Packing & Moving
Packing and moving could be some of the biggest topics during relocation. You may need to spare some time on comparing quotations, packing your belongings and learning whether there are any customs clearance issues.
Steps to take
Step 1: Decide what to ship to Hong Kong
You are advised to bring high-value items only, skip items such as electronic appliances and furniture that may not cost you much to buy a new one. Learn where to buy furnishing and appliances in Hong Kong. Before you ship any electronic appliances, pay attention to Hong Kong’s electricity and voltage (220 volts AC, 50Hz; three-pronged UK-style plug is the most common). You will now have a clearer picture of how many items you need to ship so you can get a more accurate quotation and decide the shipping plan that fits you the most. Check out what are the prohibited/ controlled items to bring to Hong Kong.
Step 2: Choose the moving company and shipping method
Compare the services, quotations and shipping solutions across moving companies. Notify your moving company in advance if you plan to live in temporary accommodation in Hong Kong so that they could recommend a shipping plan that suits your needs. You may wish to ship daily necessities through air freight first, and ship large and non-urgent items through ocean freight. You can then save the warehouse cost of storing non-urgent items as it takes a longer travelling time for ocean freight.
You may consider ocean freight or EMS services provided by the local postal office, international delivery solutions such as DHL Express/ FedEx, or other moving companies. You are also recommended to choose shipping options that provide tracking services and buy insurance to cover any loss or damages of your belongings. Learn more tips here.
Step 3 and moving onwards
Once your order is confirmed, you may start packing your items or ask your moving company to do so, especially for items that are difficult to handle. Moving companies could also provide storage solutions, insurance and customs services.
Costs & HKU Subsidy
Apart from the shipping cost, you shall check whether the quotation has already covered customs clearance services, storage cost, additional delivery costs for handling large items, furniture assembling cost, and whether they handle the remaining packaging materials after your items are unpacked. You should also pay extra attention to the insurance coverage in case of accidents or damages during the delivery process.
The cost of ocean freight may not necessarily be cheaper than that of air freight. Ocean freight may be a good deal if you are shipping a large number of items including furniture. However, if you do not have much to ship, air freight may be a cheaper and more efficient option. You may also opt for a multimodal solution considering how urgent you wish your items to arrive and the cost incurred.
The University will provide a one-way flight ticket and baggage allowance, learn more here.
Customs
In general, imports into Hong Kong are tax-free except for motor vehicles, liquors, tobacco, hydrocarbon oil and methyl alcohol. Learn more about the import and export clearance details on the website of the Customs and Excise Department.