Postal Service - China Post

China Post
China Post

China Post is the official postal service in China, offering both domestic and international mail and parcel services. With the rapid development of online shopping and international trade, more and more parcels and packages are transported by post from China to the whole world. Here, TCG introduces the international parcel services of China Post.

A parcel is usually delivered through the following three transport means: 

 AIR: a parcel is transported by air directly and received in 7 – 15 working days. It is fast and safe, but expensive. 

 SAL: short for Surface Air Lifted. Ships, buses, and trains are used within the sending and receiving countries, but air transport is used between countries. Land and sea transport are used if there are no flights. Usually it takes 15 – 20 working days. The cost is lower than air mail. 

 SURFACE: a parcel is transported via land and sea transport. It is cheap, but takes 40 – 70 working days.

After you order something from an online Chinese supplier, you may be asked to choose means of shipment. The Chinese supplier tends to use the postal services of China Post, as they are economic and convenient, although usually slow. China Post has the following services:
 

China Post Mail

It includes Small Parcel and Large Package services. Registered mail can be tracked through China Post Tracking system.

A Small Parcel is suitable for items weighing less than 4.4 lb (2 kg). The total of the length, width and height of its outer package must not exceed 35 in (90 cm), and neither the length, width or height must exceed 24 in (60 cm). A Small Parcel is very cheap, especially for international mail. It can reach almost everywhere in the world, as long as there is a post office. It is safe and can be tracked if registered. It takes 5 – 10 days to reach other Asian countries, 7 – 15 days to America and Europe, and 7 – 30 days to other countries. Air mail takes about 15 working days, SAL mail takes about 30 days, and surface mail takes one to two months. The tracking number of a small parcel usually begins with “R”, "P” or “V” and ends with “CN”.
 

Postal Service in China
Post Truck Delivering Packages

Large Package is good for items between 4.4 - 66 lb (20 – 30 kg) in weight. A large package can be sent through Air, SAL or Surface mail, and it is economical, much cheaper than EMS, DHL and other express mail services. As it is operated by China post, a large package can reach anywhere that has a post office. Normally, a large package reaches American and European countries from China in 10 – 20 days, but a surface mail takes one to two months. The shipping time will be longer to other countries. The tracking number usually begins with “C” and ends with “CN”
 

EUB:

EUB is often used by eBay sellers to deliver items to USA, Australia and UK buyers. The items must not exceed 4.4 lb (2 kg) in weight. The total of the length, width and height of the outer package must not be more than 35 in, and neither the length, width or height can be longer than 24 in. An EUB parcel reaches its destination in 7 – 10 working days. The tracking number of an EUB parcel from China begins with “L” or “A” and ends with “CN”. The tracking information is available at EMS tracking system.
 

EMS

Short for Express Mail Service, EMS is a global mail service operated by post offices of the whole world, and China Post is one of its operators. The maximum weight of an EMS parcel is 44 - 88 lb (20 – 40 kg) for different destinations. There are five categories: 44 lb (20 kg), 55 lb (25 kg), 66 lb (30 kg), 68 lb (31 kg), 69 lb (31.5 kg), 77 lb (35 kg) and 88 lb (40 kg).  It is faster than China Post Mail, but much more expensive. An EMS parcel from China is usually promised to reach its destination country within 7 working days. Its tracking number begins with “E” and ends with “CN” and can be tracked through EMS tracking system.

Another service is China International Express, which is operated by Chinese EMS and TNT. It can reach more destinations than EMS, but the postage rate and weight limit are the same as EMS. The tracking number begins with "CT” and ends with “CN”, and can be tracked through EMS tracking system.
 

Tips

1. China Post is not the only postal service in China. Other postal services, such as TNT, DHL, Federal Express and UPS, are also available. China Post, however, is the most economical international postal service, although it is the slowest. After ordering an item from a Chinese supplier, you can choose any available postal service. 

2. The postage is charged according to the size, weight, transportation means and different services. Normally, China Post Small Parcel is the cheapest and EMS is the most expensive. The international postal services are more expensive than EMS. The postage for an air mail is almost twice as much as surface mail. 

3. The transit time is subject to change. Any delay could be caused by bad weather, customs check, inspection, invalid address or number, and so on. Therefore, the actual delivery time is usually longer than the promised time. 

4. For online shoppers it is best to use legal and large postal services and it is better to pay or confirm the payment after you receive your parcels. In most cases, your parcel will not get lost. According to the statistics of a professional tracking website, it takes as long as 180 days and as short as 3 days for a parcel to reach its destination from China, and most parcels have been successfully delivered. Read more for Tips to Avoid Online Shopping Traps.

