Typical transit times by mode (road, air, sea LCL/FCL, rail), where the time actually goes (production, origin handling, transit, customs, last mile), which tracking tool to use when, and when to chase vs wait.
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A supplier’s quoted “shipping time” rarely includes every leg of the journey, and the right tracking tool depends on whether you’re moving a parcel, a pallet, or a container. This guide breaks shipping times down by mode, shows you where your order actually is at each stage, and explains when a delay is routine versus when it’s worth chasing.
Watch out: Beyond the usual carriers, specialized pallet networks can be slower and often lack real-time tracking.
Watch out: Tracking often goes dark for 24–48 hours during customs. A blank tracking page doesn't mean the shipment is lost.
| Stage | Typical |
|---|---|
| Production / pick-and-pack | 0–14 days |
| Origin-side handling | 2–5 days |
| Main transit | 2 days air / 3–6 weeks sea |
| Destination customs | 1–7 days |
| Last-mile delivery | 1–3 days |
Universal tracker covering 2,000+ carriers. Good for express parcels and many air-freight AWBs.
Most detailed status for door-to-door express shipments.
Live position of container vessels by IMO or vessel name. Useful when your B/L says the vessel but not the detailed status.
The most reliable source for LCL/FCL — your forwarder sees everything your supplier does, in one view.
The only source for clearance status, duty/VAT calculations, and hold reasons.
48 hours past quoted dispatch date with no tracking
Message the supplier asking for the tracking number and carrier. A clean supplier provides both within 24 hours of dispatch.
Tracking stopped updating for 5+ business days
For air and road, this is unusual and warrants a chase. For sea, 5 days of no update between ports is normal — don't panic until 10+.
Customs hold notification
Ask your broker first, supplier second. The broker has the system-of-record on why and what's needed to clear. Most holds resolve within 72 hours with correct documentation.
Vessel arrival at destination with no pickup movement
Contact the forwarder for port-release status. Demurrage fees start accruing quickly (typically after 3–5 free days).
Shipment overdue by more than 20% of the quoted window
Escalate. Document everything. For cross-border disputes, see our Filing a Dispute guide — shipping-date disputes often underpin partial refund negotiations.
Experienced buyers trust suppliers who quote realistic windows and hit them. A supplier who promises “7 days door-to-door” on a container shipment from Asia is telling you they either don’t understand logistics or are bidding for the order at any cost. Neither is good.
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Watch out: LCL adds 5–10 extra days at both ends for consolidation and deconsolidation. 'ETA' moves as the vessel moves — treat it as directional.
Watch out: Peak season (late Q3 to Chinese New Year) adds 1–2 weeks. Port congestion can swing transit times wildly.
Watch out: A middle ground between air and sea. Capacity is tight; book early and confirm transshipment points.
