A complete relocation hub for anyone moving to Hong Kong — whether you are relocating for work, joining family, retiring or moving a household internationally for the first time. Costs, shipping, visas, customs, housing, schools, pets and vehicles in one place.
Hong Kong is a free port: there is no customs duty and no sales tax on household goods, and no transfer-of-residence relief to apply for. The practical work is the electronic import declaration and the strict building access rules most residential towers enforce.
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Quick facts
Indicative planning benchmarks for an international household move — not a quotation.
Typical moving cost
from $4,900
Door-to-door benchmark, 20ft container entry point
Typical transit time
4–7 weeks
Ocean freight to the Kwai Tsing container terminals; transit varies by origin, and air freight is common for smaller apartment shipments
Cost of living
$$$$
Hong Kong Island (Mid-Levels) is the highest-cost hub
Key visa routes
General Employment Policy (GEP) visa · Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS)
Quality Migrant Admission Scheme · Dependant visa · Student visa
Customs difficulty
Moderate
Customs and Excise Department grants relief on Electronic import declaration lodged within 14 days of import, but the paperwork must be complete before arrival.
Major arrival cities
Hong Kong Island (Mid-Levels) · Kowloon · Discovery Bay
Hong Kong International (HKG)
Plan
Overview
How households actually arrive in Hong Kong: where they move from, how their goods travel, and what customs and tax treatment to expect.
Customs treatment depends on your origin as much as on Hong Kong — see the origin selector below.
| Household | Volume | Usual shipping option |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / partial load | 3–5 CBM | LCL groupage or luggage express |
| 1-bedroom apartment | 8–12 CBM | LCL consolidated groupage |
| 2-bedroom home | 18–22 CBM | 20ft sole-use container |
| 3-bedroom home | 28–32 CBM | 20ft high-cube or 40ft container |
| 4+ bedroom home | 45–60 CBM | 40ft high-cube container |
Customs and Excise Department grants relief on Electronic import declaration lodged within 14 days of import, but the paperwork must be complete before arrival. Required registration: Hong Kong ID card with your employment or dependant visa.
Hong Kong does not levy a national import VAT on household goods. No relief required — free port covers the admission of used household effects, declared to Customs and Excise Department. New purchases, goods owned for less than the qualifying period, alcohol and vehicles are assessed separately, and any state or local taxes are confirmed by your customs broker.
Shipments arriving from the United States clear customs with Customs and Excise Department. Duty-free entry for used household goods normally depends on Electronic import declaration lodged within 14 days of import, evidence that you lived in the United States for the required qualifying period, and an itemised inventory. Documentation issued in the United States (proof of address, visa, ownership records) is what customs will ask for.
| Shipping option | Typical volume | Indicative cost | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean LCL (shared container)Partial household moves and apartment shipments | Under 14 CBM | $35 – $90 / CBM ($1,500 minimum) | 3 – 8 weeks |
| Ocean FCL — 20ft container1–3 bedroom full household moves | 14 – 33 CBM | $2,500 – $13,000 per container | 3 – 8 weeks (EU) / 6 – 10 weeks (Oceania) |
| Ocean FCL — 40ft container3–5 bedroom moves plus vehicle transport | 33 – 67 CBM | $4,000 – $19,000 per container | 3 – 8 weeks (EU) / 6 – 10 weeks (Oceania) |
| Air freight (expedited)High-value gear and time-critical relocations | Any — charged by weight | $2.50 – $8.50 / kg | 3 – 7 days |
| Cross-border FTL / LTL (ground)Direct surface moves to Mexico and Canada | Full or partial trailer | $1,200 – $5,500 per trailer | 1 – 5 days |
Price
Households typically budget from $4,900 door-to-door for a container move, with the final figure set by volume, service level and season. Use the estimator for a route-specific range.
Volume in cubic metres is the single largest driver — decluttering before survey is the cheapest saving available.
Port-to-port, partial pack and full door-to-door packing differ by thousands on the same load.
Narrow streets, stairs and permit parking in Hong Kong Island (Mid-Levels) can require a shuttle vehicle and extra crew.
May to September sailings and vans book out first and price highest; shoulder months are materially cheaper.
Terminal handling, Customs and Excise Department inspection, quarantine and storage are billed to you and are usually excluded from headline freight rates.
We're building detailed benchmarks for the world's most-used relocation corridors, so you get your move size, recommended shipping method and a realistic door-to-door cost before you request quotes. If your route isn't benchmarked yet, we'll help you with a manual estimate.
