To return to your home country, follow similar steps to the article "Departure/Before you leave" and close down your household. You will need to give your notice at your current position, change information at your bank or change banks entirely, end the lease if you are renting, and sell your house if applicable. Note that ending your lease early will usually result in a penalty so try to time your departure so that it coincides with the end of your contract. If selling your house, employ an estate agent and start early as selling a house can be a very slow process. Make sure to cancel your utilities upon leaving your residence. Contact your consulate to find out details about your countries recommended procedures on issues such as pensions and unemployment.

Export Goods

Prepare your goods to go through customs by making a detailed inventory and secure a proof of change of residence. A moving form attestation can be secured through your Consulate. If using a shipping company, they should be able to handle most of this paperwork for you. To have the lowest taxes you will need to have had a residence abroad for more than 12 months and have had use of the possessions in a private capacity for at least 6 months.

Prohibited Items:
• Arms and ammunition (prior approval may be obtained courtesy of the travel agency used)
• Pornography (photographs in mainstream Western magazines may be regarded as pornographic)
• Radio transmitters/receivers
• Exposed but undeveloped film
• Fruit and certain vegetables (tomatoes, aubergines and red peppers)
• Political and religious pamphlets (a moderate quantity of religious material for personal use is acceptable)
• Any printed matter directed against the public order and the morality of China.

If your taxes are being withheld, you should have the withholding statements to show the officer. Be aware that the Tax Bureau has the right to presume that you are earning income. It is your duty to refute that presumption, if you choose. If taxes are not being withheld from your income, the Tax Bureau might impose a liability on you. If you claim you weren't working, you will need to account for how you spent your days.

In tandem with shutting down your foreign house, you need to prepare your next location. This possibly includes finding work, searching for a new apartment or house, or preparing your house to be re-occupied. A visa may be necessary depending on your status, research and start the process well in advance. If moving with a pet, check with the country you are bringing the animal into and follow similar steps to when you entered Beijing. If you have children, you will need to find the right school and arrange for their records to be transferred. If any members of your family are not from the country you are moving to, you may need to secure visas for their entry.