Moving To China From The UK

Moving to China

If you’re moving to China, Britannia Movers International will be able to help you through each step of the process. Whether you’re moving to one of the big cities like Shanghai or Beijing or to the rural provinces on the coast, Britannia has the local knowledge and expertise to meet your needs.

	Importing Personal Effects to China All shipments of appliances, furniture, bedding and other items are dutiable. Electrical items must be itemised with make, model and serial no. Video tapes/CDs will be held for additional scrutiny. The shipper must obtain a Chinese Residency card on arrival, and then apply for an import permit for the effects. The shipment must arrive within 6 months of issue of permit. Various documentation is required for clearance, including a Baggage Declaration Form from customs, obtained at time of personal arrival. There are different requirements for returning Chinese Citizens, and News Agency personnel. You Britannia member will supply detailed customs requirements.
	China Customs Prohibitions and Restrictions In general, it is in your interest not to import the following items: Firearms & ammunition Inflammable goods & substances Plants & plant material Foodstuffs, perishables or otherwise Narcotics and dangerous goods Offensive materials Alcohol & tobacco
	Transit Times to China Sole use containers take an average of 7 – 8 weeks. Crated consignments may take longer, on average between 8 and 10 weeks.
	Protecting Your Items for Transport to China All groupage consignments will be bar coded before they are loaded into the shipping container. This will ensure that no items are left at origin.
	Moving to China with Pets Britannia can recommend a specialised shipper of animals to assist you in sending your family pet(s) from home to home. They will coordinate all documentation and necessary veterinary procedures. Find out more about pet transport.
	Importing Motor Vehicles To China It is possible to import motor vehicles into China but there are a few restrictions you need to be aware of. Only cars suited for driving on the right-hand side, i.e. where the driver seat is on the left, are legal to drive on China’s roads. To drive in China, you need to have a Chinese license which can only be obtained from the police.
	China Currency Transfer When you are making international payments for individuals you can benefit from IFX expertise in seeking the best possible rate, whether you are sending or receiving foreign currency. IFX can help to protect you from exchange rate fluctuations and save you time and money on international payments. IFX offers: International payments Regular overseas transfers Prepaid currency card Forward contracts More info on the IFX website.

Moving to China with Britannia

Your Move to China with Britannia – Britannia has a dedicated network of removers who will assist you with moving to China. We provide computer tracking and bar coding for groupage consignments, to ensure a safe and reliable shipping service to China. Your household goods can be transported to China in sea containers or by air. We can also provide packing and a full door to door service to China.

Additional Removal Services – Britannia can provide a variety of additional services when moving to China. We are authorised to provide a comprehensive insurance, can arrange storage prior to delivery, and can also take care of your pet transport.

If you are interested in moving to China, you can request a quote, read more about our international removals, or contact us for more information.

Living in China

China is fascinating country with rich cultural traditions. It is one of the largest economies in the world and is the manufacturing hub for goods which are exported across the globe. Many people move to China for business and work purposes as China’s major cities like Beijing and Shanghai are home to the headquarters of some of the world’s largest financial organisations.

As well as major cities China has vast rural areas. In most of Chinese rural areas you will find the pace of life is much slower than in the busy built-up cities. In the country side many farmers use traditional methods of farming that have been in practice for thousands of years.

China’s presence and importance on the world stage is only going to increase in the coming years. Moving to China presents great commercial and business opportunities and in a country with so much culture and heritage it’s safe to say you’ll never be bored living there.

China Visas

Before moving to China, you will need a visa that will allow you to stay in the country for as long as you require.

The most effective way of obtaining a Chinese visa is to secure employment with an organisation that has a significant presence in China. They will apply for a work permit on your behalf. Once you have this, you can apply for the Z Visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate. You can then travel to China and convert your Z Visa into a residence visa within 30 days of arrival.

There is also the R Visa, or talent visa, aimed at highly skilled individuals who can fill skill shortages in China. This typically will include experts in science and technology, engineering, health and medicine, and international business. An authorised organisation or employer in China must issue an invitation letter or a confirmation letter for high-level foreign talents. You can then apply for the Visa at your local Chinese embassy or consulate, and convert this into a residency permit within 30 days of arriving in China.

Working in China

UK citizens with specialised skills or native English proficiency are often sought after in China. This includes teaching English as a foreign language and teaching in international schools. Sectors such as IT, engineering, and finance are all thriving in China, and UK expats can often find suitable roles in these fields.

The working culture in China is influenced by traditional values, a fast-paced economy, and increasing globalisation. Practices can vary depending on the region, industry, and the size of the company, but are often characterised with long working hours, and a strong respect for authority and hierarchy. Guanxi, which refers to relationships or connections, plays a critical role in Chinese business culture. Building trust and strong personal relationships is often just as important as formal qualifications or skills.

Cost of Living in China

Living and housing costs in China are significantly lower than in most European countries, and you’ll be able to live comfortably on a much smaller budget. According to Numbeo, the cost of living in China is 48% lower than in the UK, not including rent. Rent costs alone are 61% lower in China than in the UK. There is a similar difference in the average salary, with wages in China being nearly 70% lower than in the UK.

You can check out some of the items you are likely to purchase regularly whilst living in China below. Prices are shown in Renminbi and converted to UK pounds alongside the price in the UK so you can see how costs match up.

Interesting Facts About China

• While Mandarin Chinese is the official language, there are over 1,000 languages spoken in China, including Cantonese, Shanghainese, and Tibetan.
• China is considered to be the world’s oldest civilisation with historians pointing to 600BC as the dawn of Chinese civilisation.
• Paper, gunpowder, the compass and printing were all invented in China.
• One of China’s most popular hobbies is stamp collecting.
• Despite China’s vast size the country operates under one time zone.
• China’s high-speed rail network is the largest in the world, covering over 24,000 miles, with trains reaching speeds of up to 217 mph.
• China is the world’s largest exporter of goods, accounting for over 13% of global exports, which include everything from electronics to textiles.

Choose Britannia for Your China Relocation

If you are thinking about moving to China and want to find out more about our international removal services or request a quote, you can call us on 0845 6006661 or email sales@britannia-movers.co.uk. Our team will be happy to discuss how we can help you with your international relocation.