China Post is the official postal service of China. It handles a massive volume of international e-commerce packages, particularly for goods ordered from marketplaces like AliExpress, Temu, and Shein.
To track your package, enter your tracking number in the search bar at the top of this page for real-time status updates.
How to track your China Post package
Every trackable China Post package is assigned a unique tracking number by the sender. You can find this number in your order confirmation email or on your store account dashboard.
China Post tracking formats
China Post tracking numbers generally follow the 13-character standard set by the Universal Postal Union (UPU):
- Standard Registered Mail: E.g.,
LF123456789CNorCP123456789CN. The prefix letters indicate the mail class, and the trailingCNconfirms the package originated in China. - EMS (Express Mail): E.g.,
EE123456789CN. This is their premium express courier service.
Shipping services compared
China Post offers several shipping tiers depending on budget and urgency:
| Service Level | Delivery Estimates | Tracking Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| China Post Ordinary Small Packet Plus | 20 to 60 days | Only tracked inside China |
| China Post Registered Air Mail | 15 to 45 days | Full tracking to your door |
| ePacket | 7 to 20 days | Full tracking, optimized for e-commerce |
| EMS (Express Mail Service) | 5 to 15 days | Premium courier speed and tracking |
Understanding China Post tracking updates
Here are the most common statuses you will see during transit:
- Collection / Posting: China Post has received the package from the merchant.
- Departure from outward office of exchange: The package has cleared customs in China and is waiting to be loaded onto an international flight.
- Arrival at inward office of exchange: The shipment has landed in your country and is entering local customs clearance.
- Held by Customs: Customs agents are inspecting the package. This is standard and can take a few days.
- Delivered: The package has reached its destination.
Troubleshooting delay issues
If your package seems stuck, keep these factors in mind:
The "Departure from outward office" gap
This is the most common tracking delay. After a package leaves China, it is in transit over the ocean or sitting in a container at the destination port waiting to be scanned by your local postal service. Gaps of 2 to 3 weeks without updates are normal for budget shipping tiers.
Ordinary Packet limitations
If your package was shipped via "Ordinary Small Packet Plus", tracking scans stop entirely once the package leaves mainland China. You will not see any updates until the package is dropped in your mailbox.
Customs delays
Customs processing in the destination country is beyond China Post's control. If a package is flagged for inspection, it can sit in a customs warehouse for days or weeks without status updates.