AliExpress Order Tracking: Complete Shipping Guide

How to Track Your AliExpress Order

Tracking your AliExpress order is straightforward once you know where to look. Every order placed on AliExpress gets a tracking number — though it may take a few days after the seller ships your item before tracking information becomes available.

There are two main ways to check your order status: through the AliExpress app or website directly, and through third-party tracking services. Both methods work, but they show slightly different information depending on the shipping carrier involved.

Most new AliExpress shoppers get confused when they see unfamiliar carrier names like Cainiao, Yanwen, or ePacket. These are all legitimate shipping services that handle millions of packages from China every month. Understanding which carrier is handling your package helps you know what to expect in terms of delivery time and tracking updates.

If you have been waiting for tracking to update and nothing has changed in days, do not panic. This is completely normal with international shipping from China. Updates often stall when a package is in transit between countries or waiting to clear customs.

Step-by-Step: Tracking on AliExpress

Using the AliExpress App

1. Open the AliExpress app and tap on "My Orders" in the bottom navigation bar
2. Find your order in the list — active orders appear at the top
3. Tap "Track" next to the order you want to check
4. View the timeline — you will see a step-by-step progress from "Order placed" to "Delivered"

The app gives you the most user-friendly view of your tracking. It shows a map with the estimated location of your package and a timeline of events. It also shows the estimated delivery date, which AliExpress calculates based on the shipping method and destination.

Using the AliExpress Website

1. Log in to your AliExpress account at aliexpress.com
2. Click your profile icon in the top right corner
3. Select "My Orders" from the dropdown
4. Click "Track Order" next to the relevant order
5. Review tracking details — the page shows the carrier name, tracking number, and timeline

The website version gives you the tracking number directly, which you can copy and paste into third-party tracking services for more detailed information. This is especially useful when AliExpress tracking seems stuck or does not show enough detail.

Copying Your Tracking Number

Your tracking number is the key to tracking your package across any service. To find it:

• On the order details page, look for "Logistics tracking number" or "Tracking ID"
• The number is usually 13-20 characters long (e.g., LP00123456789012 or RX123456789CN)
• Some orders have multiple tracking numbers if items ship from different warehouses

Start Saving on AliExpress Today

Open Bot in Telegram

Understanding AliExpress Shipping Carriers

Cainiao (菜鸟)

Cainiao is Alibaba's logistics platform and the most common carrier you will see on AliExpress orders. It is not a shipping company itself — it is a logistics network that coordinates between multiple carriers. Cainiao Smart Shipping, Cainiao Super Economy, and Cainiao Saver Shipping are all variations.

What to expect with Cainiao:

• Tracking accuracy: Good. Updates every 1-3 days on average
• Delivery time: 15-45 days depending on the specific service tier
• Cainiao Super Economy: The slowest and cheapest option, often 30-60 days
• Cainiao Standard: Middle ground, usually 15-30 days
• Tracking website: global.cainiao.com — paste your tracking number here for the most detailed updates

Cainiao tracking often shows "Handed over to airline" or "Departed country of origin" for several days. This is the international transit phase where updates are sparse. Once the package arrives in your country, tracking resumes with your local postal service.

Yanwen (燕文)

Yanwen is one of the largest cross-border logistics companies in China. If your order ships via Yanwen Economic Air Mail or Yanwen Special Line, you are using this carrier.

What to expect with Yanwen:

• Tracking accuracy: Moderate. Updates can be delayed 3-5 days
• Delivery time: 20-40 days typically
• Handoff: Yanwen handles the China side, then transfers to your local postal service
• Tracking website: track.yanwen.com.cn — gives Chinese-side tracking details

Yanwen packages often appear "stuck" for a week or more during international transit. This is normal. Once the package clears customs in your country, your local post office tracking takes over.

ePacket

ePacket was created as a partnership between China Post and USPS (for US-bound packages) and similar arrangements with other countries. It became the go-to shipping method for small, lightweight packages from China.

What to expect with ePacket:

• Tracking accuracy: Good. End-to-end tracking with updates from both China and destination country
• Delivery time: 10-20 days to the US, 15-30 days to Europe
• Weight limit: Usually under 2kg
• Tracking: Works on your local postal service website (USPS, Royal Mail, etc.)

ePacket is one of the better options for tracking because it integrates with local postal services. You get tracking updates from China Post initially, then from USPS, Royal Mail, or your local equivalent once the package arrives in your country.

China Post / China Post Registered Air Mail

China Post is the national postal service of China. "China Post Registered Air Mail" means your package has a tracking number and is sent via air. "China Post Ordinary Small Packet" is the economy version with limited or no tracking.

What to expect:

• Registered Air Mail: Full tracking, 15-30 days, tracking number starts with R and ends with CN
• Ordinary Small Packet: Little to no tracking, 30-60 days, cheapest option
• Tracking: 17track.net or your local postal service website

AliExpress Standard Shipping

This is AliExpress's own branded shipping solution. It selects the best available carrier based on your location and the package details. It often uses Cainiao as the backbone.

What to expect:

• Tracking accuracy: Good — AliExpress prioritizes tracking for this service
• Delivery time: 15-30 days on average
• Buyer protection: Full coverage under AliExpress shipping guarantees

Start Saving on AliExpress Today

Open Bot in Telegram

Third-Party Tracking Services

When AliExpress tracking is not detailed enough, these services can help:

17track.net

The most popular universal tracking service for AliExpress packages. It aggregates tracking data from hundreds of carriers worldwide.

