Track number - a unique code that consists of numbers or numbers with letters, and refers to the postal item. The receiver and the sender can track the movement of the parcel at various stages, from reception to receipt. Deciphering the track number helps you to find out information such as weight, cost and estimated date of arrival of the order. It is proof of the existence of the parcel, and if for some reason it does not reach the recipient, then with its help it will be possible to return the money for the goods by contacting the seller.
What do the parcel numbers from China say?
All the necessary information about the product is contained in the decoding of the track number. In order to understand the meaning of numbers and letters, you need to know their decoding.
The decoding of the parcel track number by the first letter is as follows:
- A - the parcel is not insured and weighs no more than 2 kg.
- R is a custom package with the same weight.
- V - differs from the previous ones in that it was insured.
- L - parcel weighing up to 2 kg, sent by air.
- C is an ordinary package, the weight of which is more than 2 kg.
- E - departure (same weight) through the Express service.
Deciphering the track number by the second letter:
- A, B - the package should be sent to the destination by air.
- C - air parcel, takes a long time.
- T - the package is sent in the form of a parcel or package, will be delivered via airmail.
- R - the package should be sent to the recipient on a ship or train;
- P - the package was sent in the first class.
When sent by express services, the decryption of the letters of the track number will have the following meaning:
- EE - EMS. This combination of letters means that the package after the Chinese transit point will be immediately sent to its destination.
- EA - EMS. The product is already moving to the recipient from the country of origin. Most often, such a shipment bypasses customs control.
The next 9 digits are the unique package number. The last letters of the track number, the decoding of which is simple, speak of the country of the sender and the delivery service. Most often you can find such combinations of the most popular suppliers: CN - China, NK - Hong Kong.
Parcel classification
International shipments are divided into two types:
- packages and packages up to 2 kg;
- Parcels exceeding this weight.
They are also divided into registered and unregistered. The first relate to parcels from China (the decoding of the track number is provided above) and begins with the letter R. If the shipment is small, then its registration according to the rules is optional. In this case, the movement of the packet cannot be tracked. Such a departure is easy to distinguish: its number begins with the letter L.
Non-standard decoding of the track numbers of parcels from China
If the shipment was transferred to a small transport company, then it is unlikely to be tracked. But there is a chance that information will be available on the official website of the delivery service. The decoding of the track numbers of parcels from China will be different, because these are not the combinations that official mail uses.
If the departure begins with a combination of letters UA, then it will be possible to view the movement of the parcel only in China. When crossing the border with Russia, this possibility disappears, and the official mail will give an error.
If the track number begins with the letters UR, the recipient will receive a notification of the arrival of the parcel. Such a departure can only be tracked in Russia.
After what time can I track the track number?
Parcels from China usually ship within 10 business days. The countdown begins immediately after payment. As a rule, shipment takes place in a shorter time. Immediately after shipment, the seller must send the track number.
Where can I track the package?
Parcels from China can actually be tracked on special services that can be found on the Internet. Typically, sellers themselves provide a link to such resources. The most popular among them is 17track. An international shipment can be tracked on the postal site of the sender’s country, which is determined by the last two letters. If the shipment was handed over to a private delivery service, then it will not be possible to track it at the post office of Russia or China. But there is a chance to see the movement of the parcel on some Internet resources. Such items may arrive in Russia already under new track numbers.
Package tracking, but no updates for a long time
In this case, the departure should be to the destination. Not at every stage the package can be tracked. Many transport services provide information about the parcels, but only while they are in China. As soon as the departure crosses the border, information ceases to flow. The process cannot be accelerated in this case. Only the sender can make a complaint in case of damage or loss of the parcel. It is he who will receive the compensation that he will transfer to the recipient.
Why the parcel was tracked before export and disappeared
Often, buyers of Chinese goods are faced with the disappearance of the shipment after crossing the border. This is due to the fact that the seller handed it over to a small transport company that drove it to the country of the sender, and then transferred it to the recipient country by regular mail. At the time of transfer, the track number has changed. In this case, the old value is canceled. The seller also can not know the new track number. This situation is normal, and the parcel still reaches the recipient.
How to know that an order has arrived?
A parcel that was not tracked should arrive at the recipient's post office. She may arrive already with a new track number. In this case, the mail should write a notice and put it in the mailbox at the place of residence. With him you need to go to the department, after having recorded your passport data on it. If the shipment is very small, they can immediately put it in the mailbox.
If the parcel has expired, you can safely open a dispute and get your money back. Usually with untracked parcels, the refund is unhindered.
Decoding of the track number "Russian Post"
When the parcel crosses the border, the recipient country is already responsible for its safety. Russian Post is a state-owned company that works with almost all types of cargo and in all directions. According to the law, the employee of the department is obliged to issue a check at the time of receiving the shipment. It should indicate: the weight of the cargo, cost, department number, information of the person who placed the order, and the track number of the parcel in Russia. Decryption will be considered below.
Information important to the sender is highlighted in red on the check. The track number is not assigned to regular letters, only registered ones. Extension numbers are assigned to packages shipped within the country. Deciphering the track number of mail in Russia is not difficult. The number consists of 14 digits, which can be divided into four parts.
