International letter postage rates have increased since this was originally written and now vary by destination and weight — check current China Post rates at the post office or online, as the old flat 5.40-yuan price is no longer accurate.
Sending parcels abroad
Parcels must be brought to the post office unsealed, since the contents need to be shown to staff at the counter. Provided nothing suspicious or prohibited is found, the parcel is then packed at a separate counter — packaging materials, including boxes, can be bought on site. You'll also need to fill out a form declaring the contents and value.
Parcels can be sent by air, land or sea. Airmail to Europe takes about 7 days; surface mail 6–8 weeks.
