How to Track Package From China when dropshipping
Many sellers in cross-border direct sales face a common challenge: how to efficiently track packages from China? After all, logistics transparency directly impacts the customer experience and your store’s reputation. Delayed delivery or the inability to track shipping information can lead to complaints and refunds.
In this article, DailyFulfill will provide a comprehensive explanation of how to track packages from China when dropshipping, introduce common logistics channels and their characteristics, and share practical methods to improve tracking efficiency. Mastering these tips will not only improve customer satisfaction but also streamline your cross-border direct sales business.
Track Package Steps
Get Tracking Number
You need a tracking number to track package shipments from China. The seller gives you this number after you order. Dropshippers often get it in a shipping confirmation email. Sometimes, the tracking number is on the package or your receipt.
Check your email from the seller for the tracking number.
Look at your receipt to find the tracking number.
Check the package for a label with the tracking number.
If you work with suppliers in China, ask for the tracking number when the order ships. This helps you tell your customers where their package is. It also helps your customers trust you.
Choose Tracking Platform
After you get the tracking number, pick a platform to track package progress. You can use official websites or other tracking tools. Some platforms are simple and have more features. These are good for dropshippers with many orders.
China Post Official Website: Use this for China Post, EMS, Registered Mail, and Surface Mail.
17TRACK: Tracks over 2,800 carriers like China Post, EMS, 4PX, YunExpress, and YANWEN. You can track orders from AliExpress, Shopify, Amazon, and more.
Ship24: Tracks packages from China Post and other carriers. It is easy to use and has many languages.
4PX: Good for cross-border eCommerce. You can track package shipments by 4PX, even if FedEx delivers later.
ParcelsApp, AfterShip, Postal Ninja: These tools support many carriers and give real-time updates.
Tip: If the China Post website is hard to use, try 17TRACK or Ship24. These sites are easy and have English support.
Enter Tracking Number
Now you can track package shipments. Here is what you do:
Find your tracking number in your email, receipt, or on the package.
Go to the tracking platform you picked.
Type the tracking number in the search box.
Click the button to start tracking.
Look at the results.
Tracking information may take 1-2 days to show up after shipping. If you see no results or the status does not change, check the tracking number again. If you still have trouble, contact the seller or customer support.
Note: China Post tracking numbers usually start with two letters, have nine numbers, and end with ‘CN’. For example, ‘LZ123456789CN’ means it is a light parcel from China. If it ends with ‘HK’, the package is from Hong Kong.
Here are some common prefixes:
‘CP’ is for China Post Registered Surface Mail
‘L’ is for China Post Epacket
‘LZ’ is for light or document parcels
‘AM’ is for large or heavy parcels
‘AT’ is for standard international shipments
Read Tracking Status
After you enter the tracking number, you will see different status updates. These updates show where your package is and what is happening. Dropshippers need to know these statuses to answer customer questions fast.
Meaning | |
|---|---|
Pre-Shipment (Label Created) | The seller made the label, but the carrier does not have the package yet. |
In Transit | The package is moving. You might see ‘Departed Facility’ or ‘Arrived at Facility’. |
Out for Delivery | The package is at the local post office and will come soon. |
Delivered | The package got to the address. Sometimes it says ‘Left in Mailbox’. |
Delivered to Agent for Final Delivery | The package was given to someone allowed at the delivery place. |
Delivery Attempted (Notice Left) | The carrier tried to deliver but could not. You may need to set up redelivery or pickup. |
Accepted | The carrier got the package at a facility. |
Available for Pickup | The package is waiting at a place for you to pick up. |
Alert | There is a problem, like a wrong address or refused package. |
Return to Sender | The package is going back to the sender because of delivery problems. |
If you see ‘In Transit’ for a long time, do not worry. Packages from China can take many days or weeks. If the status does not change for more than a week, contact your supplier or the carrier for help.
Dropshipper Tip: Always share tracking updates with your customers. This helps stop complaints and builds trust.
Shipping Methods
Main Options
When you ship packages from China, you have several choices. Each method fits different needs for speed, cost, and reliability. Here are the most common options dropshippers use:
ePacket and China Post: These are the cheapest ways to send small packages. You get basic tracking, but delivery can be slow.
YunExpress: This is a popular choice for e-commerce. It offers faster delivery than regular post and reliable tracking.
EMS: This is a postal express service. It is faster than regular mail but not as quick as private couriers.
DHL, FedEx, UPS: These are express couriers. They deliver fast, usually in a few days, and provide detailed tracking. The cost is much higher.
Air Freight and Sea Freight: These work best for large or heavy shipments. Air freight is faster but costs more. Sea freight is slow but cheap for bulk orders.
Tip: If you want to keep costs low for small items, try ePacket or China Post. For urgent or high-value orders, express couriers like DHL or FedEx work best.
Delivery Times
Delivery times depend on the shipping method you pick. Here’s what you can expect:
ePacket and China Post: Usually 15–30 days. Sometimes faster, but delays happen during busy seasons.
YunExpress: About 7–12 days. This is a good balance between speed and price.
EMS: Delivery takes about 7–15 days.
DHL, FedEx, UPS: Fastest option. Packages arrive in 1–3 days to most countries.
Air Freight: Takes 3–10 days, good for bigger shipments.
Sea Freight: Slowest method. Delivery can take 15–45 days, depending on the destination.
