Cainiao Package in the US — What Happens Next (Including SpeedX)
Why your AliExpress tracking switches carriers once it reaches America, when SpeedX gets involved, and how to follow your package all the way to your door.
You’ve been tracking your AliExpress order for days — watching it move through China, go silent during international transit, and finally show up at a US location. Then suddenly the tracking switches. A new carrier name appears. Sometimes it’s USPS. Sometimes it’s SpeedX. Sometimes the tracking just stops updating entirely and you’re left wondering what’s happening.
This guide explains exactly what Cainiao is, why your package changes hands when it reaches the US, and what to do when SpeedX — or any other carrier — takes over for the final delivery leg.
What Is Cainiao and Why Is It on Your Tracking?
Cainiao is not a delivery company in the traditional sense. It’s Alibaba’s logistics network — a platform that coordinates international shipping for AliExpress, Taobao, and other Alibaba-owned marketplaces. Founded in 2013, Cainiao operates the largest cross-border e-commerce logistics network globally, handling over 5 million packages daily across more than 200 countries and regions.
When you place an order on AliExpress and see “Cainiao Standard Shipping,” “Cainiao Super Economy,” or similar, Cainiao is acting as the logistics coordinator — not the physical delivery company. It manages the journey from the seller’s warehouse in China, through international air or sea freight, to the point where your package enters your country’s domestic delivery system.
At that point, Cainiao hands your package off to a local last-mile carrier — and in the US, that’s when SpeedX, USPS, or another domestic carrier takes over.
Cainiao Tracking Numbers — What Format to Look For
Before you can track anything, you need to know what your tracking number looks like. Cainiao tracking numbers start with “LP” followed by 12 digits, which is the standard format for most AliExpress international orders — for example, LP000123456789. This number tracks the shipping record through Cainiao’s partner network.
However, Cainiao tracking numbers come in several formats depending on the shipping method: LP + 14 digits for Cainiao Super Economy and budget shipments, or 2 letters + 9 digits + 2 letters for registered mail formats.
There’s also an important change that affected tracking in 2025: after Cainiao introduced its tax-included shipping methods, codes like HS or HA began appearing in the app. These are not actual tracking numbers. HS stands for Hanshui Sea — the tax-included sea shipping route — and HA stands for Hanshui Air — the tax-included air shipping route.
To check your latest delivery status, you should use your Logistics No. — that’s the tracking number starting with LP.
Summary of what each prefix means:
| Prefix | What It Is |
|---|---|
| LP + 12–14 digits | Standard Cainiao tracking number — use this to track |
| HS | Hanshui Sea route code — not a tracking number |
| HA | Hanshui Air route code — not a tracking number |
| AA123456789CN | Registered mail format — tracks via postal system |
Where to Track Your Cainiao Package
You have several options for tracking your Cainiao shipment:
AliExpress order page (recommended first): Go to “My Orders” → select your order → tap “Track Order.” This shows the full delivery chain in one place, including both the Cainiao international leg and the US last-mile carrier once the handoff has occurred.
Cainiao’s official tracking site: global.cainiao.com allows you to track up to 100 numbers simultaneously using your LP number. This is useful if you have multiple orders in transit.
17TRACK: A universal tracking aggregator that integrates with over 3,000 carriers including Cainiao and all US domestic carriers. Particularly useful when your package has transferred to a US carrier, since 17TRACK can show both legs in a single view.
Once SpeedX has your package: Use SpeedX’s official tracking at speedx.io with your SPX tracking number, or use our free tracker at the bottom of this page.
The Full Journey: From AliExpress to Your Door
Understanding the complete route helps you know which tracking system to use at each stage and why the tracking goes quiet when it does.
Stage 1 — Seller Processing in China (1–7 days)
After you place your order, the seller packs your item and hands it to Cainiao. After the seller ships, the package gets consolidated at a Cainiao warehouse before international export. Tracking shows “package received” or “processing” — the package is sitting in a warehouse, not moving yet.
Stage 2 — International Air or Sea Freight (7–20 days for standard, 3–5 days for expedited)
Your package leaves China in a consolidated freight shipment — thousands of packages bundled together on a cargo aircraft or container ship. Once the package leaves China by air freight, tracking freezes until it arrives at a hub in the destination country. Expect 7–20 days of silence on standard shipping. This silence is completely normal — not a sign of anything wrong.
Economy shipping via sea takes significantly longer and involves multiple hub transfers, making tracking gaps of 2–3 weeks normal for budget shipping tiers.
Stage 3 — US Customs Clearance (1–5 days, sometimes longer)
Your package arrives at a US port of entry — typically Los Angeles, New York, or New Jersey — and enters US Customs and Border Protection processing. Since the de minimis exemption was eliminated for China-origin shipments in May 2025, every Cainiao package from China now goes through formal customs processing rather than the expedited pathway that existed before.
During customs processing, no individual tracking scans are generated. Your tracking may show a final Cainiao scan like “Arrived at destination country” or “Customs clearance in progress” before going silent again for 1–5 days.
Stage 4 — Handoff to US Last-Mile Carrier
Once customs clears your package, Cainiao transfers it to a domestic last-mile carrier for final delivery. Once your parcel arrives in your country, Cainiao hands it over to a trusted local carrier for final-mile delivery. Common last-mile partners include USPS in the USA. A new local tracking number may be generated at this handover point.
