“How long will it take?” is the most common and most dangerous question in international logistics. The danger lies in the answer: a “15-day” shipping quote often ignores the 7 days of factory handling, 5 days of customs clearance, and 3 days of weekend delays.
Whether you are a dropshipper waiting for a China Post packet or an importer moving 40ft containers, understanding the real timeline is the difference between happy customers and empty shelves.
This guide breaks down the realistic delivery time ranges for air freight, sea freight, express shipping, and postal services, explaining exactly where your time goes.
Quick Answer: Typical Delivery Time Ranges
Bookmark this table. It shows door-to-door estimates (from the moment the goods leave the factory to the moment they arrive at your door), not just port-to-port.
| Shipping Method | Best For | Typical Door-to-Door Time | What Causes Delays? | Tracking Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Express Shipping (DHL, FedEx, UPS) | Samples, Docs, <150kg | 3 – 6 Days | Customs paperwork errors | Excellent (Real-time) |
| Air Freight (Standard) | Urgent Stock, 150kg–500kg | 7 – 12 Days | Flight cancellations, airport handling | Good (Milestone-based) |
| Sea Freight (Fast / Matson) | West Coast Inventory | 18 – 24 Days | Port congestion (LA/LB) | Fair (Container level) |
| Sea Freight (Standard FCL) | Bulk Stock (>15 CBM) | 30 – 45 Days | Transshipment, Customs exams | Fair |
| Sea Freight (Standard LCL) | Small Stock (1–15 CBM) | 35 – 50 Days | Consolidation waiting time | Poor to Fair |
| China Post / ePacket | B2C / Dropshipping | 15 – 40+ Days | “Last mile” handoff, lost parcels | Poor / Unreliable |
Why “Shipping Time” Is Confusing (Defining the Clock)
When a supplier says “10 days shipping,” they usually mean Flight Time or Sailing Time. They ignore the chaotic days before and after.
The Real Lifecycle of a Shipment:
- Factory Ready Date: Goods are manufactured. (Clock starts here? No.)
- Pickup & Export Handling (3–7 Days): Trucking to the port/airport + Chinese Export Customs.
- Main Transit (Variable): The actual flight (14 hours) or sailing (14–35 days). This is often the only time quoted.
- Import Customs (2–5 Days): US Customs (CBP) clearance.
- Last Mile Delivery (3–10 Days): Trucking from the port/airport to your warehouse.
Rule of Thumb: Always add 7–10 days to any “transit time” quote to account for pickup, customs, and weekends.
Timeline Breakdown by Shipping Method
1. Express Shipping Timeline (3–6 Days)
Used for samples and urgent small parcels.
- Day 1: Pickup from supplier.
- Day 2: Export customs (automated) & flight departure.
- Day 3: Arrival in USA & Import customs (automated).
- Day 4–6: Final delivery by DHL/FedEx van.
- Biggest Delay Risk: Missing commercial invoice or battery documentation.
2. Air Freight Timeline (7–12 Days)
Used for high-value or urgent bulk cargo (e.g., 300kg of electronics).
- Day 1–2: Trucking to PVG/HKG airport + Forwarder Warehouse.
- Day 3–4: Consolidation (waiting for other cargo) + Loading.
- Day 5: Flight to LAX/JFK/ORD.
- Day 6–7: Airport cargo handling breakdown + Customs release.
- Day 8–12: Trucker picks up cargo and delivers.
- Biggest Delay Risk: “Bumped” cargo (airline prioritizes perishable goods or express mail).
3. Ocean Freight Timeline (30–50+ Days)
Used for 90% of global trade.
- Day 1–7: Booking cutoff, container loading, trucking to port.
- Day 8–35 (Sailing):
- China to West Coast (LA/LB): 14–20 days.
- China to East Coast (NY/Savannah): 30–40 days (via Panama).
- Day 36–40: Vessel berthing + Unloading container.
- Day 41–50: Customs clearance + Trucking/Rail to final destination.
- Biggest Delay Risk: Port Congestion. If the port is full, ships anchor offshore for days.
China Post: What It Is & What to Expect
China Post is the national postal service. It is cheap but treats delivery targets as “suggestions.”
- EMS (Express Mail Service): Premium post. ~10–20 days. Use for samples if DHL is too expensive.
- ePacket / E-UB: The dropshipper standard. ~15–30 days. Tracking stops updating often.
- Air Mail / Surface: The cheapest. 30–60+ days. Avoid for business.
Best Use Case: Sending a single t-shirt to a customer.