The first 6 digits are the post office index from which the package was sent. Subsequent values are the month ordinal, followed by a unique departure number. Here is the transcript of the parcel number in Russia. "Russian Post" draws it up independently on the territory of the country.
Why is the package not tracked?
It happens that the package is not tracked for a long time after sending. There is no way to track a track number for three reasons:
- The seller mistakenly gave a different code. In this case, the parcel will arrive at the recipient, but it cannot be tracked.
- The seller intentionally gave a fake number. At the same time, he sent the package without tracking. The shipment will be delivered, but over a long period.
- The seller gave the wrong track number without sending the package. In this case, 3 days before the end of the purchase protection period, you need to open a claim in order to return your money.
How to understand that the parcel disappeared in Russia?
It happens that all the deadlines have passed, but the departure never came. First you need to make sure that it is the "Post of Russia." For international shipments, parcels may be stuck at customs or may not reach the border. In this case, the service of another country is to blame.
To clarify the situation, you need to go to the official website of the mail in the lost parcels section and enter the parcel track number. If such a dispatch does not exist or the number is entered incorrectly, the program will give an error. This will mean that the Russian post is not involved in the disappearance of the parcel.
What to do if the parcel is lost at Russian Post ?
What if the deadlines for receipt have long passed, and the shipment has disappeared between the sorting points? In this case, it is necessary to send a request for the search for the parcel. To do this, you can download a ready-made form from the official website of the Russian Post or ask for it at any office. When writing a request, it is important to describe the details of the package in detail. You must specify the size of the shipment, the list of contents, the total weight, data of the sender and recipient. A receipt with a tracking number and a photocopy of documents must be attached to the form. After submitting the documents, the applicant must receive a certificate of admission.
The answer to the claim in case of loss of domestic parcels should come within 5 to 30 days, for international shipments - from 2 to 3 months. Within the specified period, the applicant must receive an answer about the results of the searches.
Often the package comes before the official letter. Moreover, the recipient has the right to a financial penalty for violation of the waiting time. But since the amount of compensation is small, such applications are submitted very rarely.
You can submit an application for search within 6 months from the date of sending the parcel. If it was not found, the applicant must write a claim for reimbursement of the cost of the shipment. The amount of compensation will be equal to the declared price of the goods. If the sender saved on the tariff, evaluating the contents to a minimum, he will lose more.
What is a false track number and why does the seller send it?
On the Internet you can find special resources that are created for sellers. A false track number is created on these sites, which will be tracked by another fake service. It begins to be read, like the real one, after a few days, after which it automatically changes statuses, creating a complete illusion of movement.
This does not necessarily mean that the buyer decided to deceive. To reduce the cost of postage, they send the parcel without being able to track it. This applies to purchases cheaper than 5-10 dollars. But many trading floors in their functionality require a track number from the seller. Therefore, sellers resort to such tricks. But fraud is not excluded. Therefore, it is important to choose stores with good reviews and ratings.
China Parcel Tracking Tips
When making a purchase on foreign sites, you must consider the following features:
- It will be possible to track the parcel by the track number of "Aliexpress" (the decoding is indicated above) and other Chinese stores no earlier than three to four days after shipment. It is important to note that many sellers process their packages online. This means that they first send the track number to the buyer, and then the package.
- When buying cheap goods, sellers try to save. Track number is a paid service, the cost of which is 2-3 dollars. Therefore, inexpensive goods are sent without registration.
- If the track number consists of only numbers, then you can track the movement only until the border is crossed. This often happens when ordering cheap goods. For full tracking, you need to choose paid delivery.
- Track number - proof of purchase of goods. Its presence will help to return the money if the goods did not arrive on time.
What if the goods arrived after a refund?
Often there is a situation where the buyer received compensation, and then the goods. This is often the case with untraceable packages. Some customers will be delighted with a "freebie", while others will want to return the money. In the second option, you must contact the seller. To do this, you need to write a message to him on the page of the order that came after monetary compensation.
In this case, the seller may react differently:
- He will be delighted and inform you how to return the money to him.
- At a low price, the seller can give it for honesty.
- Will not respond at all. In this case, chasing him makes no sense.
If the seller agreed to receive the money back, then this can be done in the following ways:
- Reorder. This method is suitable if the price of the goods has not changed. To do this, you need to buy the same thing with a comment that after the payment you do not need to send the thing.
- Order a special position. Some sellers often come across various surcharges after the main order. But after placing an order, it can no longer be edited. To return the amount in this way, you need to select special positions for the desired amount and place an order. At the same time, make a note that the seller received the money for the previous order. In any case, the seller will not send anything, since the special position does not involve sending the goods at all.
- Online wallet. The seller may sometimes ask for a refund through PayPal, sending an email number for identification.
So, the decryption of postal track numbers is necessary primarily to prove the existence of the parcel in the event of a dispute. With the help of special services, regular tracking of the parcel is possible. Deciphering the track number will help you understand which service will deliver the goods, as well as its approximate dates. Sometimes sellers save on postage, especially when ordering cheap goods. In this case, the product may not be tracked, but in most cases it still arrives at the appointed time.