Comprehensive Guide to Postal and Courier Services in China

Domestic Postal Service For domestic postal service, there are many express companies to choose in C[...]

Domestic Postal Service

For domestic postal service, there are many express companies to choose in China. Besides the EMS mentioned above, domestic companies like S.F Express (Shunfeng Express), STO Express (Shentong Express), YT Express (Yuantong Express), ZTO Express (Zhongtong Express), etc. are also very popular. Each express company has its unique advantage and customer can choose according to the different situation.

Guangzhou Customer Reports has done a research on the delivery time and price of popular express companies in seven districts, and the results show:

Among the domestic express companies, S.F Express and EMS are the fastest ones, with an average delivery time of 1.786 days; while STO Express is the slowest one with an average delivery time of 4.457 days; YT Express and ZTO Express are 2.5 days and 2.786 days. As for the price, S.F Express tops all other companies with an average price of ¥35, while EMS is ¥21. STO Express, YT Express and ZTO Express have similar prices, about ¥15.

If the parcel is in urgent, then S.F. Express is the best choice, though the results shows EMS is fast as S.F Express. However, according to the author’s experience, S.F. Express is always the fastest one among others.

If the parcel needs to be mailed to the remote areas, then EMS is the best one you can get. EMS can reach any place where has a post office. So basically, you can send the parcel to every place in China with EMS, and this is dominant advantage over other express companies.

If you are not in hurry and the destination is not very remote, then, STO Express, YT Express and ZTO Express are good choice for the cheap prices.

Tip:

Service numbers of the major express companies are listed below:

UPS	4008-208-388
FedEx	4008-861-888
DHL	4008-108-000
TNT	4008-209-868
EMS	11185
S.F. Express	4008-111-111
STO Express	4008-895-543
YT Express	021-69777888
ZTO Express	021-39777777