Autumn is hairy crab season, and plenty of Hong Kong readers hop across the border for a weekend to buy crabs: they cost a fraction of Hong Kong prices in Shenzhen supermarkets, and shops will pack them with ice for the trip home. This guide rounds up the October 2026 market: what supermarkets, border-area crab shops and wholesale markets charge, where to buy for the best value, how to pick a good crab, and the rules for taking them back to Hong Kong.
30-Second Overview: Buying Hairy Crabs in Shenzhen
- Easiest: large supermarkets (Yonghui, Hema Fresh) — official traceable crab tags, ice-pack packing, and branches right by the crossings (Luohu Kingglory Plaza, Futian Huangting Plaza).
- 2026 market: Yangcheng Lake output is expected to reach about 10,100 tonnes and prices are broadly unchanged from last year; male crabs mature in mid-October and prices ease further.
- Indicative supermarket prices: around ¥35.9–¥79.9 per crab depending on sex, weight and origin; at Yonghui's Luohu store a 165–185g female is ¥75.9 and a male is ¥42.9.
- Taking them home: a reasonable quantity for personal use is allowed, but bringing crabs back to sell is illegal (see the link at the end).
The 2026 Market: Prices Level with Last Year, Male Crabs Best Value from Mid-October
This year's Yangcheng Lake harvest is expected to total about 10,100 tonnes, with supply steady to slightly higher and quality better than last year, while prices are broadly level with 2025. Mainland reporters visited the seafood stalls at Futian Wholesale Market on 10 October and found a market split in two: premium and large crabs held their prices, while mid-range crab prices fell noticeably.
To get the best value, remember two timings: (1) late September to early October is mainly female crab season (crab roe) — from mid-October male crabs mature, with firmer meat and softer prices; (2) the season runs to mid-December, so choice widens as it goes on.
Four Places to Buy — Which Suits You?
1. Large supermarkets: easiest, with traceable crab tags
Shenzhen's big supermarkets run dedicated hairy crab counters with clear price tags, official scannable crab tags and ice-pack packing — the simplest option for Hong Kong visitors. At Yonghui Supermarket (Luohu Kingglory Plaza), the Yangcheng Lake counter sells 165–185g females at ¥75.9 each and males at ¥42.9 each, one tag per crab, with both live crabs and ready-steamed crabs on offer. Hema Fresh (Futian Huangting Plaza) focuses on 140–160g Yangcheng Lake crabs and sits close to Futian Port, so many people buy as soon as they cross.
2. Crab shops around the crossings
Around Liantang and Luohu there are shops selling live hairy crabs, mostly Taihu Lake crabs from Jiangsu. Before you pay, ask three things: origin (Yangcheng Lake or Taihu), size (liang or grams) and whether there is an official crab tag — so you do not pay Yangcheng Lake prices for an ordinary crab.
3. Wholesale markets
Wholesale markets such as Futian Wholesale Market have many seafood stalls where you can negotiate and buy in bulk, but there is no standard packing or traceability service, so you pick and carry them yourself — best for experienced buyers or large orders. Ask when the day's delivery arrives; morning stalls have the widest choice.
4. Online shops and crab gift cards
Online gift boxes can work out as little as a dozen yuan per crab, but check the size, origin and whether the weight is guaranteed. Gift cards let you collect in batches, with crabs shipped direct from the farm.
Price Comparison: Shenzhen vs Hong Kong
| Where | Reference size | Price per crab |
|---|---|---|
| Hema Fresh, Shenzhen | about 115–135g | about ¥35.9 (approx. HK$39) |
| Yonghui, Shenzhen | 165–185g (female) | ¥75.9 (male ¥42.9 at the same store) |
| Hong Kong crab shops | about 132g | from about HK$60 (up to HK$168 depending on size) |
⚠️ Watch the unit: a mainland liang is about 50g while a Hong Kong liang is about 37.8g, so the same "3 liang" is not the same weight — convert to grams before comparing prices.
Four Tips for Picking a Good Crab
- Check the tag: official Yangcheng Lake crabs carry an anti-counterfeit tag with a unique code. Purple means lake crab, green means pond crab — scan it to see the origin.
- Check the look: green-blue shell with shine, a white firm belly, golden claws and yellowish leg hair.
- Check the energy: pick one that reacts and tries to pinch; the legs should resist when you lift it, not hang limp.
- Check the weight: at the same price, take the heavier crab — it usually carries more roe and meat.
Taking Crabs Back to Hong Kong: Personal Use Only, Never for Resale
Hong Kong Customs and the FEHD are both clear: hairy crabs may be brought into Hong Kong, but only within a reasonable quantity for personal use. Bringing them back to sell is illegal — selling hairy crabs requires an FEHD licence, and Customs and the FEHD have stepped up enforcement at the crossings (more than 1,900 crabs suspected of being for resale were seized in six weeks from December 2025). For the details — how many you may carry and the four food types that are genuinely banned — see our article below.
Transport and Storage: Eat Them Before They Go Off
- Most supermarkets will pack crabs with ice in an insulated bag; a one- to two-hour trip home is fine.
- At home, do not untie them or soak them in water: cover with a damp towel in a cool place and eat within one to two days.
- Do not eat crabs that died before steaming. Scrub the belly and claws, then steam for 15–20 minutes depending on size.
FAQ
How much cheaper are hairy crabs in Shenzhen supermarkets?
As of October 2026, a live crab of about 115–135g costs around ¥35.9 (approx. HK$39) in a Shenzhen supermarket, while a Hong Kong crab shop charges about HK$60 for a similar 132g crab — about a third cheaper, with the gap widening at larger sizes.
Which border crossing is closest for buying crabs?
Luohu Port → Yonghui Supermarket at Luohu Kingglory Plaza; Futian Port → Hema Fresh at Huangting Plaza; Liantang Port → crab shops in the border commercial area (mostly Taihu crabs).
Is it cheaper to buy crabs or eat out?
Buying and steaming at home is cheapest (¥36–¥80 per crab at supermarkets). For all-you-can-eat buffets, whole-crab banquets or crab-roe noodles, see our Shenzhen hairy crab season guide (buffets from ¥298 per person).
Sources
- Hong Kong Wen Wei Po, "Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs launched — Hong Kong shoppers snap them up at border stores" (9 October 2026) — supermarket prices, output, crab tag colours and the Customs reminder
- HK01, "Hong Kong shoppers buy and eat crabs in Shenzhen — Hema Fresh is a third cheaper than Hong Kong crab shops" (7 October 2026) — on-the-ground price checks and liang conversions
- Guangming Online / Tencent News, "Hairy crab prices collapse? Shenzhen market tests the rumour" (10 October 2026) — a visit to Futian Wholesale Market
Prices are based on public reports from October 2026. They change with the season and crab size, so check the price tags on site before you travel.
Related reading
- Can you bring hairy crabs across the border? 2026 customs limits
- Shenzhen hairy crab season guide 2026: ¥298 buffets and 6 real restaurants
- Shenzhen supermarket guide: Sam's Club, Costco and Hema compared
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