Estimated moving cost range
A realistic low-to-high bracket for your route
Recommended shipping method
Shared container, full container or air freight
Typical transit time
How long your belongings are likely to travel
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This is an estimated relocation cost for planning purposes, not a binding quote. Final pricing is confirmed by a vetted international moving partner after a survey.
Plan
High-level educational overview of the residence routes most relocating households use. This is not legal or immigration advice.
Most commonly used by: Professionals, Families, Entrepreneurs.
Educational information, not legal advice. Immigration rules, thresholds and processing times change frequently and depend on your nationality and circumstances. Confirm current requirements with the Hong Kong immigration authority or a qualified adviser before you commit to a moving date.
Execute
Flats are small by international standards and priced accordingly, so decide what to ship after you have signed a lease. Two-year leases with a break clause are standard, with two months' deposit plus agency commission. Buildings usually control move-in times through a booked lift slot.
Find furnished temporary housing through our AltoVita partnership.
MyExpatGo helps connect you with temporary housing options. Availability is subject to AltoVita and provider inventory — MyExpatGo does not guarantee or book accommodation.
| City | Profile | Cost index |
|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong Island (Mid-Levels) | High-rise flats on steep streets; small lifts limit crate sizes | $$$$ |
| Kowloon | Denser, better value, strong transport links and school choice | $$$ |
| Discovery Bay | Family-oriented, car-free island community reached by ferry | $$$ |
| Sai Kung / New Territories | Village houses and more space; narrow access roads for trucks | $$$ |
Plan
International schools are well established but heavily oversubscribed, and some operate debenture or capital-levy systems. Apply as early as possible, and check whether your employer holds corporate places.
Working language: Cantonese and English. Apply to schools before you ship — admission dates rarely align with container transit.
Plan
Pet import rules for Hong Kong are set by the national veterinary authority and typically involve microchipping, rabies vaccination and an official health certificate issued close to travel.
Execute
Vehicles can be imported but First Registration Tax on the taxable value is substantial, parking is scarce and expensive, and Hong Kong drives on the left. Most residents rely on the MTR, buses and taxis instead.
Calculate landed vehicle taxesExecute
Traffic drives on the left in Hong Kong.
The MTR, buses, trams and ferries cover Hong Kong comprehensively and are the default way to get around; an Octopus card pays for all of them. Cars are expensive to register and park, and Hong Kong drives on the left. Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is connected to the city by the Airport Express in around 25 minutes.
Whether you can drive on your existing licence, for how long, and whether it can be exchanged rather than re-tested depends on the country that issued it and on your residence status in Hong Kong. Check the national licensing authority before your current entitlement runs out.
Execute
Hong Kong levies duty only on liquor, tobacco, hydrocarbon oil and methyl alcohol. Used furniture, appliances and personal effects are not dutiable.
An electronic declaration must be filed through the government trading system within 14 days of import. Your moving company normally files it on your behalf.
Dutiable goods, pharmaceuticals, certain foods, ivory and other CITES items and some electrical and radio equipment are controlled and need permits.
Most residential towers require booked lift and loading-bay times, often outside business hours. Missed slots mean a re-delivery charge.
Prove continuous residence outside the destination country for at least 12 consecutive months immediately before the move.
Every shipped item must have been owned and personally used for at least 6 consecutive months before departure. Newly purchased goods are valued and taxed normally.
Goods must arrive within 12 months of the formal residency transfer, and cannot be sold, rented, pledged or transferred for 12 months after import.
Execute
The first-30-days sequence specific to Hong Kong, in the order most households need it.
Complete local registration
Register your address as required in Hong Kong — Hong Kong ID card with your employment or dependant visa.
Confirm customs clearance status
Your mover or broker lodges the import declaration with Customs and Excise Department; keep the cleared declaration.
Open a local bank account
Needed for a long-term lease, utilities and salary payments.
Register for healthcare
Enrol in Hong Kong's health system or activate private cover from day one.
Arrange utilities and connectivity
Electricity, water, internet and a local mobile number for delivery coordination.
Sort driving entitlement
Free port with no duty on household goods, a major financial centre, and English used widely in business and government.
Book school places
International and bilingual schools in the main cities admit on waiting lists.
Schedule delivery and unpack
Confirm access, parking and lift booking before the container is released.
Customs step
Your moving company or licensed broker lodges the import declaration with Customs and Excise Department.
Customs step
Ports of entry commonly used: Kwai Tsing container terminals, Hong Kong International Airport (air freight).
