Complete Parcel Forwarding Tracking Guide: 5 Stages, Global Platforms, and What to Do About Delays

Compiled by the HowBridge Logistics Customs and Shipping Experts | Last updated 2026-10-12

The short answer

Consolidated parcels have to be tracked leg by leg: use the seller's waybill number for the leg inside China, 17track or the carrier's own site for the international leg, and the delivery company for the Taiwan leg. HowBridge (0523.tw) splits the whole journey into 5 stages, which usually involve a Chinese courier, an international carrier and a Taiwanese delivery company. Numbers with a letter prefix are mostly 15 characters starting with SF / YT / JT / JD / DP, while 14-digit all-numeric numbers are commonly seen with ZTO. After arrival in Taiwan the parcel switches to a Taiwanese carrier's number: Chunghwa Post international / mainland China mail uses 13 characters starting with letters, domestic items use 14 digits (or 20), Pelican Express uses the first 12 digits of the delivery slip, and Hsinchu Transport (HCT) uses a 10-digit waybill number. For the Taiwan customs stage, use EZ WAY to see how the parcel is being cleared: C1 means no document review and no inspection, so once the duties and taxes are paid you can collect the goods with the release notice; C3 requires you to apply for a joint inspection with Customs within ten days of the declaration date (three days for express cargo). The international transport and customs processing stages have a normal "tracking blackout period": no update does not mean lost.

5-Stage Tracking Overview

Track it in stages: for the China leg, use the seller's waybill number; for the international leg, use 17track; for the Taiwan leg, use the delivery carrier's tracking number.

From order to delivery, a forwarded parcel passes through 5 stages. Different carriers handle each stage, so you must track them on different platforms:

StageHandlerTimeTrack via
1. Seller → warehouseChina domestic carrier1-7 daysTaobao / seller site
2. Warehouse handlingHowBridge Shenzhen hub1-3 daysHowBridge account
3. Intl. shippingHowBridge air freight / Sea Express / Sea LCL consolidation (quote by item via customer service)Depends on the shipping methodCarrier site / 17track
4. Taiwan customsCustoms Administration1-7 daysEZ WAY / Customs
5. Taiwan deliveryHsinchu Transport (HCT) (home delivery) / 7-ELEVEN / FamilyMart (store-to-store)1-3 daysHCT website / convenience store app

※ The days in the table above are typical ranges that HowBridge compiled from its existing consolidation operations; they are the platform's own operating experience, not an official standard, and they get longer during long holidays, typhoons, heavy customs volumes or inspections. HowBridge measured data: from billing in China to signed receipt at the Taiwan carrier, the median is 6 days and P90 is 9 days (August 2026 – September 2026, 774 shipments in total, verified 2026-10-10; not an official standard). Official transit times are published only for individual shipping methods and state explicitly that they exclude security screening, customs inspection and days held at customs (example: Chunghwa Post Mainland China Express service description); there is no official standard for the total time across the whole journey. If you would like to understand how the consolidation process runs from start to finish first and then come back to tracking, it will be easier to compare.

Stage 1: Seller Ships → Forwarding Warehouse

1Track the Seller's Shipment

After you order, the seller provides a China domestic tracking number. Common carriers in China include:

  • SF Express (fastest): www.sf-express.com/chn/sc or the SF Express app
  • ZTO Express: www.zto.com
  • YTO Express: www.yto.net.cn
  • Yunda Express: www.yundaex.com
  • STO Express: www.sto.cn
  • J&T Express: www.jtexpress.cn
  • JD Logistics: www.jdl.com
  • Deppon Express: www.deppon.com
  • Cainiao Express (Taobao / Tmall self-operated): global.cainiao.com (no login required)
  • ANE Logistics (3–300 kg LTL bulk freight, not small-parcel express): its website www.ane56.com offers a "track a shipment" function
Tip:The Taobao / Pinduoduo / 1688 order page shows tracking status directly. How fast a parcel reaches the warehouse depends mainly on the seller's province and the local carrier: shipments from southern China are usually fastest, while northern and north-eastern China take a few days more. During Chinese New Year, Labour Day, National Day, Double 11 and other peak periods in mainland logistics, everything shifts later. The sign-off time shown in the seller's tracking record is what counts.

How many digits is your number? Quick reference for 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 characters

Tracking Number Quick Guide: Identify the Carrier

Have a tracking number but do not know where to check it? First see whether it starts with letters. This is the quickest way to identify it.

