How to track shipments from China? (Aliexpress, DX, GearBest…)

More and more people are deciding to buy goods from Chinese sites that are much cheaper than in our country. However, many who order for the first time do not know how to check where the package is currently, since it takes a long time to arrive. Tracking shipments is an important phase in online shopping, especially since the package arrives from other parts of the world.

If you have not ordered anything so far, and you would like to know how to read the detailed instructions I wrote: https://do-you-know-tech.blogspot.com/2014/09/how-to-buy-from-chinese-sites.html

What tracking codes are there?

Some sites have their own built-in shipment tracking system and are located somewhere on the site, most often somewhere near the order page. The tracking code is usually either the order number or one of them generated in their database. DX.com is an example of one such site (more details later).

And some sites offer tracking codes that can be general and can be tracked anywhere in the world or some local that can only be tracked until the package leaves the country from which it is sent.

Some companies have their own personal tracking codes which contain more information, but such codes are tracked on the official website and they are not the subject of this article, e.g. UPS, DHL, etc.

Where to find the tracking code?

The tracking code is mostly found in the order details on the site where you purchased the product. Sometimes the Tracking Code is the order number itself. If "Tracking code/number:" is not written somewhere in the order information, then the order number itself is probably the tracking code.

1) If the site has its own tracking system, find that page and enter the code. Example at DX.com:

• The order page contains the order number, which is the tracking code.
• You can follow the order at this link:  https://my.dx.com/order-tracking
• You can also see the status of the shipment on the order page itself

If not, then you can try other sites that are used for that, which will be discussed below.

2) If the site offers a tracking code, you can find it in the order. Example for Aliexpress:

The code can be of a general format, as an example in the picture above, or a local code that is somewhat different, there are no letters in it but only numbers. You can follow such codes of general format as in the pictures on the website of our post office - posta.rs, not all the others, at least I didn't succeed.

Where to track codes?

The most popular and best site I have come across is 17track.net because it has a really large base of courier services. The site itself is nicely done, there is even an application for phones.

It is very easy to use, there are many options, and clear results. I will not explain how it is used because everything is understandable at first glance, and if someone is still interested in the details, they can find everything about this service here:  http://www.17track.net/en/helpcenter/instructionmanual

When the package arrives with us, it can also be followed on the post office website:  http://www.posta.rs/struktura/lat/aplikacije/alati/posiljke.asp

If no service can find the code in the database, then see if there is a link in the order information that leads to the site to track that shipment. Often the seller offers a Chinese site, but we usually can't track the shipment after it leaves China.

Note: sometimes the codes are not inserted into the tracking database that day, sometimes the wait is 5 to 7 days. If after 10 days the code is not found in the database, you can just wait for the package. If the package does not arrive, you have the right to request another or a refund, but all this is relative from site to site. You can read more about ordering here: https://do-you-know-tech.blogspot.com/2014/09/how-to-buy-from-chinese-sites.html

Tracking site:  http://www.17track.net/

Tracking shipments within Serbia can be found here.