Sending a Parcel Home from China: SF Express, EMS, Limits
Last checked October 19, 2026 against official sources. How we check
Quick answer
To post personal items home, use SF Express International or China Post EMS through their WeChat mini-programs, or take the parcel unsealed to a post office with your passport. Staff inspect it before sealing. Fruit, fresh meat, liquids and creams are among the items refused. Fees depend on weight and service, so get a quote first.
Key facts
| SF Express | WeChat mini-program 'SF International' (顺丰国际快递); set language to English |
|---|---|
| China Post | EMS mini-program for pick-up; postal service is cheaper but slower and Chinese-only online |
| At the post office | Bring your passport or other valid ID |
| Refused items | Examples from the Shanghai government guide: fruit, fresh meat, liquids, creams |
| Seal the box | Only after staff have inspected the contents |
Which service should I use?
Three routes suit a visitor with a few boxes. The Shanghai government’s resident guide, which cites SF Express and China Post, describes them.
| Route | How you order | Good for | Catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| SF Express International | WeChat mini-program, courier collects | Door pick-up in English | Prohibited items not verified here; check the app |
| China Post EMS | “EMS” WeChat mini-program, courier collects | Faster official service | Mini-program text may be Chinese |
| China Post postal service | Post office counter | Lowest cost, slowest | The online mini-program is Chinese only |
DHL, UPS and FedEx also serve China. The guide lists their hotlines (not re-checked with the carriers) as 95380 or 400-842-3550 for DHL Express, 400-820-8388 for UPS and 400-886-1888 for FedEx. We have not compared prices, and no current price table was available.
A traveller asked on r/guangzhou in August 2026 for help sending a package home to the US. The answers are not official, so rely on the carrier.
How do I use SF Express International in English?
- Open WeChat and go to Discover, then Mini Programs.
- Search for “SF International” or 顺丰国际快递.
- Tap 我的 (Me) at the bottom right, then 语言设置 (Language Settings), and choose English.
- Choose Shipping from Chinese Mainland, then follow the order steps for sender, recipient and contents.
This follows the Shanghai guide. The courier collects the parcel from your location. We could not verify the mini-program’s ID requirement or fees.
How do I post from a post office?
Take the items unsealed and bring your passport or another valid ID. The guide sets out four steps:
- Inspect. Staff ask about the items and inspect them. Wait to seal the box until they have.
- Weigh and price. Staff help you pack in a suitable box, which you pay for. Freight depends on weight and service.
- Give details. Write the sender and recipient’s name, address, postcode and phone number, plus a description of the contents. Staff can help.
- Pay the postage.
Show the staff the address in Chinese for the post office itself. The Show your driver tool helps with the ride. We found no verified list of Guangzhou branches.
What items are refused?
The guide gives fruit, fresh meat, liquids and creams as examples of prohibited articles. Beyond that, we found no official list. Third-party shipping sites say lithium batteries are restricted and need declaration, and other sources conflict on batteries and liquids. Treat those as unverified.
Practical steps:
- Ask the counter or hotline before you pack batteries, medicines, perfume or food.
- Keep power banks and electronics in your carry-on instead of posting them. Airport and train rules for those are in what gets confiscated in China.
- Declare contents truthfully on the forms.
What about customs?
The destination country’s customs rules apply when the parcel arrives, and duty or tax may be charged there. Check your own country’s customs page before you send. For what you can bring into China, see the customs allowances guide.
This guide covers personal items only: souvenirs, gifts and extra luggage. It does not cover trade shipments, freight forwarding or commercial customs clearance. If you buy at markets, see wholesale markets for visitors for what to expect.
Should I just buy a second bag?
For a small amount, a second bag and a check-in fee may be simpler than posting, but airline rules differ and we have no verified prices. Compare a quote from the mini-program with your airline’s excess baggage fee before you decide.
Traps and how to avoid them
- Sealing the box before inspection
Post office staff inspect the items first. Wait to seal the package until they have checked it, or they may make you open it.
- Packing liquids, creams, fresh food or fruit
The Shanghai government's guide lists fruit, fresh meat, liquids and creams as examples of prohibited articles. Leave them out or ask the clerk.
- Packing batteries without asking
Third-party shipping sites say batteries are restricted or refused for international post. We found no official China Post list, so ask the carrier before you pack power banks or electronics.
- Treating this as a way to ship goods for sale
This guide covers personal items such as souvenirs and extra luggage only. Commercial shipments need freight forwarding and customs clearance, which we do not cover.
FAQ
How do I send a parcel from China to the UK, US or Australia?
Use SF Express International or China Post, as the Shanghai government's guide describes. Order in the WeChat mini-program for pick-up, or go to a post office with your passport and the items unsealed. Destination customs rules apply on arrival.
Can I use SF Express in English?
Yes. The Shanghai government's guide says to open the SF International mini-program in WeChat, tap 我的 (Me), choose 语言设置 (Language Settings), pick English, then choose Shipping from Chinese Mainland.
Do I need my passport?
At a post office, yes: the guide tells you to bring your passport or another valid ID. For mini-program orders, check the app's requirements, which we could not verify.
Which is cheaper, EMS or postal service?
China Post's postal service is more cost-effective but slower than EMS, according to the guide. Fees depend on weight and service, and we found no current price table.
What can't I send?
The guide lists fruit, fresh meat, liquids and creams as examples. Carriers also follow dangerous-goods and customs rules, so ask the counter or hotline about batteries, medicines and food before packing.
Sources
- Shanghai government (Resident Checklist): How to send international packages from China (August 21, 2025)
- SF Express (English site)
- China Post / EMS (official site)
- Goods Across Borders: China Post carrier profile (third-party)
- Reddit r/guangzhou thread, August 13, 2026: sending a package home to the US
Update history
- : First version. Personal shipments only; no prices or Guangzhou branch list verified.
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