① Letter Prefix — Identify It by the First Two Characters
PrefixFormatCarrierOfficial
SF SF + 13 digits (15 characters in total, common on international shipments) SF Express www.sf-express.com/chn/sc
YT YT + 13 digits (15 total) YTO Express yto.net.cn
JT JT + 13 digits (15 total) J&T Express jtexpress.cn
JD JD start (JDX/JDV/JDE…, 15) JD Logistics www.jdl.com
DPK DPK + 12 digits (15 total) Deppon Express (express product line) www.deppon.com
DPL DPL + 12 digits (15 total) Deppon Express (LTL freight product line) www.deppon.com

* The shared pattern in the current system: letter prefix + digits, 15 characters in total. So the first two characters — SF / YT / JT / JD / DP — are enough to tell them apart. Carriers do not publish their numbering rules, so this table is compiled by cross-checking multiple sources; formats may change at the carrier's discretion, and the official tracking result always prevails.

② Numbers Only — Count the Digits, Then Check the First Digit
DigitsStarts withPossible
14 digits 7 (usually 73) ZTO Express
15 digits 3/4 (often 43,31) Yunda Express
15 digits 77 STO Express
15 digits 61 or 62 Cainiao Express (Taobao/Tmall delivery)
12 digits No fixed pattern SF domestic shipments in China often use 12 all-numeric digits, and other carriers use the same length — length alone is not enough to identify it

※ The prefix patterns for all-numeric numbers are empirical observations, not official announcements (the carriers do not publish their numbering rules). Use them only to narrow the possibilities; the final test is whether the number returns tracking results.

③ After the Package Reaches Taiwan: Which Carriers Use 12-, 13-, and 14-Digit Tracking Numbers?

Start with the length: 13 characters starting with letters = Chunghwa Post international/mainland China mail; 14 digits are commonly Chunghwa Post domestic express/registered/parcel mail (14 or 20 digits; ZTO on the China leg also uses 14 digits, so if one doesn't work, try the other); for 12 digits, check the carrier name on the slip: Pelican Express's shipment tracking number is the first 12 digits of its delivery slip, T-Cat's website doesn't publish the number of digits, and domestic SF Express shipments on the China leg also often have 12 digits, so the length alone can't tell you; 10 digits = HCT Logistics shipment/waybill number. Once the package arrives in Taiwan, the order page on the Chinese platform stops updating, so switch to the Taiwan carrier's tracking number on that carrier's official website.

Taiwan-leg carrierTracking number length / format (per official website)Official tracking pageNotes
Chunghwa Post (international/mainland China mail) 13 characters starting with letters: E = International Express Mail, R = International/Mainland Registered, L = International e-Packet, C = International/Mainland Parcel, EE/EZ/FT/FZ = Mainland Express Mail, Cross-Strait Speedpost (Express), LH/LE = Cross-Strait Postal e-Packet postserv.post.gov.tw “International and Mainland Mail Tracking” (國際及大陸各類郵件查詢) Only the past 6 months can be tracked; international ordinary small packets starting with U cannot be tracked
Chunghwa Post (domestic express/registered/parcel) 14 or 20 digits (bulk registered mail = 6 + 6 + 2 digits) postserv.post.gov.tw “Domestic Express/Registered/Parcel Tracking” (國內快捷/掛號/包裹查詢) Bulk registered mail = 6-digit registration number + 6-digit accepting post office code + 2-digit category code; entering the 14 digits will find a 20-digit registered item
HCT Logistics 10-digit shipment/waybill number hct.com.tw “10-Digit Shipment/Waybill Number Lookup” (10碼貨號/提單號查詢) There is also an “Order Number Lookup”; HowBridge home delivery uses HCT Logistics
Pelican Express (e-can) Shipment tracking number = the first 12 digits on the delivery slip e-can.com.tw “Shipment Tracking” (貨件追蹤查詢) Data is kept for only 2 months; do not enter “-”, Chinese characters, or full-width digits
T-Cat (Black Cat TA-Q-BIN) The “Parcel Tracking Number” (包裹查詢號碼) on the delivery slip (the website doesn't publish the number of digits; go by the slip) t-cat.com.tw “General Parcel Tracking” (一般包裹查詢) Data is kept for only 3 months; do not enter “-”, Chinese characters, or full-width digits
Convenience store pickup (7-ELEVEN / FamilyMart) Go by the pickup notice/pickup code sent by the delivery carrier or convenience store Convenience store website or app Order pages on Chinese platforms don't sync pickup progress in Taiwan

Sources (verified 2026-09-20): Chunghwa Post “Mail Tracking” (all international and mainland China mail numbers are 13 characters; domestic express/registered/parcel mail is 14 or 20 digits), HCT Logistics “10-Digit Shipment/Waybill Number Lookup”, Pelican Express “Shipment Tracking”, T-Cat “General Parcel Tracking”. Digit counts are subject to each carrier's current website information.

These Numbers Cannot Be Identified by Appearance Alone
  • ZTO and STO both start with 7—distinguish them by length: ZTO has 14 digits and STO has 15 digits. It is easy to miscount a one-digit difference, so copy and paste the number into a tracking site.
  • Yunda and STO both have 15 digits—their lengths are identical, so check the first digit: 3/4 indicates Yunda, while 7 indicates STO.
  • YTO's “YT” may be omitted—the letters are often dropped in customer-service chats or manual transcription, leaving 13 digits that are harder to identify. If you see 13 digits, try adding YT first.
  • 12 all-numeric digits are a blind spot — SF domestic shipments in China and other carriers share the same length, so the number alone cannot tell them apart. Ask the seller or use auto-detection.

