This article was kindly prepared by Bryce Burns, Group Corporate Services Manager of Santa Fe. You can email Santa Fe on at sales@santafe.com.hk. We do not take any liability for the accuracy of material supplied by third parties. See our Hong Kong orientation page for additional information.
Hong Kong Removals
One of the best things to keep in mind when undertaking a Hong Kong removals is to be well prepared. An international move can typically take 7-12 days (by air) or 3-7 weeks (by sea) depending on what country you are coming from. It is best to start at least a few weeks (if not a couple of months) in advance of your move with a pre-move survey, the time at which a consultant will visit your home and measure the size of your shipment. He or she will also make a note of any special packing requirements such as the need for tailor made wooden crates for large or fragile items.
Be sure to research the customs requirements at destination. For Hong Kong shipping we will require a passport copy and letter from you giving Santa Fe the authorization to clear your shipment through customs. Another document required by customs is the inventory list that will be prepared by the moving company at origin. Normal household goods such as furniture, electronics and personal effects can be imported duty free into Hong Kong. Other items such as liquor and tobacco are dutiable.
Contact Santa Fe prior to packing so that we can give you advice on what should and should not be shipped to Hong Kong. For instance, most foreigners living in Hong Kong find themselves renting an apartment rather than a house, so outdoor items should be sold or stored at origin. There are some key main factors that determine the cost of a move. For example, an air shipment is typically more expensive than a sea shipment. The other factors are size of the shipment, country of origin, and what value you attach to your goods for insurance purposes (the insurance cost of a move is a percentage of the value you place on the items shipped).
For further information on the shipping aspects of Hong Kong removals visit the author's website.