Moving to HK, What to Ship?

We're moving from Manila to HK in a few months, and we are sending shipments to HK from both Manila and Canada. We will have infant twins (due next month) and a two year old. I've read that some items are considerably more expensive or not available in HK. What do you recommend we send in our shipments?


I've read in some posts that childrens clothes are more expensive in HK than North America. How is the shopping in Shenzen for childrens clothes and other items?


Any other useful information would be very much appreciated. Thanks

Hi tmk,

I don't know if it's any help but we moved to Hong Kong with 3 suitcases and two boxes, one toddler and a baby on the way. We have found that you can buy everything over here. Yes some things are more expensive and some are cheaper than the UK (swings and roundabouts). I haven't been to Shenzen yet but friends of mine who have been say it's manic. One of my friends had her baby taken out of the stroller whilst she had her head turned. The lady was just being friendly and wanted to cuddle the baby, but it was a little disconcerting. My husband says that you have to be prepared for people to be constantly grabbing you and trying to sell you something. I haven't ventured there yet with the children. We get our kids clothes in Stanley market. They are cheap and there are often alot of names. We make a day of it from DB and have lunch in one of the many restaurants.


Jools

Other stuff, I am not sure. But for children's clothes, HK is cheaper. No need to go all the way to Shenzhen. Spend your time in Fa Yuen Street and or Shamsuipo area, where you will find a lot of cheap and reasonably good clothes, not just for your children and but for yourself as well.

A great way to buy stuff is on the trading post here if you are okay with gently used stuff. I do not take my kids to Shenzen, ever, not a place for them. Like the other posts said there are some great places to get cheap clothes and I have found everything is available here. I arrived preggers with first and shipped over only stuff that was from my sisters kids (i.e Free) and we got everything else here and it has been easy and not much more expensive, certainly cheaper than shipping most things. Good luck with your move and the twins!!!

I know many people who have completely kitted out their flats from our trading post. Probably cheaper to do this than to ship everything over


http://hongkong.asiaxpat.com/classifieds/

Shenzen is not the best place to go for children's clothes. In fact I think you would be mad to take children there at all - it is a bit of a dump and quite a stressful day out anyway - 4 lots of immigration and a minimum of 4 trains for a start!

It is mostly for tailoring for adults although some people have had children's clothes made there and copy handbags, watches, painting, shoes, electrical equipment, pirated DVD's.


Stanely Markets on the south side of the island is where a lot of people go to buy toddler clothing... mothercare, gap, osh kosh and lots of other brands especially the barbie, superman branded stuff.


As the previous poster mentioned I just bought up loads of Disney Winnie the Pooh clothes at a market stall in Fa Yuen for a friend with girl triplets at only HK $20 a piece (that's about $2.40 US - some even had the SEARS lables for US $40.00 on them. However you would be a very brave sould indeed to venture out with twins and toddler in the markets and still retain your sanity. There is most everthing here but not as easy to access with toddlers (even the main shopping centres with a double buggy and toddler in tow if you have to take public transport) so that is why lots of people employ full time live in helpers so they can get out and about.


See the other posting here which is talking about baby shops and it mentions Mothercare, Bumps to Babes which as the Eearly Learning Centre franchise (a large educational (0 - 5) toyshop in the UK) and the main supermarkets. Car seats and a double pushchair may be difficult but there is a twins club here in HK and if you put up anoher posting I am sure that someone will have the details.. They would be the best people to contact re: how you are going to get around easily and what is best to do regarding some help or I think they have a playgroup as well. Average price for a little girls osh kosh pinafore in Stanley markets is around $45 HK dollars without any bargaining. Nice baby blankets for swaddling around $50. (Carter's brand).

Whilst HK clothing would be cheaper than US, I doubt Manila markets would be more expensive than here - children and adult clothing alike.


Agree that children need not go to Shenzhen, but I did not read it that you intended to.


electrical goods - Manila is 110v, right? HK is 240v so you would need new appliances, or get step-down transformers (which I do not like).

I'd ship your cribs (baby cots) though, I think the selection here is really skinny.

Don't forget about healthcare, often families experience colds and tummy upests when moving to a new area. If you need any advice please feel free to contact our Health Centre 2849 1500.


Matilda International Hospital

Hong Kong

http://www.matilda.org

Thanks very much for all your input, very helpful. I don't expect we would take the children to the markets in HK or Shenzen; we'd never consider taking them to the markets in Manila or a few other places we've been in Asia. But we will definitely check the markets out ourselves. I suppose we'll stock up on infant/toddler clothes in Manila, but it's good to know that they're also quite affordable in the markets mentioned in your posts.


I suppose I could've been a little more specific in what to ship or not to ship, but I thought a generic "what to ship" would also help other readers. I'll be in furnished housing and provided with a shipment (bringing our own cribs, highchairs, change table etc). So what to put in the shipment? We'll ship a good supply of Childrens Tylenol, Cold and Flu etc. We can get most of what we want or need in Manila, so I expect there is very little we won't be able to find in HK. What things did you bring that you were glad you brought, or what are you wishing you had brought... either because it isn't available or very expensive?


I suppose I should plan a weekend trip or two to HK in the next month or two, and then I can answer my own questions:)


Also appreciate the advice on domestic help and health care etc!


Thanks everyone.

tmk,

After reading your response I think stocking up on any meds that you know and are comfortable with is a great idea, we always get some stuff brought over from Canada when people visit as some of the familiar brands are not readily available. That is not to say that there are not similar products here it is just about the familiar when you have a sick child, and we have had our share of colds and flus this year. A few extra bottles of banana flavour Tempra would have gone a long way!!

My hubby would always pick up tylenol, tempra, ovol drops and neo citren for me when he flew home. Truly though similiar products are available here so don't worry too much. There is a great pharmacy in Happy Valley that carries a HUGE range of products and is always able to answer questions about finding similar products.


Like you said a trip here is a good idea, see if your company has someone to help show you around and get you familiarized, that will make a world of difference and certainly keep posting questions, the people on these forums are great at helping each other out!

Oh yeah, if company is paying for freight, you may consider stock-piling baby formula if s/he is not breat fed. I don't know about Philippines or US prices, but the baby formula here is around HK$140 for a 900g tin - about twice that of Australia for example. That is for me the single-most expensive recurring baby consumable.

i'm from manila, but have lived in hongkong for 11 years now. it is so much better now than it was back when we first got here, and you can pretty much get anything you need. with a toddler, and twins on the way, what i would bring is your yaya (nanny in filipino) and probably medicines your kids are responsive to. good luck. if you'll be delivering here in hk and need obgyn referrals, let me know. i also have a great gp who my kids adore!