How to Track Your AliExpress Order in 2026 (Step by Step)

How to Track Your AliExpress Order in 2026 (Step by Step)

Quick answer: Go to My Orders on AliExpress, tap the order, and click "Track Order" to see your tracking timeline. Your tracking number appears on the order detail page after the seller ships. For more detailed updates — especially after the package enters your country — paste the tracking number into 17TRACK or Parcelsapp. If tracking has not updated for 15+ days, check a third-party tracker before worrying. If it has been 30+ days with no movement, extend buyer protection or open a dispute.

You placed your AliExpress order, got the "order shipped" notification, and now you want to know where your package actually is. The tracking system on AliExpress works, but it has quirks that confuse first-time and experienced buyers alike: tracking numbers that do not work for the first few days, status updates that suddenly stop for weeks, and handoffs between carriers that create information gaps.

This guide walks through the entire tracking process — where to find your tracking number, how to read it, what every status means, what to do when updates stop, and which tools give you better visibility than AliExpress alone.

Where to find your tracking number

Your tracking number becomes available after the seller ships your order. This typically takes 1-7 business days after payment, depending on the seller's stated processing time.

On the AliExpress app (mobile)

1. Open the AliExpress app
2. Tap "Account" at the bottom right
3. Tap "My Orders"
4. Find the order and tap on it
5. The tracking number and "Track Order" button appear on the order detail page

On the AliExpress website (desktop)

1. Log in to AliExpress.com
2. Hover over your profile icon and click "My Orders"
3. Find the order and click "Track Order" or click the order itself
4. The tracking number is listed on the order detail page along with the shipping carrier name

If you do not see a tracking number yet: The seller may have marked the order as "shipped" but the carrier has not scanned the package yet. This is normal — give it 3-5 days. Some sellers generate a shipping label immediately (which triggers the "shipped" notification) but do not hand the package to the carrier until later.

Multiple tracking numbers

If your order contains items from different warehouses or you ordered multiple quantities that ship separately, you may see more than one tracking number on the same order. Each tracking number represents a separate package. Track each one independently.

Types of tracking numbers

Not all AliExpress tracking numbers look the same, and the format tells you what kind of shipping the seller used. Knowing this helps you set expectations for delivery speed and tracking detail.

Standard postal tracking (13 characters)

Format: Two letters + nine digits + two letters (example: RX123456789CN)

The last two letters indicate the origin country — "CN" for China. These numbers work with your country's national postal service and universal trackers like 17TRACK. Standard postal is the most common AliExpress shipping method for free or low-cost shipping options.

Tracking detail level: Moderate. You get origin scans, export customs, and destination country scans. There can be gaps during ocean or air transit.

Cainiao tracking

Format: Starts with "LP," "CAINIAO," or an alphanumeric string that does not follow the standard postal format.

Cainiao is AliExpress's logistics platform. It manages the first leg of shipping (seller to export) and then hands off to a local carrier in your country. Cainiao tracking is best viewed on AliExpress directly or on the Cainiao tracking website — many third-party trackers also support it.

Tracking detail level: Good within the Cainiao network, but can go silent during the international handoff. Once the package is in your country, the local carrier's tracking takes over.

Courier tracking (DHL, FedEx, UPS, etc.)

Format: Varies by carrier — DHL uses 10-digit numbers, FedEx uses 12-15 digits, UPS starts with "1Z."

When sellers use premium shipping (or the buyer pays for upgraded shipping), packages go through established courier networks. These have the best tracking — real-time updates, estimated delivery dates, and direct customer service if something goes wrong.

Tracking detail level: Excellent. Near real-time scans at every facility.

Seller-provided tracking that does not work anywhere

Occasionally, a seller provides a tracking number that returns no results on AliExpress, 17TRACK, or any carrier website. This happens because:

• The seller generated a label but has not shipped yet (wait 5-7 days)
• The tracking number is for a domestic Chinese carrier that does not have international tracking visibility
• In rare cases, the tracking number is fabricated (a red flag — monitor your buyer protection timer)

If a tracking number still shows no results after 10 days, message the seller and ask for an update.

Common tracking statuses and what they mean for your package. The "in transit" phase is where most gaps occur.

What each tracking status means

Tracking status labels can be vague. Here is what the common ones actually indicate:

"Shipment information received" / "Label created"

The shipping carrier has received the electronic shipping information from the seller, but does not have the physical package yet. This can last 1-5 days. It does not mean your package is moving.

