Mail in China works a bit differently than in the United States. In the USA, everyone has a mailbox, or a mail slot in the door. In the more modern housing developments, you may have a big box mounted on a pole or two. There might be a big box for smaller packages. I’m assuming every house that has a mailbox in that collection has keys. But every house has a mailbox.

In China, I am not sure how much the post office is actually used. In my new apartment complex (new as of last year) every apartment has a box, but no one gave me a key for mine. So my mailbox isn’t secure.

So when one of my debit and a credit card expired, I had to have them sent out. I assumed that since I had an actual mailing address and a mailbox, my cards would get there. Except they didn’t.

I had no idea which local post office had delivery responsibilities for my apartment complex. Finally, I decided I’d have my debit card sent to the university China Post office. Except it didn’t actually have a street address, adding to the challenge. The post office is actually located in one of the student dorm buildings, but the area is just off a main street. But the area has streets, but literally no names. So listing the main street won’t work, because it’s just off that main street.

So I had my debit card sent out again, with a very long, detailed address listing the China Post branch that was located in student dorm building nine, hoping it would get there. I also asked my credit union to make sure my Chinese phone number was on the outside of the envelope. That way, the post branch could call me and I could come get it. Finally, it arrived. I pay most of my stuff via PayPal anyway, through an account I set up before I left home. So mainly the card is there if I want to buy something online, which is rare.

I also had my expired credit card sent there, and it arrived.

A few months ago, I ordered some books from Lulu.com. I naturally assumed FedEx would take the books to the post branch, and I’d be notified they arrived.

Except FedEX is not allowed to go inside the college campus post office. Due to my own stupidity, I didn’t realize I already had an account set up with FedEx and they had sent emails to my email address that I refer as the “spam account” email. I’d gotten emails from FedEx that I knew were spam, and so I never paid attention to those emails, nor did I realize they would be sending me emails regarding my recent package there.

When I finally got around to contacting them, I found out my books had been destroyed at customs in Guangzhou, because I didn’t respond quickly enough. Thankfully, Lulu.com sent out another shipment for free, and I paid attention to my email account and responded promptly to the emails.

I managed to pay the necessary fees by myself, which I’m proud of. Within an hour and a half of paying the fees, I had the books. But because FedEx couldn’t come on campus, they were at the north gate of my university. I thought they were at the gate of my apartment complex. Phoning me didn’t really work, because I’m not fluent in Chinese. But even though I couldn’t understand anything, I had a hunch the call was from FedEx in Fuzhou, because the caller id said the call was from Fuzhou.

So I sent a text back. Then I called a colleague and explained the situation and asked if they would call the local number and see who it was (FedEx, of course). So they arranged to meet the FedEx courier at the north gate of my uni, then get the books to me.

I had forgotten that FedEx couldn’t access the campus. So next time, I may just include my apartment address and have them sent there. At least my Chinese phone number was on the package (I asked Lulu to put it on the package) so I could be contacted.

And so I have my books.

I never realized how tricky ordering things from overseas can be. I regularly order from Baopals, a shopping service started by three expats living in Shanghai who wanted other expats to have the same kind of shopping experience the Chinese have with Taobao. I’ve ordered lots of American foods from there, plus all sorts of other things, and I don’t have a problem with them arriving. There’s something called Cai Niao, a sort of holding center with lots of locations in town. There’s one in my apartment complex, and the way it works is that you order something, and when it comes to Cai Niao, they send a text with the package shelving number. You go to the holding center, look for your package on the shelf, and scan it out, then take it home. It means your package doesn’t sit out in the rain, and it doesn’t have a chance to get stolen. Sometimes my packages come right to my apartment door, so I’m not sure what the criteria is for what comes to the door and what doesn’t.

But not with regular letter mail. And wanting a good solid address, I’d given Lulu.com the China Post location. However, FedEx can’t go on campus.

Knowing this, I may buy more from home, knowing that maybe they can get parcels to my apartment complex, but letters have to go to the post office.

But I admired FedEx for working so hard to get my package to me. I sent them an email of thanks, and also thanked Lulu.com for being so kind. I also thanked my colleague and one of my students, who offered to help me track down the original shipment.

And I would advise people moving to other countries, or who have just landed there, to ask about the postal service and what they would suggest in terms of international shipments. FexEx will always have my heart. You pay more, but if you want it, it’s worth it.

And no, FedEx did NOT pay me to write this.