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DesertSpider
Post Roaster

Joined: Jan 19, 2007
Posts: 4417
Location: SHANGHAI, CHINA

Posted: July 12, 2008 - 08:50 PM
Post subject: Things For Women / Wives / Girls to Bring to China

I've known about this list for a while, maybe it might help someone, maybe it won't.

NOTE THIS: I DID NOT COMPILE THE LIST

For everyone that has some negative bullshite comment about the purpose or intent or what's on the list and what's not, get stuffed, your opinion isn't needed.

For people that find value in this, take from it what you will.

***NOTE: THIS IS AN OVERLY CAUTIOUS LIST. THAT IS, IF YOU DON’T WANT TO THINK SO MUCH INTO IT OR AREN’T THAT PICKY ABOUT THINGS, YOU CAN PRETTY MUCH FIND ANYTHING YOU WANT (OR A GOOD SUBSTITUTE) HERE. ALSO NOTE THAT WHEN I SAY HERE, I MEAN SHANGHAI, NOT TIER II, III CITIES. SORRY TO SAY THAT I’M NOT FAMILIAR WITH WHAT IS AVAILABLE THERE, BUT WOULD GUESS THAT IT IS CONSIDERABLY LESS THAN SHANGHAI. MOST IMPORTANT / HARD TO FIND THINGS TO BRING ARE DEODORANT & PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION….EVERYTHING ELSE IS JUST FLUFF.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CHECK OUT:
WWW (dot) CHINAEXPAT (dot) COM
WWW (dot) EXPATSINCHINA (dot) COM

THINGS TO BRING

1. DEODORANT / ANTI-PERSPIRANT

2. ANY PREFERRED BRANDING
a. SEE “BRANDS HERE” LIST

3. IF YOU ARE BRINGING YOUR OWN BEDS,
a. FITTED SHEETS
b. COMFORTERS / DUVETS
i. **BEDS & BEDDING ARE DIFFERENT SIZES HERE
c. DOWN ANYTHING IS HARD TO FIND AND EXPENSIVE

4. IF YOU’RE PICKY ABOUT HOME GOODS…
a. TOWELS (HARD TO FIND HIGH QUALITY COTTON FOR A REASONABLE PRICE)
b. MORE EXOTIC PANS / BAKING WEAR / GOODS

5. SPICES
a. VERY BASIC ONES ARE AVAILABLE (E.G. SALT, PEPPER, SUGAR, BAKING SODA)

6. TAMPONS
a. VERY HARD TO FIND

7. MEDICINES/FIRST AID KIT
a. MOST THINGS (OR COMPARABLE) ARE AVAILABLE, BUT BETTER TO HAVE THEM ON HAND WHEN YOU NEED THEM!
b. BIRTH CONTROL
c. VITAMINS / SUPPLEMENTS (E.G. PROTEIN SHAKES, POWDER, BARS)
d. COLD MEDICINES
e. LONG SUPPLY OF ANYTHING PRESCRIPTION
i. GOOD IDEA TO GET SOME EMERGENCY MEDS FROM YOUR FAMILY DOCTOR (E.G. Z-PACKS, ETC)
f. IMODIUM / TUMS!
g. HALLS COUGH DROPS ARE EVERYWHERE…CHINESE EAT THEM LIKE THEY ARE MINTS!

8. MAKE-UP
a. CONCEALER, FOUNDATION, POWDER…BASICALLY ANYTHING THAT IS A BASE ON YOUR FACE B/C CHINESE SKIN COLOR (HENCE MAKEUP) IS DIFFERENT!
b. EVERYTHING ELSE IS AVAILABLE HERE (E.G. MASCARA, LIP STICK)

9. HYGIENE PRODUCTS
a. MOST ARE READILY AVAILABLE, BUT…
i. FLOSS & MOUTHWASH
ii. HAIR STYLING PRODUCTS
iii. RAZORS (FOR WOMEN)
iv. HAIR DYE
v. NAIL POLISH REMOVER…

