เลขพัสดุ China Post: อธิบายคำนำหน้า R, E, L, C (China Post Tracking Numbers: R, E, L, C Prefixes Explained)
China Post Tracking Number Decoder
Paste your tracking number to identify the service type, validate the checksum, and decode each segment.
China Post Format (UPU S10)
ตรวจสอบเลขพัสดุ China Post
China Post tracking numbers follow a standard international format defined by the Universal Postal Union (UPU). Most are 13 characters long: two letters, eight digits, then a two-letter country code ("CN" for China). The prefix letters tell you the service type.
What is a China Post Tracking Number?
A China Post tracking number is a unique code assigned to each outbound shipment. It tracks the package from the origin facility in China through customs and into the destination country's postal network. The format is standardized internationally, so the same number works on China Post's website, your destination country's postal tracker, and most third-party tracking sites.
Standard UPU Format
China Post's standard tracking number follows the UPU S10 standard — the same format used by postal services worldwide. The structure is two letters, eight digits, one check digit, then a two-letter country code:
AA 000 000 00 CN
- AA: A 2-letter prefix identifying the service type (e.g., RA, EE, LX).
- 00 000 000: An 8-digit package identifier.
- 0: A single check digit calculated from the digits before it.
- CN: Country code for China.
Example: RA123456789CN
The prefix letters do most of the work. The first letter identifies the service family — R means registered mail, E means Express Mail Service (EMS), L means tracked letter post, C means parcel post. The second letter is assigned by China Post from within the allowed range and doesn't map to a separate product. So RA, RB, and RC are all registered mail — just different identifier blocks, not different services.
The full list of prefix families is in the prefix guide below.
The UPU S10 Standard
The 13-character format isn't unique to China Post. Every country that participates in the Universal Postal Union uses the same structure. The country code at the end is what identifies the issuing postal authority:
- CN — China Post
- HK — Hong Kong Post
- SG — Singapore Post
- JP — Japan Post
- GB — Royal Mail (UK)
- US — USPS
This matters for one practical reason: if a seller gives you a tracking number ending in SG, NL, or MY instead of CN, the number was issued by a different postal operator — not China Post — even if the package shipped from China. That's not uncommon with Chinese e-commerce, where consolidators in Singapore or the Netherlands sometimes handle the international leg.
The other thing worth knowing is that the UPU S10 standard only applies to specific service types: EMS, parcels, registered mail, tracked letter post, and insured letter post. If a seller gives you a number that doesn't fit the AA123456789CN pattern, it's probably a domestic courier number, a marketplace logistics reference (like a marketplace LP number), or a consolidator ID — not a standard China Post international tracking code.
What Does My China Post Tracking Number Start With?
If you just need a fast answer, here it is:
| My number starts with… | Service | Typical delivery |
|---|---|---|
| RA, RB, RC, RR… | Registered Airmail | 15–30 days |
| EE, EM, EA, EB… | EMS Express | 5–10 days |
| LX, LZ, LT, LA… | Tracked Small Packet | 10–30 days |
| CP | Parcel Post | 20–40 days |
| CV | Insured Parcel | 20–40 days |
| CX | Priority Mail | 5–10 days |
| UQ | ePacket (discontinued in most routes) | — |
| LP, JX… | Third-party logistics (not China Post) | Varies |
The number ends in CN for China Post. If yours ends in HK, SG, NL, or another country code, a different postal operator issued it — even if the package shipped from China.
Prefix Guide
The first letter of the tracking number tells you the service family. Here's the practical breakdown:
| Prefix family | What it covers | Speed | Tracking |
|---|---|---|---|
| R* (RA, RB, RR…) | Registered Airmail | 7–20 days | Key events only |
| E* (EE, EM, EA…) | EMS (Express Mail Service) | 3–7 days | Full |
| L* (LX, LZ, LT…) | Tracked Letter / Small Packet | 10–30 days | Limited |
| C* (CP, CV…) | Parcel Post | 20–40 days | Limited |
| UQ | ePacket (discontinued in most corridors) | 7–20 days | Yes |
| CX | Priority Mail | 5–10 days | Yes |
A quick decode guide:
EE123456789CN→ China EMSRR123456789CN→ China registered mailLX123456789CN→ Tracked small packet (ePacket-style)CP123456789CN→ Parcel postCV123456789CN→ Insured parcel post
The second letter within each family — the X in LX, the E in EE — is assigned by China Post for internal identifier management. For most people tracking a package, it doesn't indicate a meaningfully different service. If you see LX vs LT vs LZ, you're still getting the same level of China Post tracking either way.
