Among the shipping methods we see the most lately on AliExpress is the “Cainiao Standard for Special Goods”, so today we are going to explain everything you need to know about it.
What is the “Cainiao Standard for Special Goods” like?
This is a certified shipping option. This means that throughout the package's journey the courier agency tracks it, allowing you to check every step of the order and see where it is at any given moment.
It is a more expensive shipping method than the ordinary one (the one without tracking number), but it is also usually faster (even if it tells you that it takes 43 to 68 days) and can give you more peace of mind in tracking the package.
Which option do I choose for my shipment?
“Cainiao Standard for Special Goods” vs “Cainiao Super Economy for Special Goods”
Sometimes the seller has both Cainiao “Standard” and “Super Economy” as shipping methods.
If so, it is most likely that “Cainiao Standard for Special Goods” is paid and “Cainiao Super Economy for Special Goods” is the free method offered by the seller.
We recommend that, if you are not in a hurry, you always choose free shipping. For small orders, it is not worth paying for shipping that will probably cost you as much as the item is worth.
For larger orders, the seller will usually offer free shipping with tracking.
“AliExpress Standard Shipping” vs “Cainiao Standard for Special Goods”
Main article: AliExpress Standard Shipping
Both “AliExpress Standard Shipping” and “Cainiao Standard for Special Goods” are two certified shipping methods and both are operated by logistics companies belonging to the Alibaba group.
The most notable difference is that, while in “Cainiao Standard for Special Goods” the estimated delivery time can be between 43-68 days, in “AliExpress Standard Shipping” the average delivery time drops to 15-45 days.
“AliExpress Standard Shipping” takes less time than “Cainiao Standard”, so whenever you can choose between the two, we recommend you to choose “AliExpress Standard Shipping”.
Tracking “Cainiao Standard for Special Goods”
As we mentioned, this is a certified method and this means you can follow the path of the shipment.
To follow your order, you just have to do this:
- Click here
- Find the order
- Copy the tracking code
Now go to one of the websites that we mentioned in this post and enter the code to see where the order is.
Why do fewer and fewer products have free shipping?
If you regularly shop on AliExpress, you may have noticed that there are fewer and fewer items that already include shipping. Why is this?
First of all, you should know that all sellers pay for shipping your product, but they usually pass it directly on the price of the item.
The bad practices of some buyers like using disputes fraudulently (for example, saying that you have not received something when you have received it), have led more and more sellers to cover their backs and charge shipping separately.
If a buyer opens a dispute requesting a full refund and wins, AliExpress will refund the value of the item and shipping (in the case of free shipping).
That is why many sellers now prefer to do it separately or not to send the items by regular mail and thus be able to prove that the buyer has received the order.