The Complete Guide to Tracking Your AliExpress Orders
Ordering products online has never been easier thanks to ecommerce sites like AliExpress. With its massive selection of affordable products shipped directly from China, AliExpress has become a go-to marketplace for shoppers around the world.
But what happens after you place your order? How long will it take to arrive? And more importantly, how can you monitor its progress along the way?
Tracking your AliExpress orders is the best way to get real-time delivery updates and peace of mind about your purchases.
This comprehensive guide will teach you everything you need to know about AliExpress order tracking – from finding your tracking number to understanding shipping statuses to troubleshooting issues. Read on to become an AliExpress tracking pro!
Where to Find Your AliExpress Tracking Number
The first step to tracking your AliExpress order is getting your hands on the magical tracking number. This unique series of numbers and letters is assigned to your order shipment and allows you to monitor its journey to your door.
But where exactly can you find this important bit of info? There are two main places to uncover your AliExpress tracking number:
In Your Order Confirmation Email
After the seller ships your order, you’ll receive an official confirmation email from AliExpress with details about your purchase. This includes your order number, items ordered, shipping address, and – you guessed it – the tracking number.
Open the email and scroll down until you see a tracking number listed, usually under a “View Delivery Status” button. Copy or note down this series of characters so you can begin tracing your delivery.
If for some reason you can’t find the tracking number in the email, don’t worry. There’s still another way to access it…
On Your AliExpress Account Order Details Page
You can also retrieve tracking information through your AliExpress account.
- Log into your AliExpress account
- Click on “My Orders”
- Select the order you want to track
- Look for the tracking number under shipment details
- Copy it down so you can enter it into a tracking website
This number usually appears a few days after the seller has marked your item as shipped.
Got your number? Great! Now let’s dive into how to actually use it…
How to Track Your Order on the AliExpress Website?
Armed with your AliExpress tracking number, you can easily follow your delivery progress right on the AliExpress platform:
- Log into your AliExpress account if you aren’t already
- Click on “My Orders” in the top toolbar
- Locate the order you want and click on “Tracking Number/View Delivery Status”
- This will open a tracking results pop-up with the latest shipment status
- Click “View detailed tracking info” to see a delivery timeline
Pretty straightforward, right?
AliExpress tracking will show you each step of your order’s shipping route. It starts from the seller dispatching it, to the courier picking it up, to it arriving in your country, through customs clearance, out for delivery, and finally delivered.
Along the way you’ll see frequent status updates like “Departed country of origin postal office”, “Arrived in destination country”, and the glorious “Out for delivery today.
Some buyers however prefer expanding their tracking beyond the AliExpress universe. Let’s talk about why you may want to utilize third party tracking sites too…
Tracking Your Order Status with a Third Party Website
Sites like Parcels App and Postal Ninja are dedicated delivery tracking services that provide enhanced features beyond AliExpress’s own tracking capabilities.
Here are some of the upsides to using these platforms:
- Support 1000s of global couriers in one place
- Translate confusing shipping terminology
- Offer email/SMS notifications when package status changes
- Allow parcel tracking anonymously without accounts
- Track multiple numbers simultaneously
- Access search history easily
- Have mobile apps for on-the-go tracking
- Integrate with ecommerce stores seamlessly
These universal tracking services essentially act as delivery command centers – compiling updates from couriers worldwide into one easy-to-use dashboard for you.
Their benefit comes into play if your AliExpress seller does not provide tracking info or hands your order off to your local postal service like USPS for last mile delivery. The original AliExpress tracking won’t cover this final stretch, but third party sites provide visibility up until the very moment the mail carrier drops the parcel at your address.
So if you want robust, start-to-finish visibility, try plugging your tracking number into Parcels or Postal Ninja as well.
Now that you know where to track let’s break down the intricacies of the tracking number itself…
Understanding AliExpress Tracking Number Formats
Not all tracking numbers are created equal. AliExpress sellers utilize various shipping companies to fulfill orders and each carrier assigns tracking IDs differently.
This means the format can vary, but there are some common patterns to be aware of.
Many AliExpress tracking numbers will start with two letters – often LP, YT, or ZA – followed by a string of numbers mixed with extra letters.
For example:
LP00344507128685YT123456789123ZA1245234227HK
Some also end with a two letter country code like CN for China or SG for Singapore.
Additionally, longer tracking codes containing over 14-16 digits starting with numbers rather than letters can indicate China Post Registered Air mail.
So in your AliExpress travels you may encounter tracking numbers resembling:
154278952345
AA123456789CN
F12343746ER34576
Learning to recognize anomalies in formats for your go-to carriers can help identify when an invalid tracking number has been entered so you can obtain the correct one from the seller.
Now what if you have a properly formatted tracking ID but still keep getting frustrating “not found” messages? Let’s troubleshoot…
What to Do if Tracking Shows “Not Found”
Ah, the dreaded “Tracking number not found” error message. There’s nothing more exasperating than eagerly entering your tracking code only to be confronted with tracking purgatory.
