Removals to Hong Kong from the UK
Hong Kong has been the Asian Express head office since 1979. It is also a separate customs territory from mainland China, which makes it a considerably simpler destination to ship to.
Hong Kong is the most straightforward destination on this site. It is a free port and a separate customs territory from mainland China, so importing used personal effects is generally far simpler than a mainland import — there is no residence-permit-driven clearance process of the kind that governs shipments into China.
Plan on eight to thirteen weeks door to door by sea, or one to two weeks by air. Asian Express has been headquartered here since 1979, so this is the destination where the company has by far the deepest local operation.
- Our presence
- Asian Express head office, in Hong Kong since 1979
- Customs status
- A free port and a separate customs territory from mainland China
- Sea routing
- Direct from UK ports to Hong Kong
- Door-to-door planning range
- 8–13 weeks by sea, 1–2 weeks by air
- Electrical supply
- 220V/50Hz with UK-style type G plugs — UK appliances fit
Why Hong Kong is easier than the mainland
| Hong Kong | Mainland China | |
|---|---|---|
| Customs territory | Separate, free port | PRC national customs framework |
| Personal effects import | Generally straightforward | Cleared against your residence permit |
| Must you be in the territory first? | Far less constraining | In practice yes, before goods can clear |
| General duty position | Free port; duty applies to a short list of dutiable commodities | Duty assessment depends on status and goods |
| Plug type | Type G — the same as the UK | Types A, C and I |
| Typical clearance duration | Short | Longer, and inspection is common |
The practical upshot is that a Hong Kong move has fewer ways to go wrong, and the scheduling pressure that dominates mainland moves — get the residence permit before the goods land — is much reduced.
Delivering in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is the most access-constrained destination we serve, and it is where a survey earns its keep. Flats are small, lifts are often small, and buildings on the Mid-Levels, in Sai Ying Pun and across the older parts of Kowloon can involve steep approaches, narrow lanes and stair carries. Village houses in the New Territories and on the outlying islands may require a transfer to a smaller vehicle, and on Lamma or Peng Chau, delivery involves a ferry and a trolley.
None of this is unusual for our crews — it is the home market. But it does mean the honest answer to "will my sofa fit?" is often no, and it is much better to establish that in the UK before it is packed than in a Hong Kong lift lobby afterwards.
Measure before you ship. Hong Kong flats are small by UK standards and lift dimensions are the binding constraint on large furniture. Send us the flat's floor plan and the lift dimensions if you can get them; we will tell you honestly what will and will not go in. That conversation regularly saves people the cost of shipping furniture that has to be sold on arrival.
What actually slows a delivery down in China
Once your shipment is cleared, the remaining problems are physical, and they are the same across Chinese cities. Our surveyors ask about all of these before quoting, because each one is a cost if it is discovered on the day.
- Compound access. Many residential developments will not admit a full-size removal vehicle. Goods transfer to a smaller shuttle at the gate — extra handling, extra labour, and a charge if it was not quoted for.
- Lift dimensions. Chinese residential lifts are frequently smaller than UK ones. A three-seat sofa or a double wardrobe that will not fit means a stair carry, and above a few floors that is a significant cost.
- Delivery time windows. Estate management commonly restricts when removals may take place, and sometimes requires notice or a deposit. We arrange this in advance where we can.
- Parking and street access. Central districts in all four cities restrict large-vehicle access at certain hours.
- Protecting common areas. Some buildings require lift and corridor protection to be fitted before a move. Our crews carry it.
Tell us the building, not just the city. Floor number, lift availability, whether the compound admits large vehicles, and any management restrictions. Five minutes of questions at survey prevents the most common source of a revised invoice on delivery day.
Questions people ask before booking
Do I pay duty on my personal effects in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong is a free port and does not levy general import duty; excise duties apply to a short list of dutiable commodities, which includes alcohol and tobacco. Used household effects are generally straightforward. Confirm current requirements with Hong Kong Customs and Excise before shipping.
Will my UK appliances and plugs work in Hong Kong?
Yes. Hong Kong uses 220V/50Hz with UK-style type G plugs, so UK appliances work without adaptors — one of the few places in the region where that is true. Mainland China uses different plug types.
Is Hong Kong cheaper to ship to than mainland China?
Often slightly, because clearance is simpler and there is no inland leg. The bigger difference is risk: fewer things can go wrong with the paperwork.
I am moving from Hong Kong to mainland China later. Does that help?
It does not exempt you from anything. Moving goods from Hong Kong into the mainland is a mainland import with the full documentary requirements. If you know you will move on within a year or two, it is worth discussing at the outset.