What to stock up on?

Scousebanana · 08-08-2017, 08:27 AM

The restrictions aren't as bad here as they are in big food producing nations such as Australia, but you aren't supposed to bring in any meat or dairy. Plus if what you are importing does not meet local food standards, you could have the goods confiscated, but that's unlikely if your items are from the UK (other than if you are reselling, in which case some relabelling might be required). If you are packing your goods amongst a container load of household goods and furniture, customs are unlikely to find them, unless you are unlucky enough to be one of the containers selected for a random customs selection, or if food is listed as an item on your manifest. If you have a picky shipper, there is a risk that they will refuse to ship it.

The only bad Hong Kong customs experience I've heard about is someone who had wine in their shipment container and they got stung for huge duty charges, but it was very nice wine, so they paid.

Scousebanana · 08-08-2017, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by bugaboo:

Does anyone know what the deal is in shipping foodstuffs to HK? I'm moving a whole load of personal effects to HK from the UK. Included will be some foodstuffs: chocolate, pasta, cereal, dried fruit, crisps, jam. The facts sheet for HK given by the removal companies include something along the lines of:

Personally we can find all the brands of pasta, cereal, dried fruit, crisps and jam we used to buy in the UK here in Hong Kong. It's more expensive of course as it's imported, but for the relatively small quantities we use, we can't be bothered bringing it back. Be careful about chocolate - they do Cadburys, Mars etc. here but the formulation is usually the Australian version which tastes different to the UK one, but that's because it doesn't melt as easily in the heat. We try to avoid bringing chocolate back during the summer.

We are heading back to the UK for a trip later this month and we will be bringing back decaff coffee (limited choice here and expensive) and certain off the shelf pharmaceuticals and toiletries as we just prefer the UK brands over what's available locally, dishwasher freshener and tampons.

bugaboo · 08-08-2017, 08:46 AM

Originally Posted by WMDS:

I wouldn't ship food, as you can purchased 99% of your local food in HK.

I'm only shipping stuff that I know you can't get in HK.

If you really insist on bringing food over, take it in your flight luggage.

I would rather reserve my baggage allowance for more valuable stuff!

Enzos · 08-08-2017, 08:49 AM

I can update you on it in 2 weeks when our stuff (hopefully!) arrives.
The HK guidelines said nonpershible items, dry goods and cans were all good even wine actually but our shipping agency did advise us not to (although they didn't have such a scary list of guidelines/what would happen if you do!)

bugaboo · 08-08-2017, 08:54 AM

Originally Posted by Scousebanana:

If you are packing your goods amongst a container load of household goods and furniture, customs are unlikely to find them, unless you are unlucky enough to be one of the containers selected for a random customs selection, or if food is listed as an item on your manifest. If you have a picky shipper, there is a risk that they will refuse to ship it.

My plan was to list it in the manifest. Just wondering if anyone here had any experience good or bad that they wish to share.

The only bad Hong Kong customs experience I've heard about is someone who had wine in their shipment container and they got stung for huge duty charges, but it was very nice wine, so they paid.

When was this? According to HK Gov's Customs website, as of 2008 there are no duties on wine. The only duties on alcohol is for stuff exceeding 30% strength.

East_coast · 08-08-2017, 09:16 AM

Originally Posted by bugaboo:

I'm only shipping stuff that I know you can't get in HK.

What do you think you can't get in HK?

WMDS · 08-08-2017, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by bugaboo:

I'm only shipping stuff that I know you can't get in HK.

I accept your challenge, what food stuff HK will not have?

HK_Katherine · 08-08-2017, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by bugaboo:

Does anyone know what the deal is in shipping foodstuffs to HK? I'm moving a whole load of personal effects to HK from the UK. Included will be some foodstuffs: chocolate, pasta, cereal, dried fruit, crisps, jam. The facts sheet for HK given by the removal companies include something along the lines of:

And then it says:

Is it as bad as the above makes it out to be?

I shipped my entire kitchen, including all the food in the cupboards (not fridge) .. including out of date, half used and all sorts. No problem at all.

HK_Katherine · 08-08-2017, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by East_coast:

What do you think you can't get in HK?

Low calorie Heinz salad cream.
Sucralose sweeteners in tablet form.

Plus a bunch of other things that are possible to find, if you search 6 supermarkets and then pay 10x the price they would be "back home".