Moving stuff from NY to HK, what are the costs?

[edgecombe]

Hi Brooklynexpat,

Thanks for your advice. Yes, the stay will be for 18months. I think you're right. I'll probably bring my clothes and work stuff and leave the kitchenware in NY. I'm not entirely sure where I will be living. I am staying with a friend for the first month while I take a look around and see what is on offer. My budget is $15k pcm and I would like to be around the usual expat areas on HK island though I fear I may be outside of the range so looking at alternatives that aren't too shabby....

[edgecombe]

Hi Kacoak,

Thanks for your reply. I plan to buy basic furniture in HK. Good to know re:bedding-I'm guessing it's the English size although I'm likely to bring my comforter largely because it's goosedown from ABC. I think I'll prioritize clothing wise and I plan to bring enough kitchenware for one person only. I have an apt here in NY which I am subletting so will be comfortable in leaving my furniture behind. Thanks again, an idea of how the HK apts run has been really useful =)

[edgecombe]

Hi Ychia76,

Thanks for your reply. This is great info. It gives me a ballpark of what I may consider sending over. The binders will likely fit in 5 legal storage boxes and whatever is leftover in my allowance I shall send kitchenware, comforter via boat. I'll prioritize clothes wise what to bring with me in two suitcases and furniture will buy in HK. Thanks again, most helpful..

[Stoob]

...the binders are full of work that is invaluable to me....not entirely sure why I am explaining myself for my own decisions here.

Some sort of scanner may be in order?

[penguinsix]

$1000 US does not go very far with UPS. You might have better luck as 'excess baggage' with your airline as most airlines will allow as many as 8-10 bags, for a fee. You might consider some of those 'vacuum bags' that reduces the size of your stuff so that you might fit more into your suitcases. 8 large suitcases as excess baggage are probably a bit cheaper than 8 UPS boxes.

As others have mentioned, bed sizes are different (though not by much). Generally you can just tuck in any excess. Large sized clothes are slightly more difficult. Pots and pans I would bring only if you do quite a lot of cooking (in a rather small kitchen in a social environment where many simply dine out many nights).

I'd second the recommendation of a scanner. I brought over probably a legal box worth of files and it's just a pain to have, though yes, I've need this or that over the last year or two. But scanned copies for many of the important things would have sufficed much better.

[MovingIn07]

I'll go out on a limb here and be different. I shipped a 40 foot container carrying pretty much everything I own. I love my own "stuff" and I have lovely kitchenware and a Royal Doulton dining set with me - mostly still all packed in boxes and I use the plastic stuff for entertaining because I live in a boat and don't want my nice stuff dropped. But I like KNOWING that it's there. I went rummaging in my stuff the other day and found things I forgot I owned. I love doing that.
However, I live on a boat with huge amounts of storage space and the equivalent of about 2000sqft space - which is excessive in HK. You too can do that, but not on HK Island.

So - I'm just saying - I would hate to leave all my of things behind too, but you might have to.

You can look at shipping (not UPS boxes, proper "shipping") if you can get a part-load on a container it might not be much more than 1 or 2 grand. You'd get heaps more in that way. But do think about what you are going to rent and where you are going to put it when you arrive!

PS - the goosedown - that's is absolutely unnecessary here. It just never gets that cold!

[Raccon]

PS - the goosedown - that's is absolutely unnecessary here. It just never gets that cold!

Disagree, it can be quite cold in particular since apartments here are poorly insulated. Also temperatures have been known to dip below 10degC, which some people might find too cold for comfort.

[Renotommy]

Bear in mind that whatever you bring to Hong Kong, after your 18 month stay you must ship them back to NYC or wherever your next destination is. By then, you'll have to pay for the expanses of shipping yourself.

[pallack]

@edgecome forgive them for their way of helping others & i think if you really gonna migrate here in h.k. you've need to get used to those ways because thats how they really are in the market, any transportation,you think it only happens in N. Y? canto-chinesse sorry but its a reality facts, they love to spit everywhere ...... anyway 1000 USD. is 7000HKD. if its free & you really need to use it or else you will return it to the co. just like my boss situation .... i think it would be wise to send shoes instead of plates because you will do alot of walking & running in here though maybe you have your own car if you have durable umbrellas they will be really useful most umbrella here are easy to torn you can may also carry some of your favorite winter coat though this is h.k. & it suppose not to be colder than N.Y but it is'' why? because in N.Y there is cetralized heater here we dont, other things are swimming gear & any other stuff for swimming or scubba diving & any other you used for sports or exercise ...GOD Bless'' good to see you soon here in H.K you can pm. me if you need some help'' im a volunteer in organization

[MovingIn07]

Crikey. Now I know what the paragraph was invented for.