CDEK tracking

What is CDEK?

CDEK, written СДЭК in Russian, is one of Russia's largest express courier and logistics companies. The name is an acronym derived from the Russian phrase for "Express Courier Delivery Service." Founded on February 25, 2000, in Novosibirsk by Leonid Goldort and Vyacheslav Piksayev, both graduates of Novosibirsk State University, the company was built to solve a specific logistics gap. Buyers in Siberia and the Russian Far East had virtually no reliable way to receive goods from online retailers based in central Russia, and filling that gap was the company's founding purpose.

The growth through the early 2000s followed a clear pattern of national expansion. CDEK opened its Moscow office in 2001 and its Saint Petersburg office in 2002, the same year it introduced a fully automated tracking and logistics system. By 2005, the carrier served more than 1,000 Russian cities, completing its transformation from a regional operation into a genuinely national one. International expansion began in 2012 with the opening of an office in Almaty, Kazakhstan. China and Belarus followed in 2014, Kyrgyzstan in 2015, and Armenia in 2016. A franchise model introduced in 2010 had allowed the network to scale without requiring full capital ownership of each new location.

In 2020, CDEK made a significant investment in automated parcel lockers built in partnership with the technology firm Omnic, extending its self-service infrastructure alongside the existing network of staffed offices and courier delivery. Two years later, the company launched CDEK.Shopping, a purchasing agent service for Russian consumers wanting access to foreign goods from Europe, the United States, and Asia. In 2024, founder Leonid Goldort sold his 55.44% stake to the Cluster Capital investment fund. That same year, the company suffered a ransomware attack attributed to a group called "Head Mare," which encrypted CDEK's servers and deliberately destroyed backup systems, leaving the platform non-functional for several days before service was restored on June 1, 2024.

• Founded: February 25, 2000, in Novosibirsk, Russia
• Founders: Leonid Goldort and Vyacheslav Piksayev, graduates of Novosibirsk State University
• Headquarters: Novosibirsk, Russia, with major operational hubs in Moscow and Beijing
• Russian locality coverage: 36,000 to 40,000 localities across all Russian federal subjects
• International reach: Direct offices in approximately 40 countries and partner-network coverage across 195 to 220 countries
• Service points and lockers: More than 4,300 pickup points, staffed offices, and parcel lockers worldwide
• Daily shipments: More than 350,000 parcels processed per day
• Vehicle fleet: Approximately 5,000 vehicles
• E-commerce integrations: More than 140,000 online stores connected to the CDEK platform
• Business model: Mix of company-owned offices and a franchise network operating since 2010

CDEK's standing in the Russian market rests on a combination of domestic depth and genuine international infrastructure that sets it apart from most regional competitors. Within Russia, the carrier claims coverage of 100% of the country's territory, including the sparsely populated parts of Siberia, the Russian Far East, and the North Caucasus that many other carriers do not serve reliably. Internationally, CDEK goes beyond simple partnerships by maintaining its own offices and logistics hubs in approximately 40 countries, including China, the UAE, Turkey, Serbia, Israel, Georgia, and the United States.

Which countries does CDEK deliver to?

Within Russia, CDEK covers 36,000 to 40,000 localities across all federal subjects, from Moscow and Saint Petersburg to isolated settlements in Siberia and the Russian Far East. More than 1,000 Russian cities receive direct courier delivery service. The backbone of this national network is a large sorting center in Dzerzhinsky in the Moscow region, which routes shipments between the different parts of the country and connects domestic flows to international corridors.

Across the post-Soviet space, CDEK has built direct operational infrastructure over more than a decade of international expansion. Kazakhstan was the first foreign market with an office opened in Almaty in 2012, followed by Belarus and China in 2014, Kyrgyzstan in 2015, and Armenia in 2016, with Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Tajikistan also served through direct CDEK operations. These CIS countries represent the company's most mature international markets, with dedicated cross-border corridors, customs clearance teams, and established delivery routines accumulated over years of activity.

• Russia: Full coverage of all federal subjects across 36,000 to 40,000 localities, including Siberia, the Russian Far East, and the North Caucasus
• CIS countries: Kazakhstan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Tajikistan via direct CDEK operations
• Asia: China, Thailand Vietnam, India, Bangladesh, Mongolia, and Indonesia via direct offices or logistics hubs
• Middle East: United Arab Emirates and Turkey via dedicated CDEK operations
• Europe (direct operations): Serbia, Israel, and Georgia
• Europe (partner network): Germany, France, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Poland Lithuania, Estonia, Finland Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Cyprus, and Portugal
• Americas: United States, Canada, and Mexico via partner network
• Other partner-network coverage: South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Moldova, and a total of 195 to 220 countries worldwide

For China specifically, CDEK has developed particularly deep infrastructure, maintaining offices in both Beijing and Shanghai. The China-Russia corridor is one of the highest-volume international routes in CDEK's network, serving Chinese e-commerce sellers and businesses shipping to buyers in Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Armenia. Transit times for this corridor range from 14 to 45 days depending on the service level selected, with customs clearance handled as part of the standard process.

