Living abroad as an immigrant is comfortable and easy; however, being separated from friends and family back home makes mailing items the most common way to exchange gifts. Experts at WorldWay remind you that the prices and methods for mailing items in the United States differ from those in your home country. How do you calculate the cost of mailing items in the United States? What are the most common mailing companies? Which mailing method is the most cost-effective? Next, WorldWay immigration experts will share some practical tips for mailing items.
1. Through the United States Postal Service (USPS)
The United States Postal Service is a national enterprise in the United States and has a strategic partnership with China Post. WorldWay experts introduce several mailing options from the United States to China:
1: Global Express Guaranteed
This service, co-operated by the United States Postal Service and FedEx, has a significant speed advantage, ensuring delivery to major cities in China within 3 days, with a refund of shipping costs if not delivered. However, the price is relatively high. In the United States, weight is calculated in pounds (one pound equals 454 grams). The starting weight for this mailing service is 0.5 pounds, with a price of $38.95, and the first pound costs $58.50. For weights up to 10 pounds, each additional pound costs $9, and from 11 pounds onwards, each additional pound costs $7.25.
This express service has a clear speed advantage, ensuring delivery within 3 days, and offers attentive service, making it one of the best logistics companies. This express service comes with a tracking number, allowing you to know the package's location at all times. Additionally, items valued under $100 are exempt from insurance; for items valued over $100, the insurance fee increases by $1 for every additional $100, with a maximum insurance fee of $24 for $2499 worth of items.
2: Express Mail International
Express Mail International is highly recommended as the most cost-effective mailing option. This express service is managed by the Universal Postal Union and collaborates with postal enterprises in various countries. Mail or packages sent from the United States will be transferred to EMS in China, which will ultimately deliver the package to you. Delivery from the United States to China takes about 5 days. A tracking number is available to accurately track the package's location on both the USPS and China EMS websites. Price advantage: the first pound costs $28.50, and for weights between 2 to 6 pounds, each additional pound costs $4.25; for weights over 6 pounds, each additional pound costs $5, which is significantly lower than the Global Express service. Regarding insurance, items valued under $100 are exempt from insurance; for items valued under $200, the fee is $0.75; under $500, it is $2.10; under $1000, it is $3.45; and the maximum insurance of $5000 requires a premium of $14.25.
WorldWay experts suggest that Express Mail International is particularly suitable for mailing high-value items such as laptops, mobile phones, and audio systems.
3. Priority Mail International
Priority Mail International is the cheapest express service, but it is not very efficient in terms of time. Delivery to major cities in China takes about 10 days, and the tracking number only provides limited details. The price for the first pound is $22.50, and for weights between 2 to 5 pounds, each additional pound costs $4.50; from the 6th pound onwards, each additional pound costs $3.75. However, the insurance for Priority Mail International is quite expensive. Firstly, there is no exemption for insurance fees; for items valued at $50, the fee is $2.45; for $100, it is $3.35; for $200, it is $4.30; for $300, it is $5.25. The maximum insurance limit of $1222 requires a payment of $14.75. Therefore, this service is not recommended. Priority Mail International has a special service called Flat Rate Box. The standard price is $38.95, with two sizes available (11*8.5*5.5) and (13.625*11.875*3.375), all in inches. One inch is approximately 2.5 centimeters. As long as your package does not exceed these dimensions and weighs no more than 20 pounds, the price is $38.95 (insurance not included). There is also a $49.95 flat rate box, which is larger (12*12*5.5) but still limited to a weight of 20 pounds.
2. Mailing through Chinese courier companies
One obvious advantage of Chinese courier companies is their low prices. Chinese courier services in the United States have sprung up like mushrooms after rain, indicating more frequent trade between China and the United States. Mailing from logistics centers in California back to China costs $10 for the first pound, which is more than half cheaper than the post office, with additional charges varying by item type. For each additional pound, electronics, jewelry, and watches cost $8.50/pound; sports equipment costs $5.50/pound; and daily necessities cost $4.50/pound. These prices are quite low, especially for clothing, shoes, cosmetics, and other everyday items, which are much cheaper through Chinese courier services. WorldWay immigration experts recommend that the insurance cost for Chinese courier companies is about 2% of the declared value, and it is strongly advised to purchase insurance. In terms of time, delivery to major cities in China takes about 10 days, while delivery to smaller cities takes about 15 to 20 days, and package tracking numbers are available.
The above are two recommended mailing methods; you can also choose other international courier services such as UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc. These foreign courier companies offer the best services, but their prices are also quite high.
