Guide
Why shipments from China arrive late, and how to prevent it
Most delays have one of five causes: customs, holidays, missing documents, restricted goods or the last mile. You can prevent three of them before the goods leave China.
By Noel Murphy, Co-founder · Updated
Customs
Customs holds a shipment to check the papers or the goods. A vague description, a value that looks too low and a missing code are the usual triggers. Some checks are random.
Prevent it: describe each item by what it is and what it is made of. Declare the price paid. See labels and customs forms.
Holidays and peak season
| Period | When | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese New Year | Late January or February | Factories close for a week or more. Carriers run a reduced service. |
| National Day | 1 to 7 October | Most of China stops for the week. |
| Peak season | November to mid-December | Aircraft and ships fill early. Prices rise and space runs short. |
Prevent it: order early. Goods that reach our warehouse before a holiday can ship during it or right after it.
Missing or wrong documents
A wrong postcode, a missing phone number or a missing certificate stops a shipment until someone fixes it.
Prevent it: check the address and the phone number of the receiver. Ask us which papers your goods need.
Restricted goods
Goods with batteries, liquids, powders and magnets need the right route and the right papers. On the wrong route, the airline or customs stops them.
Prevent it: tell us what the goods contain before you buy. Read what you can and cannot ship from China.
The last mile
The local carrier can fail a delivery: nobody at home, a wrong address, or a remote postcode. Parcels then wait at a depot and return to the sender after a holding period.
Prevent it: give a phone number. Tell the receiver the tracking number.
What to do when a shipment is late
- Track it on the carrier’s site and on a universal tracking site. See how to track a package from China.
- Read the last status. It tells you which of the five causes applies.
- For a customs hold, ask the carrier what customs needs and send it.
- For a failed delivery, contact the local carrier that day.
- For no update in 10 days, ask the sender to open an inquiry.
Pick the method by the date
A date you must meet needs a method with a margin. Express takes 2 to 5 working days and air freight takes 5 to 10 days. See how long shipping from China takes.
Questions
How long does a customs hold last?
It depends on the cause. A missing document clears once customs has it. Ask the carrier what customs needs, and send it the same day.
When is Chinese New Year?
The date moves each year and falls in late January or February. Factories close for a week or more. Have your goods at our warehouse before the holiday starts.
Does express avoid delays?
Express avoids most of them. A courier clears customs itself and delivers door to door. A wrong description still stops an express parcel.
Can I store goods to avoid the holiday rush?
Yes. Bring stock into our warehouse early and ship it in batches. New customers store free for the first 30 days.