Plan
Hong Kong has both public and private healthcare. International residents commonly rely on private providers or international cover, particularly in the first months, while eligibility for public care is confirmed. Many households keep international or travel medical cover in place for the gap between departure and local enrolment. This is general information, not medical or insurance advice — confirm cover for your own circumstances before you move.
Moving to Hong Kong? Before you leave, review how you'll handle healthcare and international coverage in your new country — and make sure you understand what is and isn't covered for your situation. SafetyWing offers two Nomad Insurance options to explore; check current pricing, eligibility and full policy details directly with SafetyWing.
Coverage, eligibility, pricing and exclusions vary. Review the current policy details before purchasing.
Partner recommendation · MYEXPATGO may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
Compare
Accredited international moving companies in our network with proven capability on this destination. MyExpatGo is an independent platform — we are not a moving company.
🇭🇰 Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR · since 1968
Asia's leading relocation group with 14 country offices across the region's primary commercial centres.
🇮🇳 Chennai, India · since 2010
India-based global relocation specialist offering fine art and pet relocation services.
🇮🇳 Bangalore, India · since 1971
India's longest-established international mover, with a door-to-door network spanning 180+ countries.
🇲🇾 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia · since 1996
Malaysia corporate-relocation specialist and UniGroup Worldwide UTS partner with a 1,200-office network.
🇮🇳 Chennai, India · since 2014
Chennai-based customs-clearance and LCL-consolidation specialist for household goods and personal effects.
🇮🇩 Jakarta, Indonesia · since 2024
Jakarta-based moving and relocation specialist serving Indonesia and global destinations.
Partner availability on any specific corridor is confirmed when you request quotes. How we vet our partners.
Plan
Small things that make the first months easier — and the ones people most often leave too late.
Resources
There is no single country-wide price: the cost depends on where you are moving from, how much you ship, the service level and the season. Households moving a container to Hong Kong typically budget from $4,900 door-to-door as a planning benchmark. Use the MyExpatGo estimator for a route-specific range, or request quotes from vetted movers for a real price.
Plan for around 4–7 weeks door-to-door on a typical lane. Ocean freight to the Kwai Tsing container terminals; transit varies by origin, and air freight is common for smaller apartment shipments. Customs clearance, destination handling and delivery access all sit on top of the sailing time, so confirm the schedule with your mover for your specific route.
Used household goods and personal effects are the normal shipment. Relief from duty is applied for through Electronic import declaration lodged within 14 days of import with Customs and Excise Department, subject to eligibility. New purchases, alcohol, tobacco, vehicles and any restricted items are assessed separately — check the current rules with Customs and Excise Department before you pack.
Visa requirements depend on your nationality, purpose of stay and intended length of residence. Routes commonly used by relocating households include General Employment Policy (GEP) visa, Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS), Quality Migrant Admission Scheme. Confirm current requirements with the Hong Kong immigration authority or a qualified adviser.
Hong Kong Island (Mid-Levels), Kowloon, Discovery Bay are the main arrival cities for international households. Most people rent first, often using temporary or serviced accommodation for the first weeks while they view long-term homes and wait for their shipment to clear.
Hong Kong has both public and private healthcare. International residents commonly rely on private providers or international cover, particularly in the first months, while eligibility for public care is confirmed. Many households keep international or travel medical cover in place for the gap between departure and local enrolment. This is general information, not medical or insurance advice — confirm cover for your own circumstances before you move.
We rate it moderate. Customs and Excise Department grants relief on Electronic import declaration lodged within 14 days of import, but the paperwork must be complete before arrival. Complete, accurate paperwork filed before arrival is the single biggest factor in avoiding storage and demurrage charges.
Confirm your visa or residence route, get a moving cost benchmark, compare quotes from accredited movers, file your customs relief paperwork, arrange temporary accommodation, and plan pets, vehicles and school places well ahead of your shipping date.
Start with an independent cost benchmark for your route, then compare quotes from vetted movers who work this destination.
This Hong Kong guide is published for general education and planning. It is not legal, tax, immigration or customs advice, and it is not a quotation. Always confirm current requirements with Customs and Excise Department, your visa authority or a qualified professional before shipping. Costs and transit times are indicative benchmarks.
Regulatory and customs content last reviewed 2 September 2026.
Moving cost guide
How international moving pricing is built up.
Customs & Transfer of Residence guide
Relief rules, eligibility and paperwork.
LCL vs Groupage
Which shared-container option suits your load.
Relocation support services
Packing, storage, pets, vehicles and admin.