10. CLOTHES & SHOES
a. CURRENT & FUTURE!
i. SIZES & STYLES ARE DIFFERENT HERE. I AM A SIZE 4-6 US , SIZE 9 FEET. IT IS HARD FOR ME TO FIND CLOTHES THAT FIT. HARDER TO FIND SHOES THAT FIT.
ii. SAME GOES FOR BRAS

11. CLEANING SUPPLIES…IF YOU’RE PICKY
a. CHINESE LABELS ARE HARD TO DECIPHER, PLUS NOT MANY PRODUCTS CAN DISINFECT SURFACES

12. BOOKS & MAGAZINES
a. BY FAR ONE OF THE HARDER AND MOST EXPENSIVE FINDS HERE. IF YOU’RE A READER, BRING A LOAD.

13. IF YOU HAVE A PET,
a. PARTICULAR TYPES OF DOG FOOD
i. PEDIGREE, CESAR, ROYAL CANINE ARE HERE…..OTHERS (E.G. MILK BONE) ARE NOT

14. AMERICAN WINE…ALTHOUGH THERE IS A FAIR SELECTION HERE, JUST A BIT MORE EXPENSIVE.

15. ELECTRONICS
a. CONTRARY TO WIDESPREAD RUMORS, THEY AREN’T CHEAP HERE. ESPECIALLY BRANDS WE’RE FAMILIAR WITH (E.G. iPOD) ACTUALLY ARE MORE EXPENSIVE DUE TO IMPORT TAXES.
b. SOME DOMESTICALLY PRODUCED ITEMS MIGHT HAVE DECENT PRICES, BUT QUALITY IS A HIT OR MISS

16. THINGS THAT AREN’T MAINSTREAM. THAT IS, IF YOU HAVE A HOBBY THAT REQUIRE SPECIALTY MATERIALS (E.G. ARTS AND CRAFTS) THAT AREN’T CONSIDERED “MAIN STREAM”…GOOD CHANCE YOU CAN’T FIND THEM HERE.

ITEMS THAT ARE HERE, BUT EXPENSIVE!! …SO BRING SOME IF YOU HAVE ROOM & IF IT IS LEGAL

1. IMPORT FOODS
a. CEREAL ($8/BOX!)
b. AMERICAN CHEESE ($10/PACK!)
c. HAMBURGER HELPER ($6/BOX)
d. MAC N CHEESE
e. JUICE BOXES
f. VIVA PAPER TOWELS
g. CHIPS / SNACKS
h. VEGETABLE OIL
i. PAM
j. MANY MORE…

2. DETERGENTS
a. TIDE POWDER IS READILY AVAILABLE.
b. ANYTHING LIQUID IS SUPER EXPENSIVE
c. BLEACH, FABRIC SOFTENER / SHEETS ARE HARD TO COME BY / EXPENSIVE!!

THINGS NOT TO BRING AND WHY NOT…

1. ANYTHING MOTORIZED
a. UNLESS YOU ARE AN EXPERT ON HOW ELECTRICITY CONVERTS, JUST BUY IT HERE! WE’VE BLOWN OUT HAIRDRYERS, SHAVERS, ETC…LOOKING BACK IT WOULD HAVE BEEN EASIER TO JUST BUY IT HERE!
b. AN EXCEPTION TO THAT WOULD BE VACUUMS…THEY AREN’T BIG ON THAT HERE…THEN AGAIN, THEY AREN’T REALLY BIG ON CARPET EITHER. >_<

2. STARCH FOR CLOTHES…IT’S HERE

3. DVDS, GAMES FOR GAMING SYSTEMS
a. THEY ARE ALL READILY AVAILABLE FOR VERY CHEAP (5 RMB FOR DVDS, AND A BIT MORE FOR GAMES)