The prefix also determines how many updates you get. EMS numbers update at every major scan — origin, customs, destination facility, out for delivery, delivered. Registered airmail (R*) typically gives you three or four events: a dispatch scan in China, a customs scan at the destination, and final delivery. Surface parcels (L*) might only show two or three events total.
Other China Post Tracking Formats
Not every China Post number is 13 characters. Here are the variations you'll run into:
- Standard UPU (13 characters):
RA123456789CN— the most common format for international shipments. - Domestic China Post numbers: 11 digits, purely numeric. These only work inside China.
- Cainiao/AliExpress logistics: Start with "LP" followed by numbers. These route through a hybrid network and may hand off to local carriers.
- China EMS domestic: 13 characters starting with "EA" or "EB".
- 4PX, Yanwen, and other Chinese third-party logistics: Use their own proprietary formats, not the standard UPU structure.
If your tracking number starts with LP, JX, or similar combinations not in the prefix table above, it's a Chinese third-party logistics company. These still deliver internationally but often hand off to the destination country's postal service, at which point a separate USPS, Royal Mail, or Australia Post number activates.
China Post vs EMS vs ePacket
These three services come up constantly and get confused with each other:
China Post Registered Airmail (R* prefix)
The standard cheap option. Ships by air, tracked at key points, takes 10–30 days depending on destination. Free or very cheap on most Chinese e-commerce orders. Tracking updates are sparse — usually just a few events. Reliable for low-value items where timing doesn't matter.
EMS (E* prefix)
China Post's express service. Faster (5–10 days to the US/Europe), more scanning events, handles customs differently. Costs more. EMS is a real end-to-end tracked service with proper insurance options. If a seller offers EMS, it's worth paying for on higher-value items.
ePacket (UQ prefix)
A service built for cross-border e-commerce shipments under 2kg destined for select countries. Faster than standard registered mail, tracked, and cheaper than EMS. ePacket has been discontinued or restricted in many corridors as part of broader postal rate restructuring. You may still see UQ numbers referenced online, but new shipments use a different prefix — check with your seller if you're unsure what service was used.
China Post vs Other International Carriers
The 13-character UPU format is shared by postal services worldwide. Here's how to tell them apart by the country code at the end:
- China Post: Ends in
CN— e.g.,RA123456789CN - Hong Kong Post: Ends in
HK— e.g.,RA123456789HK - Singapore Post: Ends in
SG - Japan Post: Ends in
JP - Royal Mail (UK): Ends in
GB - USPS: Ends in
US
If you see a 13-character code ending in CN, it's a Chinese postal shipment. Entering it on USPS, Royal Mail, or any other carrier's tracker won't return results until that carrier actually receives and scans the package — which happens after customs clearance.
Tracking Across Carriers
China Post shipments almost always hand off to another carrier at the destination. When that happens:
- United States: Hands off to USPS. The USPS tracking number is sometimes different from the original CN number, sometimes the same.
- United Kingdom: Hands off to Royal Mail.
- Australia: Hands off to Australia Post.
- Canada: Hands off to Canada Post.
Once the handoff happens, track on your local carrier's site. China Post's tracker stops updating after "Dispatched from sorting center" or a similar final export scan. Your local carrier's site will have all the domestic events.
Tracking Timeline: What to Expect
China Post tracking moves in stages, and the gaps between updates are longer than you'd expect from a domestic carrier:
Days 1–3: Label created. You'll see "Item posted" or "Accepted at origin post office." No movement yet.
Days 3–7: Export scans. The package moves through a regional sorting center and clears Chinese customs. You might see "Handed over to airline" or "Departed from Shanghai."
Days 7–15: In transit internationally. This is the quiet phase. No updates while it's physically on a plane or being processed at an international hub.
Days 10–20: Arrives at destination country. You'll see "Arrived at [country] customs" or a similar status. Customs processing can take 1–10 days with no additional updates.
Days 15–30: Delivered to local carrier. Final delivery events appear on your local postal service's tracker.
Gaps of 7–14 days with no updates are normal. The package isn't lost — it's either in the air or sitting in a customs queue.
How to Track a China Post Package
- Get your tracking number from the seller or shipping confirmation.
- Go to track.ems.com.cn or 17track.net (supports more carriers and languages).
- Enter the full 13-character number including the CN suffix.
- Check your local carrier's site once the package reaches your country.
