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 or Between Countries

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 one of the following situations:

(1). International transit gap — When packages travel by sea or air freight between countries, there are no scanning points during the actual journey. Your package may be on a vessel or awaiting processing at a destination sorting facility .

(2). Customs clearance delay — International shipments often experience delays during customs inspection, which can take days or even weeks without tracking updates .

(3). Missed scan at handoff — When a package transfers from China Post to the destination system, the scan can sometimes be missed or delayed, creating a gap in tracking visibility .

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. China Post air mail between China and most countries generally takes around 7-15 days. 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.

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

Why is my package stuck in transit? Tracking ZP12673193201

According to tracking information the package cleared US customed on May 18 and was shipped to Portland, OR. It was then shipped to Seattle WA and arrived there on June 2nd. As of June 23rd, the package has not yet been delivered to Ferndale, WA (only a 2 hour drive away). Please advise what is causing the delay and if there is anything needed from me.

1 Answer(s) | Asked by Jules | 6/23/2026 9:20:27 PM

Is my package stuck in customs? tracking number ZC61465865599

ZC61465865599 - What is the status of my package? Is it stuck in customs. It stopped tracking on 5/30/26. Please give an update. Honolulu, HI 96819

1 Answer(s) | Asked by Carolyn | 6/16/2026 1:03:57 PM

Is my package stuck? order number ZC52904395599

I've been waiting on my package for 5 weeks now and it's been stuck in New York for a full month. What's going on? Is there something I need to do? I haven't been informed of any issues so I'm just confused.

1 Answer(s) | Asked by westley | 6/15/2026 11:07:29 AM

Package stuck and not moving - ZC64130351599

My package is stuck at Arrival at Processing Center for a week after customs clearance, is there a way to find the tracking for the company that did the handover in Australia? is

1 Answer(s) | Asked by Oscar | 6/9/2026 11:46:45 PM

Help with package stuck in Guangzhou customs

I would like to change the phone number for parcel with tracking EH045740903US. The correct phone number is 86 15322497052. The wrong phone number was entered and now my friend in China is not able to pay the import tax on the item and it has been stuck at Guanghzhou for over a month. Please help.

1 Answer(s) | Asked by James | 6/1/2026 10:59:00 PM

Package stuck at inward office of exchange

Hello, my item shipped to China has been stuck at Inward Office of Exchange Guanghzhou for almost a month. It is a simple watch. The tracking is EH045740903US, shipped via USPS international express and EMS in China. It cleared import customs. Please help.

1 Answer(s) | Asked by James | 5/20/2026 8:29:40 AM

Ask a Question

User Name:

Your Email:

Summary of Your Question (no more than 80 characters):

Details of Your Question:

Check Code:

Thank you！Your question has been posted successfully!