# Cainiao Tracking: How to Track Your Package

> Track your Cainiao parcel. Enter your Cainiao tracking number for real-time delivery status on Alibaba logistics and AliExpress international shipments.

- **URL**: https://trackingadvice.com/carriers/cainiao/
- **Carrier website**: http://global.cainiao.com/
- **Region**: asia
- **Last verified**: 2026-04-11

Cainiao Network (菜鸟网络) is Alibaba Group's smart logistics subsidiary, the backbone of AliExpress and Alibaba's global e-commerce ecosystem. When you order from AliExpress, Taobao, or Tmall Global and see 'Cainiao' as the logistics provider, your parcel is being handled by the world's largest e-commerce logistics network. This guide explains how to track your Cainiao parcel and understand the various shipping products within the Cainiao ecosystem.

## Quick facts

| Fact | Detail |
| --- | --- |
| Cainiao Network is Alibaba Group's | Cainiao Network is Alibaba Group's logistics arm, providing tracking and delivery services for AliExpress, Taobao, and Alibaba ecosystem orders. |
| Tracking | Tracking numbers vary by product and carrier but Cainiao consolidates tracking across Alibaba's carrier partners. |
| Cainiao operates a global logistics | Cainiao operates a global logistics network connecting Chinese sellers with buyers worldwide through air and surface mail partnerships. |

## Cainiao Tracking Number Formats

| Service | Format | Example | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Cainiao Standard / Super Economy | 18-20 alphanumeric characters, starts with LP | LP894106589032648021 | Most common format. LP prefix followed by 16-18 digits. |
| Cainiao Super Economy (CN suffix variant) | 20 alphanumeric characters, starts with LP, ends with CN | LP9460364935673925CN | Ends with country code CN for China origin. |
| General alphanumeric | 10-20 alphanumeric characters, typically 2 capital letters + numeric sequence | LP12345678901234 | Standard Cainiao format per tracking platforms. |

## How to Track a Cainiao Package

1. **Track your Cainiao parcel at cainiao.com or directly within the AliExpress app by opening your order and clicking 'Track Order'. The Cainiao tracking page shows all scan events from the origin warehouse through international transit, customs, and final delivery**: Track your Cainiao parcel at cainiao.com or directly within the AliExpress app by opening your order and clicking 'Track Order'. The Cainiao tracking page shows all scan events from the origin warehouse through international transit, customs, and final delivery.
2. **For the last-mile delivery stage, tracking may transfer to a local carrier's tracking system (e.g., USPS for the USA, Royal Mail for the UK). The AliExpress app provides integrated real-time notifications**: For the last-mile delivery stage, tracking may transfer to a local carrier's tracking system (e.g., USPS for the USA, Royal Mail for the UK). The AliExpress app provides integrated real-time notifications.
3. **Find your Cainiao tracking number**: Locate your Cainiao tracking number on your shipping confirmation email, order receipt, or shipping label.
4. **Go to the tracking page**: Visit https://global.cainiao.com/detail.htm and enter your tracking number in the search field.

## Cainiao Tracking Statuses Explained

| Status | Meaning | What to do |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Received by logistics company | Cainiao has accepted the package from the seller and registered it in the system. |  |
| Processing at sorting center | The package is being sorted at a Cainiao facility for routing to the appropriate outbound channel. |  |
| Departed from sorting center | The package has left the sorting facility and is moving toward the export hub. |  |
| Arrived at departure transport hub | The package has reached the main outbound hub in the origin country. |  |
| Hand over to airline | The package has been transferred to an airline for international air freight transit. |  |
| Export customs clearance started | The package has entered export customs processing in the origin country. |  |

## Cainiao Shipping Services Compared

| Option | Best for | Main tradeoff | Typical cost |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| AliExpress Standard Shipping | Everyday shipping | 15-40 days | Quote-based |
| Cainiao Super Economy | Everyday shipping | Transit times vary by route | Quote-based |
| Cainiao Premium (faster options) | Everyday shipping | 7-15 days | Quote-based |
| Cainiao Warehouse Fulfilment | Everyday shipping | Transit times vary by route | Quote-based |
| Cross-border B2B logistics | Everyday shipping | Transit times vary by route | Quote-based |

## Cainiao Delivery Times by Service

| Service | Time | Geography | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| AliExpress Standard Shipping to USA | 15-40 days |  | 15-40 business days |
| To UK/Europe | 15-35 days |  | 15-35 business days |
| To Australia | 15-35 days |  | 15-35 business days |
| Cainiao Premium (faster options) | 7-15 days |  | 7-15 business days |

## Common Cainiao Tracking Problems

| Issue | Cause | What to do | When to escalate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Tracking not updating for 24-48 hours | Label generated but package not yet physically received by Cainiao, or scan data is delayed syncing to the tracking system. | Allow 48 hours after the shipping date shown in your order. Confirm with the seller that the package was physically handed over. | If no movement after 7 days, contact the seller or Cainiao support via global.cainiao.com. |
| Tracking stops updating after handoff to local carrier | When Cainiao transfers the package to a local last-mile carrier, tracking events depend on that carrier's scanning infrastructure and data-sharing agreements. | Note the local carrier name shown in tracking (e.g., USPS, Royal Mail) and track using that carrier's own website with the same tracking number. | If the local carrier shows no updates after 10 business days, contact both Cainiao support and the local carrier. |
| Customs clearance taking longer than expected | Import customs may require additional documentation, duty payment, or the package was selected for inspection. | Check if a customs duty notice has been sent to your email or to the destination address. Pay any outstanding fees promptly. | If no update for more than 15 business days in customs, contact the destination country's customs authority directly. |
| Tracking number not found | The number may be incorrect, or the shipment data has not yet propagated (can take up to 24 hours after label creation). | Verify the number starts with LP (or per Cainiao's format) and contains 10-20 characters. Try again after 24 hours. | Contact the seller if the number remains invalid after 48 hours. |

## Cainiao Tracking FAQs

### How do I track my Cainiao / AliExpress parcel?

Go to cainiao.com or open your AliExpress order and click 'Track Order' for real-time updates.

### Why has my Cainiao tracking not updated for 2 weeks?

Tracking gaps of 5-15 days are common during air transit from China. Track on the destination country's postal site once the parcel arrives.

### How long does Cainiao / AliExpress Standard Shipping take?

AliExpress Standard Shipping typically takes 15-40 business days to the USA or Europe.

### My Cainiao parcel is stuck at customs. What should I do?

Customs holds can last 1-14 days. Import duties may apply for the USA and EU. Contact AliExpress customer service if the hold exceeds 2 weeks.

### What is the difference between Cainiao and China Post?

Cainiao is Alibaba's logistics platform that often uses China Post or other carriers for physical transport. Cainiao provides the tracking system; the physical carrier may be China Post or another partner.

## Get Help from Cainiao

- **Help**: http://global.cainiao.com/

## About Cainiao

Cainiao Network was founded in 2013 as a joint venture between Alibaba Group and partners including SF Express and other Chinese logistics companies. Alibaba later became the majority shareholder. Cainiao has grown to become one of the world's largest logistics platforms, processing over 100 million packages per day during peak periods. The company operates 3,000+ warehouses globally and partners with hundreds of airlines, postal operators, and last-mile carriers to deliver packages to over 200 countries.

## Sources

- [Cainiao official tracking page](https://global.cainiao.com/detail.htm), Cainiao
- [Cainiao official website](http://global.cainiao.com/), Cainiao