How to track Alibaba order?

By Yaurapulse

Tracking an Alibaba order is not as simple as tracking an Amazon order. Alibaba does not have a single tracking page that shows every shipment in real time. How you track your order depends on the shipping method the supplier used. For express shipments like DHL or UPS, you can track online in minutes. For sea freight, you may get updates only once every few days or weeks.

Most buyers get frustrated because they expect Amazon-style tracking and get Alibaba-style tracking instead. The information is there, but you have to know where to look and what to expect. Here is how to track your Alibaba order, step by step, for every shipping method.

The first place to check: your Alibaba order page

To track your shipment on Alibaba, go to Order Management, then Order Details, then Shipping Details. This is where Alibaba displays the tracking information the supplier has uploaded.

In the Shipping Details section, you will find the shipping method, the tracking number if one has been provided, and the current status. The status might say "Shipped," "In Transit," "Delivered," or something similar.

If the supplier has provided a tracking number, this is the first place to find it. Copy the tracking number from here and use it on the carrier's website or a tracking platform.

If the Shipping Details section is empty, it means the supplier has not shipped the order yet or has not uploaded the tracking information. In that case, contact the supplier to ask for an update.

If your order was shipped via express, such as DHL, UPS, or FedEx, you can copy the tracking number and check it on tracking platforms like 17TRACK. 17TRACK supports most international carriers and shows the full tracking history in one place.

How to track express shipments

Express shipments, such as DHL, UPS, FedEx, and TNT, are the easiest to track. They provide real-time tracking from pickup to delivery.

To track an express shipment, copy the tracking number from your Alibaba order page. Then go to the carrier's website, enter the tracking number, and you will see the full shipment history: when it was picked up, when it cleared customs, when it arrived at the local facility, and when it is out for delivery.

You can also use 17TRACK or similar tracking platforms to check the status without going to each carrier's website. 17TRACK supports over 500 carriers worldwide and updates the tracking information automatically.

Express shipments usually arrive within 3 to 7 days from China to most countries. The tracking is updated frequently, sometimes several times a day. If the tracking has not updated for more than 48 hours, contact the supplier or the carrier for an update.

How to track air freight shipments

Air freight is slower than express but faster than sea freight, usually taking 10 to 15 days door to door. Tracking for air freight is less detailed than express.

Air freight tracking usually shows major milestones: when the cargo was picked up, when it arrived at the airport, when it departed, when it arrived at the destination airport, and when it cleared customs. It may not show real-time updates like express does.

To track an air freight shipment, use the tracking number or airway bill number provided by the supplier or freight forwarder. You can check it on the airline's website or on 17TRACK.

For air freight shipments, contact your freight forwarder or supplier directly for updates. The tracking information may not be as detailed or as frequently updated as express shipments. Your freight forwarder can give you more accurate status updates than the online tracking.

How to track sea freight shipments

Sea freight is the hardest to track. It is also the most common shipping method for large wholesale orders, usually taking 25 to 35 days to the West US and 35 to 50 days to the East US.

Sea freight tracking is not real-time. The cargo is loaded onto a container ship, and you may not get any tracking updates while the ship is at sea. The tracking may show the ship's position, but that is not always available.

To track a sea freight shipment, you need the booking number or container number from the supplier or freight forwarder. You can check it on the shipping line's website using the container number. This will show the vessel's current position and estimated arrival time.

For shipments via sea freight, air freight, or local trucking, contact your freight forwarder or supplier directly for updates. They have access to more detailed information than what is available online.

Sea freight tracking updates happen at major ports: when the container is loaded, when the ship departs, when it arrives at the destination port, when it clears customs, and when it is delivered to you. Between these milestones, you may not see any updates for 7 to 14 days while the ship is at sea. This is normal.

Why tracking information may not be updated

If the tracking information is not updated in time, do not panic immediately. This is common, especially for economy shipping methods.

You may always find the parcel at the same airport in China or the destination country without any other updated shipping information 1 to 2 weeks after placing an order. If you do not receive the parcel after 60 days, you cannot judge if the parcel is still in transit or lost. The seller cannot check the parcel status either, and just tells you to wait for a few more days.

The tracking information will appear on the shipping carrier's website after 5, 7, or 10 business days, depending on the shipping carrier that was used. Some carriers take longer to update their systems than others.

For economy shipping methods like ePacket or Cainiao Super Economy, the logistics information is often not updated in time, or there is even no detailed logistics information. After you know that your package has been sent from China, you may not receive any tracking information until it arrives in your country.

These economy shipping options are the cheapest but take a long time to arrive. They work between China Post or Chinese logistics services and the postal services of the destination country. Delays and lost packages are more common in areas with inadequate postal services like Africa.

If you need reliable tracking, choose express shipping. It costs more, but you get real-time tracking and faster delivery.

What to do if the tracking number is invalid

Another possibility is that the seller gives you an invalid tracking number so you cannot track your order. This can happen by mistake or, in rare cases, deliberately.

