ePacket: The Definitive Guide to Ship, Deliver, and Track Your Products Internationally

December 22, 2021
Contents

Online shopping has been increasing at a breakneck pace in recent years — making the marketplace becoming more competitive than ever. However, starting an online business is very challenging and takes a lot of effort as there are various processes companies need to consider.

One such aspect which online merchants have to take care of is shipping. It's a big challenge for online retailers because they have to ensure their customers get their orders on time. 

Due to this, the ePacket delivery model has come forward and could just be the answer to all these challenges. But what is ePacket delivery?  How does it work? In this article, we will answer both of those questions and so much more. Keep reading this article to know everything there is to know about ePacket delivery.

What is ePacket delivery?

epacket delivery

The ePacket shipping service is an agreement between the United States Postal Services, eBay China, and Hong Kong Post that offers a fast and budget-friendly shipping option to online merchants sourcing products from these countries. This way, the online retailer or eCommerce platform can provide prompt shipping and affordable prices to their consumers.

Previously, shipments from China and Hong Kong would take over eight weeks to arrive. This caused sellers to have a bad reputation in addition to dissatisfied customers. However, with ePacket shipping service, delivery typically takes 7 to 12 working days and is mostly free or takes a few dollars.

The ePacket option has become quite popular in recent years. It allows businesses to make a lot of profit off their products, especially if they're starting out or just entering the eCommerce game. It helps enterprises make significant profit margins on their products, especially those looking to kick start their online store or eCommerce business.

Now, retailers don’t need to wait for several weeks to get the items delivered from China or Hong Kong. Online retailers and dropshipping businesses such as AliExpress, Amazon, eBay, and Shopify can cut costs and make significant profit margins with ePacket shipping.

Benefits of ePacket shipping

There are plenty of advantages of ePacket shipping. Let's look at those if your online store wants to take advantage of them.

Cost-effectiveness

No one wants to pay big money for shipping when the purchase is inexpensive. A common frustration in standard shipping systems is that the fee can be too high for customers, and they might leave. 

That’s where ePacket shipments come in. ePacket shipping cuts down the cost — lower than even the USPS’ domestic first-class service — with similar delivery timelines. Therefore, ePacket delivery is an excellent idea to cut down your expenses.

Fast Delivery

 ePacket is a quick and reliable shipping method that can deliver packages in 7-12 business days. The ePacket shipping time is way fasterordering than the standard shipping methods,hich take up to two weeks. Being on time is one of the best advantages for improving customer satisfaction.

Free Return

For any undelivered shipment, ePacket shipping will return your order for free. This lets merchants know that they can confidently offer free shipping for refunds without worrying about any issues with the customer.

This factor is crucial in maintaining excellent customer relationships and providing shoppers with a sense of security. With reduced shipping times and shipping costs, free returns make ePacket deliveries an affordable shipping option.

Easy Tracking 

Another advantage of using ePacket delivery has to be the ease with which you can get tracking information.  Because you can track ePacket deliveries, it helps you find the detailed status of where the package is and the expected delivery dates.
The other big perk of ePacket is Delivery Confirmation. This ePacket tracking service provides information to both parties when the package arrives and the transaction is complete. This helps to gain the trust of the customer and removes any uncertainty.

Customs Covered By Customers

If any of your products are subject to customs or other fees, the recipient of that shipment must cover these costs. This probably won’t happen with every product you ship out of China, but when it does, your company will not be required to pay any unexpected fees after shipping out your goods.

Requirements of ePacket Deliveries

Let us now move ahead by looking at the requirements that you need to fulfill when you send a package via ePacket shipping.

Package Size

The United States Postal Service has specific size requirements for packages. Merchants should make sure the minimum length of their package is at least 14 cm, and the width is at least 11 cm —  including the length of the packaging box. 

The length plus twice the diameter should be at least 17 cm to ensure your package is safe. If your package is smaller than specified, you can use a bigger box and add more filler.

In addition to this, other specifications include the maximum size, which specifies the maximum length to be 60 cm. For rolled-up packages, the maximum length can be 90 cm. 

The package’s height, length, and width sum should not be more than 90 cm. The maximum length plus twice the diameter should not be more than 104 cm.

epacket package size

Weight and Value

ePacket is a system that limits the weight and value to certain restrictions. The sender can ship within the maximum weight limit of 2 kilograms or 4.4 lbs for a parcel, and the maximum value must not exceed $400 in value.

