Recently, when I made a purchase on AliExpress, I was assigned a somewhat unusual tracking number that starts with “BR” and ends with “MG”.
Can You Really Buy a Cheap CPU on AliExpress? I Imported a Ryzen 9 9950X.
The problem was that this tracking number didn’t return any results on the usual tracking sites, and I had to do some digging to figure out how to track it. So in this post, I’ll cover how to look up “BR~MG” tracking numbers and walk through the actual delivery timeline.
How to Track Your Package
You can check the status in three basic steps.
The flow is: use Cainiao to track the China-side logistics, then use Japan Post to track the domestic delivery in Japan.
- Enter your “BR~MG” tracking number on Global Express Tracking – Cainiao
- In the results, look for “(Latest Tracking Number: LP*********HK)” and note down this “LP~HK” number
- Enter the “LP~HK” number on Japan Post Tracking Service to check domestic delivery status
Here are the tracking results from Cainiao.
You can find the “LP~HK” tracking number where it says “(Latest Tracking Number: LP*********HK)”.
Actual Delivery Timeline and Impressions
In my case, it took about 9 days from shipment in China to delivery in Tokyo.
The shipping method was “International e-packet Light“, and the package was ultimately delivered via mailbox drop-off.
Having a nearly 60,000-yen item just sitting in my mailbox was a bit nerve-wracking, honestly. (LOL)
That said, getting it delivered within 10 days including customs clearance was surprisingly fast.
Looking at the tracking results, the package seemed to be held at customs for about a day, but even so, it felt remarkably smooth compared to international shopping in the past.
Cainiao Tracking Results
| Date/Time (Local Time) | Status | Note (Carrier note) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-18 19:56:13 GMT+8 | Received by logistics company | Accepted by carrier |
| 2025-08-19 03:01:19 GMT+8 | [Fenggang Town] Processing at sorting center | Inbound in sorting center |
| 2025-08-19 05:58:39 GMT+8 | [Fenggang Town] Departed from sorting center | Outbound in sorting center |
| 2025-08-19 11:43:31 GMT+8 | Arrived at departure transport hub | Arrived at departure transport hub |
| 2025-08-20 13:52:07 GMT+8 | Leaving from departure country/region | Leaving from departure country/region |
| 2025-08-22 14:49:00 GMT+8 | Departed from departure country/region | Left from departure country/region |
| 2025-08-25 10:05:12 GMT+9 | Arrived at linehaul office | Arrived at linehual office |
| 2025-08-25 10:53:00 GMT+9 | Import customs clearance started | Import clearance start |
| 2025-08-26 09:00:00 GMT+9 | Import customs clearance delay | We’re inspecting your order |
| 2025-08-27 01:00:00 GMT+9 | Import customs clearance complete | Import customs clearance complete |
| 2025-08-27 13:42:05 GMT+9 | Received by local delivery company | Received by local delivery company |
| 2025-08-27 13:55:25 GMT+9 | Arrived at destination sorting center | At destination country/region sorting center |
| 2025-08-27 14:46:32 GMT+9 | Departed from destination sorting center | Left destination country/region sorting center |
| 2025-08-27 15:05:14 GMT+9 | Out for delivery | Out for delivery |
| 2025-08-27 15:18:00 GMT+9 | Package delivered | Package delivered |
Japan Post Tracking Results
| Date/Time | Status | Post Office | Region | Postal Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/08/22 14:19 | Accepted | HONG KONG | ||
| 2025/08/22 14:49 | Dispatched from international exchange office | HK AMC | HONG KONG | |
| 2025/08/25 10:53 | Arrived at international exchange office | Kawasaki-Higashi Post Office | Kanagawa | 219-8799 |
| 2025/08/26 09:00 | Customs clearance in progress | Kawasaki-Higashi Post Office | Kanagawa | 219-8799 |
| 2025/08/27 01:00 | Dispatched from international exchange office | Kawasaki-Higashi Post Office | Kanagawa | 219-8799 |
| 2025/08/27 15:18 | Delivered | Tokorozawa-Nishi Post Office | Saitama | 359-1199 |
Taxes and Customs Duties
One of the biggest concerns with international shopping is “what about customs duties and taxes?”
The package I received included an invoice, but the declared value was significantly lower than what I actually paid.
As a result, I wasn’t charged any additional customs duties or consumption tax on this order.
In the end, I only paid the product price plus AliExpress shipping, which made it a better deal than expected.
However, this was just my particular experience and may not always be the case.
If customs decides to inspect your package, you could be charged the proper duties, so it’s best to think of it as “I got lucky this time.”
Even if you do get taxed, the total cost is often still lower than buying domestically, so it’s all about managing your expectations.
Key Takeaways
Here’s a summary of things to keep in mind when shipping with “BR~MG” tracking numbers:
- Delivered via mailbox drop-off: The package was shipped as “International e-packet Light” and simply dropped into the mailbox. Since it’s unattended delivery, be mindful of the timing when you’re expecting a high-value item.
- Tracking numbers change mid-transit: The initial “BR~MG” number doesn’t tell the full story. It switches to an “LP~HK” number partway through. Always check the tracking site for the latest number.
- Customs charges are case-by-case: I wasn’t charged this time, but that’s not guaranteed. Keep the mindset of “if it’s still cheaper than domestic prices, that’s fine” just in case.
- Customs delays can happen: My package arrived in 9 days, but depending on customs timing, it could take 2 weeks or more.
International shopping inherently carries more risk than buying domestically, but if you understand and accept that, it can be an incredibly cost-effective way to shop.
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