Country Conditions for Mailing — China

 

Prohibitions (130)

 

Animal-derived fertilizer, animal carcasses, animal specimens, and animal-derived waste.

Animals (live), including mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles, insects, and other invertebrates; and animal genetic materials.

Arms, ammunition, weapons. Firearms and firearm components (including replica firearms); prohibited knives and edged weapons; crossbows; defensive chemical dispensers (mace, pepper spray, tear gas, etc.); and electric stun guns.

Articles in hermetically sealed, nontransparent containers.

Biochemical products.

Chinese currency.

Coins; banknotes; securities payable to bearer; traveler’s checks; gold, silver, platinum, manufactured or not; precious stones; jewelry; and other valuable articles, unless sent as an insured post.

Cremated remains.

Cubilose (edible birds’ nests).

Eggs and egg products.

Fresh fruits and vegetables.

Genetically modified biomaterials.

Manuscripts, printed matter, photographic negatives, gramophone records, films, magnetic tapes, video tapes, etc., which could do political, economical, cultural, or moral harm to the People’s Republic of China.

Meat and meat products, including raw or cooked meat (including viscera), fat, grease, hides, hooves, bones, horns, animal derived feedstuffs (such as meat meal, fish meal, bone meal, and whey powder), and animal-derived Chinese medicinal materials.

Milk and dairy products.

Perishable infectious and noninfectious biological substances including microbial strains, virus strains, and other animal and plant pathogens; pests and other harmful organisms; cells, organs, and tissues; blood and blood products; and other biological materials.

Radioactive materials.

Radio receivers, transmitters or receivers of all kinds, walkietalkies and parts thereof; valves, antennae, etc.

Seeds, seedlings, nursery stocks, and other plant propagating materials.

Soil and organic cultivation media.

Tobacco leaves (except cut tobacco).

Toxic substances.

Used clothing and bedding.

Wrist-watches, cameras, television sets, radio sets, tape records, bicycles, sewing machines, and ventilators.

Restrictions  

The importation of personal articles is limited to those intended for personal use and imported in reasonable quantities. The value of the items contained in each shipment must not exceed RMB (renminbi) 100 yuan and the total value of the shipment received annually by each family may not exceed RMB (renminbi) 800 yuan. However, the following articles are admitted in the quantities/values indicated, and any articles that do not meet the requirements mentioned below will be returned to origin or confiscated in accordance with China’s internal laws:

 

Description of Articles	Qty. or Value per Item	Comment
Pocket electronic calculator	1 per year	The addressee must submit a prior request to Customs.
Magnetic tape	5 cassettes
Cotton or synthetic fabric	10-1/4 yd (10 m)	Width must not exceed 50 inches (130 cm).
Medicines or materials used in Chinese medicine	RMB 40 yuan
Philatelic stamps	100 stamps

Observations

1. Items that contain powders, liquids, lithium batteries, or lithium cells are prohibited for carriage by domestic air transport within China. Any of these items that are approved for international air transport and arrive at the initial gateways in China will be forwarded via ground transportation to their next destination. China Post will accept no liability for the delay in delivering these items.
2. As of November 30, 2018, the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC) will dispose of any inbound mail item that lacks proper customs information or that the recipient refuses or does not claim in a timely manner. In addition, GACC will dispose of any item that it cannot deliver or return (including undeliverable liquids that fail aviation security checks).
3. Mailers should be aware of the following customs requirements in China:
1. Items for personal use mailed to China are subject to duty and tax. However, items imported for personal use are exempt from duty and tax, if such duties and taxes are equal to or less than 50 CNY.
2. Items for personal use imported into China (not including items imported from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan) may not exceed 1,000 CNY.
3. When items imported for personal use exceed the allowed value limit, three outcomes are possible:
1. The items will be returned.
2. If Customs determines that the items are not for personal use but are actually intended for commercial use, the items will be cleared using commercial customs procedures.
3. If Customs determines that the items are actually intended for personal use, then supporting documents such as a trade contract, commercial invoice, packing list, waybill, customs declaration brokerage authorization agreement, import and export license, or other similar documentation will need to be provided.
4. If imported items are intended for commercial use, commercial customs clearance will be applied.
5. China Customs permits only shippers and consignees that are registered declarants or other registered enterprises to present items that must be accompanied by the documents mentioned in paragraph 3c above. Individuals or companies that are not registered with China Customs to affect clearance are advised to entrust the customs clearance process to enterprises that are specifically registered with China Customs for this purpose.
4. For each item containing goods mailed to China, include on the customs declaration form the addressee’s telephone number (mobile number preferred). This contact number assists China’s customs authority in contacting the addressee for payment of customs duties and taxes, and it assists China Post (the designated postal operator of China) in contacting the addressee to arrange a specific time for delivery of the item.

 

Global Express Guaranteed (210) Price Group 6

Note: Global Express Guaranteed service is suspended as of September 29, 2024.

 

Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.

Weight Limit: 70 lbs.

 

Size Limits (211.22)

The surface area of the address side of the item to be mailed must be large enough to completely contain the Global Express Guaranteed Air Waybill/Shipping Invoice (shipping label), postage, endorsement, and any applicable markings. The shipping label is approximately 5.5 inches high and 9.5 inches long.

Maximum length: 46 inches

Maximum width: 35 inches

Maximum height: 46 inches

Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches

Value Limit (212.1)

The maximum value of a GXG shipment to this country is $2,499 or a lesser amount if limited by content or value.

