- Postal Service

Technically, only Post Office issued envelopes are accepted for mailing domestically and internationally. Approved envelopes have red boxes in the upper left-hand corner for the postal code. Envelopes are sale at all post offices.

Sending Packages
Some of the large housing communities have an in-house mail counter where you can mail letters and small packages that are under 2 kg in weight.  Large packages must be taken to a post office.  Packages can often be subject to inspection by custom officials.

Receiving Packages
Large packages will not be delivered directly to you.  You will receive a claim form that asks you to collect the package at a specified post office by a specified date.  If you pick up the package after the specified date, you will be charged a daily fee, and after thirty days, the package will be returned to sender.  Windows open for package inspection from 8:00am to 5:00pm.

- Courier Services

• DHL	Tel:	+86 21 800-810-8000
• FEDEX	Tel:	+86 21 5396 6299
• UPS	Tel:	+86 21 6391 5599

- Florist

• Tsao's (Sha) Fleur Express
	Tel:	+86 21 6405 5343 (Hongqaio)
	Tel:	+86 21 6253 3157 (Downtown)

- Pest Control

• Terminix

Tel:

+86 21 6209 7100

- Veterinarian

• Companian Animal Hospital
	Tel:	+86 21 6385 5905
• Shanghai Naughty Family
	Tel:	+86 21 6268 9507 (Hongqiao)
	Tel:	+86 21 5875 0777 (Pudong)

- Ask for a help

• China Help Line
	Phone-based interpretation service, helping expatriates in China to solve daily communicative problems.
	Hotline:	+86 4008 808080
• Lifeline Shanghai
	Providing free, confidential and anonymous emotional support and information in Shanghai via the telephone. 10am - 10pm, 365 days a year
	Hotline:	+86 21 6279 8990

- Banking

ATM machines are located on just about every corner in Shanghai, all the Banks use a common system. You can take cash from any ATM machines of any bank if this machine has "UNION" symbol on the board, whatever you use insert a card of which bank. You will receive the official bank exchange rate on all transactions if you use an foreign bank card, and you may be charged a withdrawal fee by your home bank.

• Bank Of China

It's easy to open an account in a local bank like Bank Of China, or open an account in international banks - they also deal with basic RMB business now, but with fewer of sub-branches. You can open a multi-currency account in either US$ or RMB, and apply a card for this account - this card can be used in most of department stores. You can withdraw cash in ATM or in the bank, using the card with password or account book with your passport.

• Citibank

		Shanghai Branch
	Address:	Citigroup Tower, 33 Huayan Shiqiao Lu, Lujiazui, Pudong
	Tel:	+86 21 2896 3333
		Lujiazui Sub-branch
	Address:	1/F, Marine Tower, 1, Pudong Avenue, Shanghai, 200120
	Tel:	+86 21 5879 1200
		Shanghai Puxi Sub-branch
	Address:	1/F, North Building, Peace Hotel, 19 Zhongshan Dong 1Lu
	Tel:	+86 21 6329 8383
		Xintiandi Sub-branch
	Address:	shop 3, G/F, Two Corporate Avenue, 202, Hubin Lu, Shanghai,
	Tel:	+86 21 5382 0511

• Hong Kong Shanghai Bank

		Shanghai Branch
	Address:	G/F, HSBC Tower, 101 Yingcheng Dong Lu, Pudong
	Tel:	+86 21 68411888
		Regal International East Asia Hotel Sub-branch
	Address:	G/F, Regal Intl East Asia Hotel, 516, Hengshan Lu
	Tel:	+86 21 6473 9898
		Hong Kong Plaza Sub-branch
	Address:	N129 & NB103, Hong Kong Plaza, 282 Huaihai Zhong Lu
	Tel:	+86 21 6390 8800
		Shanghai Center Sub-branch
	Address:	Suite 106, G/F, Shanghai Center, 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu
	Tel:	+86 21 6279 8582

- Credit Cards

• American Express

	Address:	Room 2313-15 Lippo Plaza, 222 Huaihai Zhong Lu
	Tel:	+86 21 5396 6611

- Insurance

• American International Assurance Co., Ltd. ("AIU")

	Address:	7th floor, Novel Plaza, 128 Nanjing Xi Lu, Shanghai
	Tel:	+86 21 6350 8180
		AIU is a member of the American International Group Inc., A US based international insurance organization and the largest underwriter of commercial and industrial coverage in the US. AIU provides insurance for medical emergencies as well as household insurance.

