The 2025 Complete Guide to China Post: Tracking, Costs, and How to Choose a Professional Logistics Partner for Japan
By / October 31, 2025
If you import goods from China to Japan, whether for personal use or for your e-commerce business, you’ve encountered China Post. It’s the engine behind countless shipments from platforms like AliExpress, Temu, and SHEIN, as well as B2B samples from Alibaba suppliers.
This guide provides a complete overview of China Post’s services for 2025. We’ll cover services, costs, and—most importantly—how to track your packages and solve common problems.
However, a word of caution for businesses: our data suggests over 60% of importers who rely solely on China Post’s basic services experience significant delivery delays, customs issues, or tracking “blackouts.”
Many professional importers and e-commerce businesses are now moving to specialized freight forwarders to build a more reliable and predictable supply chain. This guide will not only teach you how to use China Post effectively but also help you understand when it’s time to seek professional logistics support to protect your business.
1. What is China Post? The Basics
China Post is the official state-owned postal service of China. It is a member of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), which means it partners with other national postal services—in this case, Japan Post—to deliver mail and parcels.
For shipments from China to Japan, it is the default, most-affordable shipping option offered by millions of sellers.
Key China Post Services Used for Japan
Not all China Post services are the same. The service level dictates the speed, cost, and tracking quality.
China Post Registered Air Mail / ePacket:
What it is: The most popular option for small, low-value e-commerce items. It’s a “registered” service, meaning it should offer tracking from end to end.
Best for: Small goods under 2kg, like accessories, electronics, or clothing.
Speed: Typically 2 to 4 weeks to Japan.
EMS (Express Mail Service):
What it is: China Post’s premium, high-speed service. It’s prioritized in both China and Japan (handled by Japan Post’s EMS team).
Best for: Urgent documents, important samples, and higher-value goods.
Speed: Much faster, usually 5 to 10 business days.
China Post Air Parcel (SAL):
What it is: A “Surface Air Lifted” service. It’s cheaper than Air Mail but faster than surface (sea) mail. It flies between countries but is treated as non-priority ground mail within the countries.
Best for: Bulkier items where cost is more important than speed.
Speed: Highly variable, from 3 weeks to 8 weeks.
Unregistered Mail:
What it is: The cheapest possible option. Often used for free shipping items. It has no tracking number or a number that only works within China.
Best for: Non-essential, extremely low-value personal items.
Speed: 4 to 12 weeks, with a high risk of getting lost.
2. The First Problem: Tracking Your China Post Package
The single greatest source of anxiety for importers is the China Post tracking system. Here’s how to navigate it.
How Tracking Numbers Work
A typical China Post tracking number looks like this: LP123456789CN or EV987654321CN.
- L series (e.g., LP, LX): Usually ePacket or Registered Mail.
- E series (e.g., EV, EA): Almost always EMS (Express).
- U series (e.g., UA, UC): Often Unregistered, tracking may stop after leaving China.
- The CN Suffix: This simply means the package originated from mainland China.
You can use sites like 17Track, ParcelsApp, or China Post’s own tracking page. Once it arrives in Japan, the same tracking number will work on the Japan Post tracking website.
Common Tracking Statuses (and What They Really Mean)
- Origin Post is Preparing Shipment / Acceptance: The seller has created a label, or the post office has received the package.
- Handed over to carrier / Departed from sorting center: It’s moving within China, on its way to an export hub.
- Arrival at export hub / Guangzhou, Arrived at airline: The package is at a major Chinese airport (like Guangzhou, Shanghai, or Beijing) waiting for a flight.
- Handed over to Air Carrier / Flight Departure: This is the last update you will see from China.
- THE BLACKOUT: After this “Flight Departure” scan, the package is in transit. It may be waiting for a flight, on a flight, or—most commonly—sitting in a customs warehouse at a Japanese airport (like Narita or Kansai) waiting to be processed. You may see no updates for 1 to 3 weeks. This is normal, but stressful.
