctor's letter explaining the medical necessity for customs. Chinese airlines and TSA both permit CPAP machines in carry-on luggage. Let the hospital know in advance that you use a CPAP so they can arrange appropriate power access in your room, per standard Class 3A hospital accommodation protocols. For power adapters and voltage, see the Technology section above.
Shanghai and Beijing are modern cities with 24/7 convenience stores, full-service pharmacies, and international shopping districts. You can buy compression stockings, over-the-counter medications, toiletries, clothing, electronics, and power adapters locally. Your hospital coordinator can help with pharmacy visits and translations. The only items you truly can't replace in China are your medical records, prescription medications in original bottles, and your passport. Everything else is purchasable within 30 minutes of any major hospital. For a full planning overview, see our step-by-step surgery abroad guide.
Start your packing list 2-3 weeks before departure, per recommendations from the CDC's Travelers' Health division (opens in new tab). Medical documents take the longest to assemble: request records from your US doctor at least 3 weeks out, get imaging transferred to CD or USB, and confirm your insurance policy is active for your travel dates. The clothing and comfort items can wait until the week before. But the VPN, WeChat, and mobile payment setup should happen at least 5-7 days early so you have time to troubleshoot.
Pack your medical documents. Everything else, you can buy in Shanghai.
Browse procedures and start planning your trip
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Customs regulations and hospital policies change. Verify specific requirements with your hospital's international department and the Chinese Embassy before departure.
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