Looking to mail something cute, fuzzy and electronic to Beijing?

You could have trouble.

Our correspondent, Kyle, just stopped by the China Post post office in Shanghai to mail a package of electronics to our Beijing office.

The contents of the package included a microphone and mini disc player – definitely nothing akin to a weapon.

The postal agent refused to mail it – at least until “Shi Yue” – October, well after the Olympic Games.

Kyle asked her if there was something wrong with the package. She suggested only that nothing can be mailed to Beijing – at least from her office in Shanghai - until October.

We’re not sure if this agent was having a bad day, if the person was high, or if this truly is a new government directive.

Beijing has had a bug up its Olympic ass lately, tightening visa restrictions and increasing patrols to foreign compounds. The visa crackdown pre-Olympics has proven that new restrictions don’t have to be written officially to be happening.

Incredulous, I called FedEx in China several times to find out more about new postal restrictions.

One agent said packages sent and delivered to Beijing within China could not contain powder, liquids or batteries. That must have been where Kyle went wrong, as the mini disc player included a rechargeable battery. Then again, Kyle said the agent only glimpsed at the electronic device, and definitely didn’t notice a rechargeable battery within it.

“It is the era of the Olympics,” the FedEx call agent said. “Maybe security or the environment is a little bit tighter than before.”

Certain things are understandably illegal to send by mail. In the U.S., for example, it has been illegal to mail children since 1913. That makes sense. Firearms are banned by the U.K.’s Royal Mail service (although “sporting guns” are permitted).

But batteries?

The agent said in the case of FedEx, if the goods do contain batteries (or you insist on sending it for another reason): “maybe we can find ways to deliver it on road. We cannot promise we can succeed. We can have a try.”

The agent said there was no notice from upper management about how long new restrictions will last, but believes they are Olympics-related.

Another agent, who handled calls about international delivery to Beijing, was unaware of any increased restrictions. However, he did say that if there are problems with the delivery, FedEx would contact the shipper or recipient. Extra paperwork for the package could be required in such a case, and one should expect delivery delays.

In our case, we simply can’t get our mail delivered via China Post - at least not one very important and harmless package.

    Channel: Vital News     |