Tracking colis is the French term for parcel tracking, referring to the real-time monitoring of a shipment from the moment it is handed to a carrier in France or abroad until it is delivered to the recipient’s address. Whether you are waiting for a Colissimo parcel from La Poste, a Chronopost express delivery, a China Post package from AliExpress, or a DHL international shipment, this complete tracking colis guide explains how to find your tracking number, how to track any parcel step by step, what every delivery status means, and exactly what to do when your parcel stops updating.
What Is Tracking Colis?
Tracking colis is the French postal and logistics term for shipment tracking. It covers the full monitoring of a parcel through every scan point in the carrier network, from the initial acceptance scan at the post office or depot to the final delivery scan at the recipient’s door.
Every tracked parcel in France receives a unique numéro de suivi, which is the French tracking number. This number is printed on the deposit receipt or proof of posting and is also sent by email or SMS when you shop online. You enter this number on the carrier’s website or in a universal tracking tool to see every scan event, including the date, time, and location.
France’s national postal operator, La Poste, handles nearly one billion parcels per year through its Colissimo service, making it the most-searched tracking service in the country. International parcels arriving in France from China, the USA, and other countries also use the Colis tracking system once they are handed over to La Poste for last-mile delivery.
How to Find Your Tracking Colis Number
Before you can start tracking colis, you need your tracking number. Here is exactly where to find it:
| Source | Where to Find the Tracking Number |
|---|---|
| La Poste Colissimo | Under the barcode on your deposit receipt or missed delivery notice |
| Chronopost | In the shipment confirmation email |
| Amazon France | Your Orders page, click Track Package |
| AliExpress | My Orders, View Detail, Logistics Information section |
| Vinted | In the sale conversation after the seller marks the item as shipped |
| Cdiscount | Your account, Order Tracking section |
| eBay | Purchase History, Track Order |
| Any online store | In the dispatch confirmation email sent after the seller ships |
Your order number and your tracking colis number are two completely different things. The order number is an internal reference used by the store. The tracking number is assigned by the carrier and is the only number that works on tracking websites.
Tracking Colis Number Formats by Carrier
The format of your tracking number tells you which carrier is handling your parcel and what tracking visibility to expect.
| Carrier | Tracking Number Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Colissimo France and Overseas | Starts with 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9, 13 characters | 6A12345678901 |
| Colissimo International | Starts with C, 13 alphanumeric characters | CB123456789FR |
| Chronopost | 13 digits starting with 8 | 8V12345678901 |
| DPD France | 14 digits | 05200001234567 |
| Mondial Relay | 8 digits | 12345678 |
| DHL Express | 10 to 11 digits | 1234567890 |
| FedEx | 12 to 15 digits | 123456789012 |
| UPS | 18 characters starting with 1Z | 1Z999AA10123456784 |
| China Post EMS to France | 13 characters ending in CN | EE123456789CN |
| ePacket to France | 13 characters starting with L, ending CN | LM489998816CN |
| Yanwen to France | 13 characters ending in YP | UA123456789YP |
| Cainiao to France | Starts with CNUSUP | CNUSUP00017762655 |
If you do not know your carrier, paste your tracking colis number into indiaposttrackings.com. The tool automatically detects the carrier and retrieves tracking data without requiring you to select the carrier manually.
How to Track a Colis: All Methods
On the Official Carrier Website
The most direct method is to visit the official website of the carrier handling your parcel.
| Carrier | Official Tracking Website |
|---|---|
| La Poste Colissimo | laposte.fr, Track a Parcel section |
| Chronopost | chronopost.fr, Track section |
| DPD France | dpd.fr, Track Your Parcel section |
| Mondial Relay | mondialrelay.fr, Track Your Parcel section |
| DHL | dhl.com, Track section |
| FedEx | fedex.com, Track section |
| GLS France | gls-france.com |
| Colis Prive | colisprive.com |
On the La Poste Mobile App
La Poste offers its official app on iOS and Android. It allows you to track all your Colissimo parcels and Chronopost shipments with push notifications at every key delivery milestone. On the day of delivery, the app shows a real-time map of your parcel’s progress. You can also share your QR code with a trusted person to receive the parcel on your behalf without requiring a formal power of attorney.
