Moving to Hong Kong
If you plan to live in Hong Kong, or are even considering it, there is certain essential information you’ll need before packing your bags: What clothing and other items will have to be brought here? How will they be sent? What about pets? The answers are all here, so relax and read on.
Preparations for Moving
It’s never easy knowing just what items to take with you when you move across town or to another state, let alone a place as exotic as Hong Kong. Along with a friendly neighbor who might lend a hand, your biggest asset by far will be advance preparation. Such planning will do much to prevent panic.
It might be best to begin by taking note of those things you do not want to bring with you or which, if you have a weight allowance, simply cannot go. Plants and flammable items should not be shipped. Don’t take opened liquor bottles. Firearms and drugs are absolutely prohibited from entering Hong Kong. Frozen and perishable foods should not be shipped. Important papers – such as passports, legal documents, savings account bankbooks, insurance policies, money – should not be shipped. They should be put in a safe place where they will not accidentally wid up in a wooden crate.
Since it may be several months until you see your packed goods again, consider taking those items (clothing, toiletries, books, small games, toys, etc) that you will want while either traveling or staying in a hotel or apartment. Keep in mind changing seasons, too; you might move in summer but not see your shipment until winter. Some families bring a coffeepot for use in a hotel, but bear in mind that the voltage in Hong Kong is 220 at 50 cycles, so shavers and other items should be adaptable. A can opener, a knife, and other small kitchen utensils are useful. Even though hotels provide room service, it is often pleasant – especially with children – to be able to buy food in a store to keep in a hotel room, which will usually have a refrigerator.
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When contacting movers – and you may wish to call several for estimates – select those with experience in international packing and forwarding. Ask them which firms they list as clients, as this may indicate how experienced and skilful they are in the complicated business of shipments overseas.
You may want to insure your goods while they’re in transit, particularly if they have a high replacement cost. Estimate the value of your personal goods before deciding how much insurance coverage you need. It’s probably best to insure the whole lot together as you might have problems collecting a full refund if you’ve only insured a few items even if one of those is damaged. Remember to consider your clothing, shoes, antiques, paintings, silverware, and other items of high value. A copy of this list should be attached to the insurance certificate provided by your mover. Ask how long it will take for your shipment to arrive. It sometimes takes several weeks or months to locate and furnish an apartment in Hong Kong, so check where (and at what charge) your goods will be stored if you cannot accept them on your arrival. Ask for the name of the Hong Kong agent of your moving company, the address, and the telephone number.
Shipping
Below are listed the approximate shipping times from a number of countries to Hong Kong. These are approximate ocean transit times only. To these times must be added the days required for packing, transport to the terminal, customs clearance, and delivery. Be prepared for delays. The ocean transit time will also vary, depending on the shipping line and whether or not there is direct routing. Frequency of sailings is another matter to consider, and your goods may have to wait in storage. The packer should advise you of the available shipping dates so that the goods can be packed and shipped without delay. If goods arrive before you have located a flat, the storage fee is around $4.50 per cubic foot per month. This price varies slightly from company to company so it is good to shop around. |
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Customs Clearance
Customs clearance is usually a simple procedure, and very few items have duties imposed on them in Hong Kong. Drugs or firearms are strictly prohibited. This includes all guns, even antiques and some replicas. Duty for revenue purposes is imposed on liquor, cigarettes, and tobacco, methyl alcohol, some hydrocarbon oils, non-alcoholic beverages, and cosmetics.
There is a fee imposed on automobiles of between 40 and 60 percent of the purchase price, depending on the cost of the car. This is not technically a duty but a first registration tax. In addition, there is an annual license fee ranging from HK$3,929 to $11,329, depending on the engine’s cubic capacity. The cost of gas is now about $13.00 per liter.
The import and first registration of a car is something to evaluate very carefully. You might reasonably decide not to bring a car, and even not to have one at all on Hong Kong’s crowded roads. There are over 310,000 private cars here and despite having one of the world’s most efficient public transport systems, Hong Kong has among the world’s highest densities of vehicles to miles of road upon which to drive them. The public transport system is often as convenient and as fast as having your own car.
Electronic equipment and scientific instruments and apparatuses, including computers, computer peripherals, integrated circuits, printed circuit boards, and disk drives, are generally considered by the Hong Kong Trade Department to be strategic commodities. As such, they cannot be imported into Hong Kong unless an import license is granted by the Director of Trade.
What to bring
American, British, and European residents of Hong Kong can easily maintain their living standards here. Hong Kong imports goods from around the world, and the shops are full of necessities and luxuries in abundance. Suitable clothing, furniture, appliances, audio and video equipment,
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