Which courier delivers China Post in the UK?

Okay, let’s talk about China Post deliveries in the UK – and why I feel a wave of calm every time I see “Royal Mail” pop up on the tracking.

So, you’ve ordered something from China (haven’t we all at some point?). You get that tracking number, watch the little progress bar inch its way across the world, and then… it lands in the UK. But who actually brings it to your doorstep?

The answer, thankfully, is Royal Mail.

Now, before I knew this, I used to be a nervous wreck whenever I ordered something from China. Honestly, I envisioned my package getting lost in some bureaucratic black hole, never to be seen again. There’s something about the international element that just adds to the worry, you know?

But here’s why Royal Mail being the final delivery partner is such a huge comfort:

• They’re Reliable: I’ve been using Royal Mail for years. Sure, they have the occasional hiccup (who doesn’t?), but overall, they’re incredibly reliable. In fact, a report from Ofcom (the UK’s communications regulator) in 2022 showed that Royal Mail delivered 92.5% of First Class mail within one working day and 97.7% within three working days across the UK. Now, this isn’t specifically for packages from China, but it demonstrates their robust infrastructure and efficiency.
• Tracked and Signed Delivery: This is the game-changer. Often, the China Post tracking will seamlessly transition to Royal Mail tracking once the package enters the UK. You can then see exactly where your parcel is, and in many cases, a signature is required upon delivery. That signature confirmation is pure gold. It means someone has physically received the package, drastically reducing the chance of it being left unattended on the doorstep, vulnerable to theft (a genuine fear I’ve had!).
• Familiarity and Trust: Royal Mail is a well-established institution in the UK. We know their vans, we know their posties (well, at least the one who covers our route!), and we generally trust them to do a good job. It’s that feeling of familiarity that puts me at ease.

To be clear, the exact process can vary slightly. Sometimes, you might need to use the Royal Mail website or app and enter the China Post tracking number to activate the Royal Mail tracking. Also, depending on the specific service used by the sender in China, you might occasionally encounter a different courier, like Parcelforce (which is also part of the Royal Mail Group). But the vast majority of the time, it’s Royal Mail.

I also read that Parcelforce handles the heavier and larger packages. I had once ordered some heavy-duty power tools from China, and Parcelforce delivered. However, I still felt at ease with them, because they are part of Royal Mail group.

So, next time you’re waiting for that package from China, remember that Royal Mail is likely to be the friendly face delivering it to your door. Hopefully, that knowledge brings you a little bit of peace of mind, too! It certainly does for me.