DHL is one of the most reliable companies when it comes to international shipping. It has a strong presence in over 220 countries, including China. But how long does it take DHL to ship from China?
DHL offers different shipping options for this service. They include standard delivery, economic delivery, and express delivery. Averagely, shipping from China to countries like the U.S. or the U.K. may take up to 2 to 10 business days.
This guide does justice to how long it takes to ship from China to major countries via major DHL shipping options. You will also learn about the standard international shipment requirement and the factors affecting shipping speed.
How Long Does DHL Take to Ship From China?
How long DHL takes to ship from China primarily depends on the shipping option you choose. Here is a breakdown of the available options and their estimated delivery date:
DHL Express
This is the fastest shipping service you can choose for any international shipment. DHL Express delivers packages from China to the U.S., U.K., and other countries within 2 to 5 business days. You can also track and will get delivery updates at every stage of the shipping process.
DHL Standard
Unlike DHL Express, DHL Standard is quite affordable but is slower. For context, it delivers packages from China to countries like the U.S. and U.K. within 4 to 7 business days.
This service offers most of the benefits of DHL Express, such as customs clearance support and insurance coverage but may not offer real-time tracking. This is especially true for shipments that require the help of postal services like USPS.
DHL Economy
DHL Economy is the most affordable shipping option for international shipments. It delivers packages from China to the U.K. and other European countries within 5 to 10 business days.
DHL Economy works best for lightweight (maximum of 1000 kg per shipment) and non-urgent items. Package delivery may also take longer due to customs clearance and other regulatory requirements.
DHL International Shipping Requirements
DHL has standards for packages and shipments going abroad.
- All packages must have supporting documents such as commercial invoices, export licenses, and bills of lading to facilitate customs clearance.
- Counterfeit products, hazardous or toxic chemicals, and other illegal goods may be prohibited from shipping.
- All shipments must be clearly and correctly labeled with the recipient’s name, address, and contact information.
Factors that Can Delay Your Shipment
1. Custom clearance
If you send a package from one country to another, it must go through ports and customs officers. Different countries have different customs clearance processes. Besides, predicting how busy the port will be when receiving your package is also not easy.
As long as your shipment has the necessary document and it is not a prohibited item, patience is all you need to overcome port delays.
2. Weather conditions
Extreme weather conditions such as snow storms or hurricanes may also delay the delivery of a package. Nevertheless, rest assured that delivery will resume once it is safe for the freight with your package to travel.
3. Transportation issue
Like most couriers, DHL relies on a network of carriers worldwide. When transportation issues such as airline delays, accidents, or malfunctions occur with DHL or these carriers, delay is very likely.
FAQs
How do you know when your DHL package will arrive?
The easiest way to know when your DHL package will arrive is to stay updated with tracking notifications. The estimated delivery associated with the shipping option can also help.
Is FedEx or DHL faster for imports from China?
DHL is faster and cheaper than FedEx when importing packages from China. However, domestically (within China), it is the reverse.
Does DHL deliver on Sundays?
Only urgent shipments are delivered on Sunday; you may have to pay heavily for such a service. There is always a Saturday delivery option to get your package during the weekend without a high additional fee.
Wrapping up
DHL offers both domestic and international shipping services. The shipping company is fast and reliable if you plan to send a package or shipment from China to the U.S., U.K., Canada, and other countries.
It allows businesses and individuals to ship from China via DHL Express, DHL Standard, and DHL Economy. However, each option has its perks. DHL Express is probably the best option as it delivers packages faster (within 2-5 days).
On the other hand, DHL Standard and Economy are best for less valuable or non-urgent items. Turnaround is usually between 4 to 10 days. Retailers and businesses with shoestring shipping budgets should opt for any of them.
Lastly, ensure you comply with international shipping regulations and requirements to avoid issues or delays.
I hope you found this guide helpful. If you did, check out my guide on what is a DHL service area and how it can affect international shipments.
Thanks for reading.
