U.S. Immigration living in the United States may want to send some items back home. So how can you send packages to China via USPS? Generally speaking, when sending items from the United States to China, USPS priority mail is commonly used. Here are some experiences regarding sending packages back to China that may help immigrants in the United States.
1. Size of the Box
USPS offers three sizes of boxes: small, medium, and large standard boxes. The shipping prices range from high to low: $12.50, $39.50, and over $50. Typically, the small box is about 10 centimeters in size, which is suitable for sending small items, but larger items will not fit. While the small box is cheaper, it lacks tracking, making it difficult to monitor the shipping status. It is best to choose the medium box; the large box can be cumbersome, especially if you have many items to send. Additionally, do not use your own boxes for shipping, as the postage will be significantly more expensive than using the free boxes available online or at the post office.
2. Filling Out Forms
The best method is to fill out the forms online, make the payment, and print the receipts. This will save a lot of hassle and you won’t have to engage in unnecessary conversations with postal staff.
3. Packing
Boxes have weight limits; the medium box has a weight limit of 20 pounds. Unless you are sending particularly heavy items, it is generally not difficult to fill it up. When packing items into the box, be sure to place a layer of padding at the bottom to prevent damage to the box. Additionally, pack items tightly to avoid damage from bumps during transit. You can use foam or other materials for padding, and make sure to seal the box securely with plenty of tape. Furthermore, Chinese postal inspection regulations state that cosmetics over 5ml can only be sent in quantities of 10 individual items, while samples of 5ml or less are not counted (however, larger cities have a lower chance of inspection, while smaller cities may have a higher chance due to fewer packages).
4. Delivery Times
Packages can be sent from Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings. At this time, you can present your printed receipt and package for scanning at the post office without needing to say much. However, if you encounter a client unfamiliar with prepaid services, it may be a bit more troublesome.
5. Shipping Process and Time
Generally, the entire delivery process to Beijing and Shanghai takes about 6 days. If sending to other cities, it may take an additional 4 to 10 days, averaging around 12 days. Some locations may also conduct random inspections of packages, and if luck is not on your side, packages may be detained. It is advisable to send packages to Beijing or Shanghai first, and then have them forwarded to the final destination via domestic postal services. Of course, you must have friends in these two cities; otherwise, it would be futile.
