Ordering products from China provides access to a wide range of goods. Understanding the shipping and tracking process ensures you know when to expect your delivery.
How to Track a Package from China
To track a package shipped from China, you need the tracking number provided by the seller. This number typically has 13 alphanumeric characters.
Enter this tracking number into a global package tracking platform to monitor your shipment’s progress. This allows you to see updates from various carriers in one place, from the moment it leaves the seller until it reaches your doorstep.
You can also track your package directly on the carrier’s website, such as China Post or the destination country’s postal service, once the package arrives there.
Shipping Speeds and Delivery Times
Several shipping options are available from China, each with different speeds and costs:
- Express Shipping: This is the fastest method, with carriers like DHL, FedEx, and UPS delivering packages in approximately 1 to 5 business days. This is also the most expensive option.
- ePacket: A popular option for e-commerce, ePacket is faster than standard mail and offers tracking. Delivery to the US and Europe typically takes 7 to 20 days.
- Air Mail: Standard air parcels are a common and more affordable option. Delivery to Europe and the Americas usually takes between 7 and 30 days.
- Surface Air Lift (SAL): This method is a combination of surface and air transport and is cheaper than air mail, with delivery times of around 15 to 30 days.
- Surface Mail: The most economical option, where packages are sent by sea. This is also the slowest method, with delivery taking from one to two months or longer.
Registered vs. Unregistered Mail
- Registered Mail: This service includes a tracking number that allows you to follow your package’s entire journey. It provides proof of shipping and delivery.
- Unregistered Mail: This is a cheaper option that does not offer tracking capabilities outside of China. Once the package leaves China, its status will not be updated until it arrives in the destination country.
Using a comprehensive tracking service simplifies monitoring your shipments from China. It consolidates information from different carriers, providing you with real-time updates on your package’s location and estimated arrival.