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Why is my package stuck or delayed in transit for so long?

There are many reasons that make the package stuck or delayed in transit. What should you do if your package is stuck or delayed in transit for a long time?

For a package coming from overseas (other countries), it is safe to assume that delivery may take longer than usual. Packages usually stuck or delayed due to the stuck at customs, wrong or incomplete address during busy periods, such as holidays, or heavy snow etc. 

China Post Registered Packages, EMS or e-Packet

A: Stuck in China

1. If you find your package is stuck in China at a transit station or someplace for a week, just wait for more days to see. It may be delayed due to the pile-up of goods. It will be moved again after the backlog problem is solved. Once you find it’s stuck at a station for over 30 days, it may be lost. In this case, you need to contact the seller to reflect the problem and get a solution in time.

2. If it’s stuck at the export customs for over a week, it means the seller needs to pay the tax or declare to the customs. If you can, contact the seller to notice him and solve the problem in time.

3. If there is no update for over a week and the last tracking information shows ‘received by airline’, ‘handed over to the carrier transport’, ‘airline start shipping’ or ‘airline departs’, it means the parcel is under the procession at the airport and waiting for the airspace. China Post air mail between China and most countries generally takes around 7-15 days. The delay is not caused because the plane is slow; but the air freight processes are very complicated. Especially due to the impact of the epidemic, the international air transport capacity is seriously insufficient, and the land, rail, and sea transport capacity of international express couldn’t be an effective supplement or replacement for the insufficient air transport capacity, resulting in the backlog and detention of international mail express at ports.

Note: There is no tracking information after the above-mentioned status until the parcel arrives in the destination country. You’d better have patience to wait during this period. If you couldn’t get update after two months, it’s not normal, it may be lost or still stuck. We suggest you contact the seller to give you a solution in time in this case. China Post and EMS packages are slow at present due to the effect of coronavirus. It usually takes about 20-60 days to reach the destination country.

B: Stuck in the Destination Country

The package could also be stuck at the destination country for many days. One situation is it’s stuck at the customs of the destination country and is waiting the receiver to declare or pay the tax. You need to contact your local courier to check it in this situation; When the package arrives in the destination country, China Post or EMS couldn’t deal with it any more, it will be handed over to the local courier to deliver. Due to the serious shortage of mail processing capacity, slowdown of production, and poor logistics, some countries and regions even have announced that they have stopped receiving international express. This may cause the delivery of the package delayed as well. In this case, you can only wait if you could wait. If no, contact the seller to get a solution in time.

China Post Ordinary Packet

The package itself couldn’t be tracked after leaving for some stations (after leaving China or it arrives in the destination country): It may couldn’t be tracked after it leaves China or it arrives in the destination country because it’s China Post Ordinary Packet. Tracking number formats of China Post Ordinary Packet: UC123456789CN,123456789 . Most of the retailers on eBay, Wish, or Aliexpress like to use this way to send cheap price items. Although you contact your local courier, they couldn’t track it. In this case, if you couldn’t receive it within the promised time, you need to contact the seller to reflect the problem and get a solution in time.

Questions and Answers

package stuck at customs

Package sent back to China (clothing return as they sent a completely different item) with tracking LK260731334AU has been "held by customs" since the 23rd December. I have contacted the company I am returning too and all they have said is it must still be on its way to their warehouse. When will this be released to them and why is it taking a month?

1 Answer(s) | Asked by monique | 1/19/2026 6:10:10 PM

i got my package stuck

Hi, my package is stuck in France since 10/12/2025, please let me know what is the problem. The tracking number is RG032672229CN

1 Answer(s) | Asked by ronald torres | 1/14/2026 5:45:13 PM

Package stuck at plane arriving

Hello, . I’m waiting for a package from china, but the last update was at least 4 days ago with ‘plane arriving’ but what does that mean? The package is in France or stuck in the customs? Is it still in China? Knowing that there was two updates with ‘plane arriving’, I would be glad to have more information on this. The tracking number is CP530400028CN.

0 Answer(s) | Asked by sasbao2 | 1/8/2026 3:31:22 PM

Package stuck in London

My package has been in transit for 24 days but has stayed stuck in London for about 10 days. It was supposed to be delivered between 18/12-28/12, it’s now 07/01. Just wondering if anyone has experienced such a long wait when a china post package has arrived in London? If so, should I expect it or is it lost forever?

0 Answer(s) | Asked by Shannon | 1/7/2026 1:17:10 PM

Package stuck at customs

Hi my package with the tracking number EW168132719FR has been stuck at customs fort 15 days due to a missing form or bill but everything was packed right in my end at the post office so I don’t understand this package is just An order a send back to the seller !

1 Answer(s) | Asked by Sarah | 1/1/2026 6:35:03 AM

Why is my returned package stuck in Chinese customs?

I returned 2 packages to the following address but they have been stuck in customs since 10/31/25. The USPO tracking #s LZ317218464US and LZ317218671US. How will I know when they are out of customs? I cannot get my refund until the packages are delivered to this address: . Company: Grace & Jax. Name: Weidi Wang. Address: Hua nan su ye 4th floor, Yafan Town, Wucheng area, Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province, China. Postal code: 321000. Phone: 0086 13735679959. Thank-you,. Joan Grim

0 Answer(s) | Asked by Joan Grim | 12/31/2025 6:30:22 AM

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