The easiest option: paste the tracking number into 17track.net or Kuaidi100. The system automatically compares number patterns, identifies the carrier, and displays tracking events, so you do not need to count the digits yourself.

Deppon takes one extra step: when tracking a waybill on Deppon's own site you may need to complete an additional identity or security verification besides the number itself (carriers adjust these from time to time), so follow whatever the site asks for at that moment. If you get stuck, use an auto-detect tracking platform or simply ask the seller for the tracking record.

How to Enter the Shenzhen Consolidation Warehouse Delivery Details

This is the only step in the entire process that requires precise input. Incorrect information may prevent your parcel from being matched to your account or cause the seller to refuse shipment. Enter the details exactly as shown below:

Field Information to Enter Instructions
Recipient Name 好运器 Enter the warehouse name directly, not your own name
Recipient Phone Number 13603054302 Enter the warehouse phone number, not your Taiwan mobile number
Shipping Address 深圳市宝安区福海街道桥头社区宝安大道6261号彤鑫科技大厦B座3A11-H□□□□库位 (H□□□□ = your personal ID code; it is filled in automatically when you one-tap copy the address from the 0523.tw homepage after logging in) Enter "好运器" as the recipient, and use the personal address one-tap copied from the 0523.tw homepage as the delivery address (it ends with an H-code ID for automatic matching).
Postal Code 518103 —
Why enter "好运器" as the name and keep the personal ID code at the end of the address?

On Chinese e-commerce platforms (Taobao, Pinduoduo, JD, Xiaohongshu, etc.), the shipping label automatically masks the name and phone number with asterisks (e.g. 王**, 136****4302) — only the address is never masked. So simply enter "好运器" as the name and the warehouse phone number 13603054302 as the phone; for the delivery address, log in to 0523.tw and one-tap copy it from the homepage — it already ends with your personal ID code (starting with H), which the warehouse uses to match parcels to your account automatically, so do not delete or change it. (The old format — a Taiwan mobile number at the end of the address — still works for matching.)

These Mistakes Will Cause Problems
  • Entering your Taiwan mobile number in the “Phone Number” field → Most Chinese sellers will refuse to ship the order because domestic delivery in China requires a Chinese phone number.
  • The personal ID code is missing from the end of the address (and no Taiwan mobile number was noted either) → the parcel is unidentified and must be claimed separately.
  • Entering your own Chinese name as the recipient → Once the shipping label masks the name, the warehouse will be unable to identify the parcel.

Addr: home (site rules); guide.

Stage 2: Forwarding Warehouse Processing

2Warehouse Arrival → Awaiting Shipment

After the parcel reaches HowBridge's Shenzhen forwarding warehouse, its status changes as follows:

  • Received: The warehouse scans the parcel into inventory, and it appears in your account
  • Weighed and photographed: Basic photos are free; an inspection service can be purchased separately
  • Awaiting shipment: Waiting for you to submit a forwarding order for consolidated packing
  • Consolidating: The warehouse combines your multiple parcels
  • Shipped: An international tracking number is assigned, and the parcel is prepared for transport to the port or airport
Tracking:The HowBridge member centre consolidates the latest status available for each leg, including check-in photos. For inspection add-on fees, please contact online customer service.

Stage 3: how many days does international transport take? (the most decisive stage)

3Shenzhen Forwarding Warehouse → Taiwan Port or Airport

From dispatch at the Shenzhen consolidation warehouse to arrival in Taiwan, transit time varies widely by shipping method: air express is the fastest and Sea LCL consolidation is the slowest. Note that official transit times usually exclude clearance time — the Chunghwa Post Mainland China Express service description also states that "estimated arrival days do not include security screening, customs inspection and days held at customs", so the customs stage has to be counted separately.

  • Air express (EMS): the fastest category; the officially published estimate excludes security screening, customs inspection and days detained by customs, so clearance and domestic delivery time still have to be added.
  • Commercial air (DHL / FedEx / UPS): service levels differ (Express and Economy tiers vary widely), so rely on the carrier's own official transit-time lookup.
  • Direct sea freight: the voyage itself is longer; actual departure and arrival follow the sailing schedule provided after dispatch.
  • Consolidated sea freight: besides the voyage, the container still has to be filled, and that wait depends on current consolidation volume.
Tracking:① 17track.net (integrates multiple carriers and automatically identifies tracking numbers) ② Each carrier's website (DHL, UPS, EMS) ③ Chunghwa Post (EMS). Enter the tracking number to view complete customs, airport, and port updates.