For inbound shipments to Russia from abroad, CDEK operates fulfillment warehouses in Milan in Italy, Istanbul in Turkey, and Baku in Azerbaijan, alongside its domestic warehouse network spanning Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, and Krasnoyarsk. These locations function as regional consolidation points, gathering international shipments before forwarding them to final recipients within Russia and neighboring countries.

What are the CDEK services and delivery times?

CDEK structures its domestic Russian shipping across four main service tiers. Blitz Express is the premium option, guaranteeing delivery within 24 hours between major Russian cities. Super Express covers all main Russian cities in 1 to 2 business days and handles documents and parcels weighing up to 5 kg. The standard Express tier serves larger cargo with delivery typically within 2 to 5 working days. Economy Express provides the lowest-cost domestic option, trading a longer transit window for reduced pricing. For B2B clients moving bulk cargo, the company also provides LTL, or less than truckload, freight consolidation.

• Blitz Express: Guaranteed delivery within 24 hours between major Russian cities, the premium tier for time-critical shipments
• Super Express: Delivery in 1 to 2 business days to all main Russian cities, handles documents and parcels up to 5 kg
• Express: Standard service for larger cargo, typically delivered within 2 to 5 working days across Russia
• Economy Express: The lowest-cost domestic tier, with a longer transit window in exchange for reduced pricing
• LTL freight: Consolidated freight service for bulk shipments and B2B clients requiring larger capacity
• International air freight: 3 to 7 days including customs clearance on express international routes
• International land and sea freight: 14 to 20 days including customs clearance on standard international routes
• China-Russia routes: 14 to 45 days depending on the service level, with customs clearance included
• Regional international routes: Vietnam to Russia and Kazakhstan in 7 or more days; Turkey to Russia, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan in 4 or more days; Thailand to Russia in 7 or more days; India to Kazakhstan and Russia in 7 or more days

CDEK Forward is a parcel forwarding service that assigns customers a personal warehouse address in more than 20 countries, including Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, France, the United States, Canada, China, Vietnam, India, Turkey, the UAE, Poland Lithuania, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Armenia, Georgia, Israel, and Bulgaria. CDEK consolidates multiple packages arriving at these warehouse addresses at no additional charge, provides 45 days of free storage, and handles returns. The service is aimed at Russian consumers and businesses purchasing from foreign retailers that do not offer direct delivery to Russia or the CIS.

CDEK.Shopping, launched in 2022, extends this concept by acting as a full purchasing agent. CDEK handles the purchase, international logistics, and customs clearance on behalf of the buyer, covering goods from 14 or more source countries. The company's e-commerce fulfillment offering covers the full business-to-business cycle for merchants, including warehousing, picking, packing, marketplace labeling, and delivery. Both FBO, fulfilled by operator, and FBS, fulfilled by seller, models are supported, with integrations for Shopify, WooCommerce, and more than 30 other platforms, marketplaces, and social commerce channels.

What are the CDEK rates and maximum dimensions accepted?

CDEK calculates shipping costs based on several variables. These include the actual weight of the parcel, the volumetric, or dimensional, weight derived from its measurements, the origin and destination locations, the service tier selected, and the delivery method chosen by the recipient, whether courier, staffed pickup point, or automated locker. When the volumetric weight exceeds the actual weight, the volumetric figure is used as the billable weight. An online calculator on the CDEK website generates specific quotes before booking, taking all these variables into account for a given route and service selection.

• Billing weight: The higher of actual or volumetric (dimensional) weight is used as the chargeable weight
• Standard cross-border range: From 0.1 kg to 500 kg or more, depending on the route and service type
• US operations maximum weight: Up to approximately 68,155.6 kg (31,000 kg), covering heavy freight requirements
• US operations maximum length: Up to 200 cm (200 cm) in a single dimension
• Premium tier surcharge: Blitz Express carries a higher rate than the other domestic service tiers
• International pricing: Varies by corridor, transport mode (air, land or sea), and declared value of goods
• Insurance: Available for higher-value shipments, with the premium added to the total cost at the time of booking

For international shipments, the pricing structure reflects the corridor and transport mode in use. Air freight routes carry higher rates than land or sea options for the same origin and destination pair. Customs clearance fees may be bundled into the total cost or invoiced separately after clearance, depending on the specific route and the nature of the goods. Rates for the CDEK Forward parcel forwarding service include consolidation and storage within the quoted price, with the outbound shipping cost calculated from the forwarding warehouse to the final destination based on actual or volumetric weight, whichever is greater.

What are the CDEK delivery options?

CDEK offers three standard options covering both the deposit of outgoing shipments and the receipt of incoming ones. The first is door-to-door courier delivery, where a CDEK courier handles pickup from and delivery to a home or office address. The second is a staffed pickup and drop-off point, or PUDO, a physical CDEK office where staff are present during operating hours to accept outgoing parcels and hold incoming ones for recipient collection. More than 3,500 PUDO points operate across Russia, with more than 2,500 available internationally across CDEK's network.

