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Shipping from China and what happened to me

kpac73

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Hi everyone I had a package get stuck at customs I kept tracking it through CigABuy's(China) site with my tracking number in their EMS I think that is their postal system? I emailed CigABuy because it disappeared, they said that some packages the tracking numbers get changed by USPS(idk if this is true?) So I went looking for it in USPS because it wasn't anywhere to be found and what I did was actually put my tracking number into USPS and tell them I wanted email reports on my packages whereabouts - not even 30 minutes later I got a email stating that my package was there. I don't know for sure if it was sitting there(or for how long?) but I have been getting emails daily now since I signed up for USPS instead of EMS. EMS said it was still there in China and hadn't left for San Francisco yet.

It was simple to do and I got a response back immediately which means I think it was sitting there. I don't know what customs does but if you order over seas try it on your next package?
 

Lefty

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EMS is one used for some China shipments but usually only if you request it as it is usually more expensive than e-packet or straight air mail. If the USPS is going to be used for final delivery then the number won't usually show up in their system until they have received notification it's departed for the US. I don't use EMS but with e-packet and standard air mail w/tracking the tracking number has never in my experience been changed by USPS. The Chinese end of it is only good to track within China, if you're lucky. I usually have more luck tracking the China end using http://www.17track.net/en/. No one knows what customs does, least of all customs, or so it appears at times.
 
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kpac73

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EMS is one used for some China shipments but usually only if you request it as it is usually more expensive than e-packet or straight air mail. If the USPS is going to be used for final delivery then the number won't usually show up in their system until the package has at least departed for the US. The Chinese end of it is only good to track within China, if you're lucky. I usually have more luck tracking the China end using http://www.17track.net/en/. No one knows what customs does, least of all customs, or so it appears at times.


Yes I ordered registered mail($2 more) too but yes the package still says it never left China by EMS tracking. And that is the website CigABuy uses to track through EMS so yeah it still says my package was in China. I got USPS to tell me where it was instantly within 30 min is what I am saying - it was 18 days it moved 2 sat for 16 in China until I signed into USPS and started tracking and asking it to be tracked there.
 

Lefty

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You can only get USPS to track it once it's been notified that the package has departed for the US. Even then it will only say they've been notified until it actually reaches US Customs. After that tracking by USPS is pretty much how it works. Obviously the EMS page hadn't been properly updated. That's why I gave the 17Track link, it works for nearly any China shipper. You can often get more accurate info there than from the shipper itself, especially when dealing with China Post or Singapore Post to name two of the worst for accurate tracking.
 
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kpac73

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You can only get USPS to track it once it's been notified that the package has departed for the US. Even then it will only say they've been notified until it actually reaches US Customs. After that tracking by USPS is pretty much how it works. Obviously the EMS page hadn't been properly updated. That's why I gave the 17Track link, it works for nearly any China shipper. You can often get more accurate info there than from the shipper itself, especially when dealing with China Post or Singapore Post to name two of the worst for accurate tracking.


I tracked my package via 17Track(sometimes 3 to 4 times a day idk China's time zone so i didn't know when the package would move) it said it was still in China. Yes in your experiences you might have gotten more info through 17Track but my experience as of the last 2 days is different I wasn't getting any information from anywhere I even emailed the company CigABuy and they said some get new tracking numbers, well my package still wasn't anywhere so yeah I was getting zero info from 17track I went USPS then.

It wasn't until I went into USPS and had them email me tracking info that they found my package(in 30min too thats no coincidence i dont think) is what I am saying. Now I did that with USPS I have been sent 4 emails telling where it is and have a due date of its arrival even.

I just want people to know that if they dont see it moving to give it a little time but try to sign up for USPS tracking too? It worked for me.
 

OldGrump

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As much as I like a cheap mod I have given up buying from China. The tracking is difficult, warranty a pain in the butt...ask for DHL and they try to screw you over for aditional charges saying you live in a remote area. Buĺlshit I live in a capital city of Australia. The only decent honest trader I have found in 5 years has been HiLiq.com no messing around quick shipment and you pay for what is calculated at the check out.

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk
 

Dutch0hms

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I've ordered a package from slowtech 21-09 still not here last tracking info i got is on 07-10 wich says its still in China, we will see how long its gonna take .... :question:
 

freemind

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Everyone who has ever ordered from China and shipped to the US KNOWS, it is a SLOWWWW process.

If you have any type of tracked package from China, use 17track. It's the only reliable way to track your packages from China.

ALWAYS pay with PayPal for your orders too. PayPal gives you 45 days to dispute charges and you don't have to give all these vendors your credit card info.
 

Lefty

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17Track, or anyone for that matter, is not going to accurately track every Chinese shipment because it's, well, China. They are simply the most likely to provide useful info on the Chinese side of things. If they are going to be involved in the delivery then the way to track it once it leaves China is USPS tracking so it's not surprising that you only got results from them. That is only effective once it reaches customs in the US. Customs is customs. In somewhere north of 70 Chinese shipments at this point customs itself has processed my package in as little as a day or as much as a month. None of them has had a new tracking number assigned by USPS. Total shipment time has varied from as little as 7 days to as much as two months. One, from Gearbest, disappeared into the aether never to be seen again. Welcome to Chinese commerce.
 
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Huckleberried

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I usually have more luck tracking the China end using http://www.17track.net/en/. No one knows what customs does, least of all customs, or so it appears at times.
I always check that one, too. Sometime last year I googled different places and that one has always been reliable. Over the past several months, my USPS tracking has always shown the same progress. I still double check both, lol.
 

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