Guide
China Post vs EMS vs DHL: which one to use
China Post costs the least and takes the longest. DHL is the fastest and costs the most. EMS sits between them. Choose by the weight of the parcel, its value and the date it must arrive.
By Noel Murphy, Co-founder · Updated
The three services side by side
| Point | China Post small packet | EMS | DHL Express |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | Up to 2 kg | Up to 30 kg to most countries | 0.5 to 500 kg through us |
| Speed | 10 to 20 days | Faster than post, slower than a courier | 2 to 5 working days |
| Tracking | Full on registered mail, limited on standard mail | Full | Full, at each scan |
| Delivery | Local post office | Local post office | DHL, door to door |
| Duty | Receiver pays | Receiver pays | Receiver pays, or DDP on request |
| Best for | Light goods of low value | Mid-weight parcels to places couriers charge extra for | Urgent and valuable parcels |
Times for post and DHL are our published ranges from Shenzhen, checked in October 2026.
China Post
China Post carries small packets of up to 2 kg through the postal network. The post office in the destination country delivers them. It is the lowest-cost choice and the slowest. Standard air mail has no tracking after the parcel leaves China, so use registered mail for anything you need to follow.
Read China Post small packets for the size limits.
EMS
EMS also travels through the postal network, with priority handling and full tracking. It accepts heavier parcels than a small packet. The post office delivers it, so it reaches rural addresses that couriers treat as remote.
DHL
DHL flies the parcel on its own network and delivers it door to door. It clears customs itself, which saves days. It charges by volume weight, so a large, light carton costs more than you expect. See how volume weight works.
How customs differs
Postal parcels travel with a CN22 or CN23 form. Customs and the post office in the destination country handle them, and the receiver pays any duty to the post office.
A courier files the customs entry itself and bills the receiver for the duty, often with a handling fee. With DDP the sender pays, and the receiver pays nothing.
A fourth choice: special lines
A special line shares a flight to one region, then a local carrier delivers. It takes 7 to 12 days, has tracking to the door, and can include the duty. It also accepts goods with built-in batteries, which many postal and courier services refuse.
How to choose
- Under 2 kg, low value, no hurry: China Post.
- Under 2 kg and the buyer wants tracking: registered post or a special line.
- A rural or remote address: EMS or a special line.
- Urgent, valuable or needed for a fixed date: DHL.
- Over 21 kg: ask us for air freight too.
Questions
Is EMS the same as China Post?
EMS is the express service of the postal network. China Post runs it in China, and the post office in the destination country delivers it.
Which one is best for a 1 kg parcel?
A postal packet costs the least. A special line is faster and has tracking to the door. Use DHL only when the parcel is urgent or valuable.
Which one clears customs fastest?
A courier such as DHL acts as its own customs broker, so clearance is quick. Postal parcels wait for the post office and customs in the destination country.
Can all three carry goods with batteries?
Rules differ by service and by route. Many postal and courier services refuse them. Our special lines accept products with built-in batteries.