The new offering, which falls under the Express Mail Service brand, divides mainland China into six regions with distance-based charges. The existing service calculates a flat rate for all packages bound for the other side of the strait.
Average delivery cost for outbound consignments will fall by NT$92 (US$3.20) to NT$390 per item, with shipments to mainland China’s coastal provinces racking up the biggest savings of between 21 percent and 34 percent.
One advantage of the service is that prescription medication can now be delivered to the other side of the strait. This feature was put in place following detailed consultations between Chunghwa Post and the ROC Department of Health.
“An increasing number of ROC nationals residing in mainland China have been clamoring for this service for some time,” a Chunghwa Post official said. “After conducting extensive market research, we determined the service would prove popular on the basis of its convenience, cost and reliability.”
With lower freight charges, the service is expected to spur cross-strait e-commerce and streamline online shopping and trade sample deliveries. At present, the state-run company handles cross-strait postal volume of 25,000 packages per month.
According to Chunghwa Post, the service is offered in partnership with Beijing-based China Postal Express and Logistics Co. Ltd. (JSM)
Write to Meg Chang at sfchang@mofa.gov.tw