Guide
How to track a package from China
A parcel from China often changes carrier when it lands, and its tracking number can change with it. Find the number of the local carrier and you find the parcel.
By Noel Murphy, Co-founder · Updated
Read the tracking number
Postal tracking numbers have 13 characters: two letters, nine digits and the country code CN. The first letter shows the service.
| Starts with | Service | Tracking |
|---|---|---|
| R | Registered small packet | To delivery |
| L | ePacket and other tracked packets | To delivery |
| E | EMS | To delivery |
| C | Parcel | To delivery |
| U | Standard small packet | In China only |
Couriers use their own formats. A DHL Express number has 10 digits. A UPS number starts with 1Z. A FedEx number has 12 digits.
Why tracking stops
A special line or a postal service flies the parcel to your country and hands it to a local carrier. The local carrier often gives it a new number. The first carrier’s site may show nothing more.
A universal tracking site such as 17TRACK, ParcelsApp or AfterShip reads both carriers. Look for a second number on the result page, then enter it on the local carrier’s site.
What the statuses mean
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Shipment information received | The sender printed a label. The carrier has not collected the parcel. |
| Accepted or picked up | The carrier has the parcel. |
| Departed sorting centre | The parcel moves between cities in China. |
| Handed to airline | The parcel waits for a flight or is on one. |
| Arrived in destination country | The parcel landed. |
| Customs clearance | Customs checks the parcel. This is normal. |
| Out for delivery | The local carrier has the parcel on a vehicle. |
| Delivery attempted | Nobody received the parcel. Contact the local carrier. |
When to act
| You see | Do this |
|---|---|
| Label created, no pickup for 3 days | Ask the sender. The goods may not have shipped. |
| No update for 10 days | Ask the sender to open an inquiry with the carrier. |
| Customs clearance for more than 7 days | Contact the local carrier. You may owe duty or need to send a document. |
| Delivery attempted | Contact the local carrier that day. Carriers return parcels after a holding period. |
| Returned to sender | Ask the sender for the reason before you reorder. |
Tracking a shipment with us
We send you the tracking number when a shipment leaves our warehouse. For freight we send the air waybill or the bill of lading number.
Read why shipments from China arrive late for the causes behind a stuck parcel.
Questions
Why has my tracking not changed for days?
Tracking updates at each scan, and a parcel on a flight or in a queue gets no scan. Check again after the parcel lands. Ask the sender when you see no update for 10 days.
My parcel shows customs clearance. Is something wrong?
No. All parcels pass customs. Act when the status stays for more than a week, or when it names an exception. You may owe duty.
Where do I track a parcel after it lands?
On the site of the local carrier: the post office or the courier in your country. Use the same number first. If it fails, look for the local carrier's number on a universal tracking site.
What does a tracking number that starts with U mean?
A standard small packet with no tracking after it leaves China.