Moving Company Hong Kong 2027: Costs, Customs & Choosing a Mover
Kenji Farre, Director · Oct 31, 2026 · 7 min read
An international move to or from Hong Kong usually goes by sea in a shared (LCL) container or a full 20ft or 40ft container, with air freight for urgent boxes. Published port-to-port prices from the UK to Hong Kong start at around £865 for a shared container, £3,015 for a 20ft container and £5,829 for a 40ft container (Shipit), while full door-to-door moves run roughly £3,000 to £8,000 (Sirelo). Expect four weeks at sea plus several weeks of handling either side, and 1 to 2 weeks by air. Used household goods enter Hong Kong duty-free, but spirits over 30% alcohol and tobacco are taxed, and dogs and cats need an AFCD Special Permit before they fly.
This guide covers costs, customs, pets, cars, local moves and the tax clearance you need before shipping out. If you are still planning the job side of the move, start with our guide to moving to Hong Kong for work.
How Does an International Move to or From Hong Kong Work?
A mover surveys your home (in person or by video), estimates the volume in cubic metres, quotes, then packs, loads and ships your goods. At the other end a partner agent clears customs, delivers and unpacks.
Most professionals with a flat's worth of furniture use a 20ft container, single people often use a shared container, and almost everyone sends a small air shipment for the first weeks.
If you're looking for an English-speaking job in Hong Kong before you book the movers, check out ExpatJobBoard.com. We list thousands of jobs that don't require Cantonese or Mandarin.
FCL vs LCL vs Air Freight vs Excess Baggage: Which Should You Use?
Full container load (FCL) means a 20ft or 40ft container is yours alone, sealed at your door. Less than container load (LCL), also called groupage, means your crates share a container, which is cheaper for small volumes but slower. Air freight is charged by volumetric weight, so keep it to essentials. Excess baggage services ship boxes door to door, priced per box.
| Method | Best for | Transit time (indicative) | Indicative cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| FCL 20ft container | 2 to 3 bedroom flat or house | About 28 days at sea (Shipit); 8 to 12 weeks door to door (PSS) | £3,015 to £4,455 UK to HK, port to port (Shipit) |
| FCL 40ft container | 4 to 5 bedroom house | About 28 days at sea (Shipit) | £5,829 to £6,728 UK to HK, port to port (Shipit) |
| LCL / shared container | Studio, one bedroom, a few pieces of furniture | About 28 days at sea (Shipit); around 95 days door to door (Seven Seas estimate) | From £865 to £1,769 UK to HK (Shipit); HK$3,500 to HK$5,500 per cubic metre HK to UK (FreightAmigo) |
| Air freight | Essentials, work clothes, kids' things | 7 to 14 days (PSS); 10 to 15 days HK to UK (FreightAmigo) | HK$90 to HK$160 per kg HK to UK; HK$100 to HK$180 per kg HK to Canada (FreightAmigo) |
| Excess baggage | Students, single movers, 5 to 15 boxes | Sea 8 to 12 weeks; air 7 to 14 days (PSS) | Quote only; priced per box size (Anglo Pacific, Seven Seas) |
Source: Shipit, PSS International Removals, Seven Seas Worldwide, FreightAmigo, Anglo Pacific (all commercial pages, 2026; prices are guides, unconfirmed and exclude many local charges)
How Much Does a Full Door-to-Door Move Cost?
Sirelo puts the average cost of shipping a home from the UK to Hong Kong at £3,000 to £8,000: roughly £3,000 to £4,500 for a one-bedroom home and £5,000 to £8,000 for a three-bedroom house by sea.
For moves out of Hong Kong, the best like-for-like survey we found is the Consumer Council's, though it dates from August 2021. It found quotes of HK$20,000 to HK$50,000 to ship 200 cubic feet (about 5.7 cubic metres) to London, and HK$50,950 to HK$134,350 to ship 500 cubic feet (about 14 cubic metres) to Toronto. The lesson: get at least three quotes.
What Affects the Price of a Moving Company in Hong Kong?
Volume is the biggest driver. Everything is priced in cubic metres (or cubic feet), so a good survey and a ruthless clear-out save more money than any discount.
