Moving to a new country is exciting, but it is rarely simple.
Between shipping your belongings, finding an apartment, navigating visas, and starting a new job or life in an unfamiliar place, there are many moving parts. And that is before you even begin settling in. That is where relocation companies come in!
Some handle the logistics of getting your things from one country to another. Others help with schools, housing, immigration, and the practical details of landing in Hong Kong.
This guide breaks down the relocation companies expats most commonly use in Hong Kong, what services they provide, and how to choose the right one so the move feels a little less daunting.
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Quick facts to know before moving to Hong Kong
Hong Kong works differently from many European and American cities. Understanding a few basics early on can help frame your expectations. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Apartments are compact: Space is limited, and layouts vary widely. Many apartments arrive completely empty.
- Most rentals are unfurnished: Unlike many expat markets, furniture is rarely included.
- Deposits are typically two months: Plus one month’s rent upfront. Contracts are typically one year locked-in, followed by one year flexible.
- School zones influence housing: Families often choose neighbourhoods based on international school availability and commute time.
- Humidity matters: Hong Kong’s climate can affect wood furniture, artwork, and antiques if not transported or stored correctly.
What Does a Relocation Company Actually Do?
Not all relocation companies offer the same services. In general, they fall into three categories.
Core Moving Services
These companies focus on the physical move itself. Typically, services include:
- Professional packing
- International shipping
- Customs clearance
- Door-to-door freight
- Storage solutions
They are ideal if you mainly need safe transport of belongings between countries.
Destination Services
These companies help expats settle into Hong Kong life. Services may include:
- International shipping
- Home search support
- School search assistance
- Immigration and visa coordination
- Orientation of neighbourhoods
- Tenancy contract review
These companies are particularly helpful for families relocating with children or employees unfamiliar with Hong Kong’s housing market.
Corporate Services
These firms manage relocation programmes for companies moving staff internationally. Services you can expect:
- International shipping
- Lump-sum relocation support
- HR policy alignment
- Family integration support
- Cost reporting and compliance
They are most commonly used when companies relocate senior hires or entire teams to Hong Kong.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Relocation Company in Hong Kong
Every move is different. The right relocation partner often depends on what you are moving and who is moving with you. Here are the key questions to ask.
What Are You Moving?
Art and High-Value Items
If you are shipping artwork, antiques, or designer furniture, transport conditions matter. Ask relocation companies:
- Do you offer climate-controlled transport?
- Are fine art handlers certified?
- Do you provide custom crating?
- What insurance coverage is included?
- Do you have experience with humidity-sensitive items?
Hong Kong’s humidity can affect canvases, wood frames, and antique materials if improperly handled.
Pets
Pet relocation is often separate from household freight and requires specialist coordination.
Ask whether the company:
- Handles pet relocation services
- Understands the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department import rules
- Coordinates quarantine requirements
- Manages vaccination and microchip documentation
For many expats, this process is one of the most complicated parts of the move.
Children & School Search
If you are relocating with children, school placement often determines where you live. Some relocation companies can:
- Shortlist international schools
- Coordinate school visits
- Advice on neighbourhood options
- Consider commute times between school and home
School availability in Hong Kong is competitive, so early guidance can be very helpful.
Immigration & Visa Support
Relocation is not just about shipping boxes, getting your documents in order is a big ordeal. Many expats also need support with:
- Employment visas
- Dependent visas
- HKID registration
- Post-arrival administrative steps
Corporate relocation firms usually provide this support. Basic movers typically do not.
Air Freight vs Sea Freight: What’s Right for You?
One of the most common questions expats ask is how to ship their belongings. The answer usually depends on time, budget, and housing plans.
Air Freight
- Arrives in roughly 7 to 14 days
- Higher cost
- Best for essentials, not large items
- Ideal if moving directly into an empty apartment
Sea Freight
- Transit time of around 4 to 8 weeks
- More economical for full households
- Requires temporary accommodation while waiting
Before deciding, consider:
- Your lease start date
- Temporary housing plans
- Budget versus urgency
- Storage options
Many expats ship a small air freight shipment first and send the rest by sea.
Are You Relocating Alone or Through an Employer?
The type of relocation service you need often depends on who is managing the move.
Self-Managed Relocation
If you are organising the move yourself:
- Budget control usually matters more
- You may not need school search or HR reporting
- A professional international mover may be enough
Corporate Relocation
If your employer is moving you:
- Compliance and reporting may be required
- Immigration oversight is often included
- Executive support expectations are higher
- Families may receive integration assistance
In this case, companies typically work with full relocation providers rather than basic movers.
What Happens After the Boxes Arrive?
We’re often so focused on shipping logistics, we forget what comes after. Ask relocation companies:
- Will they unpack everything?
- Do they dispose of packing materials?
- Can they assemble furniture?
- Do they provide storage options?
- Do they assist with apartment layouts?
Most movers stop at delivery however, some may offer unpacking services, but it is best to clarify to preempt your needs.
Top Relocation Companies in Hong Kong
Here are some of the most established relocation providers used by expats and companies moving staff to Hong Kong
Core International Moving Services
These companies primarily handle the physical move. Best for expats who mainly need professional packing, international shipping, and customs handling.
Allied
Domestic and international relocation services with over 90 years of experience. They help with documentation, clearance, climate-controlled storage options, and even unpacking services.
