# China Post Tracking: Complete Guide

> Track China Post registered airmail, EMS, and international packages. Get real-time status for parcels sent from or to China via China Post.

- **URL**: https://trackingadvice.com/carriers/china-post/
- **Carrier website**: http://yjcx.chinapost.com.cn/qps/english/yjcx
- **Region**: asia
- **Last verified**: 2026-04-18

China Post (中国邮政) is China's national postal operator, operated by the State Post Bureau (now merged into China Post Group Corporation) since 1949. As one of the world's largest postal networks, China Post operates 54,000+ outlets and delivers to all 1.4 billion Chinese residents. China Post is the default export postal service for millions of Chinese e-commerce sellers on platforms like AliExpress, Taobao, and DHgate. EMS (Express Mail Service) is China Post's fastest international service. Track at ems.com.cn or 11183.cn.

## Quick facts

| Fact | Detail |
| --- | --- |
| China Post EMS tracking | China Post EMS tracking uses UPU S10 format ending in 'CN' (e.g., EB123456789CN). |
| China Post ordinary registered | China Post ordinary registered airmail (e-Packet / China Post Air Mail) uses the same format. |
| EMS from China is | EMS from China is the fastest postal service, reaching 120+ countries in 3-15 days. |
| ePacket is a popular | ePacket is a popular low-cost tracked service for small e-commerce packages to select countries. |

## China Post Tracking Number Formats

| Service | Format | Example | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| character | R + 1 letter + 9 digits + CN |  | For registered tracked packets up to 2 kg. R prefix. |
| character | L + 1 letter + 9 digits + CN |  | Common for small e-commerce parcels from China. L prefix. |
| character | CP + 9 digits + CN |  | For larger parcels. CP prefix. |
| character | E + 1 letter + 9 digits + CN |  | EMS express service. E prefix, ends in CN. |
| character | CT + 9 digits + CN |  | CT prefix for China International Express service. |
| character | U + alphanumeric + CN |  | Unregistered packets; limited or no tracking milestones. |

## How to Track a China Post Package

1. **Get your tracking number from the China Post receipt or the seller's order page**: Get your tracking number from the China Post receipt or the seller's order page.
2. **Open https://www.ems.com.cn/mailquery.html or https://track.ems.com.cn**: Go to https://www.ems.com.cn/mailquery.html or https://track.ems.com.cn.
3. **Enter the EMS tracking number**: Enter the EMS tracking number.
4. **View the delivery status and scan history**: View the delivery status and scan history.
5. **For international tracking, also check the destination country's postal service website**: For international tracking, also check the destination country's postal service website.

## China Post Tracking Statuses Explained

| Status | Meaning | What to do |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Acceptance | The package has been received by China Post at the origin post office and registered in the system. |  |
| Departure from origin post office | The package has left the originating post office and is heading to a sorting facility. |  |
| Arrived at sorting center | The package has arrived at a China Post sorting hub for routing toward its destination. |  |
| Departure from sorting center | The package has been sorted and has departed toward the next transit point or international gateway. |  |
| Customs clearance started (export) | The package is being processed by Chinese export customs before leaving the country. |  |
| Handed over to airline | The package has been transferred to an airline for international air transport. |  |

## China Post Shipping Services Compared

| Option | Best for | Main tradeoff | Typical cost |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| EMS (Express Mail Service) | Everyday shipping | Transit times vary by route | Quote-based |
| Registered Airmail | Everyday shipping | 10-30 days | Quote-based |
| ePacket | Everyday shipping | 7-20 days | Quote-based |
| SAL (Surface Air Lifted) | Everyday shipping | Transit times vary by route | Quote-based |
| Small Packet | Everyday shipping | Transit times vary by route | Quote-based |

## China Post Delivery Times by Service

| Service | Time | Geography | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| EMS (China to USA) | 3-7 days |  | 3-7 business days |
| EMS (China to Europe) | 5-10 days |  | 5-10 business days |
| EMS (China to Australia) | 5-10 days |  | 5-10 business days |
| ePacket (to USA) | 7-20 days |  | 7-20 business days |
| Registered Airmail | 10-30 days |  | 10-30 business days (varies greatly by destination) |
| SAL |  |  | 3-6 weeks |