• Winterthur Insurance (Asia) Ltd

	Address:	Room 2405-2409, 24/F, North Tower, Shanghai Stock Exchange Building, No. 528, Pudong Nan Lu, Lujiazui, Pudong, Shanghai
	Tel:	+86 21 6882 3351
		Found in Switzerland in 1875, acquired by AXA Group 2006

Many expatriate families employ an Ayi while they are living in Shanghai. While you may not have enjoyed this service back home, it is certainly a great help in Shanghai. Finding an English speaking Ayi is not always possible, but if you are willing to work with the person, you will find even a non-English speaking person is a great help. 

It is best to find one who has previously worked for a foreigner. The best way to find a good one is through "word of mouth". It is important to get a reference from the previous employer. It is important to remember that many of our household appliances are not common in a Chinese home (i.e. dishwasher) so you may need to explain how to use them. To enjoy the benefit of an Ayi, it is very important to instruct her in your way of doing things.

• EJLL Home Economics Service

	Tel:	+86 800 820 9185
	Tel:	+86 21 5108 8321 (Changning)

Others:

• Fuyong Home Economics Service

	Tel:	+86 21 5415 7566 (Minhang)

• Laibang Homemaking Service

	Tel:	+86 21 5108 3978 (West Suburb)
	Tel:	+86 21 5458 2178

• Le Yu Home Services

	Tel:	+86 21 5879 6646 (Pudong, Lujiazui)
	Tel:	+86 21 5879 4546

• Mopa Home Economics Service

	Tel:	+86 800 819 0202
	Tel:	+86 21 5109 8138 (Puxi), 5103 6638 (Pudong)

• Pai Ai Domestic Services

	Tel:	+86 21 6819 2888 (Pudong, Kangqiao)
	Tel:	+86 21 6819 8600

• Ren Ren House Keeping Service

	Tel:	+86 21 6374 6628 (Head office, Downtown)
	Tel:	+86 21 6270 7277 (Branch, Gubei)

• Shu Jin Home Service

	Tel:	+86 800 620 5155 (Hongqiao)
	Tel:	+86 21 6274 5048

• Two-sides Home Service

	Tel:	+86 21 3223 0407 (Changning)
	Tel:	+86 21 6230 1957 (Jing'an)

- Things to Do

Wash Dishes	洗碗碟 (Xi wan die)
Clean Stove	清洁炉灶 (Qingjie luzao)
Wipe down all cabinets	擦拭所有的柜子 (Cashi suoyou de guizi)
Clean Refrigerator	擦拭冰箱 (Cashi dianbingxiang)
Wipe tile in kitchen	擦洗厨房内的瓷砖 (Caxi chufang nei de cizhuan)
Clean windows with spray	擦窗户（用喷雾器 ）(Ca chuanghu, yong penwuqi)
Sweep floor	扫地 (Sao di)
Mop floor with cleanser & water	用清洁剂和水拖地面 (Yong qingjieji he shui tuo di mian)
Wash bathroom with cleanser	用清洁剂清洗洗澡盆 (Yong qingjieji qingxi xizaopen)
Clean bathroom tile	清洗浴室瓷砖 (Qingxi yushi cizhuan)
Clean mirror with spray	用喷雾器擦镜子 (Yong penwuqi ca jingzi)
Vacuum floors	吸尘（地毯）(Xichen, ditan)
Clean toilets with cleanser	刷马桶（用清洁剂）(Shua matong, yong qingjieji)
Clean balcony	打扫阳台( Dasao yangtai)
Wipe down walls	擦墙壁 (Ca qiangbi)
Dust Lamp shades	擦去灯罩上的灰尘 ( Ca qu dengzhao shang de huichen)
Iron clothes	熨衣服 (Yun yifu)

- Things to use

- When You Would Like It Done

- Emergency Information

SOS 24 Hour Service (Shanghai)	6295 0099
Ambulance	120
Fire	119
Police	110

- General Information

Directory Assistance (Limited English)	114
International Operator	106
International Directory	116
AssistanceTime	117
Weather	121

- Taxi

Shanghai Da Zhong Taxi	82222
Shanghai Star of Pujiang Taxi	6215 5555
Shanghai Qiang Sheng Taxi	6258 0000
Shanghai Ba Shi Taxi	84000
Qianwei Red Flag Taxi	5863 2029
Shanghai Jinjiang Automobile Service	6275 8800
Taxi Complaints	6323 2150