On indiaposttrackings.com
- Go to indiaposttrackings.com
- Enter your tracking colis number in the search bar
- Click Track Now
- View the complete parcel journey, including any carrier handoffs during international transit
This is especially useful for AliExpress, Temu, and SHEIN orders arriving in France from China, as the tool follows the parcel through the Chinese carrier’s leg and automatically resumes tracking once La Poste takes over for last-mile delivery in France.
On Google
Paste your tracking colis number directly into the Google search bar. Google automatically detects major carrier numbers, including Colissimo, DHL, FedEx, and UPS and displays the current status in the search results without visiting any separate website. This is the fastest method for a quick status check.
By SMS
La Poste automatically sends SMS notifications at key delivery stages if you provided your phone number during the online order. You can also sign up for SMS tracking notifications on laposte.fr by entering your tracking number and registering your mobile number.
Colissimo Tracking Colis: Complete Guide
Colissimo is La Poste’s primary parcel delivery service and the number one home delivery service in France, handling nearly 500 million parcels per year. It delivers in 48 working hours within mainland France and serves 235 countries internationally.
Colissimo International Tracking Number Prefixes:
| Prefix | Colissimo International Service Type |
|---|---|
| CA | Europe, home delivery without signature |
| CB | Europe, home delivery with signature |
| CI | Europe, collection at the relay point |
| CM | International with a signature from France |
| CP | International Expert, with signature |
| CC | International with signature from France |
Colissimo Delivery Times:
| Destination | Estimated Delivery Time |
|---|---|
| Mainland France | 2 working days, 48 hours |
| French Overseas Territories | 5 to 7 working days |
| Europe, 32 countries | 3 to 6 working days |
| International outside Europe | 4 to 9 working days |
Colissimo delivers Monday through Saturday. Parcels deposited on Saturday after the cutoff time are dispatched only on the following Monday, delaying delivery by two days. Public holidays are not counted in delivery timelines.
Chronopost is La Poste’s express service used mainly by businesses for urgent deliveries. It guarantees next-day delivery within France and one- to two-day delivery to major European countries. Prices start at around 35 euros in France and 50 euros across Europe.
Tracking Colis Status Meanings
Every tracking colis update corresponds to a specific stage in your parcel’s journey. Here is what each status means in plain English:
| Tracking Colis Status | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Parcel Accepted or Pris en Charge | The parcel was handed to the carrier and scanned. Tracking is now active. |
| In Transit or en cours d’Acheminement | The parcel is moving between two points in the carrier network. |
| Departed Sorting Centre | Arrived at Sorting Centre |
| The carrier visited, but no one was home to receive the parcel. | The parcel left the hub and is heading toward the next stage. |
| Out for Delivery or En cours de livraison | A postman or driver is delivering your parcel today. |
| Delivered or Livre | The parcel was successfully handed to the recipient. |
| Delivery Attempted or Tentative de Livraison | Customs Cleared or Douane Effectue |
| Missed Delivery Notice Left or Avis de Passage | A card was left in your mailbox with instructions to reschedule or collect from a post office. |
| Available at Post Office or Disponible en Bureau de Poste | The parcel is ready for collection at the post office listed on your missed delivery notice. |
| In Customs or En Douane | The international parcel is being processed by customs authorities. |
| Return to Sender or Retour à l’expéditeur | Delivery failed multiple times, and the parcel is heading back to the sender. |
| The parcel has cleared customs and is moving into the local delivery phase. | Delivery failed multiple times, and the parcel is heading back to the sender. |
| Incident | An unexpected issue occurred, such as an incorrect address or damaged parcel. |
Out for Delivery explained: When tracking colis shows Out for Delivery or En Cours de Livraison, your parcel is physically in the postman’s vehicle for same-day delivery between 8 AM and 7 PM. If no one is home, a missed delivery notice is left, and the parcel is held at the nearest post office for 15 calendar days.
Available at Post Office explained: This status means your parcel is at the post office listed on your missed delivery notice. You have 15 calendar days to collect it with your notice and a valid government-issued ID. After 15 days, the parcel is automatically returned to the sender.