4. TRINKETS
a. THIS COUNTRY IS FULL OF PEOPLE TRYING TO SELL YOU EVERYTHING YOU NEVER WANTED.

BRANDS/STORES THAT ARE ALREADY HERE

1. NIVEA
2. VIDAL SASSON
3. HEAD & SHOULDERS
4. MAYBALINE
5. CLEAN & CARE
6. COLGATE
7. CREST
8. BEST BUY
9. PIZZA HUT
10. MCDONALDS
11. PAPA JOHNS
12. KFC
13. STARBUCKS
14. TIDE
15. CLINIQUE
16. CHANNEL
17. CHRISTIAN DIOR
18. LANCOME
19. DOVE (HYGIENE PRODUCTS & CHOCOLATE)
20. PANTEEN
21. ESTE LAUDER
22. SHU UMERA
23. ANNA SUI
24. SCOTCH BRITE
25. GLAD (SARAN WRAP/BAGGIES)
26. GARNIER
27. PRINGLES
28. LAYS…DON’T TASTE THE SAME
29. SHESHIDO
30. JOHNSON & JOHNSON
31. KLEENEX
32. KRAFT
33. PHILLIPS
34. HEINZ
35. CAMPBELLS
36. COKE
37. SNICKERS
38. SKIPPY
39. BUGLES
40. GATORADE
41. TANG
42. PEPSI
43. BUDWISER
44. CROCS
45. NINEWEST
46. ADDIDAS
47. NIKE
48. IKEA
49. STAPLES
50. **MOST LUXURY BRANDS ARE HERE (THINK LACOSTE, CHANNEL, MAX MARA, LOUIS VOUITTON, ETC…)

TIPS ONCE YOU’RE HERE

1. BUY LOWFAT MILK, EVEN IF YOU’RE USED TO REGULAR MILK BACK HOME. MANY FOREIGNERS COMPLAIN ABOUT THE WAY MILK TASTES. THE BRAND, BRIGHT, SEEMS TO BE THE PREFERRED BRAND AMONG EXPATS.

2. DON’T TIP…IT’S NOT EXPECTED

3. TRY TO FIND A SUPPORT NETWORK

4. MAKE A CHINESE FRIEND WHO IS BILINGUAL

5. ALWAYS CARRY A PACKET OF KLEENEX WITH YOU. MANY TOILETS HERE DON’T PROVIDE TOILET PAPER, SO YOU HAVE TO HAVE YOUR OWN!!!

6. CELL PHONES DON’T WORK LIKE THEY DO IN THE US. YOU BUY A PHONE, AND THEN YOU BUY A NUMBER. THEN, YOU BUY CARDS, WHICH HAVE A PIN NUMBER THAT ALLOWS YOU TO CHARGE THE PHONE WITH MINUTES. THIS MEANS, THERE IS A HUGE MARKET FOR CELL PHONE THEFT, B/C PHONES ARE REGISTERED TO USERS…NUMBERS ARE. BE CAREFUL OF YOUR BELONGINGS!

7. THE CHEAPEST WAY TO CALL LONG DISTANCE IS TO USE SKYPE OR A SIMILAR SERVICE. YOU CAN ALSO BUY IP CARDS AT ANY NEWSTAND, WHICH HAVE PINS AND CAN BE USED TO CALL THE US RELATIVELY CHEAPLY.

8. WHEN BARGAINING, OFFER BACK A THIRD OF WHAT THE OFFERING PRICE WAS. SETTLE SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN A THIRD. IF THEY INSIST THAT YOU ARE CRAZY…TRY WALKING AWAY. MOST TIMES, THEY WILL RUN AFTER YOU.

9. MAKE SURE THE FOLLOWING THINGS ARE REGISTERED WITH THE LOCAL POLICE:
a. YOURSELF (WITHIN 30 DAYS ON ENTRY)
b. YOUR PETS
c. BIKES

_________________

wrote:

I'm looking good, got a luscious v of hair going through my chest pubes down to my ball fro.

