When ordering from a Chinese seller, you often see several shipping options — China Post, ePacket, Cainiao. Which should you choose? The right answer depends on your budget, how quickly you need the parcel, and how important detailed tracking is to you. Let's break down every option in detail.
China Post Registered Mail
The classic trackable option from China's state postal service. The parcel travels by regular airmail and is handed over to the local carrier in the destination country — USPS in the USA, Royal Mail in the UK, Deutsche Post in Germany, and so on.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Delivery time | 20–50 days |
| Cost | Free or from $1 |
| Tracking format | RA/RB/RC + 8 digits + CN |
| Tracking | Key milestones only |
| Max weight | 2 kg |
The main limitation of China Post Registered Mail is sparse tracking: you typically see departure from China, arrival in the destination country, and delivery — with nothing in between. For a parcel that takes 40 days, that means weeks of silence. This is normal behaviour, not a lost parcel.
ePacket (China Post Priority Mail)
An upgraded version of China Post for lightweight parcels — up to 2 kg. Priority customs handling, typically 7–14 days faster than regular airmail. ePacket is a cooperation between China Post and postal operators in about 40 countries including the USA, UK, Australia, Canada and most of Europe.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Delivery time | 12–25 days |
| Cost | $2–8 |
| Tracking format | EE/EA + 8 digits + CN |
| Tracking | Detailed, each country |
| Max weight | 2 kg |
Tip: ePacket is the best choice for most purchases under 2 kg. Faster than China Post, cheaper than DHL, and you get full tracking at every milestone including customs clearance.
ePacket tracking numbers start with EE or EA followed by 8 digits and CN. If you see this format, Trackora will automatically detect it and show you the full route across both the Chinese and destination-country postal networks.
Cainiao (AliExpress Logistics)
Alibaba's own logistics network, operating through partner companies worldwide. Cainiao is what you're using when AliExpress shows 'AliExpress Standard Shipping' or 'AliExpress Premium Shipping' at checkout — these are Cainiao services under a branded name.
| Tier | Timeframe | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Cainiao Super Economy | 30–60 days | Free |
| Cainiao Standard | 15–30 days | $2–5 |
| Cainiao Premium | 7–15 days | $8–20 |
Cainiao's key advantage over China Post is end-to-end tracking visibility. The parcel doesn't 'disappear' when it leaves China — Cainiao maintains tracking continuity through their last-mile partner in the destination country. This is why many AliExpress buyers prefer it for mid-range purchases where full visibility matters but express fees are not justified.
Cainiao tracking numbers typically start with LP, CNGD, or a long numeric string. The Cainiao tracking portal and Trackora both support these formats without any manual carrier selection.
DHL / FedEx / UPS from China
Express shipping for those who can't wait or are sending high-value goods. Real-time detailed tracking updated every few hours, door-to-door courier service, and dedicated customs brokerage. This is the standard for business shipments and urgent personal orders.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Delivery time | 3–7 days |
| Cost | $20–50 and up |
| Tracking | Detailed, real-time |
| Customs | Broker assistance included |
DHL Express and FedEx International Priority are the fastest options, typically delivering door to door in 3–5 business days. Both services include customs clearance assistance, which means fewer delays at the border compared to postal services where the receiver is responsible for customs.
How to Track Each Service on Trackora
Trackora automatically detects the carrier from the tracking number format in the vast majority of cases. You can simply paste the number and press Track — no need to select a carrier manually. Here is what each format looks like:
- China Post Registered Mail: RA123456789CN, RB123456789CN
- ePacket: EE123456789CN, EA123456789CN
- Cainiao / AliExpress Standard: LP123456789CN, CNGD123456789YQ
- DHL Express: 10-digit number starting with 1, or JD123456789
- FedEx: 12 or 15-digit number
- UPS: 1Z followed by 16 characters
What to Do If Tracking Is Stuck
A parcel that stops updating is not necessarily lost. Each service has predictable silent periods:
- China Post Registered Mail: silence of 2–4 weeks in transit is normal — the parcel is in the air or at a sorting hub
- ePacket: if silent for more than 10 days after 'Departed China', contact the seller
- Cainiao Standard: typically updates every 2–5 days; silence over 15 days warrants a seller message
- DHL / FedEx: any silence over 3 days is unusual and worth checking with the carrier directly
Summary: which to choose
- Minimum cost, time not critical — China Post Ordinary or Registered Mail
- Best balance of speed, tracking and price — ePacket or Cainiao Standard
- Want reliable end-to-end tracking at moderate cost — Cainiao Premium
- Need it in under a week, budget available — DHL Express or FedEx
Note: Avoid China Post Ordinary Mail (unregistered) for anything valuable — there is no tracking at all, and claims for lost parcels are almost impossible to file without a tracking number.