Tracking Colis International: China to France
France is one of the main destinations for parcels shipped from China via AliExpress, Temu, SHEIN, Wish, and other platforms. These parcels travel through several carriers before reaching French recipients.
Complete journey from China to France:
Stage 1: Dispatch in China. The seller hands the parcel to China Post, Yanwen, Cainiao, or another Chinese carrier. The tracking number becomes active within 24 to 48 hours of carrier pickup.
Stage 2: Chinese Export Processing. The parcel is sent to an international exchange office in Shanghai, Guangzhou, or Beijing and then passes through export security screening and Chinese customs clearance.
Stage 3: Air Transit to France The parcel is loaded onto an international flight. No scan events occur during this stage. A gap of 7 to 21 days is completely normal here.
Stage 4: Arrival in France The parcel arrives at La Poste’s international exchange platform at Paris Roissy Charles de Gaulle or Lyon and enters French customs clearance.
Stage 5: French Customs French customs review the declared value. Since July 2021, all parcels imported from outside the EU are subject to French VAT regardless of value. Parcels above 150 euros may also attract import duties payable before release.
Stage 6: La Poste Handover. After customs clearance, La Poste receives the parcel and routes it to the distribution centre for your French department.
Stage 7: Last-Mile Delivery Your postman delivers the parcel Monday through Saturday.
Expected total delivery times from China to France:
| Shipping Service | Total Delivery Time |
|---|---|
| China Post EMS | 10 to 20 days |
| ePacket | 15 to 30 days |
| Cainiao Standard | 20 to 45 days |
| Yanwen Economic Air Mail | 20 to 45 days |
| DHL Express from China | 3 to 7 days |
| AliExpress Standard Shipping | 15 to 35 days |
Enter your Chinese tracking colis number on indiaposttrackings.com to follow both the Chinese carrier leg and the La Poste delivery leg in France in one unified timeline without switching between websites.
GeoPost, DPD, and Chronopost Tracking Colis
GeoPost is the international division of La Poste and one of Europe’s largest parcel delivery networks, processing over 2 billion parcels annually. It operates under different brand names across Europe:
| Brand | Country |
|---|---|
| DPD | France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain |
| Chronopost | France and international |
| SEUR | Spain |
| BRT Bartolini | Italy |
| Speedy | Eastern Europe |
| Jadlog | Brazil |
All these carriers share GeoPost’s sorting and transport infrastructure. A Colissimo parcel sent from France to Spain travels through Chronopost in France and is handed to SEUR in Spain for final delivery. The complete journey is visible under one tracking colis number throughout the entire route.
Mondial Relay Tracking Colis
Mondial Relay is one of the most widely used parcel relay networks in France, with over 20,000 relay points including supermarkets, tobacconists, and post offices. It is the delivery method used by Vinted, La Redoute, Cdiscount, and many French fashion and e-commerce sites.
Mondial Relay tracking colis numbers are 8 digits long. To track your Mondial Relay parcel, go to mondialrelay.fr, click Track Your Parcel, and enter your 8-digit tracking number.
Once your parcel arrives at the relay point and shows Available status, you have 8 working days to collect it before it is returned to the sender. Bring your tracking confirmation or order email, along with a valid ID.
Tracking Colis Not Updating: Causes and Fixes
Tracking colis stops updating for several reasons, ranging from completely normal to situations requiring action.
Normal gaps needing no action:
International air transit from China to France results in a 7- to 21-day gap with no updates. The parcel is in flight, and no scans are possible during air transport.
French customs processing takes 3 to 14 days with no real-time tracking updates. Customs does not share live data with carrier tracking systems.
New tracking numbers take 24 to 48 hours to activate after dispatch.
Peak periods like Christmas, January sales, and Black Friday can delay scan updates by 1 to 3 days due to high parcel volumes.
Problems needing your action:
A parcel blocked at French customs for more than 14 days may require payment of VAT or import duties. Check your email for a customs notification from La Poste or French customs authorities.
An incorrect or incomplete address causes delivery failure. Contact the carrier with your tracking colis number to provide the corrected address.