- Volume: Shared container pricing scales with every cubic metre, so declutter before the survey.
- Walk-ups and lifts: MoneySmart puts the premium for no lift at 15% to 30% of the total, or a per-floor surcharge.
- Parking and shuttles: If the truck has to park more than 30 to 50 metres from the door, expect a long-carry fee. In village houses and Mid-Levels lanes, a smaller shuttle van may be needed.
- Packing: Shipit quotes around £1,750 and two days to pack a three-bedroom UK home.
- Timing: Weekend and public holiday moves cost more. MoneySmart puts this at HK$500 to HK$1,200 or 10% of the bill.
- Insurance: Shipit says insurance typically costs about 4% of the replacement value of your belongings.
How Much Does Shipping Cost From Hong Kong to Canada and the UK?
FreightAmigo, a Hong Kong forwarder, publishes sea rates of HK$4,000 to HK$6,500 per cubic metre to Canada and HK$3,500 to HK$5,500 to the UK. These are freight rates only, without destination charges.
The Consumer Council found delivery took about six weeks to five months to London and five weeks to three months to Toronto, so budget for a furnished flat in the gap.
Shipping Household Goods to Hong Kong: What Does Customs Charge?
Nothing on ordinary household goods. According to the Customs and Excise Department, Hong Kong levies no customs tariff on imports apart from four dutiable commodities: liquor, tobacco, hydrocarbon oil and methyl alcohol.
The International Association of Movers' Hong Kong country guide (verified June 2026) says used household goods come in duty-free without a customs declaration. Your mover needs a passport copy, the bill of lading or air waybill, and a detailed inventory.
What Duty Do You Pay on Wine, Spirits and Cigarettes in a Shipment?
Wine is duty-free, and so is any other liquor at 30% alcohol or less. Spirits above 30% and all tobacco are taxed and must be listed separately with quantities and values, which can slow clearance.
| Item | Duty rate |
|---|---|
| Wine (any strength) | 0% |
| Beer and other liquor at 30% alcohol or less | 0% |
| Spirits over 30% (bottle up to 1 litre) | 100% on the first HK$200 of value, 10% on the rest |
| Cigarettes | HK$3,306 per 1,000 sticks (about HK$66 per pack of 20) |
| Cigars | HK$4,258 per kg |
| Unleaded petrol | HK$6.06 per litre |
Source: Customs and Excise Department
The Customs and Excise Department publishes the full list of dutiable commodities and duty rates. Our advice: give away the cheap spirits and ship the wine.
What Is the Duty-Free Allowance for Travellers?
If you carry bottles in your luggage instead, the Customs and Excise Department allows travellers aged 18 or over to bring in duty-free 1 litre of liquor above 30% alcohol plus one of: 19 cigarettes, 1 cigar (or 25 grams of cigars), or 25 grams of other tobacco. Hong Kong ID card holders only get the liquor allowance after 24 hours or more outside Hong Kong.
What Items Are Prohibited When Moving to Hong Kong?
The Customs and Excise Department lists these as prohibited or controlled without a licence or permit: drugs, controlled chemicals, antibiotics, arms and ammunition, fireworks, strategic commodities, rough diamonds, animals, plants and endangered species, telecoms equipment, game, meat, poultry and eggs, and rice.
The one that catches expats out is vaping. According to the Community Legal Information Centre, no one may import alternative smoking products such as e-cigarettes and heated tobacco, whether by post, courier or in a suitcase, with a maximum penalty of a HK$2,000,000 fine and seven years in prison. Leave them behind.
How Do You Bring a Dog or Cat to Hong Kong?
You need an AFCD Special Permit before the animal travels, and the rules depend on which country group it is coming from. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department sets out the current requirements for importing dogs and cats, which changed in December 2024.
| Group | Examples | Quarantine |
|---|---|---|
| Group I | UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hawaii | Normally none if all permit conditions are met |
| Group II | USA (continental), Canada, Singapore, France, Germany, South Korea, Taiwan | Normally none if all conditions are met (per IAM and PetRelocation) |
| Group IIIA | Chinese Mainland, Macao, Malaysia, Thailand, Hungary, Lithuania | 30 days (per IAM) |
| Group IIIB | All other countries and places | At least 120 days at an AFCD or licensed quarantine centre |
Source: Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department; International Association of Movers; PetRelocation
The permit costs HK$432 for one animal plus HK$102 for each extra animal in the same shipment, takes about five working days to issue and is valid for six months. For Group IIIB, AFCD says the wait for a government quarantine kennel is about three months for dogs and six months for cats, so start early.
