Packages and Food Delivery in China: A Guide for Foreign Residents

Keep in mind
Rules and procedures can change. Check the linked official sources before acting on time-sensitive information.

Quick answer

What you need to know

Foreign residents can receive parcels and food delivery in China more reliably by saving their complete address in Chinese, adding a reachable phone number, confirming the building pickup point, and checking the order record before paying or collecting it.

Save your apartment address, building, unit, and gate in Chinese before placing an order.
Keep a reachable local phone number because couriers and riders may call or send an in-app message.
Ask the property-management office where parcels are left: a locker, pickup station, building shelf, or gate.
Match the pickup code, parcel label, and order record before collecting a package.
Use only verified in-app payment and customer-service channels when an order or delivery message looks suspicious.

Delivery is part of ordinary life in China. Parcels, groceries, restaurant meals, and household items can arrive quickly, but the process works best when the address, phone number, and building pickup rules are clear.

For a foreign resident, the biggest source of friction is usually not the app. It is the final 100 meters: a gate that requires access, a parcel locker with a pickup code, or a courier who needs the destination in Chinese.

1. Save a complete address in Chinese

Before ordering, save a copy of your address that includes the city, district, compound or building name, building number, unit, floor, and apartment number where appropriate. Ask your landlord, agent, or property-management office for the official Chinese format.

Also save a short version that identifies the entrance or gate. Large compounds can have multiple gates, and a rider may need to know which one is closest to you.

2. Keep a reachable phone number

Couriers may call, text, or use an in-app message to confirm a delivery point. A local number makes this simpler, especially when a pickup code is sent by SMS. Getting a SIM Card in China explains how to set up and protect a number used for daily services.

If a phone call is difficult, use the app message function, a prepared Chinese address, or a translation app. Do not share banking codes or other account verification codes during a delivery conversation.

Illustrated parcel delivery to a Chinese apartment building

3. Learn your building’s pickup pattern

Ask the property-management office or a neighbor where deliveries normally go. Common arrangements include:

a smart locker or pickup cabinet;
a neighborhood parcel station;
a shelf near the gate;
a building concierge or property-management office; or
a handoff at the entrance.

Some compounds do not permit delivery riders to enter residential areas. That is normal. Meet the rider at the agreed gate, and use a recognizable landmark rather than only a broad street address.

4. Check parcel details before collecting

When you receive a pickup code or tracking update, match it with the original order. Check the recipient name, phone number, parcel label, and collection location before you take a package home.

Keep the outer packaging until you have confirmed that the item is correct and undamaged. If there is a problem, photos of the label and packaging are useful evidence when contacting the seller or platform.

5. Use food delivery with clear expectations

Food-delivery orders need the same address discipline, but timing matters more. Check the map pin, building gate, restaurant name, and delivery notes before paying. For an office tower, hotel, campus, or gated community, the rider may need to leave the order at a designated pickup point.

Use the in-app order record to follow the rider and communicate about changes. This is safer and clearer than moving payment or customer support to an unknown chat account.

Illustrated pickup code, delivery bag, and building gate

6. Pay and resolve problems inside verified apps

Use the original shopping or delivery app to pay, request a refund, report a missing order, or contact customer service. Be suspicious of unexpected messages that say you must pay an extra delivery fee or provide a verification code to release a parcel.

Mobile Payments in China for Foreigners covers the practical setup of payment apps, overseas cards, local cards, and cash backups. Keep order receipts and screenshots when an issue needs follow-up.

7. A first-week delivery checklist

My full address is saved in Chinese.
I know which gate or landmark to use.
My phone can receive calls, messages, and app notifications.
I know where the building’s parcel lockers or pickup station are.
I check pickup codes against the original order.
I use the verified app for payment and support.
I keep packaging and delivery records until an order is confirmed.

Bottom line

Reliable delivery in China starts with a precise Chinese address and a clear handoff plan. Once you know your building’s pickup point and keep payments inside verified apps, packages and meals become one of the easiest parts of everyday life.

Official sources

Frequently asked questions

Common questions

Can foreigners use package delivery in China?

Yes. Foreign residents can receive packages and food delivery in China. The most important preparation is a complete address in Chinese, a reachable phone number, and an understanding of the building's pickup arrangements.

Why do Chinese delivery drivers call me?

Couriers and food-delivery riders may call to confirm the gate, pickup point, or availability. Save your address in Chinese and use the in-app message or translation tools when a phone conversation is difficult.

Where are parcels delivered in Chinese apartment complexes?

It depends on the building. Parcels may go to a pickup locker, parcel station, shelf, property-management office, or the entrance gate. Ask the building staff where residents normally collect packages.

How do I avoid delivery scams in China?

Do not share payment passwords or verification codes, and do not pay through an unexpected QR code or link. Check order changes and customer service inside the original verified app.

What should I do if a package is missing?

Check the delivery photo, pickup code, parcel station, and building gate first. Then contact the seller or delivery platform through the original order record and keep screenshots of the tracking details.