If you’re living in a Chinese-speaking country or planning to send or receive packages there, knowing some Chinese phrases for postal and courier services can be incredibly helpful. This guide will introduce you to essential terms and phrases that will make your trips to the post office much smoother.

邮局 (yóujú) – Post Office
This is the place where you can send letters, parcels, and also access other postal services.
我需要去邮局寄一封信。
(I need to go to the post office to send a letter.)

包裹 (bāoguǒ) – Parcel
Refers to a packaged item that is wrapped or boxed up.
我在邮局领取了一个包裹。
(I picked up a parcel at the post office.)

快递 (kuàidì) – Courier/Express Delivery
A service that delivers documents and packages faster than the regular mail service.
这份文件需要通过快递发送。
(This document needs to be sent by courier.)

挂号信 (guàhào xìn) – Registered Mail
A type of mail that is recorded by the postal service to provide tracking and confirmation of delivery.
因为这封信非常重要，所以请通过挂号信寄出。
(Since this letter is very important, please send it via registered mail.)

邮政编码 (yóuzhèng biānmǎ) – Postal Code
A series of letters or digits or both, included in a postal address for the purpose of sorting mail.
在寄信之前，请确认邮政编码是正确的。
(Before sending the letter, please make sure the postal code is correct.)

寄件人 (jìjiàn rén) – Sender
The person who is sending out a mail item or package.
寄件人请在这里签名。
(The sender, please sign here.)

收件人 (shōujiàn rén) – Recipient
The person who is supposed to receive the mail item or package.
收件人的地址需要写在包裹的正面。
(The recipient’s address needs to be written on the front of the package.)

邮费 (yóufèi) – Postage
The cost of sending a letter or parcel through the postal system.
你知道寄到美国的邮费是多少吗？
(Do you know how much the postage is to send this to the USA?)

填写 (tiánxiě) – To Fill Out
Completing a form or writing information in the required fields.
请仔细填写这张快递单。
(Please fill out this courier form carefully.)

查询 (cháxún) – To Inquire
To ask for information regarding the status or location of your mail item or package.
如何查询我的快递包裹的状态？
(How do I inquire about the status of my express package?)

自提 (zìtí) – Self-pickup
An option where the recipient opts to collect the parcel from a designated location instead of having it delivered to an address.
我的包裹我选择自提，不需要送货上门。
(I chose to self-pickup my package; it doesn’t need home delivery.)

投递 (tóudì) – To Deliver
The act of sending or delivering mail or a package to someone.
邮递员每天早上来投递信件。
(The mailman comes to deliver letters every morning.)

By learning these phrases, you’ll be better equipped to manage your postal matters in a Chinese-speaking environment. Whether you’re sending a card, collecting a delivery, or tracking a package, these terms will help you communicate effectively at the post office or with the courier services.