China is a country with a highly unique culture that can be challenging for even the most experiencedexpats. Though it is becoming a lot more westernised, there are certain products that will be extremely difficult, or even impossible, to find. Here are the five most important things every expat will need to bring when moving to China.
Yes, you read that correctly. Searching for deodorant in China is a battle not worth fighting. The reason behind this is apparently because East Asians have underdeveloped sweat glands, meaning they don’t tend to sweat like everyone else does. What’s more, sweating is generally seen as a sign of poor health, so if you want to fit in, make sure you bring along enough antiperspirant supplies when heading to China.
The Great Firewall of China blocks access to some of the world’s most popular websites, including Facebook and Google.If you want tostayup-to-date with what’s going on back home (or in the rest of the world in general) it might be useful to find a trustworthy VPN before you go.
Sounds pretty obvious,I know. Of course you’re going to bring along clothes and shoes when moving to a new country. But bear in mind that you’ll need to bring more with you to China than if you were moving to a Western country because of the sizing difference. Unless you’re moving to Shanghai (where they cater to Western sizes), finding clothes above a European size 40 or shoes larger than a European 40 for women or 43 for men is extremely difficult.
Many large cities do have Western makeup stores but the range of brands is limited and the products are likely to carry heavy import taxes. It’s also important to remember that having pale skin is very fashionable in China, so many cosmetics contain whitening agents, including foundation and face creams. Do some research to find out if your preferred products are available and, if not,stockup!
Maybe not the most essential item, but it is incredibly useful. You’ll soon learn that public restrooms in China are not the most hygienic.Most are squat toilets, without toilet paperorsoap, so having apacket of tissues and bottle of sanitiser to hand will make life a lot more pleasant.
With everything you already need to pack for your big move, adding all these items in large quantities might sound like an expensive luxury, but we promise it’ll make all the difference.
The key to making your move as cheap and easy as possible is to use an international removals company that’s equipped to deal with large loads. Companies like AGS Movers China tailor the move to their clients’ needs with shipping cartons available in a variety of sizes. This translates to a better use of container space and a lower overall cost. Remember: when moving to a country like China, it’s better to pack too much than too little.