Last edited by DesertSpider on July 13, 2008 - 06:11 PM; edited 1 time in total

PaulR

Talker

Joined: Dec 05, 2007
Posts: 85

Status: Offline

Posted: July 12, 2008 - 09:12 PM

Excelent post.......you should also add "its also suitable for single men" to the title.....(but avoid the tampons!).......this should be kept LIVE and updated...........it took me about 3 months to find out all this stuff when I came here!

Andreas
Board Royalty

Joined: Feb 27, 2004
Posts: 6408
Location: 31 N 121 E

Posted: July 12, 2008 - 09:15 PM

DS, you forgot the vibrator. Wink

_________________
If it has tits, tires, or a transom, there's gonna be issues!

DesertSpider
Post Roaster

Joined: Jan 19, 2007
Posts: 4417
Location: SHANGHAI, CHINA

Posted: July 12, 2008 - 09:18 PM

This is a 'family' post (for now). Wink

_________________

wrote:

I'm looking good, got a luscious v of hair going through my chest pubes down to my ball fro.

disconbobulated

Reacher

Joined: Sep 26, 2007
Posts: 337

Status: Offline

Posted: July 12, 2008 - 10:46 PM

A pre-nuptial agreement was forgotten also! lol

monalisalee

Rocker

Joined: May 10, 2005
Posts: 642
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: July 12, 2008 - 11:04 PM

And Burger King, but great list, and pretty much "spot on".
Thanks Spider.

_________________
johnboy88

Andreas
Board Royalty

Joined: Feb 27, 2004
Posts: 6408
Location: 31 N 121 E

Posted: July 12, 2008 - 11:23 PM

DesertSpider wrote:

This is a 'family' post (for now). Wink

Mate, you and I know it. The moment YOU posted this, it was not a family post. Laughing

_________________
If it has tits, tires, or a transom, there's gonna be issues!

DesertSpider
Post Roaster

Joined: Jan 19, 2007
Posts: 4417
Location: SHANGHAI, CHINA

Posted: July 13, 2008 - 05:16 PM

Yeah, I hear ya...... Smile

_________________

wrote:

I'm looking good, got a luscious v of hair going through my chest pubes down to my ball fro.

cerskine

Lurker

Joined: June 07, 2008
Posts: 31

Status: Offline

Posted: July 18, 2008 - 02:37 AM

What about baby stuff. I have a 20 mo old little girl still in diapers. ARe they available, & super expensive? And general baby products. Also, I see in public places bring your own T.P. but when u purchase toilet paper at the store, is it the good stuff, ie comparable to Charmin. Nice & soft?? Or more like the old scott brand?

DesertSpider
Post Roaster

Joined: Jan 19, 2007
Posts: 4417
Location: SHANGHAI, CHINA

Posted: July 18, 2008 - 09:18 AM

Some baby stuff is here, like diapers (but I think they are really expensive, the Chinese versions are much much cheaper). Baby food is available at the expat markets, Pines, City Shop, etc. - but is also very expensive. Depends on the item if it is 'here' or not.

If you're freaky about cleanliness, bring all the Purell you can stuff into a suitcase with you (or have it sent over in your shipment if you have one).

_________________

wrote:

I'm looking good, got a luscious v of hair going through my chest pubes down to my ball fro.

8lrr8
StreetBeater

Joined: Oct 14, 2004
Posts: 2344
Location: here!

Posted: July 18, 2008 - 09:53 AM

DesertSpider wrote:

If you're freaky about cleanliness, bring all the Purell you can stuff into a suitcase with you (or have it sent over in your shipment if you have one).

purell for the hands, lysol for the home.

spannah

Newbie

Joined: Aug 22, 2008
Posts: 1

Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 28, 2008 - 01:50 AM

Has anyone been able to get the brand Dermalogica, either in salons or over the internet?

OZDave

Barker

Joined: July 04, 2008
Posts: 134

Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 28, 2008 - 07:34 AM

Very useful- agreed it should be kept live for people moving here.