Stage 4: how long does Taiwan customs clearance take? How C1 / C2 / C3 differ

4Taiwan Customs Entry → Release

Customs has no fixed number of days for release. After the parcel arrives in Taiwan and the declaration is filed, the customs expert computer system assigns the declaration to C1, C2 or C3 based on screening criteria such as the trader's clearance record, the origin of the goods, the nature of the goods and the customs broker. The three channels have different document and inspection procedures, and that is where the difference in time comes from. Here are the status changes you will typically see in this stage:

  • Arrived at Taoyuan Airport/Keelung Port: This appears in carrier tracking
  • EZ WAY app notification: Notifies you of an import parcel awaiting confirmation
  • Confirm declaration: Complete identity verification and confirm the declaration in the app
  • Assigned C1/C2/C3: The clearance code determines processing speed
  • Pay duties and taxes (if required): Shipments subject to duties or taxes are released only after payment
  • Released: Customs releases the parcel to the delivery carrier
Tracking:① EZ WAY (the express consignee real-name authentication platform, the most immediate) ② the "Single Window" import express cargo enquiry of the Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance ③ your consolidator's Taiwan-side customer service. See the EZ WAY guide and customs declaration tips.
What the authorities say: the Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance explains that "the customs expert computer system assigns declarations to one of three clearance channels — C1, C2 and C3 — according to screening criteria such as the trader's clearance record, the origin of the goods, the nature of the goods and the customs broker". C1, release without review or inspection: once the duties and fees are paid, the goods may be collected from the warehouse with the computer-printed release notice and the original delivery documents. C2, document review: after the online declaration, the declarant must submit the paper declaration and other original documents before the end of customs office hours on the following day; the goods are released once the documents are found to be in order. C3, physical inspection: besides submitting the paper documents within the same time limit, for import goods an application must be made within ten days from the declaration date for inspection together with the customs inspector, after which the goods are released following review and valuation. The difference in time comes precisely from these three procedures; the channel is assigned by customs, and no consolidator can choose or guarantee it. (Customs Administration, MOF: What is the difference between the three clearance channels C1, C2 and C3?, published 2026-07-08) To see where the whole clearance process gets stuck, read what happens during those days at customs.
How the duty-free threshold is calculated: Article 49(2) of the Customs Act provides that "for imported goods other than those specified in the preceding paragraph, where the aggregate customs value of the same consignment is below the limit announced by the Ministry of Finance, they shall be exempt from duty; this shall not apply where imports are frequent or where the goods are specifically announced by the Ministry of Finance". The key is that the value is aggregated per consignment, not assessed item by item (Laws & Regulations Database: Customs Act Article 49). How "the same consignment" is defined depends on the clearance route: for postal parcels, Article 11 of the Regulations Governing Customs Clearance of Postal Parcels provides that "where two or more postal items imported from abroad are sent by the same sender on the same arrival date to the same recipient, their customs values shall be aggregated" (text); for express consignments, Article 14 of the Regulations Governing Customs Clearance of Air Express Consignments defines the same consignment as "express consignments sent by the same consignor on the same flight to the same consignee", with the sea equivalent in Article 15 of the Regulations Governing Customs Clearance of Sea Express Consignments (same voyage). Both sets of regulations also provide that consignments in the same batch may not be declared separately (air / sea). Consolidated parcels usually clear as express consignments, so the test is the flight or voyage, not the arrival date. For how duty is charged once the threshold is exceeded, see the cross-border import tax rules.
Does exceeding 6 times in a half-year mean no tax exemption? The Ministry of Finance explains the rule for frequent importers as follows: the same taxpayer who has had goods released under this exemption more than 6 times within a half-year period is no longer eligible. A half-year period means January to June and July to December of each year, the count is based on the import date shown on the declaration, and it is reset on January 1 and July 1 each year. In other words, these are fixed half-year periods, not a rolling 180 days counted back from today. The counts can be looked up on the Customs-Port-Trade Single Window. (Ministry of Finance: Overseas online shopping is easy, but watch out for frequent imports) The legal basis is Article 12 of the Regulations Governing the Customs Clearance of Imported and Exported Postal Parcels: when the same recipient has had postal parcels released under the tax exemption more than six times within a half-year period, the exemption no longer applies (article text); you can check your low-value tax-exemption count on the Customs-Port-Trade Single Window.

HowBridge core data (free to cite): how long does customs clearance take once a Sea Express parcel reaches Taiwan?

Most Sea Express consolidated parcels take under 1 day: after Customs receives the declaration, 97.8% are released within 24 hours, 98.6% within 48 hours and 99.3% within 72 hours (692 sea express declarations, August 2026 – September 2026).

