Does anyone have any recommendations for reliable and reasonably-priced courier companies for shipping packages domestically? I'm moving to another city in China, and am thinking about sending some stuff over first.
I only know of Shunfeng, but was wondering if anyone has any experience with other (cheaper) companies? Speed is not an issue, I just want the items to get safely from point A to point B as cheaply as possible. I prefer not to use China Post.
Thanks.
you can use ZhongTong, Since I shipping stuff frequently, they offer me a price at 100 for 20 kilos.
I have used China Railway Express for heavier packages. I can't remember exactly, but it was around 400rmb for 60-80kg and took 3-4 days to be delivered
CRE is pretty good and they have value-added services to transport the stuff from your door to the railway depot on either end, as long as you're downtown in a major city. They are not always as gentle as some other services, but I've generally found my stuff gets where it's going in one piece—if sometimes slightly smushed or battered.
But if John Xie can get you that price for ZTO then you might want to consider them, as I doubt CRE would be much cheaper and ZTO would be a lot faster and probably a bit more gentle.
I used a freight/logistics company recently to have my stuff shipped down from Beijing. A bit expensive, but exceedingly gentle. I event sent an unboxed house lamp that arrived without a scratch. But they also will not deliver upstairs if there is no elevator. And their driver was a bit of an idiot. What else is new? 赤峰宏英世纪物流 Kunming office phone number: 0871—68277298
We have ad the not carrying upstairs thing before. You need to engage some local labor.
Thanks for all the suggestions, I will look into them! Just wondering, do all companies provide you with free box/packaging if you request for pickup?
Sorry, I'm a little confused with CRE; do they only deliver to the nearest railway depot? The won't deliver straight to the door/address?
Not sure whether it's CRE themselves or people they cooperate closely with, but they can definitely provide door-to-door service (not sure about stairs). You can call their service hotline to arrange.
Ive used CRE on multiple house moves. They way we had to do it was to go to their local depot, fill out some forms, then arrange a time for them to cum over to the house. I then went with them in the van, and back to the depot to ensure everything was packed correctly. Goods sent......at the other end they will contact you, and provided you have given the correct address they will deliver into your house. The place I am living now they carried up 350kg of crap to the 7th floor with no complaints or excuses. Nothing broken or lost ever.
Overall Ive been happy with their service, though they are certainly not the cheapest option. I just read your post and realised you are looking for the cheapest option- in that case dont use CRE.
"And their driver was a bit of an idiot. What else is new?"
In all my cities Kunming takes the cake when it cums to idiot delivery drivers and their even more idiotic excuses for not wanting to get off their arses to actually deliver goods. A tip which Ive found works is to the the sender to write "only to be signed for by XXX(receivers name)"
It tends to stop them dumping it at the gate with some random security guy or vagrant.
Oh, and you pay for packaging, though its not expensive and the bags can be reused if you ask the driver at the deliver end to bring the unlocking tool- otherwise you need to rip them open
Nothing free.
