No, it may not be the first service you may be thinking of when at the airport, but at a time of need, having access to parcel services, or just general shipping, can be a time- and lifesaver. The next time you find yourself pressed for time and having to send something to a friend in the country, consider using the parcel service at Beijing Capital International Airport.

In the past, the lone parcel service at the airport was SF Express. It was located just before the domestic departures security entrance inside of terminal T3-C at Beijing Capital International Airport. Today, SF Express has been replaced by YT (Yuantong) Express, a similar and inexpensive courier service company. If you are planning to send some items to your family, friends or colleagues in China, whether you have just arrived, are transiting, or are departing Beijing, give yourself adequate time before your departure to access the counter to ship your items. Just make sure to arrive at terminal T3-C with your boarding pass and explain to the gate personnel that you are trying to ship items, and do not need to go through the security clearance.

Services available at the YT Express counter are simple, but are adequate and affordable. Shipping items around 1 kg in weight, including the cost for a box, costs around 12 RMB for delivery in Beijing. This is perfect if you have a last item shipment to a friend you couldn’t see before departing Beijing. Anything more and you can expect to pay fair prices as if you were to find a courier depot around town.