  • Customs receipt of declaration → release: 97.8% within 24 hours, 98.6% within 48 hours, 99.3% within 72 hours (692 declarations; only event times returned by GC329 on the Customs-Port-Trade Single Window are used, and missing values are not filled in)
  • Dispatch in China (billing date) → signed delivery by Taiwan carrier: median 6 days, P90 9 days, 76.9% within 7 days, 96.4% within 10 days (774 shipments)
  • Customs release → dispatch from warehouse: median 23.3 hours, 50.4% within 24 hours, 72.4% within 48 hours (692 records)

Statistics period August 2026 – September 2026, verified on 2026-10-10; these are operational measurements of HowBridge Sea Express consolidation, not an official published standard. “Under customs review” usually means the declaration is being processed in the Customs system (C1 no review, no inspection / C2 document review), and there is no statutory release deadline. If a declaration is assigned C3 inspection, under Article 26 of the Regulations Governing the Inspection of Imported and Exported Goods the declarant must apply for and attend the Customs inspection within ten days of the day after declaration (three days for express cargo), and that is when the time stretches (Laws & Regulations Database: Regulations Governing the Inspection of Imported and Exported Goods, Article 26). For what to do when a parcel is held for inspection, see What to do if your parcel is detained by Customs; for the whole clearance timeline, see How long does customs clearance take.

The customs release figures above cover only declarations already filed with customs; shipments not yet filed are not counted, and the data carries no clearance-type (C1/C2/C3) code.

Stage 5: Local Delivery in Taiwan

5Customs Release → Doorstep Delivery

Once customs releases the goods, the parcel is handed to a Taiwanese delivery company. HowBridge currently works with three options for this final leg: HCT home delivery, 7-ELEVEN store pickup and FamilyMart store pickup (size rules and how to set it up are in the dedicated section below). For parcels set to convenience-store pickup, track them with the number issued by the Taiwanese delivery company on that company's or the store's own site — the original Chinese waybill number no longer shows progress at this point. These are the delivery companies you will commonly see in Taiwan:

  • Black Cat Delivery: t-cat.com.tw or its official LINE account
  • Hsinchu Logistics: hct.com.tw
  • Kerry TJ Logistics: kerrytj.com
  • Chunghwa Post: post.gov.tw/“e動郵局” (Mobile Post Office) app
  • Convenience-store pickup: Text notification + pickup code
Tip:Notification methods differ from company to company, and a text message is not guaranteed. If you want to follow the release moment yourself, the Customs Administration of the Ministry of Finance explains that you can register on the Customs-Port-Trade Single Window (portal.sw.nat.gov.tw) with a business or citizen digital certificate, then use the e-mail address you registered to set up the active notification service and receive the "import cargo release notice" without waiting for a carrier's text message (it also offers notices of required follow-up actions, declaration receipt notices and more). (Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance: Use the Customs-Port-Trade Single Window active notification system) For differences in speed and service among carriers, see Taiwan Delivery Carrier Comparison. Since June 2019 the Customs Administration also provides a "declaration receipt notice": once Customs accepts a declaration, it e-mails the declaration number, declaration date and clearance procedure to the address you designated.
Why is the HCT leg usually quicker?
The key is location: sea express cargo is cleared at the sea express cargo zone in Taipei Port, and HCT's "International Logistics and Northern Transfer Center" is built in the Taipei Port Second Industrial Zone (Bali, New Taipei) — media reports say HCT invested about 1.9 billion New Taiwan dollars to build the Bali international logistics transfer center, and HCT's own cross-border e-commerce page describes a "new model for Taiwan's port sea express zone, with Hsinchu Transport at Taipei Port". In other words, once the goods are released they do not need another long-haul trunk run to a transfer station in another county before sorting can begin; they can enter the facility nearby and join that day's delivery routes, which is why one transfer step is saved in the "release → on the road" stretch.
HowBridge's own measured data lets you compare the speed of this stretch: among 692 declarations, 50.4% left the warehouse within 24 hours of customs release and 72.4% within 48 hours (statistics period 2026-08-01 to 2026-09-30, verified 2026-10-10). These are HowBridge's operating measurements, not an official standard; long holidays, typhoons or inspections can still cause delays.

The customs release figures above cover only declarations already filed with customs; shipments not yet filed are not counted, and the data carries no clearance-type (C1/C2/C3) code.

Sources: U-CAR News (2025-12-18), HCT cross-border e-commerce service page.

Logistics Tracking Platforms by Country

Below are commonly used logistics tracking sites by region, helping you find the right platform whenever a parcel changes hands. HowBridge currently operates its own Shenzhen forwarding warehouse and Taoyuan Dayuan operations warehouse; logistics platforms for other regions are provided for you to track parcels independently.