In major US metropolitan areas, SpeedX is one of the carriers that handles this final leg for AliExpress/Cainiao shipments alongside USPS and other regional carriers. Which carrier you get depends on your zip code, the shipping method selected at checkout, and carrier availability in your area at the time of shipment.
Stage 5 — SpeedX Last-Mile Delivery (1–3 days)
If SpeedX is assigned to your package, your AliExpress order page will show an SPX tracking number once the handoff occurs. This number activates in SpeedX’s system once the package physically arrives at a SpeedX facility — there may be a 24–48 hour gap between the Cainiao handoff and the first SPX scan appearing.
From there, SpeedX moves your package through their hub network to your local delivery area, with typical last-mile delivery taking 1–3 business days.
Why Tracking Goes Silent — And at Which Stage
There are three common tracking gap points: during processing in China where the package is being consolidated; during international transit where tracking freezes for 7–20 days; and at the local carrier handoff where LP tracking stops updating and you need the local carrier number to continue tracking.
Here’s a clear map of where each gap happens and what to do:
| Gap | Where It Happens | How Long | What to Do |
|---|---|---|---|
| After label creation | China warehouse | 1–3 days | Wait — package being consolidated |
| International transit | Air/sea freight | 7–20 days | Wait — no scans mid-flight |
| US customs | CBP processing | 1–5 days | Wait — normal processing |
| Carrier handoff | Cainiao → SpeedX/USPS | 24–48 hours | Switch to US carrier tracking number |
| SpeedX intake | SpeedX facility | 12–48 hours | Check SPX number on speedx.io |
How to Find Your SpeedX Tracking Number for a Cainiao/AliExpress Order
Your SPX number won’t appear immediately — it’s only generated once Cainiao hands the package to SpeedX. Here’s where to find it:
In the AliExpress app: Go to “My Orders” → select your order → “Track Order.” Scroll down past the Cainiao events — once the US handoff has happened, an SPX number will appear alongside “SpeedX” as the carrier name.
From your seller: If the SPX number isn’t showing in your order yet but your LP tracking shows the package has cleared US customs, message the seller through AliExpress. They can see the logistics chain on their end and can confirm which carrier has your package.
Important: If you only see an LP number and no SPX number yet, your package is still on the international leg or at customs. The SPX number only appears after SpeedX physically receives it.
HS and HA Codes — The 2025 Change That’s Confusing Everyone
This is worth its own section because it’s one of the most common causes of tracking confusion for Cainiao users right now.
From 2025, after Cainiao introduced its tax-included shipping methods, the previous local delivery tracking numbers are no longer displayed in the app. You’ll now see codes like HS or HA, which don’t represent actual tracking numbers. HS stands for Hanshui Sea and HA stands for Hanshui Air. This change happened because Cainiao’s system is currently being upgraded, and the new backend hasn’t yet linked the follow-up US tracking numbers.
If you’re seeing HS or HA in your Cainiao app and can’t find any tracking information, this is the reason. Use your LP number (the one starting with LP followed by digits) to track instead. If you don’t have an LP number visible, check your AliExpress order page directly rather than the Cainiao app — the order page typically shows the LP number even when the app is showing the HS/HA service codes.
When to Be Concerned vs. When to Keep Waiting
Tracking gaps of 5–15 days are common during air transit from China. Track on the destination country’s postal site once the parcel arrives.
Here’s a practical guide for Cainiao/AliExpress orders:
| Situation | Wait or Act? |
|---|---|
| LP number shows no activity, less than 72 hours | Wait — label may have been created before handoff |
| Silence during international transit, under 20 days | Wait — normal for standard shipping |
| Package at US customs, under 5 business days | Wait — normal processing |
| No US carrier scan after 10+ business days at customs | Contact AliExpress seller |
| SPX number not showing activity after 48 hours post-customs | Wait — processing gap is normal |
| SpeedX shows “In Transit” for 4+ days with no movement | Contact SpeedX via Miles, then AliExpress |
| Total time since shipping exceeds 30 days (standard) | Open dispute on AliExpress |
If Something Goes Wrong — Who to Contact
For issues during international transit or customs: Contact your AliExpress seller directly. Most platforms offer buyer protection policies that allow you to request a refund or reshipping if your package is delayed or lost. Open a dispute before your buyer protection window expires.
For issues once SpeedX has your package: Contact SpeedX via their Miles chatbot at speedx.io (available 8am–8pm ET). For complex issues, contact your AliExpress seller in parallel — they have more leverage with SpeedX as the paying merchant than you do as an individual recipient.
Cainiao direct support: In 2025–2026, Cainiao has been shifting customer support away from phone toward WhatsApp and email. For Cainiao-specific issues, the most practical path is through your AliExpress seller rather than contacting Cainiao directly — sellers have direct access to Cainiao’s logistics records and can escalate internally.
Quick Reference
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is Cainiao? | Alibaba’s logistics network — coordinates shipping, doesn’t deliver directly |
| What does LP mean in my tracking number? | Standard Cainiao package identifier — use this to track |
| What does HS or HA mean? | Service route codes, not tracking numbers — use LP number instead |
| Why did my tracking switch to SpeedX? | Cainiao handed off to SpeedX for US last-mile delivery |
| Where do I find my SPX number? | AliExpress order page, under “Track Order” once US handoff occurs |
| Who do I contact if something goes wrong? | Your AliExpress seller first — they have buyer protection authority |
Track Your Package Once SpeedX Has It
If your Cainiao package has cleared US customs and SpeedX is handling the final delivery, check your real-time status using our free tracker below.