If the tracking number does not work, contact the seller and have them contact the shipping company for tracking information. A legitimate supplier will provide the correct tracking number or explain why the number is not working yet.

If the seller has not responded to your request or provided you with the correct tracking number, you can open a dispute. A supplier who cannot provide a valid tracking number after shipment is a red flag.

Before opening a dispute, give the supplier a reasonable amount of time, usually 3 to 5 business days, to respond. If they do not respond or provide a valid tracking number, escalate through the dispute system.

How long should you wait before worrying

The waiting time depends on the shipping method.

Express shipping: 3 to 7 days. If no update after 7 days, contact the supplier.

Air freight: 10 to 15 days. If no update after 15 days, contact the supplier or freight forwarder.

Sea freight: 25 to 50 days. If no update after 50 days, contact the supplier or freight forwarder.

Economy shipping (ePacket, Cainiao): 15 to 45 days. If no update after 45 days, contact the supplier.

These are general guidelines. During peak season, such as the month before Christmas and Thanksgiving, shipping times can be much longer. The price can quickly escalate during the high season and drop significantly during the low season.

If the supplier provided a tracking number and the tracking shows the package is in transit, be patient. International shipping takes time, and tracking updates are not always frequent.

If there is no tracking number at all after the promised shipping date, contact the supplier. If they cannot provide one, open a dispute.

Using third-party tracking tools

17TRACK is the most popular tracking tool for international shipments. It supports most carriers and shows all tracking information in one place. You can track up to 40 numbers at once.

Aftership is another option. It offers more features, such as email notifications and a tracking page for your customers, but some features require a paid subscription.

For sea freight, you can use the shipping line's website directly. Enter the container number or booking number to see the vessel's position and estimated arrival.

For express shipments, the carrier's official website gives the most accurate and up-to-date information. DHL, UPS, and FedEx all have mobile apps that send push notifications for status changes.

What to do if tracking shows delivered but you did not receive it

Sometimes the tracking says "delivered" but you never received the package. This is more common than you might think.

First, check your surroundings. The package may have been left at a neighbor's house, with a doorman, at a leasing office, or in a package room. Check with your building management or local post office.

If you still cannot find it, contact the carrier. Provide the tracking number and ask where the package was delivered. The carrier may have GPS coordinates or a photo of the delivery location.

Then contact the supplier. Explain that the tracking shows delivered but you did not receive the package. Ask the supplier to investigate with the carrier.

If the carrier confirms delivery but you still cannot find the package, you may need to open a dispute. Provide evidence that you did not receive the package, such as photos of your delivery location or a statement from your building management.

If the carrier says the package was lost in transit, the supplier is responsible for filing a claim with the carrier. In most cases, the supplier should send a replacement or issue a refund.

What to do if the package is lost

If the tracking shows the package is lost or has not moved for an extended period, contact the supplier immediately.

For express shipments, contact the carrier directly. DHL, UPS, and FedEx have customer service teams that can investigate lost packages. They may be able to locate the package or process a claim.

For sea freight or air freight, contact your freight forwarder or supplier. They can investigate with the shipping line or airline.

If the package is confirmed lost, the supplier should provide a replacement or refund. If they refuse, open a dispute through Alibaba's dispute system.

Keep in mind that the supplier is responsible for the goods until they are delivered to you, unless the shipping terms state otherwise. Under DDP terms, the supplier is responsible for the entire shipping process. Under FOB terms, the risk transfers to you once the goods are loaded onto the vessel.

Tracking tips for wholesale orders

For large wholesale orders shipped by sea freight, do not rely solely on online tracking. Contact your freight forwarder regularly for updates. They can tell you exactly where your container is and when it will arrive.

Ask your supplier for the container number or booking number as soon as the goods ship. This gives you the ability to track the shipment independently, without waiting for the supplier to update you.

Save all tracking numbers and shipping documents. If there is a dispute later, you will need to prove when the goods shipped and where they are.

If you are using DDP shipping, the supplier handles all the logistics. You can ask them for updates, but the tracking may not be as detailed as if you arranged your own freight forwarder.

For first-time orders with a new supplier, consider using express shipping for the first shipment. It is more expensive, but it gives you reliable tracking and faster delivery. Once you trust the supplier, you can switch to sea freight for larger orders.

Bottom Line

Tracking an Alibaba order depends on the shipping method. Express shipments like DHL and UPS give real-time tracking through 17TRACK or the carrier's website. Air freight and sea freight have less detailed tracking, so you need to contact your freight forwarder or supplier directly for updates.

If the tracking information is not updating, wait a few days. Economy shipping methods like ePacket often have delayed or limited tracking. If the tracking number is invalid or the supplier cannot provide one, open a dispute.

The most important thing is to know your shipping method and set realistic expectations. Express takes 3 to 7 days, air freight takes 10 to 15 days, and sea freight takes 25 to 50 days. Track accordingly, and contact the supplier or freight forwarder if the shipment exceeds the expected timeframe.