🌐 Global Multi-Carrier Platforms

17track.net: Enter a tracking number to automatically identify the carrier; supports multiple languages.
parcel.app: A mobile app supporting thousands of carriers.

https://www.17track.net

🇨🇳 China Logistics

SF Express: www.sf-express.com/chn/sc
ZTO Express: www.zto.com
JD Logistics: www.jdl.com
Cainiao: global.cainiao.com

🇯🇵 Japan Logistics

Sagawa Express: sagawa-exp.co.jp
Yamato Black Cat: kuronekoyamato.co.jp
Japan Post: post.japanpost.jp

🇰🇷 South Korea Logistics

Korea Post (EMS): epost.go.kr
CJ Logistics: cjlogistics.com

🇺🇸 US Logistics

USPS: usps.com
FedEx: fedex.com
UPS: ups.com
DHL: dhl.com

🇹🇼 Taiwan Logistics

Chunghwa Post: post.gov.tw
Black Cat Delivery: t-cat.com.tw
Hsinchu Logistics: hct.com.tw
EZ WAY e-Authorization: ezway.cc

Taobao Official Consolidation Tracking: How to Read the Statuses and How Long Stuck Is Abnormal

For Taobao orders, first check the Taobao app under "My Orders → View Logistics"; parcels merged through Taobao's official consolidation are checked under "International Transfer"; if you consolidate with HowBridge, look in the 0523.tw member center; after arrival in Taiwan, switch to the Taiwanese tracking number to follow delivery.

Where to check Taobao logistics

How you shipWhere to checkWhat you see
Before the seller ships to the warehouseTaobao app order → View LogisticsThe number and trail of the China domestic courier the seller handed the parcel to
Taobao official consolidationTaobao app → International Transfer / My ParcelsWarehouse arrival, merging, dispatched, international leg trail
HowBridge consolidation0523.tw member center → Consolidation ordersWarehouse photos, box merging, billing, customs clearance and the Taiwan delivery number
After arrival in TaiwanHsinchu Transport (HCT), T-CAT and Chunghwa Post tracking pagesDelivery status in Taiwan and the store / doorstep delivery time

What the common Taobao official consolidation statuses mean

StatusMeaningWhen to act
In warehouseThe item has reached the forwarding warehouse and been weighedThe number of free storage days follows Taobao consolidation's current rules; please confirm on the consolidation page in the Taobao app
Merged / awaiting paymentSeveral orders merged into one parcel, waiting for you to pay the international shipping feeIt will not be dispatched before payment
Dispatched / in transitThe parcel has left the forwarding warehouse and been handed to the transfer carrierOur suggestion: if there is no new trail for several days after dispatch, first check the transfer carrier's website; if there is still no update, contact Taobao customer service
In customs clearanceThe parcel has reached Taiwan and Customs is processing itFirst confirm that you have tapped "declaration matches" in EZ WAY; after more than 7 days, see What to do if Customs detains a parcel
Out for deliveryThe Taiwanese carrier has picked up the parcelTrack with the delivery company's number; after repeated failed deliveries, switch to convenience-store pickup or reschedule

How long after leaving Taobao's warehouse does it reach Taiwan? Taobao's official pages do not state a fixed number of days (checked by us on 2026-10-01). HowBridge's own data is available for comparison: from billing in China to signed receipt in Taiwan, the median is 6 days and 96.4% are signed for within 10 days (August 2026 – September 2026, 774 shipments in total, verified 2026-10-10; excluding the time the seller takes to ship to the Shenzhen warehouse). For what happens during the customs days, see How long does customs clearance take; for Taobao's overall process and shipping fees, see Taobao consolidation guide.

The status explanations in this section were compiled by us (checked on 2026-10-01); rates and days change as the platform adjusts them, so go by what the Taobao app displays.

How to Handle 5 Common Tracking Issues

Scenario 1: Tracking Never Updates After the Seller Ships (Stuck for Over 3 Days) What to do: ① Contact the seller to confirm that the parcel was actually shipped ② Use the shopping platform's “not shipped” dispute channel ③ Request a refund within the deadline under the platform's rules.
Scenario 2: Parcel Reached the Warehouse but Does Not Appear in Your Account What to do: ① give HowBridge customer service the seller's shipping number, the signed-for time and a screenshot of your order ② we will use this information to request the signing record from the carrier for that leg and help locate the parcel (common causes: the address is missing the exclusive identification code starting with H at the end (or, in the old format, no Taiwan mobile number was noted), the address was filled in incorrectly, or a scanning time lag at warehouse arrival).
Scenario 3: International Shipment Is Stalled (At Customs/Airport for Over 7 Days) What to do: ① check the latest status on 17track ② submit an inquiry or complaint to the carrier's official tracking system ③ contact HowBridge customer service for help with cross-border tracing ④ if you bought insurance yourself from a third party, file a claim within the deadline under that policy's terms (HowBridge currently compensates loss or damage up to three times the shipping fee, and optional declared-value protection (3% of the declared value, max NT$150; up to NT$5,000 once available) is coming soon). (The above compensation does not apply to precious metals and jewelry: they must first be insured by an insurance company, and HowBridge bears no liability for their loss or damage in transit; see the Terms of Service.)
Scenario 4: Customs Clearance Is Stuck for Over 7 Days What to do: ① Check the clearance code in EZ WAY (slower processing is normal when assigned C3) ② Confirm whether documents, tax payment, or an explanation of intended use is required ③ Certain items may be selected for enhanced inspection ④ If the parcel remains unreleased for a long time, contact the Customs Administration or ask the forwarding company to check.
Scenario 5: The Delivery Carrier Makes Multiple Unsuccessful Attempts What to do: ① Reschedule delivery through the carrier's app or customer service ② Switch to convenience-store pickup ③ Use a backup address (office or family member) ④ See the delivery carrier comparison.

