How to Track a Taobao Order: Statuses and Tracking Numbers Translated
Quick answer
Open your order in My Taobao, tap View logistics (查看物流) and copy the courier name and tracking number. Paste the number into the courier's site or a parcel tracking aggregator, and use the translation guide below to understand statuses such as picked up (揽收), in transit (运输中) and signed for (已签收).
How to Track a Taobao Order: Statuses and Tracking Numbers Translated
A Taobao order passes through several hands: seller, domestic courier, perhaps a forwarder and an international carrier. Each has its own tracking number and its own language. This guide shows where to find them and what the common Chinese statuses mean.
Find the tracking number
- Open My Taobao (我的淘宝).
- Go to the order list (全部订单).
- Open the order and tap 查看物流 (view logistics).
- Copy the courier name (物流公司) and tracking number (运单号 / 快递单号).
If the order only says 待发货, the seller has not shipped yet.
Order statuses
| Chinese | English |
|---|---|
| 待付款 | Awaiting payment |
| 待发货 | Awaiting shipment |
| 待收货 | Shipped / awaiting receipt |
| 待评价 | Awaiting review |
| 退款中 / 售后 | Refund or after-sales in progress |
| 交易成功 | Transaction completed |
| 交易关闭 | Order closed |
Logistics statuses
| Chinese | English |
|---|---|
| 已发货 | Dispatched |
| 揽收 / 已揽收 | Picked up by courier |
| 运输中 | In transit |
| 到达 [city] 转运中心 | Arrived at transit hub |
| 派送中 | Out for delivery |
| 已签收 | Signed for / delivered |
| 异常 / problem | Exception |
| 退回 | Returned |
Common couriers in China
| Name | English / note |
|---|---|
| 顺丰 | SF Express |
| 中通 | ZTO |
| 圆通 | YTO |
| 申通 | STO |
| 韵达 | Yunda |
| 极兔 | J&T |
| 邮政 / EMS | China Post |
| 京东物流 | JD Logistics |
Track outside Taobao
Domestic couriers have Chinese websites. A parcel tracking aggregator that supports Chinese couriers is often easier because it accepts the number and shows translated events. Use only official or well-known sites and never enter payment details to see tracking.
Tracking with a forwarder
- Domestic leg: Taobao tracking, to the warehouse.
- Warehouse status: your forwarder's panel shows received and weighed.
- International leg: a new number from the carrier.
Keep all numbers in a note. When a parcel looks stuck, compare the last scan time, the courier and the next hub.
Taobao tracking number: formats and where it works
Tracking numbers differ by courier. SF Express numbers typically start with "SF" followed by digits; many other domestic couriers use 12 to 15 digits; China Post and EMS use the international pattern of two letters, nine digits and CN. Always paste the number together with the correct courier name, because the same digits can mean nothing in another carrier's system.
Delivered but not received
Parcels in China are often left at a pick-up station (驿站) or a parcel locker (快递柜), and the status may show 已签收 when the parcel is placed there. Check your phone for a pick-up code, look in the courier's app and ask the seller or courier for the pick-up location before opening a dispute.
If you use a forwarder
The domestic status stops when the parcel is signed for at the warehouse. Use the forwarder's panel for photos and weight, then switch to the international tracking number for the next leg.
When tracking is late
Orders around big shopping festivals or Lunar New Year slow down. If the status is stuck for a long time, contact the seller first, then the courier. Do not press 确认收货 until you have the goods.
For the full ordering process read how to buy from Taobao, and for international steps does Taobao ship to the USA.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find the tracking number?
In the order details after the seller ships, under 查看物流 (View logistics). It shows the courier and the number.
Why is there no tracking yet?
The seller may not have shipped. Check dispatch time on the listing and contact the seller if it is late.
Why does tracking stop for days?
Parcels can be consolidated at hubs, or scans lag. Wait for the next update, then ask the courier or the seller.
What do I do when the parcel is signed for but I did not get it?
Contact the courier and the seller immediately, check with neighbors or reception, and open an after-sales case before confirming receipt.
Can I track a parcel after the forwarder re-ships?
Yes. The forwarder gives you a second tracking number for the international carrier.
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