Information Guide

How Much to Send a Parcel to China?

UK to China shipping costs, delivery times, customs rules, and the cheapest ways to send parcels.

5 min readUpdated April 2025

Shipping costs to China

Sending a parcel from the UK to China involves international postage rates that vary by weight, size, and speed. Royal Mail and couriers offer different price points.

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Royal Mail International Standard: from around £10-14 for a small parcel (up to 2kg), 6-10 working days
Royal Mail International Tracked: from around £14-18 with tracking, similar time
Express couriers (DHL, FedEx): from around £25-40, 3-5 day delivery
Economy surface mail: cheapest at £8-10, takes 6-12 weeks

Quick answer

A small parcel (up to 2kg) from UK to China costs from around £10-14 via Royal Mail. Couriers start at £25-40 with 3-5 day delivery. Costs rise steeply with weight. Use comparison sites like Parcel2Go for the best rates.

Delivery options compared

Under 2kg, International Standard is usually most affordable. Trade-off: slower delivery.

DHL, FedEx, UPS offer 3-5 day delivery with door-to-door tracking and customs handling.

Prices vary hugely. Comparison sites can save 30-50% vs booking direct.

A 500g parcel might cost £12; a 5kg parcel could be £35-60+.

Sending elsewhere? Check costs for Australia or read about international shipping times.

Customs and restrictions

All UK-to-China parcels pass through customs. Complete declaration forms accurately to avoid delays or seizure.

Customs checklist0 / 5 checked

Complete CN22 (under £270) or CN23 (over £270) customs form
Describe contents accurately in English
Declare correct value in GBP - undervaluing is illegal
Check restricted items - China prohibits certain electronics, publications, food
Keep receipts for valuable items in case of customs queries

Tips for cheaper shipping

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Keep weight down - strip unnecessary packaging, use lightweight materials
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Use comparison sites - Parcel2Go and similar often beat direct prices
Consider surface mail for non-urgent items - much cheaper, takes 6-12 weeks
❌
Avoid oversized boxes - couriers charge volumetric weight

Need packaging help? Read how to wrap a parcel or learn how to send with DHL.

From ProcuraPack

International shipping boxes

Strong double-wall boxes and void fill for long-distance shipping to China and beyond.

Browse shipping boxes

Frequently asked questions

From around £10-14 for a small parcel via Royal Mail. Couriers start at £25-40 for express.

Royal Mail: 6-10 working days. Couriers: 3-5 days. Surface mail: 6-12 weeks.

Yes, all parcels to China require CN22 or CN23 forms listing contents, value, and purpose.

Certain electronics, publications, food products, and medications are restricted. Check before sending.

Surface mail at £8-10 (takes 6-12 weeks). For speed, use comparison sites for discounted courier rates.

Related articles

How Much to Send a Parcel to Australia?How Long Does International Shipping Take?How Long Does a Parcel Take from China to UK?How to Send a Parcel from UK to India

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