Left Something Behind in Hong Kong? Our Hotel Item Retrieval Story

There is that sinking feeling everyone dreads: you have just crossed the border, you are tired, and suddenly you realize—you left your bags at the hotel lobby.

Yesterday, we received a frantic request that perfectly illustrates this scenario.

A client had been visiting Hong Kong and picked up the famous Jenny Bakery Cookies as gifts. In her rush to catch her transport, she left the cookies at the concierge of the Harbour Plaza Metropolis Hotel in Hung Hom. She only realized her mistake after she had already arrived in Shenzhen.

She asked: “Can you please go to the hotel, pick them up, and bring them to Shenzhen for me?”

“Absolutely,” I said. “We are on it.”

However, retrieving items from a 4-star hotel isn’t always as simple as just showing up.

The Hurdle: The Letter of Authorization

I headed straight to Hung Hom. As a dedicated Hong Kong local errand runner, speed is usually my priority.

But when I arrived at the front desk and requested the items, the staff politely refused to hand them over. “Sir, for security reasons, we require a signed Letter of Authorization (LOA) from the guest, along with a copy of their ID, before releasing items to a third party.”

This is a standard, yet often overlooked, security protocol in Hong Kong hospitality. It protects your belongings, but it can be a hassle if you are unprepared.

The Quick Fix

I immediately called the client to calm her nerves. “Don’t worry, this is standard procedure,” I explained.

I guided her to write a quick authorization note, sign it, take a photo, and email it directly to the hotel’s concierge along with her ID copy.

Within ten minutes, the hotel received the email. After verifying the details, the staff finally handed over the heavy bags of cookies.

Crossing the Border to Shenzhen

Once the cookies were secured, the rest was straightforward. We specialize in cross-border logistics. For food items and souvenirs like this, we even have a specific pricing scheme for Shenzhen-HK snack delivery to ensure clarity and affordability.

I crossed the border, handled the customs clearance, and shipped the package from Shenzhen to her doorstep that very evening.

What to Do If You Leave Items Behind

If you find yourself in a similar situation, here is what you need to know:

1. Contact the Hotel Immediately: Ensure they hold the item for you.
2. Expect Paperwork: Most HK hotels will not release items to a friend or runner without an Authorization Letter.
3. Hire a Professional: Instead of asking a friend to trek across the city, use a professional Shenzhen-Hong Kong errand service. We handle the travel, the authorization coordination, and the cross-border logistics.

The client apologized for the delay caused by the paperwork, but I told her, “No need to be sorry. Ensuring your items are safe is what matters.”

Need help retrieving a lost item? We are just a message away.