Have you posted this year Christmas presents to your family or friends? I just did!

Some readers  might find it difficult to post stuffs in Shanghai to their families or friends in other countries because no English services at all in any post office in Shanghai.

Okay, first talk about my personal experiences.

I usually use EMS to post stuffs to other countries. EMS is an express service provided by China Post which is working with post offices in others countries, for example, Canada Post in Canada, Royal Mail in UK. The service is similar with DHL, Fedex, or TNT. But according to my previous experiences, EMS is slower (3-5 longer) but lower cost than those international couriers.

In addition to EMS, China Post does offer other normal services such as by Air, by Surface etc. I tried a couple of times, but found those service were very unstable. Once it took 20 days from China to England and the other time it took 2 months for the same address! But of course it is much cheaper than EMS.

So usually if I need to send really important documents or stuffs to other countries and require fast delivery, I usually go for those International Couriers. Yes, they are more expensive, but more reliable.

For some personal stuffs such as gifts which don’t require very fast delivery, EMS works.

For those really not important small letters, post cards, Air mail would be the choice.

If you want to post stuffs via EMS, you can either go to the post office near you or you can call 11185 which is the hotline of China Post, they can collect the stuffs from your home.

Actually I did try call 11185 and found they have English service! Good news!

After dialing 11185, press 9 for English service. Then you will be able to talk to a customer representative.

Today I spoke to a young girl (from her voice). Her English was so so, but I heard someone at the back were coaching and instructing her. Basic conversation, no problem. For EMS tariffs, services etc, check its website in English: http://www.ems.com.cn/english-main.jsp

I then asked the girl which post office can provide English service in Shanghai. She said:’ in the post office, call us 11185, we can do the translation.’ Aha, nice girl.

Actually if you go to the post office, the procedure is also quite simple.

Go to the counter, tell them: ‘EMS Guo Ji which means EMS international’, they will give you the bilingual form.

Usually there is a security guy in the post office to help the packing etc. Simply show them the goods, they will bring the suitable box to you and help packing. If you post documents, they have special envelopes for you.

And then weighing and pay.

Finally they will give you one sheet of the form you filled in for record. You can track the item online by the number on the form.

And always 11185 if you need any help!

Tags: Shanghai Post Office

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