China Post – The National Postal Service of China and Its Tracking

The Vast Network Connecting a Nation and the World

 

When you order from China, especially small, inexpensive items, the delivery often begins its journey through China Post (中国邮政). As the official state-owned postal service of the People’s Republic of China, China Post is a colossal organization responsible for all mail and parcel services across the world’s most populous nation.

China Post’s role is not just domestic; it’s a critical gateway for the immense volume of international e-commerce goods that flow out of China daily. It acts as the primary carrier for millions of small packets and parcels destined for every corner of the globe.

 

A Long History and a Modern Mission

 

The history of postal services in China dates back thousands of years, with various forms of imperial and private courier systems. The modern incarnation of China Post has a more recent history:

• 1896: The Imperial Post Office is established, marking the beginning of a modern, unified postal system.
• 1949: Following the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, the postal service comes under state control.
• 2007: China Post Group Corporation is formally established, giving the postal service a more commercial footing while maintaining its public service obligations.

Today, China Post operates an incredibly extensive network of post offices, sorting centers, and transportation routes, reaching every province, city, and town in China. Its scale is simply enormous, reflecting the country’s vast geography and population.

 

Key Services Offered by China Post

 

China Post offers a wide range of services for both domestic and international mail and parcels:

• Domestic Mail and Parcels:
  • Standard Mail/Parcel: For general domestic correspondence and packages.
  • EMS (Express Mail Service): For faster, express domestic delivery.
  • Registered Mail: For secure domestic mail with proof of delivery.
• International Mail and Parcels (Crucial for E-commerce):
  • China Post Ordinary Small Packet Plus: This is the most economical (and often slowest) service, typically used for very low-value items. It often provides very limited tracking (sometimes only showing acceptance in China and then no further updates until delivery, or sometimes no updates at all once it leaves China).
  • China Post Registered Air Mail: A more reliable and slightly faster option for small parcels. It provides a trackable international tracking number (e.g., RF123456789CN) that can be tracked throughout its journey.
  • ePacket (EUB): A popular and often faster option for small, lightweight e-commerce parcels, specifically designed for cross-border e-commerce. It offers end-to-end tracking (e.g., LM123456789CN) and aims for quicker delivery than standard Registered Air Mail to many countries.
  • China Post Air Parcel / Surface Mail: For larger international parcels, with air being faster and surface being very slow but economical.
  • EMS China: For urgent international documents and packages, offering faster delivery and comprehensive tracking.

 

Following Your Package from China: Mastering China Post Tracking

 

Tracking China Post packages, especially international ones, can vary greatly in detail depending on the service level chosen by the sender.

 

How to Track Your China Post Package:

 

1. Find Your China Post Tracking Number:
   • Format:
     • Registered Air Mail: Usually a 13-character alphanumeric code starting with ‘R’ and ending with ‘CN’ (e.g., RX123456789CN).
     • ePacket (EUB): Usually a 13-character alphanumeric code starting with ‘L’ (often ‘LM’ or ‘LS’) and ending with ‘CN’ (e.g., LM123456789CN).
     • EMS China: Usually a 13-character alphanumeric code starting with ‘E’ and ending with ‘CN’ (e.g., EE123456789CN).
     • Ordinary Small Packet Plus: These often have an internal tracking format that only works within China Post’s initial system and doesn’t provide international tracking (e.g., UY123456789CN or similar).
   • Where to find it:
     • Your order details on the e-commerce marketplace (AliExpress, eBay, Wish, etc.).
     • The shipping confirmation email from the seller.
2. Use the Official China Post Tracking Website:
   • Go to track-chinapost.com (a common tracking portal for international shipments, often linking to official data).
   • Enter your tracking number.
   • Click “Track.”
3. Utilize Reputable Third-Party Tracking Sites (Highly Recommended):
   • These are often the best and most reliable option for tracking China Post international shipments, as they integrate with China Post’s system and then seamlessly transition to your local national postal service once the package arrives in your country.
   • Popular options include: 17TRACK, AfterShip, ParcelsApp, Cainiao (for AliExpress orders), etc.
   • Simply paste your China Post tracking number. These platforms are usually very good at auto-detecting the carrier and displaying all available tracking events from both China Post and the subsequent last-mile carrier.

 

Decoding China Post Tracking Statuses:

 

China Post tracking updates, especially for international parcels, provide a journey through various postal hubs.

• “Collection” / “Accepted”: The item has been accepted by China Post from the sender.
• “Opening” / “Dispatching”: The item is being sorted and processed at a China Post facility.
• “Departure from outward office of exchange”: The item has left a major international exchange facility in China (e.g., Guangzhou, Shanghai). This means it’s ready for international transport.
• “Despatch from Sorting Center”: The item has left a sorting center.
• “Arrived at destination country” / “Arrival at Destination Post”: The item has arrived in the destination country (e.g., your country).
• “Handed over to Customs” / “Released from Customs”: The item is undergoing or has cleared customs in the destination country.
• “Delivery to local Post Office” / “Processing in local Post Office”: The item has reached the post office responsible for final delivery.
• “Delivery attempted” / “Out for Delivery”: The item is with the local postal carrier for delivery today.
• “Delivered”: The item has been successfully delivered.

Important Considerations for China Post Tracking:

• Limited Tracking for “Ordinary Small Packet Plus”: For this very cheap service, tracking often stops after “Departure from outward office of exchange.” Don’t expect further updates until (and if) it’s delivered. This service is often not fully trackable in the destination country’s postal system.
• Patience is Paramount: China Post standard services are economical but not fast. Delivery times can range from a few weeks to over two months, especially for Ordinary Small Packet Plus. ePacket is generally faster (10-20 days to many countries).
• Customs Delays: International shipments are always subject to customs clearance, which can cause delays.
• Tracking Number Transition: While your original China Post international tracking number should work, once it arrives in your country, your local postal service might assign an internal tracking number. Third-party trackers are usually good at showing this continuity.

 

The Global Connecter from the East

 

China Post is an indispensable link in the chain of global e-commerce, enabling vast quantities of goods to travel from Chinese factories and sellers to consumers worldwide. While the tracking experience varies by service, understanding how China Post operates and utilizing effective tracking tools empowers you to confidently navigate the journey of your international online purchases.