"Accepted by carrier" / "Picked up"

The carrier has the physical package. Shipping has genuinely started.

"Departed origin facility" / "In transit to destination"

The package has left the seller's region and is on its way — usually to an airport, port, or sorting center. For standard shipping, this leg can take 7-20 days depending on the method (air vs. sea).

"Arrived at destination country" / "Customs clearance"

Your package has reached your country and is going through customs. Most AliExpress packages clear customs in 1-3 days. Occasionally, customs holds a package for inspection (up to 2 weeks), but this is uncommon for typical consumer goods.

"Released from customs"

Customs cleared. The package is now being transferred to your local postal service or delivery carrier.

"Handed to local carrier" / "With delivery courier"

Your local postal service or courier has the package. Delivery is typically 1-5 business days from this point, depending on your location and carrier.

"Delivered" / "Available for pickup"

The carrier marks the package as delivered or available at a pickup point. If this status appears but you did not receive the package, check with neighbors, your building's reception, or your local post office. If it is genuinely missing, you have 15 days after delivery confirmation to open a dispute.

"Returned to sender"

The package is being sent back to the seller. This can happen if customs rejects it, the delivery address was incorrect, or the carrier could not complete delivery after multiple attempts. Contact the seller to arrange a re-shipment or refund.

When tracking stops updating (and what to do)

The most common frustration with AliExpress tracking is the silent period — tracking shows "in transit" or "departed facility" and then nothing for days or weeks. Before panicking, understand why this happens.

Normal gaps in tracking

International transit (7-20 days of silence): Once a package leaves the origin country and is on a plane or ship, there are no scans until it arrives at the destination country. This is the most common "dead zone." For standard shipping, 2-3 weeks of silence during this phase is normal.

Carrier handoff (3-7 days of silence): When a package transfers from Cainiao or the international carrier to your local postal service, there is often a gap. The first carrier closes their tracking, and the second carrier has not scanned it yet. This resolves once the local carrier processes the package.

Weekends and holidays: Many postal services do not scan on weekends or public holidays. If tracking stalls on a Friday, wait until Tuesday before checking.

When to take action

No update for 15 days: Check a third-party tracker (17TRACK, Parcelsapp, PostalNinja). They sometimes show updates that AliExpress has not synced yet. If no tracker shows movement, message the seller asking for a shipping update.

No update for 20-30 days: Check your buyer protection timer. If protection is running low (less than 15 days remaining), extend it from the order detail page. This preserves your ability to open a dispute later.

No update for 30+ days and protection running out: If the package shows no signs of movement and buyer protection is about to expire, open a dispute for "item not received." Do not wait until the last day — give yourself a buffer.

What to do based on how long tracking has been silent. The key deadline is your buyer protection window — everything else is secondary.

Common reasons tracking permanently stops

• Package lost in transit: It happens, especially with standard postal shipping. Open a dispute for item not received.
• Customs seized the package: Rare for typical consumer goods, but possible for items that violate import regulations. You may receive a customs notice — if not, the seller should be able to check from their end.
• Delivered to wrong address: The carrier marked it delivered but it went somewhere else. Dispute as item not received.
• Fake tracking number: The seller provided a number that was never associated with a real shipment. This is a common AliExpress scam — open a dispute immediately.

Third-party tracking tools

AliExpress's built-in tracking works, but third-party tools often provide more detail, faster updates, and better maps.

17TRACK

The most widely used universal tracking tool for AliExpress packages. Supports tracking numbers from virtually every postal service and courier worldwide. Paste your tracking number, and 17TRACK auto-detects the carrier. The app version sends push notifications for status changes.

Best for: Standard postal tracking numbers and Cainiao numbers.

Parcelsapp

Similar to 17TRACK with a clean interface and push notifications. Shows estimated delivery dates and a visual map of the package's journey. Supports batch tracking if you have multiple orders.

Best for: Tracking multiple packages at once.

PostalNinja

Specializes in Chinese logistics and offers detailed breakdowns of the domestic Chinese shipping leg that other trackers sometimes miss. Useful if your package seems stuck in China.

Best for: Packages that appear stalled before leaving China.

AfterShip

Originally built for e-commerce merchants, AfterShip also works for individual consumers. Offers a branded tracking page and email/SMS notifications.