Contact Details:
Phone: +852 2736 6032
Email: Quote@allied.com
Asian Express
A company that began by shipping homeware and antiques, Asian Express is an international and domestic mover that has been operating for over 45 years. They offer a range of handyman services, including assembling and dismantling furnishings, storage solutions
Contact Details:
Phone: +852 2893 1000
Email: hongkong@aemovers.com.hk
SwiftRelo
Offering hassle-free relocations both locally and internationally, Swiftrelo offers competitive pricing and can help with both vehicle and pet relocation, as well as currency exchange services.
Contact Details:
Phone: +852 2363 4008
Email: Contact@swiftrelo.com
Santa Fe Relocation
Offering both personal and corporate relocation services, Santa Fe offers door-to-door shipping, packing services, and shipment protection. They do offer more comprehensive destination services, but currently only for corporate clientele.
Contact Details:
Phone: (+852) 25746204
Email: hongkong@santaferelo.com
These companies specialise in transporting belongings internationally.
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Destination Services Specialists
Ideal for families relocating with children or employees unfamiliar with Hong Kong’s rental market. These go beyond moving boxes and help expats land smoothly.
UniGroup Worldwide Moving
As specialists in logistics, removals and relocation, UniGroup offer comprehensive solutions that go beyond basic relocation. Their destination services cater to home selection, schooling, spousal support, and even language training.
Contact Details:
Phone: +852 2418 4333
Email: hongkong@unigroup.asia
Crown Relocations
A global company who have relocated over 3 million families, Crown Relocations offers immigration and storage solutions along with unique services like their Shared Container offering. This allows you to ship items in a shipping container with other Crown customers moving to a similar destination, saving you on extra costs.
Crown offers full corporate services for relocating executive professionals.
Contact Details:
Phone: +852 2636 8399
Email: hongkong@crownrelo.com
Asian Tigers Group
Boasting 45 years of experience, Asian Tigers Group offers both domestic and international moving packages in Hong Kong. Along with move management and storage, they offer professional home cleaning services, maid search service and a white-glove concierge delivery package. They also offer full corporate services for HR teams.
Contact Details:
Phone: +852 2528 1384
Email: info@asiantigers-hongkong.com
They provide settling-in services, including housing search and school assistance. As stated, some of these services offer corporate packages
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Full-Service Corporate Only Relocation Firms
Best suited for companies relocating senior hires, executives, or multiple employees into Hong Kong. These firms handle both logistics and often offer HR-facing relocation support.
Dwellworks
Based in the US, Dwellworks offer regional services across Europe and Asia, including Hong Kong. Their relocation services span corporate housing, relocation management, and intercultural training and even real estate brokerage. Providing the full package for employee and corporate needs.
Contact Details:
Phone: +1 216 682 4200
K2 Corporate Mobility
Offering valuable support to HR teams, K2 manages a range of services that include immigration, relocation, expenses and tax advisory. This allows for a distraction-free process that makes onboarding expat employees easier.
Contact Details:
Phone:+65 6415 6850
Contact form
These firms manage complete corporate relocation programmes, working directly with HR teams and not individuals.
Consider Temporary Living First
If you are unsure how much to ship, or simply want time to get a feel for the city, starting with temporary accommodation can be a very practical first step.
Many expats arrive in Hong Kong without fully knowing which neighbourhood will suit them best. Commute times, school locations, building types, and even subtle differences between districts can make a big difference once you are actually living here.
This is where serviced apartments can be particularly useful. One option is ServiceApartment.hk
They offer:
- Fully furnished serviced apartments
- Flexible leases
- Ideal accommodation for the first 1 to 3 months, up to 2 years.
This approach gives you breathing room. You can explore different neighbourhoods, understand commute routes, and view permanent apartments without feeling rushed into a decision. It also helps bridge the gap between landing in Hong Kong and the arrival of your shipped belongings, which can take several weeks.
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The Often Forgotten Step: Making It Feel Like Home
Relocation companies are excellent at getting your belongings from one country to another. Boxes arrive. Furniture gets unpacked. Logistics are handled.
But once the move is technically complete, many expats find themselves standing in an apartment that still doesn’t feel quite like their own. This is where The Editors Company comes in.
While relocation companies focus on the move itself, we focus on what happens after. Our work often begins once the keys are handed over and the boxes arrive, helping expats turn empty Hong Kong rentals into homes that feel thoughtful, comfortable, and ready to live in.
But we also work with clients to get their homes move-in ready, before they’ve landed, and if they’ve secured an apartment.
Because rentals rarely come furnished, interior styling becomes particularly valuable. Rather than starting from scratch, we help clients make the most of what they already have while sourcing locally sourced pieces that suit the space.
Our services include:
- Rental-friendly styling that works within the realities of Hong Kong apartments
- Blending shipped pieces with locally sourced furniture and decor (If needed)
- Compact space optimisation, helping layouts feel more open and functional
- Art and decor sourcing within Hong Kong, so the space feels layered and complete
- Fast-turnaround furnishing, ideal for busy professionals who need a home ready quickly (or before you even land)
The goal is simple: helping you settle into a space that feels intentional from day one!
Home styled by The Editors Company
We also work with companies relocating employees to Hong Kong. A well-settled employee adjusts faster, feels more comfortable in their new environment, and can focus on the role they moved for in the first place.
For HR teams and employers, styling support can help deliver:
- Faster employee comfort and adjustment
- Reduced relocation stress
- Better productivity in the early months of a new role
- A stronger first impression of living and working in Hong Kong
Relocation is not only about moving belongings. It is about helping people feel at home in a new city.
If you are relocating to Hong Kong, or supporting employees who are, The Editors Company helps turn empty rentals into homes that feel considered, calm, and personal.
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