I could have really used that list 2 months ago.

sallywonderland

Reacher

Joined: Sep 12, 2006
Posts: 219

Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 28, 2008 - 07:40 AM

Shui Urban Spa sells and uses Dermalogica products (I think)

Ferguson Lane, 376 Wukang Road (corner Tai’An Road)
http://www.shuiurbanspa.com.cn

BONNIE
Veejay
Veejay

Joined: June 17, 2005
Posts: 1909
Location: Amsterdam/Shanghai

Posted: Aug 29, 2008 - 06:23 AM

You forgot the two most important things to bring with you -:

Patience.
Sense of Humour.

_________________
Siberia.......Here I come !

ShanghaiSecondHand

Seeker

Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 65

Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 30, 2008 - 08:28 AM

As for baby things

I wouldn't bring diapers, pampers are not much more than they would be back in the States.
But I would bring all the toys you can. There are plenty of cheap and unsafe toys here, but a good quality toy is much more expensive than back home.
A good stroller with big wheels that. The streets/sidewalks are not always smooth and one that is lightweight and easy to push will be extremely useful.

All different kinds of Toilet Paper are available...you can find good stuff. I wouldn't bother bringing that, there are many other more hard to find and much more expensive things that would be better!

_________________
www.ShanghaiSecondHand.com

GirlatWork

Raver

Joined: Feb 14, 2006
Posts: 471

Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 30, 2008 - 08:57 AM

Vinda is the best toilet paper brand. Very good quality. Tampons are available at all Carrefour (and others). Only O.B. though but sufficient.
Sheets - can have them made to your sizes very cheaply but you need to know the language.
Books - Many street vendors sell good pirated English books at RMB10-15. The problems is of course they are not everywhere, and the titles are limited as each vendor might carry only like 200 titles from self hep to beauty to biography to fiction so the choice of your preference will be narrow.

answerer

Raver

Joined: Apr 26, 2006
Posts: 453
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 31, 2008 - 07:58 AM

You're asking for trouble if you bring wine in your shipment. the import duty on it is something like 3-400 RMB/bottle.

hautumncloud
LoopKicker

Joined: Nov 04, 2006
Posts: 911

Posted: Aug 31, 2008 - 07:20 PM

Bring your cosmestic and facial stuff....very expensive here. I use Clinique and stock up everytime I go back or ask friends to get it for me from duty free shops.

Hangzhou

Seeker

Joined: July 17, 2008
Posts: 54

Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 31, 2008 - 08:37 PM

I paid 60 rmb a bottle on wine that we imported in May - can't imagine that it's gone up that much in a few months (it may depend on who clears it through customs though)

CommercialG

Talker

Joined: June 29, 2008
Posts: 92

Status: Offline

Posted: Aug 31, 2008 - 09:10 PM

Nail polish removers are hard to find and expensive here for no reasons...

Bella_Min

Talker

Joined: June 03, 2008
Posts: 105

Status: Offline

Posted: Sep 01, 2008 - 02:25 PM

CommercialG wrote:

Nail polish removers are hard to find and expensive here for no reasons...

Take a look at SEPHORA.

Adrienne

Rocker

Joined: Mar 01, 2003
Posts: 779
Location: Shanghai, China
Status: Offline

Posted: Sep 01, 2008 - 07:38 PM

Mr. Desertspider...what a champ you are indeed!

Shall just add a wee tad of finer detail on some to your enlightened observations.........

1. Kitchenware - still a bit limited for those who are serious cooks. Bring cheese/egg/vegetable slicers, moulds, christmas and festive cookie cutters (limited), butter curlers and cooking trays/dishes that are out of the norm.

2. IP cards for international calls - if the card has 100rmb on it then pay 25-30rmb for it and no more. You will still get 100rmb worth of calls.

3. Underwear - Bring plenty of supplies of nickers, bras and good pantyhose.

4. As Bonnie said - loads of patience and a great sense of humour won;t go astray here.

Adrienne
http://www.shanghaiprops.com