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Expat guide: Shanghai
This guide offers information and advice if you are moving to Shanghai.
Click on the different tabs to find out about anything from tax rules and banking to education and cultural highlights.
Download this guide as a pdfMoving to Shanghai
Shanghai expats will experience a city manically driven to become a leading international centre, trying to step out of the shadows of Hong Kong and Beijing which seem to garner more limelight.
However, its time on the international stage looks assured: It has more than 20 million people (2009), the tall harbour skyscrapers is China's largest financial centre, and it also has vibrant modern and historic districts.
Yet, Shanghai is by no means a well kept secret. It is the gatekeeper to China's vast economy and the country's financial centre with more than 400,000 expats already in residence. Shanghai has shown a willingness to attract international business accomplished through new ideas and infrastructure.
For expats this means a wide range of industries needing skilled employees, international companies opening branches in the city, as well as a commitment to keeping the industry cutting edge.
Shanghai spent US$45 billion for the 2010 World Expo, mostly improving the city's infrastructure. With this, expats can expect an acceleration of an already rapid transition from historic city to modern metropolis.
For several decades the city has ballooned with urban sprawl creating many expat communities and suburbs in Shanghai more akin to western neighbourhoods than Chinese.
While this has provided security and comfort to an international population, life in Shanghai can become almost segregated. Parts of Shanghai have already become international rather than retaining Chinese character. That said, a drive through the bustle of downtown will remind everyone where they are.
Shipping and removals
Expats shipping household items to Shanghai will have the advantage of a huge number of competing relocation companies offering free quotes. Shopping around is definitely worth it, but remember that well regarded companies are a better bet than unknown, cheap ones.
Many houses and apartments come furnished in Shanghai so container shipping is often not initially needed and expats should consider air freight. Buying furniture in Shanghai is cheap and probably less expensive than shipping some from home. That said, expats often go on shopping frenzies and need to ship huge quantities of goods back to their home country.
Bringing pets to Shanghai
Pets brought into Shanghai are usually limited to dogs and cats, and must have all recent vaccination and rabies certificates. It is recommended to use a pet relocation company to ease through some of the restrictions and paperwork.
Pets are quarantined for 30 days, 23 of which can be at the owner's home. Shanghai only allows one pet per person but expat pet owners should talk to a pet relocation companies for advice.
Links
Air Freight:
www.worldfreight.co.uk
Shipping and removal company:
www.kellysuts.com
Shipping and relocation company:
www.aemovers.com.hk
Pet relocation:
www.worldcarepet.com
This content is provided by www.expatarrivals.com, copyright © 2011 Globe Media Ltd. All rights reserved. By its very nature much of the information in this expat guide is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they're relying with the relevant authorities.
Neither Globe Media nor Bupa International can be held liable for any errors or omissions, or any loss, damage, illness and/or injury that may occur as a result of this information.
Bupa International is not responsible for the content of external websites.
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