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Shipping EMS from China

Apr 1, 2024

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    1. Hi all!
      Asking about shipping via EMS from China to USA.
      My package was mailed on the 14th of March. At first, there were lots of tracking updates.
      Then, after export customs release in Beijing, I got vague updates such as "received by airline, airline departure, plane landed, etc." No update since the 20th - the last update was "plane landed."
      Has anyone had an experience like this? Lack of updates for ten + days?
      I'm thinking it is either still in China, waiting to depart, or in another country on the way to the USA.
      Typically, I would use DHL but know not everyone mailing in China is familiar with it / is able to use that service. I personally don't have a DHL dropoff location nearby me.
      EMS from Japan is always great for me, but I know China's EMS is much different. However, I've received First Class mail from China quicker than this. :eusa_pray I really hope it updates soon. I tried calling USPS but as I figured, they don't have any information about the package yet.
       
      #1 seraphicdolls, Apr 1, 2024
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    2. I haven’t used EMS much for BJD stuff, but based on my experience using China EMS for non-BJD shipments, it should be in the US judging by that plane landed update. Either it hasn’t been scanned into the system yet or it might be stuck in customs, if it is then USPS doesn’t have any information since they’re only the postal service, not customs. Try putting your tracking number into the USPS tracker anyways, it’ll tell you if it is in US customs and which one. It took a week for LA customs to clear my latest package, and from what I’ve heard I got lucky. Chicago seems to be even worse right now, SF and JFK appear to be the fastest… it could be longer for you depending on how big the package is.

      Lack of updates for 10+ days is concerning, but not out of the ordinary for China EMS unfortunately. It happens occasionally. Hopefully it starts moving for you soon!
       
      #2 dusty1190, Apr 1, 2024
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    3. I’ve had no updates for about a week in the past. As unnerving as it is, I wouldn’t be too concerned yet. Maybe give it a few more days and then try calling again or contact the seller?
       
      #3 maple.honey, Apr 1, 2024
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    4. Thank you both for the replies! I won't lose hope! :eusa_pray
      When I called USPS, they said that it was not in the USA yet. I think it is still in China, waiting to board a departure flight or maybe in another country (transit country). I've heard that even if it is in a different country, it won't update again until it reaches the USA. I know this has occurred before, where the package is stuck on the "plane landing" or a similar status for some time . . . but really hoping that there is an update sooner . . . and it doesn't take 2 months + to come. I can't really contact China Post / EMS myself (wish I could figure that out . . . ) but I'll try to contact the seller soon if it doesn't update.
       
      #4 seraphicdolls, Apr 1, 2024
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    5. I usually make myself wait at least two weeks before allowing concern... Or at least, allowing myself to act on concern. That's the longest gap I've had so far. I literally have never had EMS shipping give me a gap of less than a week. It is absolutely nerve-wracking at first, but I've experienced it enough to shift more from concern to impatience. :XD: So your stuff is absolutely most likely fine, since this is common from what I've talked about with other collectors.
       
      #5 dm_sof, Apr 1, 2024
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    6. I've had that happen with EMS packages before. It seems there's usually a bit of a delay between it landing and it getting to customs inspection stateside, and the tracking getting updated with the local carrier here. EMS is slower, so if it just shipped the 14th this kind of turn around doesn't seem unreasonable. I'd probably expect another week or so before it gets to you.
       
      #6 quilleth, Apr 1, 2024
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    7. #7 NineOneThree, Apr 1, 2024
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    8. It must be a coincidence! Just an hour or so after making the post, my package updated that it got to the USA! :whee: Weirdly, China Post first reported that it made it to the country of delivery, and then I got the USPS updates a few hours later.
      Phew! DHL and EMS from Japan has spoiled me too much. Usually, I'm really patient but with it being a more "special" delivery, well I was a bit on pins and needles.:chibi
      I was almost certain it would update sooner or later, but there are the missing package horror stories!
      Now the wait is much easier, from LA to the East Coast. :thumbup
       
      #8 seraphicdolls, Apr 1, 2024
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    9. I usually use Parcels App! It's typically my go to site for international packages that I send out myself. But I started looking at 17Track as well as a few other sites (PackageRadar, Ship24, PostTrack) mostly because I was being obsessive. :sweat
       
      #9 seraphicdolls, Apr 1, 2024
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    10. Sometimes they sit inbound in the US for a week or two before they are processed and scanned. I know I get spoiled by Korea EMS, I’ve had orders arrive from Korea in 4 days!
       
      #10 NineOneThree, Apr 1, 2024
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    11. EMS from China is slow and often takes forever to update. I'm in Hong Kong and EMS from the Mainland still takes 10 to 14 business days for me. I've also experienced all those 'plane has departed' and 'plane has landed' loops... :sweat

      While EMS packages from Korea and Japan only take about 2 to 3 business days to arrive.
       
      #11 namika, Apr 1, 2024
      Last edited: Apr 1, 2024
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    12. (Accidental double post...)
       
      #12 namika, Apr 1, 2024
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    13. You can always call/email/whatever the company that sent you the doll and have them do a mail search to find the package and get it found. USPS won't do anything for a package mailed outside of the U.S. until the sender from the original country files a report. Once the sender files a report then USPS will look for the package. They will send you a paper from international investigations, if it made it to U.S.

      Having the country search for the package in China (because that is where your package is from) could also work. You can call the doll company and ask them to launch a search.

      I had to deal with this in January/February of this year when a doll sent EMS got lost from Korea, and thankfully found.
       
      #13 RabbidBunnies, Apr 2, 2024
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    14. Yes, the seller actually reached out to China Post a little bit ago. Not sure if a case was opened or not. I think I've heard of some people having success with the EMS helpline but I was worried I'd incur long distance call fees so I didn't call. I downloaded WeChat to try to contact that way, but unfortunately China EMS doesn't have a way for those without accounts (mainland) to contact. The EMS App isn't really accessible for me sadly.
      I did open a missing mail claim with USPS but that was before it reached the states. Fingers crossed the package makes it here safely soon! I know the weather might cause some disruptions now . . . we even had a floodwatch too with the amount of rainfall. It seems like it has been raining nonstop since the first of April!
      Korea is really fast for me too! :D But overall my mail has been on the slower side for the past few months actually. Waiting on some EMS packages from Japan as well right now and updates have been a little sparse.
       
      #14 seraphicdolls, Apr 3, 2024
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    15. For me personally, it's not unusual for EMS from China to take around 2-3 weeks to arrive (I'm in Kentucky, US), but I once had a doll from Impldoll take three months. Waiting on her was agonizing! She did arrive just fine, though. I hope you don't have to wait that long, but even if it is awhile longer, don't give up hope!
       
      #15 CloakedSchemer, Apr 3, 2024
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    16. Three months is scary! I've sent a lot of international packages and it really depends on the country - can be up to 2 months until it is received. Also, I've had better luck with First Class sometimes compared to Priority Mail which is bizarre! But I sell a lot on Ebay and use some of their shipping programs (where it sent to a warehouse in the states first) so there are many factors that contribute to delivery time. Haven't had many packages lost - but it happens from time to time. I think I had one lost shipped to Mexico and one lost shipped to Russia (many years ago) and maybe Australia. They were very small envelopes though.
      My package is out for delivery today! :D
       
      #16 seraphicdolls, Apr 4, 2024
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    17. When I order EMS/Air from Europe the tracking usually stops where the package leaves the sender's country (China, Japan). But if I check the same item number on my local posts' site I usually find the rest of the updates. Most of the time it's stuck in customs and it takes about 15 days to a month.
       
      #17 lutke, Apr 22, 2024
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