Why Shipping Delays Are the New Normal — And What You Can Do About It

If you’ve ever stared at your screen, refreshing a tracking page while your package sits in limbo, you’re not alone. Shipping delays have become increasingly common, especially when ordering from international sellers. Whether it's a parcel from a U.S. store or a small package shipped via China Post, many consumers find themselves stuck with vague updates and extended wait times. And while tools like China Post tracking can help, they often don’t provide the full picture.

What’s Slowing Things Down?

Global shipping is a complex system—one that’s still reeling from the aftershocks of the pandemic. Add to that issues like port congestion, customs inspections, labor shortages, and weather-related disruptions, and it’s clear why deliveries are taking longer. The situation becomes even more unpredictable when orders pass through multiple carriers and customs zones—as is often the case with packages shipped from China.

China Post, in particular, handles an enormous volume of international mail, especially for platforms like AliExpress and Temu. While it remains a reliable service, its tracking updates can be delayed or limited, especially once the parcel leaves China and enters another country’s postal system. That’s when customers often feel left in the dark.

The Illusion of “Fast Shipping”

Retailers know that delivery speed influences purchase decisions. That’s why so many promise “2-day shipping” or “guaranteed delivery by Friday.” But what those promises rarely include is the full logistics chain—from order processing to package hand-off. A seller might ship quickly, but once the parcel is with the carrier (especially for economy options like China Post or EMS), delays can snowball.

And even when you receive a tracking number, you’re often stuck checking separate carrier sites or trying to interpret cryptic status updates.

The Tracking Gap

For international orders—especially those routed through China Post—standard tracking pages may not be enough. Updates can stop abruptly when the package transfers between countries or gets stuck in customs. You might see messages like “Departed country of origin” with no further information for days, even weeks.

This is where many consumers turn to third-party tracking tools to get better visibility.

One Dashboard for All Your Orders

Rather than hopping between multiple courier websites and trying to figure out which leg of the journey your package is on, services like Ordertracker or 17 track offer a far more streamlined solution. As a universal tracking platform, Ordertracker aggregates tracking data from hundreds of carriers—including China Post—into a single, easy-to-use interface.

You simply paste in your tracking number, and Ordertracker automatically detects the carrier (whether it’s China Post, USPS, DHL, or another) and pulls the latest available updates. It’s especially helpful when your parcel passes between countries or when the original tracking page stops updating altogether.

How to Cope with Delays

While you can’t control customs clearance or international transit times, there are steps you can take to reduce the frustration:

• Order ahead of time, especially during peak periods like holidays or sales.
• Choose tracked shipping options whenever possible—even if it costs a bit more.
• Use a tracking tool like Ordertracker to follow packages across borders and carriers.
• Stay informed about delays in your region or the country of origin—strikes, holidays, or weather disruptions can all impact delivery times.
• Contact the seller if your package hasn’t moved for over 7–10 days—they may be able to escalate with the carrier.