Limitations: 2kg weight limit (usually), high loss rate, terrible tracking visibility.
Tracking Stuck? Common Status Meanings
If your tracking hasn’t moved in 5 days, don’t panic. It’s likely in a “blind spot.”
| Tracking Status | What It Means | What To Do |
|---|---|---|
| “Logistics order created” | Supplier printed the label but hasn’t shipped it yet. | Ask supplier: “When is pickup?” |
| “Departure from outward office of exchange” | Left China customs. Waiting for a flight/ship. | Wait. No updates for 3–7 days is normal. |
| “Arrived at inward office of exchange” | Arrived in destination country. Entering customs. | Wait. Clearance takes 1–5 days. |
| “Held by Customs” / “Customs Retention” | Paperwork issue or inspection. | Contact carrier immediately. Provide Invoice. |
| “Handed over to carrier” | Given to local courier (e.g., USPS) for last mile. | Check tracking on the local carrier’s site. |
What Affects Shipping Times the Most?
- Customs Exams: If CBP flags your container for an X-ray (VACIS) or Intensive Exam, add 3–10 days instantly. You cannot speed this up.
- Peak Season: From August to October (pre-Christmas) and January (pre-Chinese New Year), ports are clogged. Add 5–7 days buffer.
- LCL Consolidation: In LCL shipping, the forwarder must wait to fill the container. If they don’t have enough cargo, your box sits in the warehouse for a week.
- Documentation Errors: A fuzzy description like “Metal Parts” instead of “Steel Screws” can trigger a customs hold.
3 Worked Timeline Examples
Example A: Small Parcel (B2C)
- Cargo: 1 pair of shoes (China Post ePacket).
- Timeline:
- Jan 1: Ordered.
- Jan 4: Shipped.
- Jan 10: “Departure from Shanghai”.
- Jan 20: “Arrived JFK Airport”.
- Jan 28: Delivered by USPS.
- Total: 28 Days. Risk: Package lost in “last mile” handoff.
Example B: eCommerce Restock (Urgent)
- Cargo: 50 cartons / 500kg (Air Freight).
- Timeline:
- Feb 1: Pickup.
- Feb 3: Flight departs Shenzhen.
- Feb 4: Arrives LAX.
- Feb 6: Customs Cleared.
- Feb 8: Delivered to Amazon FBA warehouse.
- Total: 8 Days. Risk: Flight cancellation due to bad weather.
Example C: Bulk Replenishment (Standard)
- Cargo: 10 Pallets (LCL Sea Freight).
- Timeline:
- Mar 1: Pickup.
- Mar 7: Container loaded (Consolidated).
- Mar 10: Vessel departs Ningbo.
- Mar 28: Arrives Los Angeles.
- Apr 4: Container unpacked (Deconsolidated).
- Apr 8: Truck delivery to warehouse.
- Total: 39 Days. Risk: Taking too long to fill the LCL container at origin.
When to Use a Freight Forwarder
Use a forwarder for anything > 45kg. They coordinate the complex chain of trucks, planes, and ships.
Copy/Paste Checklist for Accurate Planning:
When asking for a quote/timeline, provide:
- Origin: City/Port (e.g., Shenzhen).
- Destination: ZIP Code (e.g., 90040).
- Ready Date: When goods are finished.
- Cargo: Weight (kg) + Volume (CBM).
- Commodity: What is it?
- Incoterms: FOB (Recommended) or EXW.
FAQ
Why do packages from China take so long sometimes?
Cheap shipping (Sea/Post) moves slowly to save fuel, waits for full containers, and has low priority at customs.
What’s the fastest way to ship from China?
Express Courier (DHL/UPS) is fastest (3–5 days) because they have their own planes and pre-cleared customs processes.
How accurate are estimated delivery times?
Air/Express estimates are usually +/- 2 days. Sea freight estimates are +/- 7 days (or more) due to weather and port congestion.
Does Chinese New Year affect shipping times that much?
Yes. Factories close for 3–4 weeks. Ports jam up before the holiday. Shipments booked in late January may not move until March.
Key Takeaways
- Door-to-Door ≠ Port-to-Port: Always ask your forwarder for the total time, including pickup and delivery.
- Plan for Customs: Even perfect shipments can get flagged for a random 3-day exam. Build a buffer.
- Air Freight vs. Express: Express is faster for small things (<150kg). Air freight is cheaper for big things (>300kg) but takes a few days longer.
- Don’t Trust China Post for Business: The savings aren’t worth the “Where is my package?” emails from angry customers. Use Air Freight or Express for reliability.