Furthermore, you can only ship it from China and Hong Kong to one of these eligible countries. The weight of the product, the box, the filler material, and any other packaging must not exceed this weight which is included in the overall weight.

The only exception is Israel, where the weight limit is 3 kilos or 6.6 lbs.

How does ePacket shipping work?

ePacket shipping is an excellent way for your customers to get their items in a reasonable period. It starts with the carrier in China and Hong Kong bringing the package to the border. 

The international carrier then ships it to the customer’s destination. After crossing the destination border, the local courier delivers the item to the customer's address. ePacket shipping time varies by location and delivery method.

What are the countries that have ePacket shipping?

As of August 2021, 46 countries offer services for ePacket shipping and they are listed below:

  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Brazil
  • Canada
  • Croatia
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Gibraltar
  • Great Britain
  • Greece
  • Hong Kong
  • Indonesia
  • Hungary
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malaysia
  • Malta
  • Mexico
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Russia
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Singapore
  • Spain
  • South Korea
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Thailand
  • Turkey
  • Ukraine
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • Vietnam
countries offering ePacket shipping

Note - Packages can be shipped to every state, territory, and military address within the United States.

How Long Does It Take For An ePacket To Be Delivered?

A package shipped to the United States takes 10-20 days on average. But ePacket shipping is still a faster option than other shipping solutions out of Hong Kong and China. 

Considering the sheer volume of parcels processed in bulk along the route to their destination and the number of stops a parcel goes through, ePacket is still pretty fast. 

Other destinations outside the United States may have a longer or similar shipping time based on customs, holidays, and further delays. The ePacket delivery includes tracking information that allows customers to get peace of mind by knowing where their package is during transit.

How To Track an ePacket From China?

One of the best benefits of using China Post’s ePacket shipping service is the ePacket tracking facility. It can be tricky to keep track of all your parcels, especially when shipping a large amount at once. The ePacket tracking system is excellent for customers who might want to know the location of their package. 

Tracking helps keep customers from worrying about scams. That's because, if they ordered something and it doesn't arrive when they expect it to, you'll be able to tell them exactly where the package is. ePacket shipping also offers its tracking service in the USPS network. 

The ePacket tracking USA codes are obtained through your supplier. You can track ePacket shipments using USPS, ePacket China Post, or websites like 17track.net.

ePacket tracking codes can be copied and pasted into multiple websites depending on where the customer lives. For example, a US customer would jump to the USPS website and paste that tracking code there. Another example would be using the China EMS website for all Chinese customers.

As such, you can use ePacket tracking codes differently depending on the customer's location. If you're having trouble finding the postal service's website, take a look at some other third-party tracking solutions such as Track-China Post and AfterShip. 

These options might be more beneficial for your store because they provide excellent tracking information that your customers can email and update.

How Can ePacket Shipping Helps Dropshippers?

Most products are made in China or Hong Kong in the dropshipping world, which means that suppliers are also located in that part of the world. 

One reason why dropshipping products cost less is that ePacket shipping is often available. But if a shopper has to wait a long time before receiving a product or pay a high shipping price, they might reconsider their purchase at the checkout.

ePacket delivery helps your business maintain a positive relationship with your customers. People want instant gratification, which you can provide by making your items available with low shipping times.

A core reason for Amazon’s domination is the convenience of low shipping time. ePacket delivery means that you can meet your customers’ needs while tracking the delivery.

ePacket shipping is a great benefit to any dropshipping business. It offers its merchants and customers a reliable and efficient option for their orders. If most of your customers are based locally, you have the advantage of a quicker delivery. Reliable and timely delivery is a must when starting a dropshipping business.

Dropshipping is an integral part of your brand's longevity. Your customers will stay happy as long as they get deliveries fast. With ePacket, they will receive their product within 12-18 days. At that rate, you can create a long-term relationship with your customers. But if they don't get their order on time, they may become frustrated and ask for a refund.

ePacket is an excellent asset for dropshippers. They can optimize their business process and get things done faster with it. In some instances, PayPal refund requests drop nearly 50% when dropshippers use ePacket as their shipping solution. Timely deliveries also give them a chance to stand out from the crowd.

Benefits of ePacket For Dropshippers

Dropshippers can mention the time for delivery on their stores against each product. ePacket delivery can increase retention and decrease refund requests. Dropshippers add an order tracking page on their online store to help customers avoid emails from customers who frequently inquire about the time of delivery.