Pets arrive as air cargo, dogs over five months must be licensed and rabies vaccinated in Hong Kong, and Pit Bull Terriers, Japanese Tosas, Dogo Argentinos and Fila Brasileiros are banned.
Can You Import a Car to Hong Kong?
You can, but it rarely makes sense. Hong Kong drives on the left, and the Transport Department will not register left-hand drive cars except in special circumstances.
You need Environmental Protection Department emission approval before shipping, an Import Return within 30 days of arrival and an inspection in Tsing Yi. Then comes first registration tax on the car's taxable value:
| Taxable value of private car | First registration tax |
|---|---|
| First HK$150,000 | 46% |
| Next HK$150,000 | 86% |
| Next HK$200,000 | 115% |
| Remainder | 132% |
Source: Transport Department
On a car valued at HK$500,000, that is over HK$400,000 in tax before licence fees. Read the Transport Department's guidelines for importing and registering a vehicle before you commit. For most people, selling at home and buying locally is cheaper.
How Much Does a Local Move Within Hong Kong Cost?
Far less than going overseas. MoneySmart's 2026 market estimates put a local move at:
| Flat size (saleable area) | Typical local move cost |
|---|---|
| Under 400 sq ft | HK$3,000 to HK$4,500 |
| 400 to 600 sq ft | HK$4,500 to HK$7,000 |
| 700 to 1,000 sq ft | HK$7,000 to HK$10,000 |
| 1,000 to 1,500 sq ft | HK$10,000 to HK$15,000 |
| Over 1,500 sq ft | HK$15,000 to HK$25,000 or more |
Source: MoneySmart (2026, unconfirmed)
For one North Point to Mei Foo family move, quotes ranged from HK$3,818 to HK$12,162, according to MoneySmart. Many movers add 20% to 50% for items not on the quote, so list everything.
If you are still choosing where to live, see our guide to Hong Kong rent and the best neighbourhoods for expats.
Will Your Employer Pay for the Move?
Often, yes, at least for mid to senior hires. A relocation allowance or a capped shipment (usually defined by container size or cubic metres) is a standard part of many offers, along with temporary housing on arrival.
Negotiate before you sign: ask whether it covers packing, insurance, storage and pets, and whether you must repay it if you leave early. Our guide to the expat package in Hong Kong covers what is still realistic to ask for in 2027.
If your goods are on the water for two months, a serviced apartment is the easiest bridge, and worth adding to the relocation ask.
Do You Need Marine Insurance for Your Shipment?
Yes. A mover's own liability is usually tiny. The Consumer Council found only 5 of 15 movers accepted liability for damaged goods, all with caps, one as low as HK$500.
Buy transit (marine) insurance on full replacement value. Shipit puts the cost at about 4% of that value. Check storage cover (the Consumer Council found 7 of 11 policies limited it) and the excess. Once the goods are in your new flat, they fall under home contents insurance instead.
How Do You Choose a Removal Company in Hong Kong?
Choose on accreditation and contract terms, not price alone.
- FIDI-FAIM accreditation: FIDI's quality standard audits service quality, compliance and financial stability, with an independent audit every three years. It is the strongest signal for international moves.
- IAM membership: The International Association of Movers is the other big global trade network.
- Who handles the other end: Ask which partner agent will clear and deliver your goods, and whether they are also accredited.
- A proper survey: Refuse quotes without a video or home survey.
- Contract terms: The Consumer Council found 11 of 12 contracts let movers revise quotes without notice, and five included liens letting them hold your goods over disputed bills. Ask for these clauses to be changed.
- Deposit and payment: Deposits ranged from HK$2,000 to full payment upfront in the Consumer Council survey. Avoid paying 100% before collection.