Third-party sites like 17track.net and parcelsapp.com often return better results than China Post's own tracker, especially for packages already in transit internationally. They aggregate data from multiple carriers and update more frequently.
Common Mistakes
Leaving off the CN suffix
The full number is RA123456789CN, not RA123456789. Some sites auto-append it, others don't. If tracking returns nothing, try adding CN to the end.
Tracking on the wrong site
Once a package reaches your country, China Post's tracker won't update. Switch to USPS, Royal Mail, or your local postal site. You can usually use the same tracking number.
Expecting frequent updates
China Post doesn't scan at every facility like UPS or FedEx. You might go 2 weeks without an update and then suddenly see "out for delivery." This is normal, not a sign of a problem.
Confusing the seller's order number with a tracking number
Marketplace order numbers look like 8801234567890. Tracking numbers look like RA123456789CN. They're different things. If you're getting no results, make sure you're entering the right one.
Checking too soon
Some sellers generate tracking numbers before physically dropping the package. The number exists in the system but shows nothing useful for 2–5 days after you receive it.
Example Tracking Numbers
- Registered Airmail:
RA123456789CN - EMS:
EE987654321CN - Surface/Economy:
LX112233445CN - Priority:
CX556677889CN
These illustrate the correct format. The actual numbers may not return results — they're format examples, not live shipments.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
"Invalid tracking number"
Check that you have 13 characters total: 2 letters + 8 digits + 2 letters (CN). If the number looks right, wait 48 hours — new numbers sometimes take time to register.
No updates for 2+ weeks
Check your local carrier's tracker with the same number. If neither China Post nor your local carrier shows anything after 30 days from the ship date, contact the seller. Most sellers will reship or refund after 40–60 days if the package doesn't arrive.
Stuck at "Departed from sorting center"
This is the last update China Post logs before the package leaves China. Switch to your local carrier's tracker — it's probably already in your country.
Delivered but package not received
Check with neighbors, your building's front desk or mailroom, and any secondary delivery spots. For USPS handoffs, check Informed Delivery. File a missing mail search if it doesn't show up within a week of the "delivered" scan.
FAQs
Q: How long does China Post take to deliver?
A: Registered airmail typically takes 15–30 days to the US and Europe. EMS takes 5–10 days. Surface/economy routes can take 45–75 days. These estimates assume no customs delays.
Q: Why does my China Post tracking show nothing?
A: Most likely the seller generated the label but hasn't shipped yet, or it's in transit between scan points. Wait 5–7 days before worrying.
Q: Can I track a China Post package with USPS?
A: Sometimes. Once USPS receives it, the original CN tracking number often works on usps.com. Try it — if USPS has the package, their system will return results.
Q: What does the second letter in the prefix mean?
A: It's an internal assignment by China Post, not a separate product distinction. RA, RB, RC are all registered mail — just different identifier blocks within the same service family. The second letter tells you nothing useful as a consumer.
Q: What if my tracking number doesn't end in CN?
A: It means the tracking number was issued by a different postal authority, even if the package shipped from China. Common alternatives are SG (Singapore), NL (Netherlands), and HK (Hong Kong) — all used by Chinese e-commerce consolidators who route shipments through those countries.
Q: What happens if my package is stuck in customs?
A: Customs processing is normal and can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. If it's been over 15 days without movement and customs is the last update, contact the seller. They can sometimes file an inquiry on your behalf.
Q: Is China Post tracking reliable?
A: Mostly, but it's not as granular as UPS or FedEx. Expect fewer updates and longer gaps. The package usually arrives — "no updates" doesn't mean "lost."
Q: What does "Arrived at destination post office" mean?
A: The package is at the final local facility before delivery. You should see delivery within 1–3 business days after this scan.
Q: Can I redirect a China Post package?
A: Not easily. Once in transit, changes are difficult. Contact the seller — they may be able to coordinate with China Post, but this isn't always possible after the package has left China.
Q: Why did my package scan in a city I don't live in?
A: International packages route through major hub cities — Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou on the China side; Los Angeles, New York, Chicago on the US side. The routing reflects the network, not the final destination. This is normal.
Additional Resources
- China Post Official Tracker
- 17track.net — tracks CN numbers plus handoff to local carriers
- Universal Postal Union (UPU)
- China Post Customer Service (domestic): 11185
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Parcel Detect Research Team
This guide was researched and compiled by the Parcel Detect Editorial Team. We maintain technical documentation for tracking formats across 1,600+ carriers to help users understand their delivery status correctly. All content is reviewed for technical accuracy before publication.
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