Before ripping your hair out, take a deep breath and consider a few reasons why tracking might not be initializing:
The Order Has Not Been Processed by the Seller
While eager sellers may mark items shipped quickly, processing orders fully and handing off to carriers can take 1-4 days. Be patient and try tracking again after some time passes.
There Are Typos in the Tracking Number
Double check that the tracking number entered matches exactly with the one provided by AliExpress or the seller. A single mistaken letter or misplaced number can mean the difference between tracking success and perpetual lack-of-results limbo.
The Courier Records Have Not Updated
Even with a 100% accurate tracking code, it make take a few days for the delivery companies’ systems to register the number and initialize tracking. Give it 1-3 days after getting the tracking number for the records to populate across carriers’ databases. Frustrating but worth allowing a buffer period!
If you’ve triple checked for typos and allowed adequate initializing time, reach out to your seller for clarification or additional tracking support if the status remains stagnantly “not found”.
Now let’s dive into another common tracking frustration – weirdly stale delivery progress…
Typical Tracking Update Frequency
You finally get your tracking number entered successfully only to be faced with…no updates day after day. What gives?
AliExpress tracking information generally refreshes every 24-48 hours. However delays can occur for these reasons:
- Backlogs at logistics sorting centers
- Packages temporarily stuck in one location
- Weather or other transportation disruptions
- Holiday delivery crunches slowing processes
Be patient for an extra few days when facing tracking inertia. But after 4+ days with zero progress, you can try contacting your seller or opening a dispute regarding your AWOL order.
Speaking of delivery efficiency, shipping method plays a significant role in tracking timeliness…
Shipping Methods and Impact on Tracking
One of the great benefits of AliExpress is the option to select shipping modes best suited to your budget and needs. However, it’s important to note each AliExpress delivery type will impact tracking behavior and delivery speed.
Let’s break down key distinguishing factors:
ePacket
Part of the China Postal Service’s efforts to provide reliable international delivery, ePacket offers speedy delivery times of just 7-20 days to major AliExpress markets like the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Russia, and throughout Europe.
ePacket rates are higher than other methods but provide reliable end-to-end tracking until final destination arrival. This express-style option is great for customers wanting reliable tracking and shipping reassurance.
AliExpress Standard Shipping
AliExpress Standard Shipping is one of the most popular choices for its balance of affordable rates and included tracking. Estimated delivery times range widely from 15-60 days depending on destination, size, and external hiccups like customs checks.
Its economical price tag makes it a popular choice despite slower and less predictable delivery than faster services.
AliExpress Premium Shipping
Premium Shipping gets your goods delivered in a speedy 7-14 days thanks to utilization of major global couriers like DHL, FedEx, and UPS. Costs more than Standard but offers elevated delivery speeds.
Routing through recognized logistics leaders means exceptional visibility from warehouse to doorstep. The premium rate balances quick arrival with comprehensively tracked movement.
Other Shipping Options
Additionally, AliExpress transportation choices like China Post Air Mail and Cainiao Super Economy can have limited or no tracking at all. These budget-friendly options trade lower costs for minimal tracking visibility.
Keep tracking consequences in mind when selecting your preferred shipping methods. Paying attention to carriers and delivery times upfront prevents surprise later!
Now let’s switch gears to addressing issues when things go wrong…
What to Do If Order is Lost or Delayed?
Despite the most meticulous tracking efforts, packages sometimes get waylaid along their journey.
If your order is severely delayed or suspected to be lost based on sketchy tracking, it’s best to contact your seller right away and report the problem.
Provide your order details and explain the issues you are experiencing with tracking updates to explain the situation.
In some cases the seller can contact delivery companies directly to uncover more specifics on your shipment status. They can also initiate the process of rerouting or replacing your order if needed.
If the tracking irregularities persist and seller communication proves unsuccessful, you may need to open an official dispute through AliExpress at the following link:
Here you can report order concerns, request refunds from undelivered goods, and more.
AliExpress staff can apply additional pressure to particularly unresponsive or difficult sellers. They may also issue refunds if local tracking shows no order receipt within buyer protection timeframes.
So try resolving tracking troubles directly with sellers first, but know AliExpress dispute resolution has your back secondarily if needed!
Conclusion
Tracking deliveries is essential for online purchase peace of mind. By understanding how to track AliExpress orders, unlocking your unique tracking number, frequently checking statuses, allowing for updates delays, noting shipping impacts, and contacting seller or AliExpress support when concerned, you can take control of your delivery destiny!
Consistently and proactively tracking orders reduces anxieties around purchases made across language and distance barriers. Instead of crossing your fingers hoping items arrive someday, precise tracking grants delivery transparency – an invaluable asset to any savvy international online shopper.
So implement these AliExpress tracking tips and tricks and breathe easy knowing exactly where your packages are at all times!