- Arrival at inward office of exchange (e.g., TOKYO INT): This is the best update you can see! It means Japan Post has scanned the item and it has cleared customs.
- Item in transit / Held by customs: It’s either moving through the Japan Post network or has been flagged for a customs inspection (see Part 4).
- Out for delivery / Final Delivery: It’s on the truck and will arrive today or has been delivered.
For any questions, feel free to contact GWT Shipping. Our team will provide professional, standards-compliant advice tailored to your specific needs.
3. China Post Shipping Times & Cost Analysis
Average Shipping Times: China to Japan (2025 Data)
| Service | Average Time | Best Case | Worst Case (Delay) |
|---|---|---|---|
| EMS | 7 days | 4 days | 15 days |
| ePacket | 16 days | 10 days | 35 days |
| Air Parcel (SAL) | 25 days | 18 days | 60+ days |
| Unregistered | 30+ days | 20 days | 90+ days / Lost |
These times are averages. Holidays (like Chinese New Year, Golden Week) and peak shopping seasons (November-December) can add 1-2 weeks to any shipment.
Cost Comparison: Direct vs. Forwarder
For businesses, the “sticker price” of shipping is not the “total cost.” The total cost includes handling fees, customs issues, and the cost of your time spent solving problems.
Here is a typical cost comparison for a business shipping 50 small packages (2kg each) per month.
| Item | China Post Direct (DIY) | Professional Forwarder |
|---|---|---|
| Base Freight Cost | ¥4,000 | ¥4,000 (Uses same carrier) |
| Hidden Costs (Customs re-filing, delays) | ¥1,500 (Risk) | Included in fee |
| Customs Handling | DIY (Difficult) | Professional Support |
| Problem Solving | Self-Service (Low success) | Priority Support |
| Tracking Integration | Manual (Check 50 numbers) | Unified Dashboard |
| Total Cost (If problems occur) | ¥6,000+ (Unpredictable) | ¥5,000 (Predictable) |
While the base freight cost is the same, a forwarder manages the risk. Our data shows that businesses using a dedicated forwarder achieve a 95%+ delivery success rate, compared to a 70-75% success rate for those managing it themselves.
4. Common Problems & How to Solve Them
Problem 1: “My package is stuck for 6 weeks!”
The Situation: Your tracking hasn’t updated in over 40 days. It either says “Handed over to Air Carrier” or has no updates at all.
What it means: The package is likely lost. It may have been lost in the Chinese warehouse, fallen off a conveyor belt, or had its label damaged.
DIY Solution:
Contact the seller immediately. They are the sender and are the only ones who can file an investigation with China Post.
If the seller is unhelpful, file a “non-receipt” dispute with AliExpress, Temu, or your payment platform (e.g., PayPal) to get a refund.
You, the recipient, can do very little.
Problem 2: “My package is stuck in Japanese Customs.”
The Situation: The Japan Post tracking site says Held by customs or Awaiting presentation to customs.
What it means: It’s either a random inspection or there’s a problem with the declared value, contents, or necessary paperwork (e.g., food safety, electronics certification).
DIY Solution:
Wait: 90% of the time, it’s a random check and will be released in 2-5 days.
Look for Mail: If customs needs information (like proof of value) or if taxes are due, you will receive a postcard from Japan Post.
Contact: If you receive a notice, follow its instructions. You may need to provide an invoice or a description of the goods.
5. When to Stop DIY and Hire a Professional
How do you know when to graduate from DIY China Post to a professional logistics partner?
Here is a simple checklist.
Cases for DIY / Direct China Post
✓ You are a personal buyer or just starting a hobby store.
✓ You ship fewer than 10 packages per month.
✓ Your products are low-value (under ¥10,000).
✓ A delay of 2-3 weeks is an inconvenience, not a business crisis.
Cases Where You MUST Consider a Forwarder
Your tracking has been stuck for over 6 weeks and the seller is unresponsive (a forwarder can launch high-level investigations).
Your package is stuck in customs and you received a complex notice you don’t understand.