- Storage and delay terms: Get in writing who pays if the ship is delayed or the port is congested.
Moving Booking Timeline Checklist
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 3 to 4 months before | Get 3 or more surveys and quotes; start pet paperwork (Group IIIB kennel waits run 3 to 6 months) |
| 2 to 3 months before | Book the mover; confirm employer allowance in writing; declutter and sell |
| 6 to 8 weeks before | Apply for the AFCD pet permit; arrange marine insurance; book temporary housing |
| 1 month before (leaving HK) | Employer files IR56G; give notice to landlord and utilities |
| Packing week | Separate air shipment and suitcase items; keep passports and documents with you |
| Arrival | Be available for customs queries; check inventory and photograph any damage before signing |
Source: ExpatJobBoard; AFCD; Inland Revenue Department
Leaving Hong Kong: What Do You Need to Do Before You Ship Out?
Sort out tax clearance before the container leaves. Under Inland Revenue Department guidance, your employer must file form IR56G no later than one month before your expected departure, and must then withhold all payments to you for one month or until the IRD issues a letter of release, whichever is earlier.
So your final pay sits with your employer until your tax is settled. Our leaving Hong Kong checklist covers MPF withdrawal, bank accounts and the rest.
FAQs: Moving Companies in Hong Kong
How much does it cost to move from Hong Kong to the UK?
Sirelo estimates £3,000 to £8,000 for a door-to-door sea move between the UK and Hong Kong. The Consumer Council's 2021 survey found quotes of HK$20,000 to HK$50,000 for about 5.7 cubic metres to London.
How long does sea freight to Hong Kong take?
Shipit puts the sea leg from the UK at about 28 days, but door to door is longer. PSS quotes 8 to 12 weeks, and Seven Seas estimates around 95 days for a sea removal. Allow two to three months in total.
Is a 20ft container enough for a Hong Kong flat?
Usually. Shipit sizes a 20ft container for a three-bedroom house, more than most Hong Kong flats hold. A one-bedroom flat often fits in a shared container.
Do I pay import duty on furniture shipped to Hong Kong?
No. Hong Kong only levies duty on liquor over 30% alcohol, tobacco, hydrocarbon oil and methyl alcohol. Used household goods and personal effects come in duty-free.
Can I bring my e-cigarette or vape to Hong Kong?
No. Importing alternative smoking products is banned, including in luggage and shipments, with penalties up to a HK$2,000,000 fine and seven years in prison. Only transit passengers and air transhipment cargo are exempt.
Does my dog need quarantine in Hong Kong?
Dogs and cats from Group I countries such as the UK and Australia are normally exempt if all permit conditions are met, and the same generally applies to Group II countries such as the US and Canada. Group IIIB animals face at least 120 days. You need an AFCD Special Permit (HK$432 for one animal) in every case.
Should I ship my car to Hong Kong?
Rarely. Left-hand drive cars cannot be registered, and first registration tax runs from 46% to 132% of taxable value.
What is the IR56G and why does it matter for my move?
The IR56G is the form your employer files at least one month before you leave Hong Kong for good. Your employer must then hold back payments to you until your tax is cleared, for up to one month, so plan your cash flow around it.
Key Takeaways
- UK to Hong Kong port-to-port prices start at about £865 shared, £3,015 for a 20ft container and £5,829 for a 40ft container (Shipit); door to door runs about £3,000 to £8,000 (Sirelo).
- Allow two to three months door to door by sea, and 1 to 2 weeks by air.
- Used household goods enter Hong Kong duty-free; only spirits over 30%, tobacco, hydrocarbon oil and methyl alcohol are taxed.
- Importing e-cigarettes and heated tobacco is banned, with fines up to HK$2,000,000.
- Pets need an AFCD Special Permit (HK$432); Group IIIB animals face at least 120 days of quarantine.
- First registration tax on a private car runs from 46% to 132% of its taxable value.
- When leaving, your employer files the IR56G a month before departure and holds your final pay until tax is cleared.
Line Up Your Hong Kong Job First
A relocation package can cover most of your moving bill, so secure the offer before you book the container. Browse English-speaking roles on ExpatJobBoard.com and start the move with a contract in hand.
