You’ve just clicked “Place Order” on AliExpress (or a similar Chinese-based eCommerce platform), and your package is set to be shipped via China Post. The anticipation builds as you wait for your tracking number to start showing movement.
When your tracking shows “no shipping record” despite the seller’s assurances, how do you confirm whether the number is fraudulent? Moreover, what recourse do you have if it turns out your China Post tracking number was fabricated?
Does this actually happen? And if so, what should you do about it?
Yes, fake China Post tracking numbers do exist. They’re typically provided by dishonest sellers to deceive buyers into believing their package has been shipped when it hasn’t. If you suspect you’ve been given a fake tracking number, you’ll need to take specific steps to protect yourself and potentially recover your money.
How common are fake China Post tracking numbers?
While it’s challenging to pin down exact figures, fake tracking numbers have become a significant issue in cross-border e-commerce. As more consumers turn to international online shopping platforms, the opportunities for fraudulent activities have multiplied.
According to a report by the International Post Corporation, cross-border e-commerce has been growing rapidly, with China being a major player. This growth, as well as the sheer volume of transactions, has created an environment where some sellers attempt to game the system using fake tracking numbers.
Why Do Sellers Provide Fake Tracking Numbers?
Providing fake tracking numbers is a trick commonly used by many scam sellers on sites like AliExpress and DHGate to buy time if your order has not shipped yet.
By supplying a fake non-working tracking number that shows a “No Shipping Record” error, they hope to delay you from opening a dispute or leaving negative feedback straight away. This allows them to continue reassuring you that your parcel is on its way while pocketing your payment.
Some sellers even manipulate fake tracking updates to make it seem like the order is moving through transit. Then suddenly a “shipment exception” error gets displayed when it reaches your destination country to explain why delivery is not completed. You can easily spot a fake tracking number with unrealistic transit timelines like this.
While most sellers on Chinese e-commerce platforms are honest, such fraud tactics are rife enough that buyers must be vigilant. So let’s explore your options if you land up with an invalid China Post tracking from a potentially scammy seller.
What are the signs that your China Post tracking number might be fake?
Identifying a fake China Post tracking number can be tricky, but there are several red flags to watch out for:
- Incorrect format: A legitimate China Post tracking number typically consists of 13 characters, formatted as two letters, followed by nine digits, and ending with “CN” (e.g., “AA123456789CN”). If the tracking number deviates from this format, it’s likely fake.
- No record found: When you enter the number on the official China Post website or reputable third-party tracking services like Ship24 or 17track, it shows no results or returns errors.
- Lack of updates: If the tracking information doesn’t change for an unusually long time (typically more than a week), this could indicate that the number is fake. Genuine tracking numbers usually show some activity within a few days of the package being shipped.
- Delivered to the wrong location: The package shows as delivered to a completely different country or an improbable location.
- Inconsistent information: If you notice any discrepancies between the seller’s information and the tracking details, it’s worth investigating further.
In addition to these signs, it’s crucial to trust your instincts. If something feels off about the tracking information you’ve received, don’t hesitate to dig deeper.
China Post tracking number formats:
- RR12345678CN (international mail)
- LB12345678CN (International ePacket)
- AT12345678CN (ordinary small packets)
- EB12345678CN (ordinary small packets)
- CP12345678CN (ordinary small packets)
- LV12345678CN (Asia registered mail)
How can you verify if your China Post tracking number is genuine?
Verifying the legitimacy of a China Post tracking number is crucial to ensure you’re not falling victim to fraud. Here are some steps you can take:
- Check official sources: Use the official China Post website to verify the tracking number. A legitimate number should appear in their system, though it may take 24-48 hours after shipping to show up.
- Use third-party services: Reputable tracking services like 17Track, ParcelMonitor, or Ship24 can provide additional verification. These services often aggregate data from multiple sources, giving you a more comprehensive view of your package’s journey.
- Verify the format: Common formats for China Post tracking numbers include:
- 13 characters: Two letters, nine digits, ending with “CN” (e.g., AA123456789CN)
- 13 digits: All numeric characters
- 16 digits: Usually for registered mail If your tracking number doesn’t match these formats, it may be fake.
- Check for activity: A legitimate tracking number should show some activity within a few days of shipping. If your China Post tracking number shows no activity after 5-7 days, it’s time to investigate further.
- Contact the seller: If you’re suspicious, reach out to the seller for clarification. A legitimate seller should be responsive and provide accurate information about your shipment.
It’s worth mentioning that using a service like Ship24 to track your China Post package can be particularly helpful. Here’s how:
- Visit the Ship24 website
- Enter your tracking number in the search bar
- Click “Track” to see detailed information about your package
Ship24 and similar services often provide more frequent updates and can track packages across multiple carriers, which is especially useful if your package transfers from China Post to your local postal service.
Resolving China Post Tracking Issues with the Seller
Upon gathering clues that you seller lied about dispatching your goods, first directly contact the seller via the messaging system on platforms like AliExpress explaining your tracking concerns and asking them to look into the erroneous updates.
Politely request for a correct and functioning China Post tracking number. If language is a barrier when contacting Chinese sellers, stick to simple short sentences or use a translation tool.
If the seller made an honest mistake like quoting the wrong tracking number, they will quickly apologize and furnish the accurate details.
However observe if suddenly they produce new China Post tracking links showing the package now somehow already near your delivery address. This could be to further mislead you through fake tracking updates while never actually shipping products.
A reliable seller usually ships orders within 1-2 days. So if they take over a week without a reasonable explanation, it is likely a scam operation. These scamming stores bank on buyers forgetting packages until after dispute periods expire before pocketing payments.
