Mailing Items to China
July 26, 2011 9:53 PM Subscribe
What is the best way to ship an iPhone from the US to China?
Mail often gets "lost" somewhere along the way. I had a Kindle sent to me using the USPS "10 day" option nearly two months ago -- it still hasn't arrived, and I've basically given up hope that it ever will. And nobody here in China (locals or other foreigners) seems particularly surprised by that fact. So, for the iPhone, what is a better (or, the best) option? Goals are reliable, cheap, and fast. (BTW please don't say "just buy one in China"; I'm aware that that's an option, but I have reasons for wanting to buy a US one, assuming I can get it sent here safely and cost-effectively.)
Mail often gets "lost" somewhere along the way. I had a Kindle sent to me using the USPS "10 day" option nearly two months ago -- it still hasn't arrived, and I've basically given up hope that it ever will. And nobody here in China (locals or other foreigners) seems particularly surprised by that fact. So, for the iPhone, what is a better (or, the best) option? Goals are reliable, cheap, and fast. (BTW please don't say "just buy one in China"; I'm aware that that's an option, but I have reasons for wanting to buy a US one, assuming I can get it sent here safely and cost-effectively.)
Best answer: Your best option is going to be USPS Express Mail International. It will be easy to fit the iPhone package and some packing materials in the Express Mail Flat Rate Envelope ($30 plus insurance). Expected delivery is 3-5 business days.
The important part here is that USPS Express Mail International interfaces with the international EMS service (a cooperative of national postal services and private couriers). China Post handles EMS packages, but by sending this way you will have tracking all the way through delivery. And China Post should collect a signature on the other end (though you'll have to figure out how to get the signature from China Post, because USPS never seems to get the signatures from abroad). This is much different than the USPS First Class Mail International option which you may have used for the Kindle which has no tracking or proof of delivery.
USPS also offers Global Express Guaranteed service which is handled through a partnership with FedEx. Expect 2-3 days to China and about $80.
Shipping via FedEx, UPS or DHL will most likely cost over $100 for a stuffed envelope.
Bottom line: use USPS Express Mail International for quick service, tracking and verification of delivery. And be sure to insure it for the replacement value.
posted by reeddavid at 12:50 AM on July 27, 2011
The important part here is that USPS Express Mail International interfaces with the international EMS service (a cooperative of national postal services and private couriers). China Post handles EMS packages, but by sending this way you will have tracking all the way through delivery. And China Post should collect a signature on the other end (though you'll have to figure out how to get the signature from China Post, because USPS never seems to get the signatures from abroad). This is much different than the USPS First Class Mail International option which you may have used for the Kindle which has no tracking or proof of delivery.
USPS also offers Global Express Guaranteed service which is handled through a partnership with FedEx. Expect 2-3 days to China and about $80.
Shipping via FedEx, UPS or DHL will most likely cost over $100 for a stuffed envelope.
Bottom line: use USPS Express Mail International for quick service, tracking and verification of delivery. And be sure to insure it for the replacement value.
posted by reeddavid at 12:50 AM on July 27, 2011
It depends what city in China you are in. Where I live, China post packages basically do not arrive.
The most cost efficient option is, as arcticseal mentioned, having someone physically bring it to you. I agree that buying one in HK is also a good idea (you can also buy a HK one online in China).
The only other method I know which will get my package to me is EMS.
posted by xmts at 2:17 AM on July 27, 2011
The most cost efficient option is, as arcticseal mentioned, having someone physically bring it to you. I agree that buying one in HK is also a good idea (you can also buy a HK one online in China).
The only other method I know which will get my package to me is EMS.
posted by xmts at 2:17 AM on July 27, 2011
When I needed to ship something valuable from China to the USA in 2004, I covered it completely with socks and underwear. Some people I knew in China said it wouldn't be touched. Everything arrived without any problem, but it DID take months.
No idea whatsoever if this works in general, though.
posted by Cygnet at 4:47 AM on July 27, 2011
No idea whatsoever if this works in general, though.
posted by Cygnet at 4:47 AM on July 27, 2011
Why not just use any tracked service? In addition, every one I've ever used for international shipments comes with plenty of insurance for packages that never turn up.
posted by turkeyphant at 4:56 AM on July 27, 2011
posted by turkeyphant at 4:56 AM on July 27, 2011
I've never had a problem with packages from the US sent to Beijing and Shanghai. They were always sent with the generic USPS 3-5 day service. But maybe it is indeed more of a problem with the lesser cities. I remember reading about this site, maybe it could be of help: http://www.shopweship.com/
posted by peachtree at 10:03 AM on July 27, 2011
posted by peachtree at 10:03 AM on July 27, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks everybody! Phone arrived today, safe and sound and sooner than I ever thought possible. (Not counting the Kindle I mentioned earlier, the only other thing I'd had sent here before also took many weeks longer than it supposedly should have.)
ALSO -- in case anyone was curious, or just for the sake of completeness/posterity: I finally got that Kindle that was sent two months ago. It never got delivered to my home, but on a fluke we called the post office (again, even though we'd done that before), and this time they told us to go check at such-and-such branch (not the nearest where I live) (and why didn't they say that when we called before?) and anyway we went there and they had it, and it had supposedly been sitting there for over a month. (They said they tried to deliver it, but I have my doubts. We never got a note on the door; they had my phone number but never called it; there's someone downstairs in our building 24/7; etc.)
So in case anybody else is missing packages in China, try to find out which China Post branch office would be holding it (for your address), and then go there and check (and take your ID to claim your item if they have it).
So today was a good day for electronic devices.
posted by jef at 6:34 AM on August 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
ALSO -- in case anyone was curious, or just for the sake of completeness/posterity: I finally got that Kindle that was sent two months ago. It never got delivered to my home, but on a fluke we called the post office (again, even though we'd done that before), and this time they told us to go check at such-and-such branch (not the nearest where I live) (and why didn't they say that when we called before?) and anyway we went there and they had it, and it had supposedly been sitting there for over a month. (They said they tried to deliver it, but I have my doubts. We never got a note on the door; they had my phone number but never called it; there's someone downstairs in our building 24/7; etc.)
So in case anybody else is missing packages in China, try to find out which China Post branch office would be holding it (for your address), and then go there and check (and take your ID to claim your item if they have it).
So today was a good day for electronic devices.
posted by jef at 6:34 AM on August 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
The other alternative may be to buy it unlocked if you can get to Hong Kong as prices are similar to the US; I hear they don't have the same messed with GPS as they do in the mainland (which is what I assume you're worried about?).
posted by arcticseal at 11:27 PM on July 26, 2011