How to Track Shipments from China to the USA
Tracking a shipment from China to the USA requires the right tracking number and the right carrier portal. Express courier parcels use a 12 to 22 digit courier tracking ID. Air freight uses an 11 character air waybill (AWB) starting with the 3 digit airline prefix. Ocean freight uses a master bill of lading (MBL) and a container number formatted as four letters plus seven digits (e.g. MSCU1234567). This guide shows where to enter each number and how to read the status events.
For transit time expectations by method see the China to US transit time guide. For the full cost and method comparison see the complete shipping guide.
Tracking Number Formats by Method
| Method | Tracking Number | Format Example | Where to Track |
|---|---|---|---|
| DHL Express | Waybill / AWB | 10 digits (1234567890) | dhl.com |
| FedEx | Tracking number | 12 or 15 digits | fedex.com |
| UPS | Tracking number | 1Z + 16 chars | ups.com |
| Air freight (any airline) | House or Master AWB | 3 digit prefix + 8 digits (160-12345678) | Forwarder portal or airline cargo site |
| Ocean FCL/LCL | MBL or HBL + container number | MSCU1234567 (container) | Carrier site (Maersk, MSC, COSCO, ONE) or forwarder |
| China Post / ePacket | 13 character code | RR123456789CN, LX123456789CN | 17track.net, China Post site |
How to Track Express Couriers (DHL, FedEx, UPS)
Express couriers issue the tracking number at pickup and email it to the shipper. Enter the number on the carrier site and the tracker shows the full event chain: pickup, origin sort, departed China hub (typically Shanghai PVG, Hong Kong HKG, Guangzhou CAN), arrived US hub (Cincinnati for DHL, Memphis for FedEx, Louisville for UPS), customs clearance, out for delivery, delivered.
DHL parcels move through DHL Express Worldwide network with most events visible. FedEx uses the SmartPost or International Priority track. UPS shows scans every 4 to 12 hours. Express clearance is electronic and runs in parallel with the parcel arriving at the US hub, so a status of “In Transit” after a US scan usually means the parcel is already cleared.
How to Track Air Freight Shipments
Air freight uses two layers of waybill. The Master Air Waybill (MAWB) covers the whole shipment between airports. The House Air Waybill (HAWB) covers a single shipper inside a consolidated MAWB. The forwarder issues the HAWB to the shipper.
To track an air shipment from China to the US:
- Use the HAWB on your forwarder’s portal (Exfreight customers track via the dashboard linked from the booking confirmation email).
- Use the MAWB on the airline cargo site: cargo.china-airlines.com (CI prefix 297), aacargo.com (American Airlines AA prefix 001), unitedcargo.com (UA prefix 016), cathaypacificcargo.com (CX prefix 160).
- The tracker shows: RCS (received from shipper), DEP (departed origin airport), ARR (arrived destination airport), RCF (recovered from flight), DLV (delivered to consignee).
For air rate calculation and chargeable weight rules see the air freight charges guide.
How to Track Ocean Freight Shipments
Ocean shipments move under a Master Bill of Lading (MBL) issued by the ocean carrier and a House Bill of Lading (HBL) issued by the forwarder for LCL or NVOCC arrangements. The container number is the most reliable identifier because it stays with the cargo through transhipments.
Track ocean cargo on the carrier portal that owns the vessel:
- Maersk: enter MBL or container at maersk.com track
- MSC: enter MBL or container at msc.com
- CMA CGM: cma-cgm.com tracking
- COSCO: container tracking on lines.coscoshipping.com
- Hapag-Lloyd: hapag-lloyd.com track
- Ocean Network Express (ONE): one-line.com cargo tracking
Status events to look for: Empty container released, Gate in at origin port, Loaded on vessel, Vessel departed, Vessel arrived, Discharged, Gate out, Empty returned. A vessel-arrival to discharge gap of more than 5 days at LA/Long Beach signals port congestion. See how port congestion impacts transit time.
