Costco finally arrived in South China when its Longhua store opened on January 12, 2024, and it has been drawing Hong Kong residents across the border in serious numbers ever since. With 15% of its 140,000-plus members coming from Hong Kong and an average spend of 750 to 800 yuan per trip, this is not a novelty day out. It is a genuine cross-border shopping errand that many expats are now making regularly.
The store sits on Minda Road in Longhua district, about a 20-minute high-speed rail ride from West Kowloon. At 15,000 square metres of shopping floor across 26 zones, it stocks over 4,000 products with around 30% imported. If you have shopped at any Costco worldwide, the format is familiar: bulk everything, Kirkland Signature house brand everywhere, and a food court that somehow makes a hot dog and soda cost less than a convenience store drink in Hong Kong.
How to Get There from Hong Kong
The most popular route for expats is crossing at Futian Port, then taking Metro Line 4 to Hongshan Station (Exit B). From there, bus H541A runs directly to Costco every 60 minutes from 9am to 8pm for just 2 yuan. The ride takes about 15 minutes. Alternatively, take the high-speed rail from West Kowloon to Shenzhen North Station and grab a taxi for roughly 15 yuan, which gets you there in about 10 minutes.
Costco also runs three free shuttle bus routes that are worth knowing about. One departs from Futian Port via the Longhua Cultural Tourism Line A, with a stop at Longtang Xincun West that drops you right at the store. Another loops from Hongshan Metro Station. The third connects through Shenzhen North Station. These run on weekends and holidays, which is when most Hong Kong visitors make the trip.
For a fully hands-off option, China Travel Service operates a cross-border coach directly to Costco Longhua from multiple pickup points in Hong Kong including Mong Kok, Tsuen Wan, Tuen Mun, and Wan Chai. It costs HK$60, runs eight times daily, and saves you the hassle of navigating the metro with heavy shopping bags on the way back.
Membership: What Hong Kong Residents Need to Know
Annual membership is 299 yuan (roughly HK$330), and yes, Hong Kong residents can sign up. The easiest method is in-store at the membership desk using your HKID, no mainland phone number required. If you prefer to register in advance, the Costco WeChat Mini Program works too, though it asks for a mainland number for the verification code and a photo of your HKID.
Your membership is a Gold Star card valid at every Costco worldwide, which means it works in Hong Kong if Costco ever opens here, and at stores across Asia, North America, Europe, and Australia. Each membership includes a free companion household card for a family member, and each cardholder can bring up to two additional adults per visit.
The renewal rate at the Longhua store sits at 60 to 70 percent, which tells you most people find it worth coming back. If you decide it is not for you, the membership is fully refundable at any time during its validity.
Recent social media posts suggest that an executive or black card tier may be coming to Costco China, similar to the US format. Nothing confirmed yet, but it is worth watching.
The Food Court
You do not need a membership to eat at the Costco food court, and the prices are genuinely absurd. A pork hot dog with unlimited soda refills costs 10.9 yuan, which is roughly HK$12. A slice of pizza is 12.9 yuan. A whole 18-inch pizza is 65.9 yuan, making it possibly the cheapest party food in the Greater Bay Area.
Other highlights include the chicken bake and bulgogi bake at 18.9 yuan each, a clam chowder soup for 17.9 yuan, and a chicken Caesar salad for 29.9 yuan. Coffee drinkers will appreciate the iced or hot latte at just 8.9 yuan. For dessert, the mango soft cream at 14.9 yuan has become a favourite based on social media reviews. Pizza comes in seafood, Hawaiian, or combo varieties.
What to Buy
Hong Kong members tend to load up on snacks, dried foods, cosmetics, and health supplements according to store data. The Kirkland Signature range offers consistent value across categories from olive oil and nuts to laundry detergent and vitamins. Imported items make up about 30% of stock, so you will find American, Japanese, Korean, and European products that are either unavailable or significantly more expensive in Hong Kong.
The fresh bakery section is a draw for bulk buyers, with croissants, muffins, and the famous Costco sheet cake at mainland prices. Seasonal promotions rotate regularly, so checking the Costco WeChat account before your trip helps you plan what to grab.
One practical note: if you buy more than you can carry, there is an SF Express (顺丰) station inside the store offering same-day delivery for orders placed before 11am. Rates start at 50 yuan for the first 3kg plus 10 yuan per additional kilogram. Keep in mind that fresh meat, frozen items, and eggs cannot legally cross the Hong Kong border without health certificates, so either consume those in Shenzhen or use the delivery service to a mainland address.
Payment and Practical Tips
Costco Shenzhen accepts Visa, WeChat Pay, Alipay, UnionPay, and cash (RMB). Mastercard is not directly accepted, so Mastercard holders should preload WeChat Pay or Alipay before visiting. Octopus is not accepted.
The store is open daily from 9am to 9pm. Weekday mornings are the quietest time to visit. Weekends get crowded, especially around the free shuttle bus arrival times. Bringing a cooler bag for frozen and chilled items is worth the effort if you are taking the metro back.
Quick Info
| Chinese Name | 開市客（深圳龍華店） |
| Address | 深圳市龍華區民治街道民達路68號 No. 68 Minda Road, Minzhi Street, Longhua District, Shenzhen 📍 Amap (高德地图) |
| Nearest Metro | Line 4 Hongshan Station (紅山站), Exit B — then bus H541A (15 min) |
| Opening Hours | Daily 9:00am to 9:00pm |
| Membership | ¥299/year (Gold Star), valid worldwide, HK residents welcome |
| Payment | Visa, WeChat Pay, Alipay, UnionPay, Cash (RMB). No Mastercard or Octopus. |
| Cross-Border Bus | China Travel Service, HK$60, 8 daily departures from Mong Kok/Tsuen Wan/Tuen Mun/Wan Chai |
| Delivery | SF Express on-site: ¥50 first 3kg, ¥10/kg after |