Here’s a quick table to help you compare the main shipping methods for dropshipping from China:
Shipping Method | Cost (Approx.) | Delivery Time | Best For | Tracking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
ePacket/China Post | $0.75–$1 per 20g | 15–30 days | Small, low-cost items | Basic |
YunExpress | $7–$12 per 0.5kg | 7–12 days | E-commerce, faster delivery | Reliable |
EMS | Varies | 7–15 days | Medium speed, moderate cost | Good |
DHL/FedEx/UPS | $24+ per 0.5–1kg | 1–3 days | Urgent, high-value shipments | Excellent |
Air Freight | $3.40–$15.50 per kg | 3–10 days | Large, urgent shipments | Good |
Sea Freight | $150+/cubic meter | 15–45 days | Bulk, non-urgent shipments | Limited |
Note: Always check with your supplier for the latest rates and delivery times. Shipping times can change during holidays or peak seasons.
Delivery Factors
Customs Delays
Customs delays can make your dropshipping orders late. Packages sometimes get stuck for days or weeks. This happens if paperwork is missing or wrong. A wrong product description or missing info can cause problems. Customs officers check packages for safety and taxes. They also check if rules are followed. If you owe duties or need more checks, it takes longer.
Shipping to the United States often has more delays. Stricter rules and trade problems slow things down. New tariffs also mean longer customs checks. In Europe, electronics and batteries get extra checks. Sometimes, a small mistake makes a package sit in customs for over 10 days.
Common reasons for customs delays:
Customs checks and clearance steps
Missing or wrong paperwork
Taxes or duties not paid
Import or export rules
Changes in trade rules or tariffs
Busy ports and not enough workers
Tip: Always check your shipping papers twice. Good paperwork helps your packages move faster through customs.
Peak Seasons
Peak shipping times can make your packages from China late. During these times, many people ship things, so ports get busy. Carriers also have too much to do. The biggest delays happen during Chinese New Year, Golden Week, and big shopping events like Black Friday.
Peak Shipping Period | Months / Dates | Impact on Delivery Times and Shipping Conditions |
|---|---|---|
Chinese New Year | Late January to mid-February | Factories close, so making products stops; delays and backlogs happen; things get better by mid-February. |
Holidays and Back-to-School | July – August | More people buy seasonal goods; ports get crowded; delivery takes longer because of too many shipments. |
Golden Week | October 1-7 | Before the holiday, factories rush; after, things are slow; not enough trucks or ships, so delays happen; book early. |
Black Friday & Cyber Monday | Late November – Early December | Lots of orders; not enough trucks or planes; shipping costs go up; deliveries take longer; last-mile delivery is hard. |
End of Year Holiday Season | December | More gifts and winter goods are shipped; supply chain problems; bad weather can cause even more delays. |
Weather Issues
Bad weather can slow down your deliveries. Storms, snow, and floods can close ports. High winds can block roads and stop flights. When this happens, packages may wait in warehouses or on ships. Sometimes, weather can even hurt the packaging or the products.
Ports and trucks get delayed by storms and floods.
Closed roads make it hard for trucks to deliver.
Rail and air shipments also get slowed by bad weather.
Long waits can hurt product quality if packaging is weak.
Smart dropshippers use strong packaging and watch weather news. You can ask your supplier to pick carriers that handle weather problems well.
If your tracking shows a delay, check the news for weather in China or your country. This helps you tell your customers why their package is late.
Tracking Tools & Tips
Best Tracking Sites
If you have a dropshipping business, you want to track package shipments from China easily. There are many tracking sites and apps that can help you. Here are some of the best ones:
17Track: You can track up to 40 packages at one time. It works with over 700 carriers around the world.
Parcels App: You can use it on your phone or computer. This means you can check updates anywhere you go.
Ship24: This site connects to more than 1,200 shipping carriers. It also supports many different languages.
PackageRadar: It is easy to use. It tracks shipments from big Chinese e-commerce sites like Wish and AliExpress.
You only need your tracking number to get updates on these sites. If you use a dropshipping agent like dailyfulfill, you often get tracking numbers and updates sent to your dashboard.
Tip: Try out a few tracking sites. See which one gives you the fastest and most accurate updates for your orders.
Reliable Shipping Choices
Picking the right shipping method is important for your dropshipping store. Here are some things to think about:
Think about your product’s size, weight, and value. Small, cheap items work well with postal services. Expensive goods need express shipping.
Do not always pick the cheapest shipping. Sometimes, paying a little more means your package arrives faster and safer.
Make sure the shipping method offers door-to-door service. This is helpful if your customers live far away.
Test different shipping options when it is not busy. This helps you find out which ones are the most reliable.
Always choose shipping with tracking and insurance for expensive items.
Many dropshippers trust dailyfulfill. They offer good shipping choices, tracking, and help with customs clearance. This helps you avoid problems and keeps your customers happy.
Platform | User Rating | Key Comments |
|---|---|---|
17Track | 4.5/5 | Accurate tracking, some delays reported |
Ship24 | 4.5/5 | Excellent service, supports many carriers |
Parcels App | 4.5/5 | Easy to use, works well on mobile |
PackageRadar | 4.5/5 | Simple, covers many Chinese e-commerce platforms |
If Tracking Fails
Sometimes, tracking information does not update or goes missing. Here are some steps you can take:
Check your tracking number again to make sure it is correct.
Wait one or two days. Tracking updates can be slow, especially after customs checks.
Some packages stop updating after they leave China. You may only see updates when the package gets to your country.
Contact your seller or dropshipping agent to make sure the package was shipped. Ask them for proof.
If your package is with a local carrier like USPS, use their website or call them with your tracking number.
If tracking says “delivery failed,” contact the carrier quickly. You can set up a new delivery or pick up your package.
Note: Delays can happen because of customs, busy ports, or bad weather. Always tell your customers if you notice any problems.
By following this article, you’ve mastered the basics of tracking packages from China and the precautions to take. Efficient tracking not only improves customer satisfaction but also makes your store more competitive.
If you encounter further questions during operation, please contact DailyFulfill. We’ll provide reliable solutions and practical support to ensure smoother order fulfillment.
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