China Post Shipment Tracking

Shipping products and methods offered by China Post

Like many Shipping and postal companies, China Post offers multiple products. All these products vary by price, shipping speed, and traceability. Bellow, you can find a list of multiple products offered by China Post.

China Post Air Mail

China Post Registered Airmail is an economical shipping service from China Post. Normally it takes about 2 weeks to arrive at the destination country from China. However, this shipping method is currently impacted by the coronavirus. Due to the lack of passenger airplanes, delivery times of up to 4 weeks should be expected.

China Post Unregistered

Unregistered Parcels are only trackable within China. As soon as the parcels are leaving china the tracking will stop, and transit points won't register the parcel anymore. If you are lucky, your local post will still scan the item and send updates to tracefully; however, this is country-specific and not very consistent.

Tracking numbers of unregistered parcels usually start with the letter U. Check the tracking format table to find out more.

China Post Small Packet (EPacket)

For small parcels, China Post offers three main shipping options. These three options are international small parcel, ordinary small packet plus, and registered mail.

Purchases from Chinese online marketplaces like AliExpress and DH-Gate are usually shipped as a small parcel through China Post. The shipment method is often also referred to as ePacket. Items such as small electronic parts, clothes, and shoes are usually fit to be delivered as a small parcel.

Parcels need to meet certain requirements to be shipped as a China Post Small Packet. The overall weight cannot exceed 2kg (4.4lb), and the total length, width, and height of the outer packaging cannot exceed 90cm (35 in.), and neither of these 3 sides can be more than 60cm (24 in.). Prohibited items cannot be shipped with China Post.

China Post International Small Parcel is meant for parcels that need to be shipped outside of China. Parcels can be tracked within China as well as in the destination country. However, tracking in the Destination country is sometimes not available on the China Post Tracking site but the tracking page of the delivery carrier. When you use Tracfully this is done for you automatically.

There are three transport methods your parcel can be transported with. The methods are Air, Air+Surface, or only on the Surface ( truck, train, or ship). Airmail is the fastest of the three and takes about 15 business days to be delivered internationally, but it's also the most expensive shipping method. Parcels shipped with Air+ Surface, which is also commonly referred to as Surface Air Lifted, SAL, in short, is a bit slower than Air and takes about 30days to be delivered internationally. Parcels shipped on the ground by train, truck, or cargo ship can take between 30 to 60 days.

Looking at our data, you can expect the following shipping times:

Asia: 5-10 days

America and Europe: 7-15 days

Rest of the world: 7-30 days

Check the Tracking Number format to find out which shipping method has been used.

China Post Ordinary Small Packet Plus (non-registered): Lower rates without shipment track & trace service and compensation for the loss.

Registered Mail: This method is comparable to standard mail or letter. The parcel/letter is trackable and usually quite economical. Delivery speed is comparable to the international small parcel.

China Post International Large Package

International Large Package is a service comparable to the aforementioned Small Parcel service but only for parcels between 2kg up to 40kg. Shipping prices are higher by weight than the small parcel prices; however, it might be the only economical option since Other express services like DHL or EMS are a lot more expensive than China Post Large Package.

Parcels sent as registered mail can be fully tracked within the origin and the destination country or as standard mail, which is untraceable and a bit less expensive.

There are three transportation methods for larges packages, Air, Surface+Air (SAL), or Surface.

Delivery Time for Parcels shipped by Air (Plane):

China Neighboring countries: 5 - 10 Days,

To developed countries of Europe and America: 7 - 15 Days,

To South American countries: 10 - 20 Days,

To African and other countries or regions: 15 - 30 Days.

For Surface Air Lift (SAL) Parcel: 15 - 20 Days.

For Surface Parcel: 30 - 60 days Months.

China EMS (Express Mail Service)

China International EMS is a shipment delivery service offered by China Postal Express & Logistics in cooperation with other postal operators in the world. It delivers documents, materials, urgent letters and all kinds of goods from and to other countries with fast speed and high reliability. If you want the fastest delivery possible with full traceability it is recommended to send your parcel or letter with EMS.

