Ebay's tracking of chinese packages

[quarks_9]

I've noticed that when I click the tracking number in ebays  purchase history,  some china packages naturally only track within china, while some actually track all the way to my mailbox, even though USPS tracking shows a message like "Product from china not trackable".

How does Ebay perform this Powerful magic?  Is there any way us mere mortals can access whatever source Ebay uses?

[donsdetour]

You would need to know the system the tracking number is for.

[fab_finds4u]

You should concentrate on the expected delivery date and start looking for it then. Seeing or not seeing tracking doesn't matter. You're buying an item that's expected to be delivered by xx date whether tracking is attached or not. You can't do diddly until after the expected delivery date passes and it's not delivered.

[kensgiftshop]

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@quarks_9 

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Probably like here in the US, you have to know which carrier they are using, then go to their web site.

[pa_38276095]

As part of eBay's deal between eBay, USPS & China Post e-packet packages from China are considered 1st Class Mail once they reach the U.S. even though they can weigh up to 4.4 pounds. eBay would be obtaining the information form the carrier using their API. eBay has its own API.

Some companies provide their API for free while others charge money or limit the number of calls. You likely have to signup for a developer account and utilize a unique key for your application. You could like create an application using a tool such as Xojo. Maybe someone has already done this with an online tool or app you download - search Google.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/API

[postingid7659]

Packages from China can use multiple shippers and there are "universal" tracking sources as well.  

Sometimes they track all the way, other times I get a USPS number and they only track when they enter the system here.