How Can Dropshippers Offer ePacket Services?

Dropshipping is a great way to get your product in front of customers without the risk or expense of stocking inventory. China-based platforms such as AliExpress and DHGate have a specific service: ePacket shipping. 

When customers order a product from a drop shipper's site, they have the option to choose ePacket delivery. Then, the customer will get an ePacket shipping tracking code that they can use on China Mail's website.

Using ePacket Shipping With Aliexpress

When you select AliExpress, ePacket shipping is an option. Select "ePacket" from "Choose my shipping method."

In the past, ePacket dropshipping on AliExpress has ranged from $3 to $5. The product usually takes 16-18 days to reach its destination. However, the duration of delivery may vary depending on where you live.

How Do I Know If My Shipment Is an ePacket Delivery?

If you’re an AliExpress drop shipper, you should see what shipping method was used when it’s time to ship. The logistics information will tell you the company’s name that shipped your order. The ePacket logo would be listed along with your tracking number if your package was indeed sent via ePacket.

When you order something off AliExpress, you can tell which shipping method was used via the tracking number. If the tracking number begins with L, it was likely shipped via ePacket. If there is no ePacket number in the tracking information, the package may have been shipped differently.

Customs with ePacket shipping

Your customers might need to pay for customs or taxes with international shipping. This is a typical customs clearance issue rather than an ePacket shipping problem in some cases. 

The ePacket service works by following regular customs clearance processes, which may be why the customer needs to pay for any applicable taxes and duties for their purchase. You may want to contact your suppliers for information about customs fees to determine what you can do for popular items.

When shipping internationally, it's always best to ask the shipping merchant if they know any duties or taxes you might owe on arrival. It may also be beneficial to inquire about any potential fees or taxes before you order.

When shipping items to Canada, or other international destinations, you'll need to check to see if ePacket is available manually. Often, free ePacket shipping is only for the US. Products shipping to Canada and other International countries might have higher shipping fees and lengthier delivery times too.

Therefore, if your target countries are the same almost always, it is better to check if they have ePacket before importing them to your store. With this, you can be safe in knowing that every customer gets the advantage of the ePacket china delivery option.

What Should You Tell Customers If an ePacket is Delayed?

The ePacket delivery service has many conveniences, but it’s easy to track one of the most important. You may experience delays during the holidays, but generally, the ePacket is pretty reliable. If customers are getting confused about where you sent their package, make sure to provide the best service you possibly can!

Since delays happen often, you have to go above and beyond with your customers so that they'll stay customers and share their positive experiences with others. 

In other words, it's best to share the good news of a delay with your customer and offer them a replacement or refund. Then, tell them to keep both items and use them for themselves or give them to someone else.

If you don't offer real-time messaging, you should present the tracking information to your customer. This is a reliable way to account for lost packages and confused customers.  

You should take advantage of the fact that ePacket shipments always have tracking codes on them. The customer shouldn't be confused about their order because they have a trustworthy tracking code to guide them.

You might walk your customer through the process of locating and copying their ePacket tracking numbers and codes. Some may not know how to find it or know the specific URL. Walk them through the process and tell them how to copy and paste the URL of the ePacket tracking code.

Further, check out their location and find local post office information. These details will assist them in finding out about the ePacket shipment location and why their order is being delayed from the average shipping times.

ePacket Delivery and Your Business

Your customers get faster and cheaper delivery across the globe with ePacket delivery. This means they can finally get their hands on products they couldn't get in the past. But ePacket delivery won't work for everyone because it requires a specific geographic location.

The more countries added to the list of accepted ePacket locations, the better your customer's experience.

As for the effects that ePackets have on your own business opens up some possibilities for you to drop ship products from China or Hong Kong. You will find more business-relevant products and lower prices as you research the country. But it is not a good idea if you plan on business locally because the speed of delivery is essential for the company.

Your customers' shipping needs are constantly changing. One year they'll want ePacket shipping, but they might be asking for cheaper and more practical shipping the following year. Keep an eye on what your customers are looking for to keep up with their needs. That is what will get your business moving in the right direction.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this article has given you a strong understanding of ePacket delivery and answered almost all your questions. So, take some time to ponder this idea to integrate it with your e-commerce business.

If it is beneficial for your business, you should make it a part of your online ecosystem. Furthermore, it can also be an excellent addition and something to consider in your digital marketing strategy — which can only benefit your company’s growth. 

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