China International Express

China International Express, often also referred to as just China Express, is an international express service provided by China Postal Express & Logistics in cooperation with Holland TNT.

China Express is different from International EMS regarding posting specifications, business processes, customs clearance, and distribution channels. It enjoys a high priority in post offices, customs, and airlines of all countries. China Post International Express can efficiently deliver all kinds of documents, bank bills, letters, and goods.

China Express has two service levels, called Global Express and Economy Express. The service level deviate based on weight, shipping time, and device model. Other value-added services are also offered, like Paid-By-Addressee Service and Customs Duty Agent.

The Global Express Service is covering more than 220 countries and regions of the world, is the fastest door-to-door delivery service of China Express. Using the TNT International Express network to deliver, the service is guaranteed in shipping time, tracking, and other after-sales services. Therefore, it’s the most used one in all China Express businesses.

The Economy Express Service is mainly used for the shipment of goods over 45 kg. It also offers door-to-door delivery and tracking services. Compared with the Global Express service, it’s cheaper but needs 2 or 3 days more time for shipment. Mainly delivering the package by air and land covers Asia, Australia, Middle East, USA, and major countries in Europe at present.

Service Coverage of Economy Express Service

Asia: Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, South Korea, Indonesia, Japan…

Oceania: Australia

Western Europe: UK, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland…

Eastern Europe: Czech, Hungary, Poland…

Middle East: Bahrain, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, UAE…

North America: Major cities of the USA, including New York, Miami, Boston, Los Angeles, Seattle, Washington, and Chicago

Issues with tracking China Post parcels

China post offers a wide range of products, but some of the more economical options might take longer to get delivered than you are used to. Most of the time, your parcel will get delivered even if it seems stuck or very slow.

Why can't I track my China Post package?

In general, the tracking information for a parcel needs one or two days to update after the carrier receives the parcel. You should wait one or two days after it’s shipped and then track its status. If the system is still unable to find your tracking number, you should make sure you have entered the correct number. If you still ur unable to track the number, you should contact the merchant. Confirm the tracking number with him and also ask if the parcel is trackable internationally.

You might find that we are unable to track your tracking number. Here are a few possible reasons for this:

1. The sender just gave you a tracking number but hasn't shipped the parcel yet. This is quite common since online merchants often purchase tracking numbers in bulk before actually shipping the parcel.

2. It's just sent and needs two or three days to have tracking information available or until the parcel is scanned for the first time.

3. The tracking number provided does not support tracking - this is the case for unregistered mail.

4. The tracking number entered is invalid, or it has been expired.

In this case, you'd better wait for a few days and recheck the tracking status; if you still cannot track your parcel, you should contact the merchant to confirm the reason.

China Post parcel with wrong parcel address. How can I change the delivery address with China Post?

You may find that you accidentally provided the wrong shipping address when you ordered something online from a seller in China. Or, you have moved to a new address, but you filled the old address of your house when you placed the order. So, you would like to change it. Some users ask us or contact China Post to change it for them. But we would like to clarify that China Post and we couldn’t change the address once it’s shipped. However, if the package hasn’t shipped, you can contact the seller to change it. How to judge if the package has shipped or not? You can track your package by filling in the tracking number from China Post Tracking Page. If you find no information for it, it should be still in the seller’s hand, and the seller hasn’t handed it over to China Post. You can contact the seller as soon as possible to let him know your correct address and change it before it’s shipped. Once you find there is tracking information in the result, it means it has already been shipped. In this case, no one could change the address.

If the package has been shipped and the address couldn’t be changed, you need to track it often. When you find it arrives in your country, contact your local post service immediately to ask if they could deliver it to your new address. Some of the countries provide this service. But you may need to pay additional fees for the change.

Why is my China Post tracking Number not updating or stuck?

