When you pack for your move to China, focus less on quantity and more on specificity. While you can buy almost anything on e-commerce giants like 淘宝 (Táobǎo), certain personal items are consistently difficult or expensive to find. These include specific medications, Western-brand stick deodorant, large-sized clothing and shoes, and some niche electronics. Bringing a strategic supply of these essentials will make your first few months significantly smoother and save you from frustrating searches for familiar comforts.
Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications
While China has excellent healthcare and pharmacies, or 药店 (yàodiàn), specific brands of medication you rely on may not be available. Bring at least a three-to-six-month supply of any prescription medications, along with a doctor’s note and the original packaging. For over-the-counter items, while you can find basics like paracetamol, specific formulas like Advil Cold & Sinus or high-dose vitamin supplements can be hard to source. It’s wise to pack a small “first-aid” kit with your preferred pain relievers, allergy pills, and stomach remedies to hold you over until you learn the local equivalents.
Deodorant and Personal Care Products
The single most common item expats regret not packing is stick deodorant. Chinese stores overwhelmingly stock roll-on or spray deodorants, often with a much lighter formula than Western antiperspirants. If you have a preferred brand of solid deodorant, bring a multi-month supply. Similarly, specialized skincare or haircare products for non-Asian hair types can be scarce and expensive. Sunscreen is widely available, but be aware that many local brands contain skin-whitening agents, so check the label carefully if you prefer a simple SPF protectant.
Clothing and Shoe Sizes
Navigating clothes sizes in China can be a significant challenge if you don't fit the local size range. Generally, sizes run one to two sizes smaller than in the US or Europe. If you are taller or larger than the average East Asian build—for example, if you wear above a US women’s size 12 or a men's XL—finding well-fitting clothes in physical stores is difficult. The same applies to shoes, where sizes above a men's US 10.5 (EU 44) or women's US 8.5 (EU 39) become scarce. Pack essential items like good-quality shoes, business attire, and winter coats from home.
Electronics and Niche Accessories
Before you even pack your bags, install a reliable VPN on your phone, laptop, and any other devices. Setting one up from within China is extremely difficult and often impossible. While major electronics are easy to buy, specific accessories can be tricky. Bring a universal power strip that can accommodate your home country’s plugs, as well as any specialized chargers or cables for older devices. Items like a Google Chromecast or an Amazon Kindle will function, but their access to international content and stores will be limited without a VPN, and they aren't sold in mainstream Chinese electronics stores.
Ultimately, a successful packing strategy is about anticipating the items tied to your personal health and comfort that can't be easily substituted.
For those already here, what’s one item you were relieved you packed, and what’s something you brought that you never ended up using?
Quick Takeaways:
- Bring a 3-6 month supply of prescription medications with a doctor’s note.
- Pack plenty of stick deodorant; it is extremely difficult to find in stores.
- If you wear large shoe or clothing sizes, bring key wardrobe items from home.
- Install a reliable VPN on all your devices before you arrive in China.
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