Best for: Courier shipments (DHL, FedEx, UPS) where detailed tracking is already strong.

Using your local postal service website

Once the package enters your country, your national postal service's tracking page often provides the most accurate local delivery updates. Search for your country's postal service and enter the tracking number directly.

AliShopping Tools

Before you even get to the tracking stage, the best approach is to avoid shipping problems altogether. AliShopping Tools shows seller trust scores directly on AliExpress product pages — sellers with poor shipping track records get flagged before you buy, saving you the tracking anxiety entirely.

Tips for smoother tracking

Copy the tracking number, do not retype it. Tracking numbers are long and a single wrong character returns no results. Always copy and paste from the AliExpress order page.

Track in the right place at the right time. Use AliExpress or Cainiao tracking for the first leg (China to export). Switch to 17TRACK or your local postal service once the package enters your country. Different trackers are strongest at different legs of the journey.

Set up notifications. Both 17TRACK and Parcelsapp offer push notifications. Add your tracking number once and let the app notify you of changes instead of manually checking every day.

Know your buyer protection deadline. This matters more than any tracking status. As long as buyer protection is active, you are covered. If tracking is stuck but protection is healthy (30+ days remaining), you can wait. If protection is low, act regardless of tracking status.

Message the seller before escalating. Sellers can sometimes check internal logistics systems that are not visible to buyers. A polite message asking for a shipping update often gets a helpful response — and gives the seller a chance to resolve the issue before you open a dispute.

FAQ

How long does AliExpress shipping take in 2026?

Standard shipping (free or low-cost) typically takes 15-45 days depending on your country and the shipping method the seller uses. AliExpress Standard Shipping and Cainiao usually fall in the 15-30 day range. Economy shipping can take 30-60 days. Premium courier options (DHL, FedEx) deliver in 7-15 days but cost significantly more.

Why does my AliExpress tracking number not work?

The most common reason is timing — the seller generated a shipping label but the carrier has not physically received the package yet. Wait 3-7 days and try again. If it still does not work after 10 days, the tracking number may be for a domestic Chinese carrier without international visibility, or in rare cases it may be invalid. Message the seller for clarification.

Can I track my AliExpress order without a tracking number?

You can see basic order status in "My Orders" (processing, shipped, delivered) without needing the tracking number. However, detailed location tracking requires the number. If the seller marked the order as shipped but no tracking number appears after 7 days, contact the seller — some budget shipping methods do not include tracking, which means you can only monitor the buyer protection timer.

What does "shipment information received" mean on AliExpress?

It means the shipping carrier has received electronic information about your package (weight, destination, tracking number) but does not have the physical package yet. The seller has created the shipping label but may not have dropped the package off at the carrier facility. This status can last 1-5 days and does not indicate your package is in transit.

What should I do if my AliExpress order says delivered but I did not receive it?

First check with neighbors, building reception, or your local post office — carriers sometimes leave packages at a "safe place" or with a neighbor. If you genuinely did not receive the package, open a dispute on AliExpress within 15 days of the delivery confirmation. Select "item not received" as the reason. Include a screenshot of the tracking page showing the delivery status and a clear statement that you did not receive it. For a full guide on disputes, see our AliExpress dispute guide.

The bottom line

Tracking an AliExpress order is straightforward once you know where to look and what to expect. Find your tracking number in My Orders, identify the carrier type from the number format, and use a third-party tracker like 17TRACK for the most detailed updates. Expect silent periods during international transit — 2-3 weeks without updates is normal for standard shipping.

The tracking number is your information tool. Buyer protection is your safety net. As long as protection is active, you are covered regardless of what tracking shows. Watch the protection timer more closely than the tracking status, and extend it if your package is delayed.

Install AliShopping Tools — check seller trust scores before you buy to avoid shipping problems → — seller trust scores, price history, review analysis. Free, no account required.

Related Buyer Guides

• How to Open a Dispute and Win — what to do when your order never arrives
• How to Get a Refund on AliExpress — step-by-step refund process and timelines
• AliExpress Customs and Import Taxes — why your package may be held at customs
• AliExpress Scams to Avoid — fake tracking numbers and other red flags

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Disclosure: This article is published by the AliShopping Tools team. The tracking process described reflects AliExpress features as of July 2026. Shipping methods and tracking availability may change — check AliExpress's official help center for the latest details. If you notice anything out of date, let us know at our contact page.