China
How to Find a China Postal Code
How to look up the six-digit postal code for a Chinese address, check that it matches the district, and what to do when you cannot confirm it.
Updated 14 October 2026 · 3 min read
The quickest way to find a Chinese postal code is to ask the recipient, because the number is printed on official mail and well known to most residents. If that is not possible, the national postal operator, China Post, maintains the official list and offers a lookup by province, city and district.
Where to look
- China Post's own directory or lookup. Search by administrative area: province, then city, then district or county. The result gives the six-digit code for that area.
- Existing mail or documents. A letter, bank notice or earlier parcel to the same address displays the right code.
- The recipient or the local property office. Compound management offices and residents typically know the number.
- A local post office. Staff can confirm the code for a street or compound.
Checking the result
A valid code has exactly six digits. The first two digits should be consistent with the province-level region you are writing, and the code should match the district. In big cities, the same city can use different codes for different districts, so a code taken from a page about the city in general may not apply to your district. If the address is in a newly developed area, check whether the district name in the source is current, because administrative boundaries are updated from time to time.
If you cannot confirm it
- Use the code of the district rather than inventing one, and make sure the district name is written clearly.
- Write the full address in Chinese characters where possible.
- Add the compound name, building, unit and room and a phone number that works for the courier.
- Leave the field blank only if the form allows it; do not guess digits.
An additional exact-location code
The postal code is area-level. If the compound is large or the entrance is not obvious, a UPCS code can be added as an extra line. Open the UPCS map, mark the gate or door and copy the CN-XXXX-XXXX code. It is unofficial and does not replace the postal code.
For the layout of the full address, see how to write a China address. For structure, read the China postal code format.
Frequently asked questions
Who maintains Chinese postal codes?
China Post, the national postal operator, maintains the official postal codes and provides lookup services for them.
Is the postal code required for domestic parcels in China?
It is commonly requested on forms, but couriers primarily work from the written address and phone number. Including a correct code still helps routing.