## Common China Post Tracking Problems

| Issue | Cause | What to do | When to escalate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| No tracking updates for 1-2 weeks after acceptance | China Post surface mail and economy packets may have infrequent scans, especially between departure and arrival in the destination country. | For economy services (ePacket, unregistered), allow 3-8 weeks for international delivery. Air mail should update within 7-10 days. | If no update for more than 30 days for air mail or 90 days for surface mail, contact China Post or the seller. |
| Tracking stops after 'Handed over to airline' | No scans occur during international flight. The next update appears when the package arrives in the destination country. | Wait for the 'Arrived at destination country' scan. This can take 5-14 days depending on the destination. | If no destination scan after 30 days, request the sender to file an inquiry with China Post. |
| Customs duties or taxes demanded in destination country | Import duties apply when the declared value exceeds the destination country's de minimis threshold. | Pay the required duties through the notification from the destination postal operator or customs authority. Keep the customs reference number. | If the duty demand seems incorrect, contact the destination country's customs authority to dispute or clarify. |
| Suspicious or fraudulent tracking number | Fake tracking numbers do not end in CN, do not contain 13 characters, or show no records at all. | Verify the number ends in CN and contains exactly 13 characters. Try the number on China Post's official tracking site at chinapost.com.cn. | If you believe the tracking number is fraudulent, contact the seller or marketplace platform for a refund or dispute. |

## China Post Tracking FAQs

### How do I track a China Post EMS package?

Go to ems.com.cn and enter your EMS number (e.g., EB123456789CN). You can also check on the destination country's postal website once it arrives.

### What is the China Post tracking number format?

China Post EMS uses UPU S10 format: 2 letters + 8 digits + check digit + 'CN' (e.g., EB123456789CN). Registered airmail uses prefixes like RR, RC.

### What is ePacket from China Post?

ePacket is a low-cost tracked postal service for small e-commerce packages (under 2 kg) from China to select countries, offering better tracking than unregistered airmail.

### How long does China Post EMS take to the USA?

China Post EMS typically reaches the USA in 3-7 business days, though customs may add 1-5 additional days.

### Why is my China Post tracking stuck at 'Exported'?

Once the item leaves China, tracking updates depend on the destination postal service. Check the destination country's postal website (e.g., USPS for the USA) for continued tracking.

### What is the difference between EMS and registered airmail from China?

EMS is the fastest (3-15 days), more expensive, and fully tracked. Registered airmail is slower (10-30+ days), cheaper, and has fewer tracking events.

### How long does registered airmail from China take?

China Post registered airmail typically takes 10-30 business days internationally, though some destinations may take longer depending on customs and local delivery.

### How do I file a claim for a lost China Post international parcel?

File an inquiry at ems.com.cn within 6 months of mailing. Provide the tracking number, sender/recipient details, and description of contents.

### Can I track my China Post parcel on the destination country's website?

Yes. For EMS and registered items, you can track on the destination country's postal service website (e.g., USPS.com for USA, royalmail.com for UK) once the item arrives.

### Does China Post deliver on Saturdays?

In most Chinese cities, China Post delivers Monday-Saturday. Rural areas may have reduced services. No standard Sunday delivery.

## Get Help from China Post

- **Hours**: Mon-Fri 8 AM-6 PM
- **Help**: http://yjcx.chinapost.com.cn/qps/english/yjcx

## About China Post

China Post Group Corporation (中国邮政集团有限公司) is a state-owned enterprise formed in 2007 following the corporatisation of China's postal administration. The group operates China Post (letters and parcels), China Post Savings Bank (one of China's largest banks), and China Post Life Insurance. China Post handles billions of domestic and international mail pieces annually and operates the Universal Postal Service for all Chinese addresses. The EMS brand is China Post's international express product.

## Sources

- [China Post EMS tracking](https://ems.com.cn/), China Post EMS
- [China Post official website](https://www.chinapost.com.cn/), China Post