Parcel Tracking FAQ

Q1. My package tracking information is in English and I can't understand it. What should I do?
You can use 17track.net (Chinese-English side by side). Common English statuses: ① Picked up = the package has been collected ② In transit = on its way ③ Arrived at destination = has reached the destination ④ Out for delivery = being delivered ⑤ Delivered = delivered ⑥ Customs hold = held by customs ⑦ Returned to sender = sent back to the sender.
Q2. Why can't 17track find my tracking number?
There are 4 common reasons: ① the carrier hasn't actually picked up the package yet ② it has been picked up but not yet entered into the carrier's system ③ the tracking number was entered incorrectly or is invalid ④ the wrong carrier was selected (consolidation shipments often involve two carriers, one for the domestic China leg and one for the international leg; if you pick the wrong one you won't find it, so select the correct carrier and try again). When you first get a tracking number, allow some buffer time before drawing conclusions—don't decide the package is lost within a few hours. Also, when a seller advertises “free shipping,” the tracking number is still generated by the logistics company actually carrying the package; if the order page only says free shipping but shows no number, the seller most likely hasn't uploaded the waybill number yet, so just ask the seller for it. Finally, note that the “consolidation order number” given by a consolidation provider is an internal platform number; for the international leg, use the international tracking number provided separately after dispatch.
Q3. EZ WAY shows the declaration has been filed, but customs release is slow?
It depends on the clearance method assigned by customs: ① C1 no document review, no inspection—once duties and taxes are paid, the goods can be collected with the release notice and the original delivery order ② C2 document review—the declarant must submit the paper declaration and original documents before the end of customs office hours on the day after the online declaration, and the goods are released once the review confirms they match ③ C3 cargo inspection—in addition to submitting documents, the importer must apply for a joint inspection with customs within ten days from the day after the declaration (three days for express consignments) (Article 26 of the Regulations Governing Inspection of Import and Export Goods). The more steps involved, the longer the maximum possible wait—that's where the time difference comes from. Long holidays, typhoons, and heavy customs volume all cause delays. If there has been no movement for a long time, contact your consolidation provider for help.
Q4. Can I see my package's location at any time?
Most of the time, yes, but there are 2 normal “blackout periods”: ① during international transport (the cargo is at sea on the ship or in flight) the tracking system does not update point by point; ② Customs' internal processing does not publish real-time status. It is normal for tracking not to update during these two stretches, and it does not mean the parcel is lost; the status will move again at the next milestone (arrival at port, Customs release).
Q5. If multiple packages are consolidated, can I still track them individually?
Once consolidated and shipped, they become “one master package,” and during international transport they can only be tracked using the consolidated tracking number. However, at the Taiwan customs stage, the declaration still lists the original item details. So in practice, tracking works in two parts: ① before consolidation, track each package separately ② after consolidation, check the master package's tracking number.
Q6. How long before I can file a claim for a lost package?
It depends on the stage where it happened: ① seller shipping stage → handled under the shopping platform's dispute and refund rules ② international transport stage → file under that logistics company's inquiry/claims terms; if insured, claims follow the policy terms ③ Taiwan delivery stage → file a complaint with the delivery carrier, with assistance from HowBridge. HowBridge compensation is currently capped at three times the shipping fee for loss or damage, and optional declared-value protection (3% of the declared value, max NT$150; up to NT$5,000 once available) is coming soon; for high-value items, please confirm the carrier's liability limit and claim conditions before dispatch. (The above compensation does not apply to precious metals and jewelry: they must first be insured by an insurance company, and HowBridge bears no liability for their loss or damage in transit; see the Terms of Service.)
Q7. Where can I check the progress of a package for convenience store pickup?
Look at it in two parts: while the package is still in China or on the international leg, use the tracking number for that leg (see the tracking number quick reference above); once it has been handed over to the Taiwan delivery carrier, use the tracking number provided by the delivery carrier on that carrier's official website, and rely on the pickup notice sent by the delivery carrier or convenience store. Order pages on Chinese shopping platforms do not sync pickup progress in Taiwan, so not finding it there doesn't mean there's a problem with the package.
Q8. Which logistics companies use 13-, 14-, and 12-digit tracking numbers?
