You’ve decided to pick up your life and move to Shanghai; the contract is signed, visa in hand, and now it’s time for the last step –packing! Where do you even begin to pack for starting a new life in Shanghai?
Luckily, Shanghai is becoming more and more western friendly. The assortment of western products and brands is easier to find than in most parts of China. However, between import taxes and availability, some of your go-to brands may cost you an arm and leg or simply just not be available. Avoid paying extra for luggage of unnecessary things or spending too much upon arriving. Follow this expat guide on the 8 Essentials to Pack When Moving to Shanghai.
1. Prescriptions and Medications
Most over the counter medicines can easily be found in pharmacies in Shanghai and for even cheaper than at home! If you are privy to a certain brand though, it may be hard to find in the Chinese pharmacies.
It’s a smart idea to pack a small supply kit until you get settled and find the closest pharmacy that you can navigate. Allergy medicine, Dayquil/Nyquil, and Ibuprofen are typically a good start. There is nothing worse than getting sick abroad and being lost in translation trying to find just the right medicine.
If you use a certain type of birth control or specialty medication, it’s best to ask your doctor to write a prescription for a 6-month or 1-year supply. Switching dosage or brands can mess with your system. You definitely don’t want to add that to the list of things to navigate when moving to Shanghai.
2. Contact Solution
Contact solution is not something that is widely available at stores. It must be purchased at special eyeglass or contact lens stores and will come at a much higher price.
3. Makeup
There are a variety of western makeup stores as well as Korean makeup brands available in Shanghai. As with all imports, if you do happen to find the brand you use from home it will likely carry a high import tax.
Westerners go nuts for Korean makeup brands –as you should. However, oftentimes, local Chinese and Korean makeup brands contain whitening agents. Unless you’re proficient in Chinese or it’s stated in English, you may not know the ingredients of what you are putting on your face. It’s wise for those with sensitive skin, especially, to stock up at home on familiar makeup brands at your closest Ulta.
Here is an extensive list of my skincare product recommendations.
4. Deodorant
Deodorant is not widely used in most Asian countries. Nearly all Asians (only 2% of Europeans) have an ABCC11 gene which alters the composition of sweat causing their sweat glands to not produce body odor. Meaning, most Asians don’t wear deodorant, making it quite hard to find deodorant in Asia. Although you might come across deodorant in Shanghai, it will likely be much weaker than the brands you’re familiar with. If you sweat a lot or require a clinical strength deodorant like Clinical Strength by Secret, definitely stock up before you arrive.
5. Shoes
This one seems obvious, of course, you need shoes. However, unless you have relatively small feet you should plan to bring shoes for all seasons. It can be difficult to find larger size shoes (shop big shoe sizes at the fashionable shoe boutique The Collection) and when you do, the selection won’t always be great or shoes will be quite expensive.
Shanghai has very distinct seasons, so you will need a range of shoes to trek around the city. Sneakers, rain boots, heels/dress shoes, sandals (especially if you are planning to escape on vacation to the Philippines) and don’t forget slippers!
6. Tampons
In China, most women use pads, so you’ll easily find a wide variety in that department. However, if you’re like most western women who prefer tampons, you’ll be on a scavenger hunt searching high and low. There are select foreign stores that carry tampons in Shanghai but they come at a higher price. o.b., U by Kotex, and TAMPAX Pearl are the main western brands sold here but typically come in a small box of 8.
7. Baby Formula
Baby formula produced in China is mostly counterfeit or produced with melamine. Imported brands come at an extremely high price. Save money and bring your baby’s preferred brands with you.
8. Western Comfort Food
Although you can find nearly everything when you live in Shanghai, it might not be the brand you’re familiar with. For those days when life in Shanghai is not so great and you’re feeling a bit homesick, it’s always nice to have a jar of Trader Joe’s peanut butter to dig into (or whatever you may fancy from home).
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Did I miss something that you think is necessary to pack for moving to Shanghai? Leave a comment below and check out more about moving to Shanghai in the posts below.
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