You are managing 10+ packages per month and spend more time tracking than selling.
Your items are for business use (B2B) and must arrive on time for a project or client.
You need to manage returns from Japan back to China.
You are shipping sensitive goods (batteries, cosmetics, food) that require special handling.
Our company’s approach is problem prevention. We use systems that flag high-risk shipments before they leave China and automatically notify clients of customs scans, so there are no surprises.
The Smart Shift: Why Japanese Importers Choose a Professional Logistics Partner
Relying on direct China Post is a gamble. A professional freight forwarder turns that gamble into a predictable system.
For Japanese import businesses, the value is not just in shipping; it’s in data, reliability, and time.
- Delivery Success Rate: Jumps from ~70% (DIY) to 95%+ (Managed).
- Problem Resolution Time: Drops from 14-21 days (DIY) to just 2-4 days (Managed).
- Annual Cost Savings: 15-25% by optimizing shipping methods (e.g., knowing when not to use EMS and using a cheaper, reliable air freight consolidation).
- Peace of Mind: Incalculable.
As a dedicated logistics partner, we don’t just “ship” your goods. We help you manage the process.
Expert China Post Support: We provide professional guidance on managing your China Post shipments (ePacket, EMS), helping you navigate tracking, customs, and problem-solving.
Improved Visibility: We work to provide you with clearer, more reliable updates on your shipment’s status, helping you move beyond confusing tracking data.
Risk Management: Our experience helps you anticipate and navigate common risks, from customs flags to potential return issues, leading to more predictable deliveries.
Professional Communication: We help bridge the communication gap, ensuring that issues are handled efficiently with all parties involved in the shipping chain.
Conclusion
China Post is an essential tool for shipping from China to Japan. For personal items or small-scale tests, it’s a perfectly viable, low-cost option.
But for a growing business, every “lost package” or “customs delay” is lost revenue, a bad customer review, and a day of stress. Your time is better spent on marketing and sales, not on hold with the post office.
If you find yourself spending more than an hour a week managing shipping problems, it’s time to upgrade your logistics.
FAQ
It depends on the service. EMS (Express) is fastest, averaging 5-10 days. ePacket (standard) is the most common and averages 2-4 weeks. However, always add a 1-week buffer for potential customs or sorting delays.
This is usually the “tracking blackout” period. If the last scan was “Handed over to Air Carrier,” the package is in transit or waiting to be scanned by Japan Post. No updates for 1-2 weeks is normal for ePacket. If it exceeds 3-4 weeks, contact the sender.
We recommend considering a partner when you hit 10 or more packages per month. At this volume, the time you spend manually tracking, handling customs forms, and resolving 1-2 “lost” packages (a normal failure rate) costs your business more than a forwarder’s management fee.
This is a common myth. While there is a management fee, a good forwarder reduces your total cost.
Simulation (30 packages/month):
DIY Cost: ¥216,000 (Freight) + ¥36,000 (Lost/Damaged goods) + ¥150,000 (Staff time solving issues) = ¥402,000/year
Forwarder Cost: ¥216,000 (Freight) + ¥60,000 (Management fee) + ¥18,000 (Reduced losses) = ¥294,000/year
In this common scenario, you would save over ¥100,000 per year while eliminating the headache.
Speed and Priority. EMS is the courier-level service; it is prioritized at every step and is very reliable, taking about 1 week. ePacket is a “registered mail” service; it’s much cheaper but travels with standard mail, taking 2-4 weeks. For business, use EMS for anything urgent or high-value.
Look for these four things:
Dual Presence: They must have their own offices or deep partnerships in both China and Japan.
Tech Platform: A simple online dashboard to see all your shipments and tracking in one place.
Bilingual Support: True Japanese and Chinese native speakers to solve problems with suppliers and customs.
Service Flexibility: They should offer everything from ePacket management to air freight and sea freight, tailoring the solution to your needs, not just theirs.
Ready to streamline your China-Japan logistics?
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