How to use it:

1. Go to 17track.net
2. Paste your tracking number
3. Click "Track"
4. View detailed tracking from origin to destination

17track often shows updates that AliExpress does not display, especially once your package enters your destination country.

ParcelsApp

Another excellent universal tracker that supports AliExpress carriers. It offers push notifications when your tracking updates, which is more convenient than manually checking.

AfterShip

Popular for tracking multiple packages at once. You can add all your AliExpress orders and get a dashboard view of every package's status.

Your Local Postal Service

Once your package enters your country, your local postal service website often has the most accurate last-mile tracking:

• USPS (USA): usps.com — works with ePacket and China Post Registered
• Royal Mail (UK): royalmail.com — handles most AliExpress deliveries in the UK
• Canada Post (Canada): canadapost.ca
• Australia Post (Australia): auspost.com.au

Common Tracking Statuses and What They Mean

Understanding tracking statuses saves you from unnecessary worry:

"Information received" / "Shipment information sent to carrier"

The seller has created a shipping label but the package has not been picked up yet. This can last 1-5 days. If it stays here for more than 7 days, contact the seller.

"Accepted by carrier" / "Picked up"

The shipping company has received your package. It is now in the logistics system and will be processed at a sorting facility.

"Departed country of origin" / "In transit to destination"

Your package has left China. This is where tracking often goes silent for 5-15 days. The package is literally on a plane or ship crossing the ocean. No updates are expected during this time.

"Arrived at destination country"

Great news — your package has arrived in your country. Customs processing typically happens next, which can take 1-7 days depending on your country's customs efficiency.

"Customs clearance" / "Held by customs"

Your package is going through customs inspection. Most packages clear within 1-3 days. If held longer, you may need to pay import duties or provide additional documentation.

"Out for delivery"

Your package is on the delivery truck and should arrive today. This status appears once your local postal service has the package and is delivering it to your address.

"Delivered"

Your package has been delivered. If you cannot find it, check with neighbors, your building manager, or any safe place the delivery person might have left it.

What to Do When Tracking Is Not Updating

Wait It Out (7-14 Days)

International shipping tracking gaps are normal. If your tracking has not updated in less than 14 days, it is almost certainly still in transit. Packages travel through multiple countries and sorting facilities, and not all of them scan packages.

Check Multiple Tracking Services

Try tracking your number on all of these:

1. AliExpress order page
2. 17track.net
3. Cainiao tracking (global.cainiao.com)
4. Your local postal service website

Sometimes one service shows updates that others miss.

Contact the Seller

If tracking has not updated in 20+ days:

1. Open the order on AliExpress
2. Click "Contact Seller"
3. Politely ask for a tracking update
4. Sellers can sometimes see internal logistics information that buyers cannot

Open a Dispute

If your buyer protection timer is running out and the package has not arrived:

1. Do not wait until the last day — open a dispute 5-7 days before buyer protection expires
2. Select "Logistics tracking problem" as the reason
3. AliExpress will investigate and either extend protection or issue a refund

This is why tracking your buyer protection deadline is just as important as tracking the package itself.

Start Saving on AliExpress Today

Open Bot in Telegram

Tips for Better Tracking Experience

Choose Better Shipping Methods

When ordering, pay a bit extra for tracked shipping options:

• AliExpress Standard Shipping: Best balance of cost and tracking
• ePacket: Good tracking for small items
• Cainiao Standard: Reliable updates throughout the journey

Avoid "China Post Ordinary Small Packet" if tracking is important to you. The savings are minimal but the tracking is almost nonexistent.

Track Immediately After Shipping

Start tracking your order as soon as you receive the tracking number. This establishes a baseline — you know when the seller actually shipped and can calculate realistic delivery estimates from there.

Use Price Tracking Before You Buy

Before placing your order, use a price tracking tool to make sure you are getting the best deal. Saving money on the product lets you afford better shipping with tracking.

Keep Your Address Updated

Incorrect or incomplete addresses cause delivery failures and return-to-sender situations. Double-check your address on AliExpress includes:

• Full street address with apartment or unit number
• Correct postal/ZIP code
• Phone number (required for many carriers)

Order During Off-Peak Times

Shipping is fastest outside of major sale events. During 11.11 or summer sales, carriers handle massive volume increases which slow everything down. If speed matters more than savings, order during quiet periods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my AliExpress tracking number not work?

New tracking numbers can take 3-7 days to appear in tracking systems. The seller creates the shipping label, but the package must be picked up and scanned by the carrier before tracking activates. Wait a week, then try again on 17track.net.

How long does AliExpress shipping take?

Standard shipping takes 15-45 days depending on the method and destination. AliExpress Standard Shipping averages 15-25 days. Economy options like Cainiao Super Economy can take 30-60 days. Check our shipping time guide for detailed timelines.

Can I change the shipping address after ordering?

Only if the seller has not shipped yet. Contact the seller immediately through AliExpress messaging and ask them to update the address before shipping. Once shipped, the address cannot be changed.

What happens if my package is stuck in customs?

Most packages clear customs in 1-3 days. If held longer, you may receive a notice to pay import duties or provide documentation. Check our customs and duties guide for country-specific rules.

Does AliExpress show real-time tracking?

No. AliExpress tracking shows scanned checkpoints, not real-time GPS location. Updates appear when the package is scanned at sorting facilities, customs, and delivery points. Gaps between updates are normal and do not mean the package is lost.

Start Saving on AliExpress Today

Open Bot in Telegram