• Courier delivery: Door-to-door service with a CDEK courier handling pickup from or delivery to a home or office address
• Staffed pickup point (PUDO): Physical CDEK office staffed during operating hours, serving both outgoing deposits and incoming collections; more than 3,500 in Russia and more than 2,500 internationally
• Automated parcel locker (postamat): Self-service 24/7 locker released with a PIN code or QR scan; more than 1,000 lockers built in partnership with the technology firm Omnic

The automated locker network was built from 2020 onwards through a dedicated investment program carried out in partnership with Omnic. These lockers operate around the clock without staffing requirements, allowing recipients to collect parcels at any hour using a code or QR scan sent to their mobile device. The same lockers accept outgoing shipments outside of normal business hours. For users in cities where CDEK operates all three delivery options, the choice between courier, staffed office, and locker allows both senders and recipients to fit the service around their schedules without being constrained by office operating hours.

What should I do if my CDEK parcel is lost or damaged?

CDEK provides multiple contact channels for reporting problems with shipments, including phone support, a web contact form, and in-app messaging through the iOS and Android application. The support team handles claims for lost, damaged, or delayed parcels, as well as requests for address corrections, delivery rescheduling, and guidance on customs documentation. For shipments where the declared or actual value justifies it, insurance can be arranged at the time of booking, which determines the maximum compensation available in the event of a successful claim.

• Phone support (Russia): A national toll-free line and a dedicated Moscow line are available for claims and general support queries
• Website contact form: Written claims and support requests can be submitted through the contact form on the CDEK website
• In-app messaging: The iOS and Android CDEK application includes a direct messaging function for support contact
• Insurance: Available at the time of booking for higher-value shipments; the coverage level determines the maximum compensation payable in loss or damage claims
• Address correction and rescheduling: Available through all support channels, allowing the sender or recipient to update delivery details before or after a failed delivery attempt
• Customs documentation assistance: CDEK's support team can advise on additional documents required to resolve customs holds or import-related delays

For international shipments where customs holds or documentation gaps have extended the delivery timeline, CDEK's support team can clarify the current status of the parcel and advise on any action required from the recipient or sender. Customs-related delays are tracked as a separate category within the shipment status system and are recognized by the company as a normal part of international shipping rather than a carrier-side failure. Recipients with a parcel showing a customs hold status may be required to submit identification documents or pay applicable import duties before the parcel is released.

Does CDEK handle international shipments and customs formalities?

CDEK offers customs clearance as a standalone service and as part of its standard international shipping products. All international shipments transiting through CDEK's network must be registered with the relevant customs authorities. The company manages documentation and administrative formalities on behalf of the shipper, including the preparation of required paperwork, coordination with customs officers, and status tracking throughout the clearance process. This handling is included in most standard international products and can also be purchased independently for shipments where the sender has arranged separate logistics.

The documentation requirements for a given shipment depend on the declared value of the goods, whether the sender and recipient are private individuals or registered businesses, whether the purpose is personal or commercial, the transport mode used, and the applicable customs clearance type in the destination country. Customs duties are calculated by the relevant authorities according to international conventions and the destination country's own import regulations. These charges may be bundled into the delivery cost at the time of booking or may be invoiced to the recipient separately after customs clearance has been completed.

• Direct international operations: CDEK maintains its own offices and logistics infrastructure in approximately 40 countries
• Partner-network coverage: 195 to 220 countries in total through CDEK's global partner carrier relationships
• Priority corridors: China to Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Armenia; and dedicated infrastructure for routes involving Vietnam, Turkey, Thailand India, and the UAE
• CDEK Forward warehouses: Personal forwarding addresses available in more than 20 countries including the United States, Germany, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, China, India, Turkey, and the UAE
• Customs documentation: Handled by CDEK on the shipper's behalf, with requirements depending on goods value, sender and recipient type, transport mode, and destination regulations
• Prohibited items: Governed by origin and destination country law, with corridor-specific guidance available from CDEK's customs team

Customs holds during international transit are tracked through dedicated status messages in the CDEK tracking system and are treated as an expected part of the cross-border process. The length of a customs hold can range from a single day to several weeks, depending on the destination country, the goods declared, and the completeness of the accompanying documentation. CDEK does not treat customs-related delays as a carrier failure, and its support team is available to help resolve documentation issues that may be extending the hold.

Understanding tracking statuses

When you track a CDEK shipment, the statuses shown reflect key checkpoints in the parcel's movement through the carrier's network. Each update appears as the parcel moves between facilities, passes through customs, or arrives at a local delivery office. Tracking is accessible on the CDEK website and through the iOS and Android mobile application, which also supports QR code scanning for waybill lookup. Third-party tracking platforms including ParcelTracker also index CDEK tracking numbers.

The tracking number format varies depending on the route and type of shipment. The most common domestic format is a 10-digit numeric code beginning with 115 or 116. Some shipments use an 8-digit numeric code instead. For international shipments handed off to a partner carrier in the destination country, the tracking number may switch to the partner's own format. The number is also referred to as a waybill number or tracking ID and appears in the booking confirmation, on the shipping label, and in the sender's CDEK account dashboard. The table below lists the main statuses and what they indicate at each stage of delivery.