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As ecommerce goes global, shoppers are purchasing products from stores outside their home countries.
ePacket is a shipping service for packages sent from China and Hong Kong to more than 40 countries. It’s designed to reduce delivery times and costs.
If you run an online store, an AliExpress dropshipping business, or are a customer looking to buy a product from a Chinese retailer, you can use ePacket to receive products quickly.
Read on to learn how ePacket shipping and tracking works, and find answers to common questions about ePacket delivery.
What is ePacket?
ePacket is an affordable international ecommerce shipping service for small packages containing low-cost items sent from China and Hong Kong.
Launched in 2011, ePacket is offered by third-party logistics providers and allows online stores that source products from China to provide faster delivery for their customers.
Dropshipping businesses selling products from Chinese suppliers can use ePacket to compete with the delivery times of local manufacturers.
What is ePacket shipping?
As the “e” in its name implies, ePacket is a shipping and tracking service designed for ecommerce. It lets consumers receive small, lightweight purchases faster and more affordably from online stores and marketplaces that ship out of China and Hong Kong.
You may see ePacket shipping as a delivery option from Chinese sellers on websites such as eBay, AliExpress, and Alibaba. Any ecommerce merchant in China and Hong Kong can offer ePacket shipping if the package meets the requirements for an ePacket delivery.
ePacket shipping requirements
The USPS ePacket shipping requirements state that packages must not exceed 24 inches (60 centimeters) in length, and cannot be more than 36 inches (90 centimeters) in combined length, height, and thickness.
ePacket shipments must weigh less than 4.4 pounds (2 kilograms).
Additionally, merchandise can’t be worth more than $400, and packages must be shipped from China or Hong Kong to an eligible ePacket country.
What is ePacket delivery?
ePacket delivery began as an affordable solution for Chinese merchants shipping to the United States. Over time, it has expanded to more than 40 other ePacket countries, including Canada, the UK, and Australia.
ePacket delivery to the final destination is handled by a local carrier that operates within the package’s destination country—USPS, Canada Post, Royal Mail, etc.
Each local carrier has its own delivery processes, fees, and package requirements.
Who delivers ePacket?
ePacket delivery is handled by multiple partners across the fulfillment chain. First, the carrier in China or Hong Kong brings the package to the border and provides initial ePacket tracking. From there, it’s sent to the destination via an international carrier.
After crossing the border of its destination country, the package is picked up by a local carrier. The local carrier is responsible for delivering it to the destination address provided by the customer.
Does ePacket deliver to your door?
ePacket delivery covers only the journey to customs; it doesn’t guarantee a delivery window with the destination carrier—which is important for dropshipping businesses to remember.
Many local carriers offer doorstep delivery once they’ve received the ePacket shipment, though some addresses cannot accept this service or may be out of the carrier’s range.
Is there ePacket tracking?
Tracking and delivery confirmation are part of the ePacket shipping solution.
ePacket tracking gives customers end-to-end coverage at no additional cost. Businesses and customers can monitor and locate their packages on official websites such as USPS.
Undeliverable mail is also returned at no cost, which helps merchants refund customers who don’t receive their purchases.
How to track an ePacket
For customers who require ePacket tracking, there are a few ways to track an ePacket delivery. The first is to use the tracking tools on official postal service websites—China Post or USPS, depending on where your ePacket shipment is in transit.
However, finding official places to track an ePacket while it’s traveling through China can be tricky. If you’re having difficulty using official websites, you can track packages via third-party tracking services. A few popular options include:
Parcels app
The Parcels app website tracks ePackets across USPS and China Post EMS, translating any Chinese information into English and providing an estimated delivery time of your package.
Aftership
Aftership is a simple parcel tracking website that provides delivery statuses for up to 50 ePacket tracking numbers at a time.
17Track
17Track is a Shopify app that international merchants can use to allow their customers to track purchases. With 17Track, customers can track ePackets and receive email notifications triggered by their package status.
Along with a clear shipping policy and generous returns agreement, self-service shipment tracking can reduce support inquiries and improve the customer experience.
Which countries support ePacket?
As of 2024, more than 40 countries support ePacket deliveries:
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Canada
- Croatia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hong Kong
- Indonesia
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Kazakhstan
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Mexico
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- Singapore
- Spain
- South Korea
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Thailand
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Vietnam
ePacket shipping to Japan was discontinued in September 2023.
How long does ePacket take to deliver from China to the US?
On average, ePacket shipping to the US takes seven to 20 days from the date of the initial shipment.
Other countries may see similar or slightly longer average shipping times. Packages spend around half the shipping duration in transit the other half is spent routing the package to the right facilities.
ePacket shipping times can vary depending on the package’s destination, customs, holidays, and other delays. But generally speaking, ePacket offers more consistent average shipping times than other low-price shipping options from China and Hong Kong.
While a multi-week shipping period can feel like a long time, ePacket packages are bulk-processed and change hands several times before reaching their destination.
Fortunately, all of this can easily be monitored, thanks to the ePacket tracking service included with deliveries, giving customers confidence that their package is on the way.
How ePacket works on AliExpress
When dropshipping products from AliExpress or using Alibaba, ePacket shipping lets your customers receive their purchases in a reasonable timeframe and track their orders.
It’s also the most consistent option for merchants and customers buying from China and Hong Kong. Other affordable shipping options may not be as reliable.
ePacket is generally a free or inexpensive shipping option. This allows store owners dropshipping with AliExpress to offer free shipping.
How do I know if my shipment is an ePacket delivery?
If ordering through AliExpress, look under Orders and click View Detail.
If the package was shipped using ePacket, an ePacket tracking number should be listed under Logistics Information and International Shipping Company.
If you’re not purchasing on AliExpress, you can determine how your package was shipped by looking at the tracking number.
ePacket tracking numbers usually start with the letter “L.” If there is no ePacket tracking number, the package was likely shipped using a different method.
Do customers need to pay customs/duties/taxes with ePacket shipping?
ePacket deliveries go through traditional customs clearances, which may require customers to pay applicable duties and taxes. Check your local laws to see when you need to pay duties and taxes on imported purchases, and for what kinds of items.
Ask the merchant shipping the item if any duties or taxes are owed on arrival. They might be experienced in shipping to your country and better understand whether duties and taxes will be owed.
Ultimately, what’s the benefit of ePacket?
If you ship locally, your competitive advantage will always be the speed of delivery. Some customers won’t tolerate a multiple-week wait for products to arrive.
While ePacket doesn’t make shipments from China and Hong Kong as fast as local deliveries, it significantly reduces the gap.
Compared to other shipping services from China, ePacket provides:
- Customs clearance: ePacket shares China Post’s customs clearance, guaranteeing speed.
- Fast shipping speeds: ePacket is faster and cheaper than China Post Air Mail. You can also return packages for free.
- Tracking: ePacket tracking and delivery confirmation are included.
- Transparent pricing: No hidden fees, which is uncommon when working with cross-border ecommerce companies.
ePacket and Shopify
ePacket is a great way for Shopify merchants to save money on shipping costs when selling products from China. When you opt for ePacket delivery with your supplier, you can expect most orders to arrive within seven to 20 days.
ePacket shipping offers an affordable and reliable solution for ecommerce businesses sourcing products from China and Hong Kong. With its tracking capabilities and improved delivery times, it helps merchants compete in the global marketplace while providing customers with a better shipping experience.
ePacket FAQ
What does ePacket shipping mean?
How long does it take for an ePacket to be delivered?
Is there ePacket tracking for customers?
Is ePacket shipped by air?
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Credit: Original article published here.