No update for more than 7 working days on a domestic French shipment is abnormal. Contact La Poste customer service.
Step by step when tracking a colis is stuck:
- Wait 48 hours for French domestic shipments before taking action
- Wait 7 to 21 days after departure from China for international orders
- Check whether French customs duties are owed for international parcels
- Enter your tracking number on indiaposttrackings.com to check if any carrier has newer data
- Contact La Poste at 3634 from France or 0033 810 821 821 from abroad
- Contact the seller or online store and ask them to raise a carrier investigation
French Customs and Import Duties for International Colis
Since July 2021, all parcels imported into France from countries outside the European Union are subject to French VAT at 20 percent, regardless of the declared value. Additional import duties apply to parcels with a declared value exceeding 150 euros.
For AliExpress, Temu, and SHEIN orders from China, most platforms collect French VAT at the time of purchase for orders below 150 euros. For orders above 150 euros, customs duties may be collected separately before the parcel is released for delivery.
If your tracking shows a customs-related status for more than 7 days, check your email for a payment notification. The parcel remains on hold until applicable charges are settled.
La Poste Customer Service Contacts:
| Contact Method | Details | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| France Hotline | 3634 | Monday to Friday 8 AM to 7 PM, Saturday to 1 PM |
| International Hotline | 0033 810 821 821 | Monday to Friday 8 AM to 7 PM |
| Online Claim | laposte.fr, customer account | 24 hours |
Final Thoughts
Tracking colis gives every buyer and sender in France complete visibility over their parcel’s journey from the moment it enters the carrier network to successful delivery at the destination address. Understanding the format of your tracking number, what each status means in both French and English, and how long each delivery stage normally takes removes the uncertainty of waiting for important parcels. For international parcels arriving in France from China via multiple carriers, indiaposttrackings.com provides complete tracking coverage across all carriers in a unified timeline, free with no registration required.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tracking Colis
What is tracking colis?
Tracking colis is the French term for parcel tracking. It refers to the real-time monitoring of a shipment from dispatch to delivery using a numéro de suivi, which is the French tracking number. Every tracked parcel in France receives a unique tracking number printed on the postal receipt and sent by email or SMS when shopping online.
Where is my tracking colis number?
Your tracking colis number is under the barcode on your Colissimo deposit receipt or missed delivery notice. For online purchases, it is in the dispatch confirmation email that the seller sends after shipping. The tracking number is different from your order number and is the only number that works on carrier tracking websites.
Why is my tracking colis not updating?
For international parcels from China, a gap of 7 to 21 days during air transit and 3 to 14 days during French customs processing is completely normal. For domestic French shipments, no update for more than 3 working days is unusual. Contact La Poste at 3634 from France or check your email for a customs notification if the parcel is international.
How do I track a parcel from China to France?
Enter your AliExpress, Temu, or SHEIN tracking number on indiaposttrackings.com. The tool tracks the Chinese carrier leg from dispatch and automatically continues tracking through La Poste once the parcel arrives in France after customs clearance, showing the complete journey in one unified timeline.
How long is a colis available at the post office?
A Colissimo parcel not collected is available at the post office for 15 calendar days from the date of the missed delivery notice. After 15 days, it is automatically returned to the sender. Collect with your missed delivery notice and a valid government-issued ID.
What does En Cours de Livraison mean in tracking colis?
En Cours de Livraison means Out for Delivery in French. It means your postman or driver is currently on their delivery round and your parcel will arrive today between 8 AM and 7 PM. If no one is home, a missed-delivery notice is left and the parcel is held at the nearest post office.
How do I contact La Poste about a Colis tracking problem?
Call 3634 from France, available Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 7 PM and Saturday until 1 PM, excluding public holidays. From abroad, call 0033 810 821 821 during the same hours. You can also file a formal complaint online through your customer account on laposte.fr.
My tracking shows the parcel as delivered, but I have not received it.
Check with all household members and neighbours in case someone accepted the delivery. Contact your local post office with the tracking colis number and ask for the delivery confirmation record, including GPS data. File a formal complaint with La Poste customer service if delivery cannot be confirmed to your address.
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