Repeatedly follow-up requesting shipping proof from the seller, but if faced with silence or suspicious excuses, you will need to bypass the seller completely and formally raise complaints on the sales platform for a refund.
Getting Your Money Back Through Buyer Protection Disputes
All major ecommerce websites like Aliexpress, eBay, etc provide dedicated buyer protection programs where you can open disputes regarding orders with problematic sellers.
To get your payment reversed, first gather helpful evidence of likely tracking fraud:
- Take detailed screenshots of the tracking page not updating for your China Post tracking number over several days
- Note down any suspicious seller excuses or conversations after questioning the incorrect details
- Save screenshots of unreasonable overseas parcel transit timelines reported
Equipped with this proof, submit a formal dispute on your sales platform highlighting ‘Tracking number invalid/not updating’ as the main unresolved issue.
On AliExpress, buyers have up to 60 days from the delivery deadline to raise disputes. AliExpress will review claims and corresponding evidence before making a judgment to refund buyers. As soon as your dispute gets approved, they will reverse payments back to your payment method.
Meanwhile, other platforms like eBay Guarantee covered purchases against tracking issues for up to 30 days post sale, especially if Orders show as ‘Not yet shipped’ despite seller confirmation.
US-based marketplaces may even offer local dedicated USPS tracking if the item was meant to be transferred stateside, making it easier to highlight dodgy tracking timelines from China to American delivery addresses.
Last Resort – Filing Credit Card Chargebacks
If even raising platform disputes fails to yield refunds from the fraudulent online store, the last option is getting your bank involved by filing chargebacks against the deductions.
Contact banks/credit card companies managing payment cards used for said China purchases to report shady sellers, inapplicable tracking details, and non-delivery of goods.
Provide tracking screenshots showing no legitimate parcel movement between China and your location after payments were deducted from accounts through card spending.
Once banks confirm foul play based on presented evidence, they will issue formal chargebacks to reverse unauthorized or fraudulent charges.
Why Valid Tracking Numbers Show No Record Sometimes?
Here are a few reasons why Valid Tracking Numbers Show No Record.
Delays Registering Packages
China Post offices and shipment processing centers can get very backed up during peak volumes. Employees may not have time to promptly scan every item entering their facility. This causes a lag between a seller shipping an order and the tracking number activating in China Post’s system. It’s best to allow 1-2 days after getting a tracking number before expecting any updates.
Wrong Carrier Selected
China Post is not the only shipping provider used to mail orders from Chinese e-commerce platforms overseas. SF Express, YunExpress, Yanwen, and more operate too. If a seller accidentally labels an SF Express tracking number as China Post, for example, it won’t work on China Post’s tracking site. Double-check carriers.
Typos Entering Tracking Data
Human error can easily happen when a buyer inputs an incorrect tracking number digit. Data entry mistakes then make valid codes appear invalid. Always copy-paste tracking numbers directly from seller messages rather than manually typing them.
Pre-Shipment Label Creation
Some sellers print item postage/shipping labels well before the packages get taken to the post office for sending. In this scenario, tracking numbers activate upon label printing but do not start logging shipment progress until the parcel begins moving a day or two later.
Package Theft Before Maili
This last situation is rare, but we have to acknowledge the possibility. In fraud cases, tracking numbers get stolen/hacked specifically to obtain valid codes without actually mailing goods to buyers. Law enforcement handles such crimes when discovered.
The main takeaway is not to panic over “no record” tracking status without allowing a few days for China Post’s system to update. There are many innocuous reasons for temporary tracking issues. Communicate with sellers before disputing orders as scams outright.
Tips to Avoid Fake Tracking Numbers in the Future
While chargebacks still act as a payment safety net after being handed fake tracking data, it is obviously best to avoid dealing with troublesome sellers altogether when shopping online for Chinese goods given language barriers make dispute resolutions trickier.
Here are handy tips to minimize chances of wasting money and time due to fake China Post tracking numbers:
- Thoroughly vet seller profiles before ordering items for indicators like their high positive ratings, number of years in the ecommerce business, a decent number of repeat customers, etc. Avoid newer sellers with sparse profile information despite very cheap prices.
- Select reputable platforms like AliExpress which dedicates teams to screening sellers before allowing onboarding. Their strict metrics and penalties around tracking fraud also push sellers to comply with dispatched orders.
- Avoid unfamiliar niche platforms where enforcing standards around seller policies may be more relaxed over time. Stick to mainstream e-commerce websites placing emphasis on buyer protection.
- Carefully check shipment rates vs item worth before purchase. Very low shipping fees could indicate seller will cut corners and provide fake tracking proof in spite of high product value.
Can I Contact China Post About The Issue?
China Post does provide customer service contact options on its website, including hotline numbers by region. However, they are unlikely to offer guidance for goods bought via third-party e-commerce sellers.
They would handle queries only about parcels shipped directly by customers using official China Post channels. The ideal avenue for fraudulent tracking issues is the website or platform you ordered from.
But it can be useful to call China Post or even your local delivery post to check if they have received any parcel addressed to you from China around the order date – either under the suspect tracking number or identifiable sender details. A “no record” here complements that the number is fake.
Key Takeaways
- Fake China Post tracking numbers are a growing issue in cross-border e-commerce
- Verifying tracking numbers through official channels is crucial
- Buyers should be vigilant and familiar with platform protection policies
- Sellers using fake numbers face serious consequences
- E-commerce platforms are actively combating this fraudulent practice
- Ethical considerations and long-term consequences make fake tracking numbers a significant concern for all stakeholders
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