Further Reading:
FAQ on China Postal Service
Postage Rate of China Post International Parcels

- Last updated on Apr. 25, 2023 -
Questions & Answers on China Postal Service
Asked by Rogerio from USA | Apr. 25, 2023 13:52Reply
Tracking AG018936260CN
It is written that my package arrived on 03/31/2023 and I have not received anything, is there any contact or location that I can go here in Los Angeles Tracking AG018936260CN
Answers (1)
Answered by Sally | Apr. 25, 2023 20:29
00Reply


It is suggested to contact the sender to acquire more information.
Asked by Halyn from SWITZERLAND | Apr. 25, 2023 08:59Reply
AS750247871CN I didn't got
AS750247871CN
It is written that the parcel was delivered on 04/09/2023, but I never received it. Where to contact if the seller's mail does not answer, and there are no other contacts?
Answers (1)
Answered by Frank | Apr. 25, 2023 20:34
00Reply


I'm sorry it seems that the best way is to contact the seller to get more information or contact your local post office.
Asked by timmy heflin from UNITED STATES | Oct. 18, 2021 01:30Reply
where is my pkg. tracking # AQ837869012CN
I have not received and when i track the number it says it has been delivered.
who delivered it? and when?
Answers (4)
Answered by Aaron | Oct. 25, 2021 15:00
00Reply


Yes, the information shows that your package has already arrived. You can contact the local post office and figure out the problem.
Answered by Matthew | Jan. 31, 2022 00:11
00Reply


2021-05-19 10:52:42 Dongguan Package Received from shipper
2021-05-19 11:13:56 NULL In Transit
2021-05-19 12:43:01 Dongguan Depature from Local Sorting Center
2021-05-19 12:43:51 Dongguan Arrival at Regional Sorting Center
2021-05-19 16:43:08 NULL Arrival
2021-05-22 16:24:12 NULL Departure
2021-05-23 18:13:00 NULL In Transit
2021-05-23 18:14:00 NULL In Transit
2021-05-26 20:05:00 NULL In Transit
2021-05-26 20:05:00 NULL Departure
2021-07-01 09:20:00 NULL Arrival
2021-07-03 09:50:00 NULL Departure
2021-07-07 12:54:00 NULL Arrival
2021-07-08 00:21:00 NULL Departure
2021-07-08 02:43:00 NULL Arrival
2021-07-08 05:13:00 NULL Arrival
2021-07-08 06:38:00 NULL Arrival
2021-07-08 06:49:00 NULL Out for Delivery
2021-07-08 12:59:00 NULL Delivered
Answered by Scammed too | Jan. 31, 2022 17:00
00Reply


Same with me only thing I can think to do since it said my address was west Virginia n I live in North Carolina call my credit card
Good luck
Answered by Halyn | Apr. 25, 2023 08:56
00Reply


AS750247871CN
It is written that the parcel was delivered on 04/09/2023, but I never received it. Where to contact if the seller's mail does not answer, and there are no other contacts?
Asked by Joe from UNITED KINGDOM | Oct. 16, 2021 00:24Reply
Where is my delivery??
Ordered a football top on the 25th of August on the tracking website it says its been exporting straight, don't fully understand what that means. My tracking number is LV236840016CN
Answers (2)
Answered by Jonathan | Oct. 25, 2021 15:03
00Reply


I found the same information with you. You need to contact the sender and find the problem.
Answered by Matthew | Jan. 31, 2022 00:14
00Reply


2021-08-31 09:26:37 Foshan Package Received from shipper
2021-08-31 16:52:56 Foshan Depature from Local Sorting Center
2021-08-31 17:21:31 Foshan Arrival at Regional Sorting Center
2021-08-31 20:55:40 Foshan Departure from Regional Sorting Center
2021-09-01 00:40:30 Guangzhou Arrival at Regional Sorting Center
2021-09-01 17:11:32 Guangzhou Dispatched from Office of Exchange
2021-09-02 14:29:32 Guangzhou Handed over to the Carrier
2021-10-15 14:14:13 Guangzhou Rejected by Safety Check Point
2021-10-15 14:59:02 Guangzhou Returned from Safety Check Point
2021-10-15 14:59:06 Guangzhou Dispatched from Office of Exchange
2021-10-16 01:58:34 Guangzhou Departure from Regional Sorting Center
2021-10-17 12:38:17 CA Received by the carrier
2021-10-17 18:40:29 CA Waiting for airline space
2021-10-17 19:48:52 Guangzhou Handed over to the Carrier
2021-11-03 04:00:00 LANGLEY Langley
2021-11-03 08:34:00 LANGLEY Langley
2021-11-03 12:42:00 * Customs Clearance Completed
2021-11-03 12:42:00 GB Departure from International Sorting Center
2021-11-04 09:14:00 GB Delivered
Asked by Lucky saano from RWANDAY | Jun. 22, 2021 09:35Reply
How much does it cost to send a document below 0.5kg From Shanghai to Kigali, Rwanda?
Answers (2)
Answered by Emma | Jun. 27, 2021 18:34
00Reply


Generally speaking, it costs CNY 100 to 150.
Answered by Ivy | Aug. 28, 2021 07:08
00Reply


I shipped some items from Japan via ems to Guangzhou and I was just wondering if you know if ems will deliver to my address or expect to come pick up?
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