No more update doesn’t mean lost. There are many reasons for this:

• If your tracking number starts with the letter U or it consists of only 9 numbers, your parcel has likely been shipped with China Post Ungeristered Parcel. Unregistered Parcels can only be tracked within China as soon as your parcel has left China and is on the way to its destination country; the parcel can't get tracked anymore. Most retailers on eBay, Wish, or Aliexpress like to use this way to send cheap price items.
• If the parcel has been exported, the shipping status will not be updated until it arrives in the destination country. This period may last for 3-60 days, depending on different shipping methods.
• The carrier might have damaged the tracking label on the parcel, so it can't be scanned anymore. This does not mean our parcel won't arrive if the destination address is still readable, but you won't get any more tracking updates.
• Your package may have been lost during the transportation period.

How will a China Post parcel with a wrong delivery address be dealt with?

If the wrong address exists, it will be delivered to that address. You’d better contact the person there to receive it for you. If the wrong address doesn’t exist, it may be returned to the seller/sender if the sender’s return address is clear. If there is no clear address to return, it may be discarded.

However, as soon as you notice the parcel arriving in its destination country, you can try to reach out to your local post office. Sometimes they can redirect the parcel if you can prove you are the recipient.

What should I do if the delivery of a China Post parcel has failed or it has been returned back due to a wrong delivery address?

If the delivery has failed just a few hours or days ago, try to contact the courier in your country to ask if you could change the address. The best place to contact is usually your local post office with your tracking number in hand. If not, you can only wait for it to be returned. You can contact the seller to refund you once it’s returned to the seller. The seller may refund you partially because you provide the wrong shipping address. If the seller doesn’t receive it, you can’t get a refund.

Why are there no tracking records for my tracking number?

First, make sure you have entered the correct tracking number.

After the parcel has been shipped, it can take a few days for the tracking number to update or get its first scan in a processing station. The tracking number should show the first scans within 4 days of your receiving the tracking number. If the tracking does not update after 4 days you can contact The China Post customer service or contact the merchant that has shipped your parcel

China Import and Export Regulations 2021

If you want to ship things into or out of China, you need to be aware that some items are not allowed into or exported from China under any circumstances. The following items are prohibited from entering or leaving China. This list might not be complete so consult with China Post or your local Post Office regarding any shipments from or to China.

Prohibited Items Import China

1. Weapons of all varieties, ammunition, and explosives of all kinds;

2. Forged currencies and counterfeit negotiable securities;

3. Any media that are deemed to be detrimental to China's political, economic, cultural, and moral interests, including manuscripts, printed matter, films, photographs, discs, movies, sound recording tapes, video recording tapes, etc. 

4. All kinds of lethal poisons; 

5. Addictive drugs to which people can become addicted to such as opium, morphine, heroin, marihuana, etc.; 

6. Animals, plants, and their by-products with hazardous germs or pests, including meat, skins, horns, etc.; 

7. Food, medicine, or other articles coming from epidemic areas that are harmful to human health, obstructive to hygiene, and infectious;

8. Other articles prohibited from import as stipulated by the state. 

Prohibited Items Export China

1. All articles enumerated as articles prohibited from importation.

2. Endangered and precious animals and plants (including their specimens), their seeds, and reproducing materials;

3. Renminbi (currency)

4. Foreign currencies, bills, and negotiable securities;

5. Other articles, the export of which is prohibited by state regulations.

About China Post

China Post is the official postal service of China operated by the State Post Bureau of the People's Republic of China. China Post is incorporated at the China Post Group Corporation, which is a state-owned company. The State Post Bureau of the People's Republic of China, the owner of China Post, is both a regulatory authority and government-owned enterprise. Thus, it is responsible for regulating the national postal industry and the management of national postal enterprises.

China Post is not the only postal service operating in China. Many international companies have subsidiaries in China like DHL, TNT, FedEx, and UPS.

The main business scope of China Post includes domestic and international mail delivery services, circulation of newspapers, journals, and books, postal remittance services, issuing of stamps, postal express delivery and logistics services, e-business, confidential correspondence communication, postal financial services, a variety of postal agency businesses and other businesses that allowed by the state of China.

For more questions about tracking and price, you can call China Post hotline 11185 if you are in China and +86 10 11185 if you are outside China. For English service, please press 8 after the call is got through.