With the rise of e-commerce, shipping methods are also evolving. They are becoming swifter and more trackable than ever before. One such shipping method is ePacket, which offers cheaper shipping rates, end-to-end tracking, and fast delivery times. It can cater to packages sent from Hong Kong and China to over 40 countries. So, whether you run an AliExpress dropshipping business or just a regular customer trying to ship something from China, you can rely on ePacket shipping to receive parcels quickly.
Want to know more about what an ePacket is and how can you ship with it? Dive into this comprehensive guide to begin exploring everything from the key basics.
Part 1. What is ePacket?
Primarily, Express Mail Service (EMS) China used to cover most shipments from China and Hong Kong. Though it was an affordable shipping service, it had long delivery times. This led to significant losses in dropshipping businesses. Understanding the need for an alternative, the United States Postal Service (USPS) came forward to launch ePacket in 2011.
ePacket is an affordable shipping service with quicker delivery times. Since its launch, it has been an ideal bet for dropshipping businesses trying to compete with local manufacturers’ delivery times. The service is now supported in multiple countries, helping businesses ship low-value small products.
Part 2. What is ePacket Shipping?
As indicated by the letter “e” in its name, ePacket is a shipping service handled by third-party logistic companies. These companies ensure smooth delivery of goods from source countries to over 40 countries around the globe at reasonable pricing. Owing to this, consumers can receive lightweight, low-priced goods faster and with minimal shipping rates from online stores that ship outside China and Hong Kong.
ePacket shipping can also be seen as a delivery option offered by Chinese sellers on platforms like Alibaba, AliExpress, and eBay. Its association with such reliable online marketplaces indicates the importance and demand for ePacket shipping. If you are an e-commerce merchant planning to offer ePacket shipping, you must meet certain ePacket shipping requirements regarding size, weight, and price.
Part 3. ePacket Shipping Requirements
ePacket shipping requirements imposed by USPS demand packages to be more than 14 centimeters in length and less than 60 centimeters in length. The width requirement is less than 11 centimeters, and the combined length, height, and thickness shouldn’t be over 90 centimeters. If you have rolled up the package, its longest side shouldn’t be over 90 centimeters and below 11 centimeters. Moreover, twice the diameter and additional length should not exceed 104 cm.
The weight limit is less than 4.4 pounds (2 kilograms). This weight corresponds to the final weight of the shipment with filler material, shipping box, product, and any other material used in packaging. Note that shipments for Israel can be 3 kilograms, and for the UK, it’s 5 kilograms.
Aside from this, the value of shipments can’t be over $400, and they must be shipped from China or Hong Kong to eligible countries.
Tip: Is your package weight less than the requirement? Merchants usually use larger boxes and add loads of filler material to cover for it and enjoy the perks of this e-commerce shipping method.
Part 4. Why is ePacket Popular for Shipping from China?
By now, you have explored the basics of ePacket and ePacket shipping. Let’s now take a look at why this service is so popular for shipping from China. For that, the following pros will surely be of help:
Shipping Time: Standard air freight shipping time from China to the US is eight to ten days and is much costlier than you can ever imagine. On the other hand, the cheaper sea freight takes several weeks. However, with ePacket, one can save much of their time by shipping to the US within seven to thirty days at affordable pricing. This contributes to faster and more compatible delivery times for local manufacturers.
Cost-Effectiveness: ePacket shipping is cost-effective compared to renowned options like China International EMS. With it, you can ship a 0.5 kg parcel for USD 7.69, a 1.0 kg parcel for USD 13.97, a 1.5 kg parcel for USD 20.26, and a 2.0 kg parcel for just USD 26.54.
Tracking: What else sets ePacket shipping apart is its end-to-end tracking, available for just ¥8-16 RMB. Owing to it, dropshipping businesses and customers can keep real-time track of their parcels and foresee potential delays due to weather, ensuring their customer’s satisfaction.
Postal Customs Payment: All ePacket shipments need to pass regular customs clearance. This means that the receivers must pay taxes, customs, and duties, if any. This ensures compliance with international shipping regulations.
Free Returns on Undeliverable Items: ePacket shipping returns any undeliverable item without charging the merchant any additional expense. This perk makes it easier for merchants to issue refunds on undelivered packages.
Part 5. ePacket Shipping Coverage
As mentioned earlier, ePacket shipping covers over 40 countries around the globe and ships only from China and Hong Kong. Here is the list of supported countries:
| Australia | Austria | Belgium | Brazil |
| Canada | Croatia | Denmark | Germany |
| Estonia | Finland | France | Hungary |
| Greece | Hong Kong | Indonesia | Kazakhstan |
| Ireland | Israel | Italy | Malaysia |
| Latvia | Lithuania | Luxembourg | New Zealand |
| Malta | Mexico | Netherlands | Russia |
| Norway | Poland | Portugal | South Korea |
| Saudi Arabia | Singapore | Spain | Turkey |
| Sweden | Switzerland | Thailand | Vietnam |
| Ukraine | United Kingdom | United States |
Part 6. How Long Does ePacket Take to Deliver?
ePacket shipments take different times to deliver to different countries. In the case of shipping to the US, it will take seven to thirty days from the initial shipment date. Breaking down the time, the package spends around half the time in transit and the other half in routing to the right facilities.
On the other hand, shipments to Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Ukraine take seven to twenty working days, and those to Mexico take around twenty working days. Though multi-week time might seem longer, that’s pretty much justified. This is because ePacket shipments are handed over to multiple hands before arriving at the destination.
Keep in mind that shipping times can vary significantly depending on factors like holidays, customs, weather issues, etc. But if you have paid for tracking, you can get real-time updates regarding the location of your package.
Part 7. How to Track My ePacket Delivery?
As mentioned earlier, ePacket shipments are trackable from the source location to your destination doorstep. That said, each ePacket shipment with a tracking facility comes with a thirteen-character tracking number. It begins with character L, followed by another character and nine numerals, ending at CN. They look something like Lx000000000CN, Ex000000000CN, etc.
Once you have the tracking number, you can paste it into the designated box at the USPS tracking service website and hit Enter to check the details. Other platforms to track ePacket shipments include TrackingMore, China Post Tracking, and Aftership.
Part 8. Is ePacket Legit?
Still wondering if ePacket is legit and safe to use? Hear us shouting YES! Owing to the ePacket reviews, almost no user has reported safety concerns; the only issue they faced was longer than expected delivery time. As China Post processes a plethora of parcels every second, it’s normal for some to get delayed or, in the worst case, get lost. However, minimal reviewers faced this issue. Most of them were in favor of the impressive tracking system that eased the waiting time.
Here is a glimpse of the reviews we came over:
- “Shipping time only took six days from China to the United States. Very fast and reliable!”
- “Very, very, very slow, but the detailed frequent tracking notifications I received from Package Radar were informative and helpful in tracing the package.”
Conclusion
ePacket shipping has emerged as a revolutionary shipping method for dropshipping businesses sourcing products from China or Hong Kong. Individual customers can also benefit from the fast delivery and affordability of this service. Currently, ePacket shipping is supported in over 40 countries, and certain shipment requirements need to be met. In short, ePacket was an ideal launch by USPS, and its rising popularity since 2011 is proof of this.
ePacket shipments are usually completed with third-party logistics. So, if you are looking for one, be sure to check out NextSmartShip. This amazing platform uses its extensive shipping network to help small businesses grow by ensuring safe, secure, and quick delivery of orders. It also offers tracking and packing services. In short, it’s an all-in-one solution for businesses. Check out the official website for more details.
