Guide
Shipping zones from China: how carriers price by destination
A shipping zone is a group of countries that a carrier prices at one rate. Each carrier draws its own zones, so one parcel can cost less with one courier and more with another. A remote postcode adds a surcharge on top.
By Noel Murphy, Co-founder · Updated
How zones work
A carrier groups the countries it serves into zones. All countries in one zone share a price for each weight step. Countries close to China and on busy routes sit in the low zones. Countries far away or on thin routes sit in the high ones.
Why two carriers quote two prices
Each carrier builds its zones around its own aircraft and hubs. A country can sit in a low zone with one courier and a higher zone with another. The post uses its own groups again.
For that reason one price list never gives the best rate to all destinations. We compare the carriers for each shipment.
Remote area surcharges
The zone covers the country. The postcode can still add a fee. Couriers list the postcodes they treat as remote, and they add the fee to each parcel that goes there.
EMS, postal packets and special lines hand the parcel to the local post office, which serves all addresses. They seldom add this fee.
How to get the right price
- Give the full delivery address, with the postcode.
- Give the weight and the size of each carton. Couriers charge by volume weight.
- Tell us the date you need the goods.
We check the postcode, compare the carriers and quote the methods that fit. Use the quote form, or find your country in our shipping guides.
Questions
Is there one official zone map for shipping from China?
No. Each carrier publishes its own zones and changes them from time to time.
What is a remote area surcharge?
A fee that a courier adds for a postcode far from its depots. Couriers publish the postcodes. Islands, mountain areas and thinly settled regions are the usual cases.
How do I avoid a remote area fee?
Send by EMS, by post or by a special line. These use the local post office for delivery, and the post office serves all addresses.
Do zones change the delivery time?
The route does. A country with direct flights from southern China gets its parcels sooner than one that needs a second flight.