Job Discussion Forums

goodwork002002 · Joined: 23 Oct 2009 Posts: 22 Location: Massachusetts, USA

I know in some countries deodorants, warm socks, etc are things I needed to bring from the usa with me.

Is this the case with China?

JamesD · Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 5:35 pm Post subject:

Depends on how big your quani is.

XiGua · Joined: 13 Dec 2009 Posts: 91 Location: Hunan

Yeah generally deodorant and shaving cream are the two big ones for me. Clothes and crap you can buy here unless your not Chinese sized. I also make sure to bring some medicine and some good antibiotics.

That's the most important stuff for me.

randyj · Posted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 11:59 pm Post subject:

These days almost all necessities can be found, including deodorant, shaving cream, and disposable razors. The Watson's chain of drugstores have an excellent selection of most items. One thing I still have trouble finding is men's socks of suitable length.

Sugar & Spice · Joined: 11 Feb 2010 Posts: 73

It is true that most things can be found in Watson's, but, it is very expensive. A small thing of deodorant may cost 70 rmb = $10! Forget about the cologne, if they have it it is small and expensive.

I'd definitely bring a bunch of deodorant and cologne, if you use it. The same goes for razor blades. It seems to me that Gilette Sensor razors is the main brand here and again it is more expensive than the US. You can find cheap Chinese shaving cream, so, I wouldn't bring too much of that.

If you're a candy man, I'd bring some of your favorites. There is plenty of chocolate here and other types of candy, such as gum, but, if you like licorice, Sweet Tarts, Nerds and stuff like that, I'd bring it too.

I know there is a weight limit and you are only allowed to check 2 large bags, but, if you are a coffee person, you might want to buy a small 4 cup coffee maker in Wal-Mart or Walgreens and a large container of coffee. The price for both items will be double the price here than it is in the US. I'm not sure of the prices in other countries.

nickpellatt · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 1522

Yep, cheap rolls ons or anti perspirants are a must IMO. I buy cheap supermarket ones in the UK for the equivalent of 3 rmb. Ditto cheap disposable razors.

Everyone knocks me for saying this, but I also bring lots of teabags. Its a British thing I guess! Only teabags I have seen here are liptons ones, which cost up to 5x the price of teabags at home.

Something else worth bringing is a 4 way plug thingy. I have one travel plug, which I plug my 4-way plug into. I then have the 4 sockets for my laptop, mobile phone, camera etc.

If you are a keen reader...I would recommend buying an ebook reader. I bought a Sony one for �150 before I flew out, and have it loaded up with a shedload of novels. Very handy and convenient for travel.

The Great Wall of Whiner · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Posts: 4946 Location: Blabbing

Deodorant-- it's out there, but hard to come by.

If you like cooking, a proper melt-proof rubber spatula. Go to a dollar store (pound store?) and get some spices as well. Basil, oregano, thyme, sage...maybe also a garlic press.

As another poster mentioned: socks. The men's socks here seem so short.

Tylenol. I had a headache and the local drug store refused to sell me any.

Water-proof Band Aids. The ones here come off after 30 minutes.

A few rolls of pennies. These make awesome prizes for students (if you're teaching kids).

These are always on my list...

JamesD · Posted: Sun Mar 14, 2010 5:15 am Post subject:

MisterButtkins · Joined: 03 Oct 2009 Posts: 1221

My big one is vitamins. I think they sell vitamins here but I would never trust them. I only brought like a 3 month supply from the US over here and had to get more shipped to me. The imported vitamins I've found in Beijing are hella expensive - 200 yuan for a 150 pill bottle. In the US I can get a 255 pill bottle of multivitamins for like 7$. Another one is a Chinese-English dictionary with pinyin. The Chinese-English dictionaries they sell here, from what I've heard, don't have pinyin at all.

Jayray · Joined: 28 Feb 2009 Posts: 373 Location: Back East

If you're so disposed, bring LOTS of breath mints --- especially if you use mouth wash back home. Mouth wash is ridiculously expensive in China, as is chewing gum.

Then again, nobody may care if you have bad breath. Maintaining fresh-smelling breath seems not to be much of a priority in China.

kei1261 · Joined: 17 Aug 2009 Posts: 35

If you have a big quani, as I do, bring condoms. The ones here are woefully inadequate . . Laughing

gene · Joined: 03 Mar 2010 Posts: 187

compressed air in a can to clean the computer...

General Franco · Joined: 29 Dec 2009 Posts: 22

Old Surrender · Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 7:49 am Post subject:

Yes! OTC drugs are a must-bring. Caught a fever-inducing virus during CNY and I have no idea how I would've gotten through it without some ibuprofin.

On the other hand, you can find Hall's cough drops in the candy section of Carrafour.

thessy · Joined: 09 Nov 2008 Posts: 111 Location: Xi'an

Everything posted in this thread is a good idea, but you'll notice there's not universal agreement about the availability of some products. Like anything and everything in China, your results may vary.

I have not seen real shaving cream here (except 50RMB small cans of gillette). Chinese men use a tub of gel-like gunk for their bi-weekly shaving needs.

I have never seen 10-16RMB deodorant in Walmart or Carrefour. I have seen the 58RMB spray on variety.

I have seen Tylenol, which came as a surprise.

The availability of some things is completely dependent on where you are in China. This thread is a great general idea, but if you're planning to come somewhere specific, you may be better off asking about the availability of certain products in that location.