 

Insurance (212.5)

See Notice 123, Price List, for the fee schedule for GXG document reconstruction insurance and non–document insurance.

 

 

Priority Mail Express
International (220) Price Group 14

 

Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.

Weight Limit: 66 lbs.

 

Priority Mail Express International — Flat Rate Envelopes

Flat Rate Envelopes: The maximum weight is 4 pounds. Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.

 

Size Limits (221.42)

Maximum length: 60 inches

Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches

Insurance (222.7)

Available for Priority Mail Express International merchandise shipments only

 

See Exhibit 322.2 for individual country merchandise insurance limits. See Notice 123, Price List, for the fee schedule for Priority Mail Express International merchandise insurance coverage.

 

Customs Forms Required (123)

Articles Admitted	Required Customs Form/Endorsement
Business correspondence and commercial papers/documents.	PS Form 2976-B placed inside PS Form 2976-E (plastic envelope). Endorse item clearly next to mailing label as BUSINESS PAPERS.
Merchandise samples without commercial value.	PS Form 2976-B placed inside PS Form 2976-E (plastic envelope).
Merchandise and all articles subject to customs duty.	PS Form 2976-B placed inside PS Form 2976-E (plastic envelope).

Note: For mailers completing PS Form 2976-B or an online combined shipping label and customs form that electronically transmits customs-related data, no additional customs form is required because customs information is incorporated into the form that the mailer must complete.

Notes:  

1. Coins; banknotes; currency notes, including paper money; securities of any kind payable to bearer; traveler’s checks; platinum, gold, and silver; precious stones; jewelry; watches; and other valuable articles are prohibited in Priority Mail Express International shipments to China.
2. Priority Mail Express International With Money-Back Guarantee service — which offers a date-certain, postage-refund guarantee — is available to China.

Reciprocal Service Name: International Express Mail

Country Code: CN

Areas Served: All

 

Priority Mail International (230) Price Group 14

 

Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.

Weight Limit: 66 lbs.

 

Priority Mail International — Flat Rate

Flat Rate Envelopes or Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes: The maximum weight is 4 pounds. Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.

Flat Rate Boxes — Medium and Large: The maximum weight is 20 pounds, or the limit set by the individual country, whichever is less. Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.

 

Size Limits (231.22)

Maximum length: 42 inches

Maximum length and girth combined: 79 inches

 

Insurance (232.91)

Available for Priority Mail International merchandise only (see for markings)

 

See Exhibit 322.2 for individual country merchandise insurance limits. See Notice 123, Price List, for the fee schedule for Priority Mail International merchandise insurance coverage.

 

 

Customs Forms Required (123)

All Priority Mail International items:

PS Form 2976-A inside PS Form 2976-E (envelope)

 

 

First-Class Mail International (240) Price Group 3

 

Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail price.

Weight Limit: 3.5 oz. for letters and postcards; 15.994 oz. for large envelopes (flats).

Size Limits  

Letters: See 241.212

Postcards: See 241.221

Large Envelopes (Flats): See 241.232

Customs Form Required (123)

None, unless otherwise required (see123.61 and Footnote 4 of Exhibit 123.61)

 

 

First-Class Package International Service (250) Price Group 14

 

Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.

Weight Limit: 4 lbs.

Size Limits  

Packages (Small Packets): See 251.22 and 251.23.

Customs Form Required (123)

PS Form 2976

 

 

Airmail M-bags (260) —

Direct Sack to One Addressee Price Group 3

 

Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail price.

Weight Limit: 66 lbs.

Customs Form Required (123)

PS Form 2976

 

 

Free Matter for the Blind (270)

Free when sent as First-Class Mail International (documents only), First-Class Package International Service, Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes, or Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes.
Weight limit: 4 pounds.

Free when sent as Priority Mail International items. Weight limit: 15 pounds.

Customs Form Required (123)

First-Class Mail International items:
None, unless otherwise required (see123.61 and Footnote 4 of Exhibit 123.61)

First-Class Package International Service items:
PS Form 2976 as required (see 123.61)

Priority Mail International items (including Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes):

PS Form 2976-A inside PS Form 2976-E (envelope)

 

 

Extra Services  

Certificate of Mailing (310)

 

Individual Pieces — Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable price:

Individual article (PS Form 3817).

Firm mailing books (PS Form 3665), per article listed (minimum 3).

Duplicate copy of PS Form 3817 or PS Form 3665 (per page).

Bulk Quantities — Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable price:

First 1,000 pieces (or fraction thereof).

Each additional 1,000 pieces (or fraction thereof).

Duplicate copy of PS Form 3606.

 

Registered Mail (330)

 

Fee: Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable price.

Maximum Indemnity: $39.86

Available only for First-Class Mail International (including postcards), First-Class Package International Service, and Free Matter for the Blind sent as First-Class Mail International or as First-Class Package International Service.

 

Return Receipt (340)

 

Fee: Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable price.

Available for Registered Mail and insured Priority Mail International parcels only.

 

Restricted Delivery (350)

 

NOT Available for International Mail as of January 27, 2013

 

International Postal Money Order (371)

NOT Available

 

International Reply Coupons (381)

 

NOT Available for International Mail as of January 27, 2013

 

International Business Reply Service (382)

Fee: Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable price:

Envelopes up to 2 ounces.

Cards.