How to Track China Post and ePacket
China Post tracking numbers are 13 characters ending in CN. RR prefix is registered air mail. LX prefix is ePacket. EE prefix is EMS. Use 17track.net or the China Post EMS site (ems.com.cn) and enter the number. After the package leaves China, USPS takes over for last mile delivery to US addresses, so events from “Item arrived at USPS facility” onward are tracked at usps.com.
Tracking Statuses and What They Mean
- Departed Origin Country / Item Departed from Transit Country: the parcel left China and is in international transit. For air this is typically 12 to 36 hours. For ocean this is 11 to 35 days depending on the route.
- In Customs Process / Hold for Examination: CBP is reviewing the entry. Routine clearance is 1 to 3 business days. Document errors trigger holds of 5 to 14 days.
- Out for Delivery: the local carrier (USPS, UPS, FedEx Ground) is delivering today.
- Delivery Attempted / Delivery Attempt Unsuccessful: the carrier tried but no one signed. Check the tracking page for next attempt or pickup instructions.
- Item Available for Pickup: the package is at a local post office or pickup point. Bring ID.
- Delivered: the consignee or someone at the address has signed for the parcel.
What to Do When Tracking Stops Updating
No update for more than 5 days during ocean transit
Vessels in mid-Pacific update once per port call. A 7 to 12 day gap between “Vessel departed Shanghai” and “Vessel arrived Los Angeles” is normal. Worry only when the vessel ETA passes by more than 5 days without a new event.
Stuck at “In Customs Process” for more than 5 days
The most common causes are missing commercial invoice details (HTS code, value, country of origin), missing ISF 10+2 filing for ocean cargo, FDA or USDA hold for regulated goods, or duty payment pending. Contact your customs broker with the entry number for status. If you booked through Exfreight the dashboard shows the broker contact and the customs hold reason.
Status shows “Delivered” but no parcel received
USPS, UPS and FedEx sometimes scan a parcel as “delivered” before physical delivery. Wait 24 hours, check with neighbors and the front desk, then file a claim. For express courier shipments under 200 kg the carrier owns the claim. For air or ocean freight the claim goes through the forwarder.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I track my shipment from China to the USA?
Find your tracking number on the booking confirmation or shipping label, then enter it on the carrier site that handled the cargo: dhl.com, fedex.com or ups.com for express; the airline cargo site or your forwarder’s portal for air freight; the ocean carrier site (Maersk, MSC, COSCO, ONE) for ocean cargo.
What is the difference between AWB and MBL?
An AWB (Air Waybill) is the contract and tracking number for air freight. An MBL (Master Bill of Lading) is the equivalent for ocean freight, issued by the shipping line. Both come in Master and House versions when a forwarder consolidates multiple shippers.
What is a container number and how do I read it?
A container number is four letters plus seven digits, for example MSCU1234567. The first three letters identify the owner (MSC, MSK for Maersk, CMAU for CMA CGM, OOLU for OOCL). The fourth letter is U for freight container. The seven digits are the unique container ID. The check digit is added at the end as separated number.
How long does a package from China to the USA take?
Express courier 2 to 7 days, air freight 5 to 10 days door-to-door, sea/air hybrid 10 to 15 days, ocean LCL 22 to 45 days, ocean FCL 18 to 44 days depending on US coast. Full breakdown in the transit time guide.
What if my package is stuck in customs?
Contact your customs broker or freight forwarder with the entry number. Provide any documents CBP requested (commercial invoice corrections, HTS reclassification, FDA prior notice, country of origin certificates). Do not file a missing parcel claim until customs has released the cargo.
Can I track without a tracking number?
Yes for ocean, using the booking number or container number. For air, using the booking reference. For express, the carrier needs either the tracking number or the shipper’s account number plus reference. Contact the shipper for the tracking number if you do not have it.
Get a Quote with Real-Time Tracking
Exfreight quotes include real-time tracking on every booking. The dashboard pulls events from the carrier in seconds and forwards exception alerts to email or SMS. Get a live quote from exfreight.com with origin, destination and cargo details.