13 characters starting with letters = Chunghwa Post international/mainland China mail (E International Express Mail, R Registered, L International e-Packet, C Parcel, EE/EZ/FT/FZ Mainland Express Mail and Cross-Strait Speedpost, LH/LE Cross-Strait e-Packet), tracked at postserv.post.gov.tw; 14 digits are commonly Chunghwa Post domestic express/registered/parcel mail (14 or 20 digits), or ZTO if it's the China leg; 12 digits: Pelican Express (e-can) uses the first 12 digits of its delivery slip, but T-Cat (whose website doesn't publish the number of digits) and domestic SF Express shipments on the China leg may also be 12 digits, so go by the carrier name on the slip or pickup notice; 10 digits = HCT Logistics shipment/waybill number; 15 characters starting with letters (SF/YT/JT/JD/DP) = SF Express/YTO/J&T Express/JD Logistics/Deppon on the China leg. Digit-count rules are subject to each carrier's current website information; see the “How many digits, which carrier?” table above.
Q9. How long does “customs checking” take once a package reaches Taiwan?
Most Sea Express consolidated parcels take under 1 day: among HowBridge's 692 sea express declarations in August 2026 – September 2026, after Customs receives the declaration 97.8% are released within 24 hours and 98.6% within 48 hours. “Under customs review” usually just means the declaration is being processed in the Customs system (C1 no review, no inspection / C2 document review), and there is no statutory release deadline. If it is assigned C3 inspection, under Article 26 of the Regulations Governing the Inspection of Imported and Exported Goods the declarant must apply for and attend the Customs inspection within ten days of the day after declaration (three days for express cargo), and that is when the time stretches. Looking at the whole journey, the median from dispatch in China to signed receipt in Taiwan is 6 days, and 96.4% arrive within 10 days (774 shipments). These are HowBridge operational measurements, not an official standard; for what to do when a parcel is held for inspection, see What to do if your parcel is detained by Customs.
Where do I check Taobao's official logistics tracking?
For the leg from the seller to the forwarding warehouse, go to "My Orders → View Logistics" in the Taobao app; for the international leg after Taobao's official consolidation, go to "International Transfer / My Parcels"; after arrival in Taiwan, use the Taiwanese delivery company's number. If you consolidate with HowBridge, you can follow the whole journey in the 0523.tw member center, including warehouse-arrival photos and the Taiwan number.
How long after leaving Taobao's warehouse does it reach Taiwan?
Taobao's official pages do not state a fixed number of days. HowBridge's own data: from billing in China to signed receipt in Taiwan, the median is 6 days and 96.4% are signed for within 10 days (August 2026 – September 2026, 774 shipments in total); customs inspection, long holidays or peak season make it longer.
Is it normal for Taobao logistics to show "in customs clearance" for many days?
First check whether EZ WAY has a pending notification — Customs will not release the parcel until you tap "declaration matches". If it still has not been released after confirming and more than 7 days have passed, it may be under inspection or waiting for documents; contact your customs broker or consolidator to find out. For how to handle it, see What to do if a parcel is detained by Customs.
Does free shipping come with a tracking number?
Yes. When a seller marks an item "free shipping", the tracking number is still issued by the logistics company that actually carries the parcel. If the order page only says free shipping with no number, the seller most likely has not uploaded the waybill number yet; just ask the seller for it. After a consolidated parcel arrives in Taiwan, it is switched to the Taiwanese delivery company's number.
Which company uses a 13-character tracking number?
A 13-character number starting with letters is a Chunghwa Post international / mainland China mail number: E = international express, L = international e-small packet, EE / EZ / FT / FZ = mainland China express and cross-strait express, LH / LE = cross-strait postal e-small packet. Look it up at Chunghwa Post's postserv.post.gov.tw; the system only holds the most recent 6 months of data, and ordinary international small packets starting with U cannot be tracked.
Which company uses a 14-digit tracking number?
In Taiwan, 14 digits is mostly a Chunghwa Post domestic registered mail, express or parcel number (domestic items also come with 20 digits); enter it in Chunghwa Post's mail tracking system. If it is a 14-digit all-numeric number on the China domestic leg, our experience suggests it is commonly ZTO Express; this is not an official rule, and when you cannot tell, use 17track's automatic detection instead.
Which company uses a 15-character tracking number?
15 characters is mostly a courier number for the China domestic leg: prefixes SF / YT / JT / JD / DP are commonly SF Express / YTO / J&T / JD Logistics / Deppon respectively; for 15 all-numeric digits, our experience suggests it may be Yunda, STO or Cainiao. None of the carriers' websites publish their numbering rules (SF also has 12-digit all-numeric numbers), so go by the carrier name on the slip.
Which company uses a 12-digit tracking number?
The tracking number for Pelican Express is the first 12 digits on the delivery slip (per its website), but T-CAT's website does not state a number length, and SF Express domestic parcels in China are also often 12 all-numeric digits. Use the carrier name on the slip or pickup notice to decide which company to check.
Cited references

This page cites primary government, judicial, and academic sources from HowBridge’s customs reference index (1,171 records). Each item links to its original source.

Reference index data version: 2026-08-16

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