Tourist hotels provide postal services. If you want to send important items such as antiques and cultural relics that are under Customs control, you will have to ask for the help of the local branch of the international post office, instead of the small post office in a hotel.

During the past two decades, a modernized postal network has been developed in China, providing quality domestic and international coverage. The postal service network has become one of the most important carriers of information, commodities, and financial instruments.

There are post offices in all cities and towns throughout the country. Domestic mail is very fast and the cost is low, normally 0.60 yuan for local delivery and 0.80 yuan for inter-city mail. Within some cities, there is often same-day delivery; between large cities, delivery is usually overnight. The international postal service is also efficient. Under normal circumstances it will only take 5-10 days for airmail letters or postcards to reach their destinations.

Points for special attention:

• Envelope sizes are standardized in China, so you can always buy them from post offices, hotels and appointed agencies.

• Stamps in China are not self-adhesive so you need to glue them onto the envelopes.

• The postal code is required when mailing letter.

• Post offices are very particular about how you pack a parcel. So you pack the items you want to post in the post office, as you will have to get customs clearance for your parcel.

The Chinese postal services also offer Express Mail Service (EMS) to most domestic and international destinations. A number of international courier companies have offices in China, in which express mail services such as DHL, UPS, TNT and FedEx are now accessible to more than 10,000 cities in 170 countries and regions.

Post offices, with eye-catching green emblems, are usually found on main streets, at railway stations, the airport and major scenic spots. They open daily from 08:00-19:00.

Apart from post offices in cities, mailing service is also available in some hotels.

The Limit Value and Free-Duty Value of Inward and Outward Articles Regulated by the Customs

The limit value of personal articles from or to Hong Kong or Macao is RMB800, with RMB400 duty free. The limit value of personal articles from or to places except Hong Kong and Macao is RMB1000, with RMB500 duty free. The duty of extra value should be levied import tax according to relevant regulations.

Countries or Districts that Express Mail Services Can Reach:

Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Austria, France, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Russia, Romania, Belgium, UK, Luxembourg, Spain, Australia, Czech, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, New Zealand, Hungary, Milan, Ireland, Norway, Switzerland, Papua New Guinea, America, Canada, Cyprus, Oman, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Madagascar, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Iraq, Qatar, Chad, Gabon, Mali, Rwanda, Jordan, Turkey, the Congo, Guinea, Morocco, Senegal, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Djibouti, Cote d'lvoire, Niger, Tunisia, Argentina, Panama, Guyana, Brazil, Columbia, Hong Kong, Macao

Cities that Air Mails Can Reach:

Bangkok, Pyongyang, Seoul, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Karachi, Taiwan, Manila, Tokyo, Osaka, Singapore, Teheran, Ulan Bator, Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Helsinki, Kiev, London, Madrid, Moscow, Paris, Roman, Stockholm, Vienna, Warsaw, Zurich, Sydney, Vancouver, San Francisco

Following Is the Postal Rates of International Mail: