One of the main focuses of any dropshipper should be on the shipping process. When it comes to commerce, shipping times and costs are make-or-break factors.

When deciding on a shipping strategy, it is important to consider not only the product but also the destination, the shipping company, and any special handling requirements.

You’ve come to the right place if you want to make a well-informed decision. This manual will teach you how to track your dropshipping orders, how to deal with lengthy shipping times, and what shipping method is best for dropshipping.

In that case, let’s get started right away!

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Dropshipping Shipping Methods for Shipping to the USA

Our company ships the most packages to customers in the United States because it is the largest market for dropshippers.

Shipping from China to the USA: Shipping Costs and Time 

Shipping MethodsShipping CostAverage Delivery TimeTrackable or notDelivery Confirmation
PostNL$9.0315-35 Day(s)YY
USPS$5.3310-22 Day(s)YY
Yunexpress$4.4912-26 Day(s)YY
CJPacket$4.1412-22 Day(s)YY
DHL Official$26.223-7 Day(s)YY
EMS Guangzhou$18.0515-35 Day(s)YY
CJPacket MY Sensitive$6.0115-30 Day(s)YY
ePacket Yiwu$4.8612-50 Day(s)YY
Yanwen Ordinary$4.248-25 Day(s)YY
Yanwen Sensitive$4.398-25 Day(s)YY
CJPacket YDS US$4.9410-22 Day(s)YY
CJPacket Liquid US$4.3718-35 Day(s)YY
100g Ordinary Products. Data as of August 2020

When deciding on a shipping method, cost and turnaround time are the two most important factors to consider. From this data, we can conclude that USPS, Yunexpress, CJPacket, and Yanwen Ordinary offer the best balance of speed, reliability, and cost when shipping from China to the United States.

Customs & Taxes

The USA raised its customs duty threshold from $200 to $800 in 2016. This means that imports valued at less than $800 do not have to pay customs duties.

Customs duties (also known as import taxes) on items shipped from China into the United States are the responsibility of the recipient, who is your customer.

You should include such warnings on your website so buyers understand that their orders may be shipped from another country and may incur additional costs in the form of customs fees. The reason for this is so no one will try to file a claim or get a refund from you due to the customs fees they had to pay.

Prohibited and Restricted Items

The importation of certain goods is restricted or outright illegal in the United States. If you want your dropshipping orders to go smoothly and your customers to get their packages on time, you should steer clear of or at least pay close attention to these things.

Things of this sort include:

Absinthe (Alcohol) (Alcohol)
Booze and other alcoholic beverages
Automobiles
Biologicals
Plates and Bowls Made of Ceramic
Items with Military or Proliferation Potential Containing Cultural Artifacts or Cultural Property
Drug Equipment Made From Dog and Cat Fur
Firearms
Products for Feeding Fish and Wildlife (Raw and Prepared)
Request for Anticipatory Notice Before Food Import
Produce of the Earth
Animal Captures and Relics of the Hunt
Drums made of animal hide, covered in gold, in Haiti.
Products from Countries With a Medication Embargo
Pets
Film for taking photographs
Flora & Fauna: Seeds & Plants
The Trademark and Copyrighted Articles in Soil Associated with Textiles and Clothing
Please see the list of restricted items for more information.

One of the most straightforward ways to win a customer’s love is to offer lightning-fast shipping. If possible, it would be advantageous to keep private stock in nearby storage facilities. Keep reading to find out the quickest way to ship packages to clients in the United States.

Shipping within the USA: Shipping Costs and Time 

Shipping MethodsShipping CostAverage Delivery TimeTrackable or notDelivery Confirmation
USPS+$5.432-5 Day(s)YY
100g Ordinary Products. Data as of August 2020

It’s more expensive to ship from a US warehouse than it would be to ship from China, but the turnaround time is cut in half.

How Can Shipping from the Us Warehouses Boost Your Dropshipping Business?

To tell the truth, the dropshipping business model has its flaws. Dropshipping’s flexibility is appealing because it eliminates the need to front cash for stock. However, that is also its main flaw.

Having no stock on hand leaves you vulnerable to shortages and longer shipping times, especially around the holidays and peak shopping times like Christmas and Chinese New Year.

When you’re ready to take your dropshipping business to the next level, our US warehouses can be an invaluable resource. Let’s analyze the perks you’ll receive when you utilize our US-based warehouses.

Keep Selling on Holidays

Because many Chinese suppliers and logistics companies close for the Lunar New Year holiday, many seasoned dropshippers choose to pause their Facebook ads during this time. So long as you pre-order stock for our US warehouses, you can keep your ads running and your orders shipped without interruption. Those who continue selling after they run out of stock will lose ground to you.

Meet the Needs of Country-Sensitive Customers

For some clients, the origin of the package’s shipment could be a sensitive issue. Packages will not have to hide information like “Ship from China” if they are sent from US-based warehouses.

Expedite Order Processing and Delivery

When there is a surge in demand, and many orders come in at once, suppliers can only fulfill them in the order in which they are paid for.

However, there is no foolproof way to ensure your order goes through on the first try.

However, this places a substantial burden on logistics firms, which means that some customers’ packages may be delayed in transit.

When you have your own stock on hand in regional distribution centers, you can relax about the time it takes for orders to be processed and shipped across the world. In 2-5 days, your customers will be pleased to receive their packages.

Common Shipping Methods for Dropshipping

So many shipping companies exist today. What’s the top pick here? In this article, we’ll discuss the most frequently asked questions about dropshipping shipping methods and provide answers to the most popular ones.

ePacket

What Is ePacket?

China Postal Express & Logistics, in conjunction with its international postal service partners including the United States Postal Service, Canada Post, the United Kingdom’s Royal Mail, etc., offers ePacket, a cheap and quick method of international parcel delivery for small items.

What are the requirements & restrictions to use ePacket shipping?

If a package wants to use ePacket delivery service, it needs to conform to a few specifications.

What Is ePacket Tracking?

Packages sent via ePacket can be tracked all the way to their destinations, either through the carrier’s official website or through third-party tracking services like 17TRACK. Customers who use ePacket tracking won’t have to keep asking, “Where is my order?” or worry about being scammed.

What Is ePacket Delivery and How Does an ePacket Parcel Get Delivered?

Many different companies contribute to EPacket’s delivery system. The ePacket package will first be delivered to a China Post sorting facility.

At that point, it will be turned over to the appropriate international transport. Delivery to the final country means passing through customs there.

A local carrier will collect the package once customs releases it and deliver it to your customer’s address.

How to Calculate ePacket Shipping Rate?

The cost of sending an item via EPacket depends on its weight and the country or territory it is being sent to. The most up-to-date ePacket shipping rates are available to registered users who use our shipping calculator.

Which Countries Support ePacket Delivery?

ePacket delivery isn’t available in all countries. To name just a few of the places epacket can be used, we have:

Australia
Austria

Belgium
Brazil
Canada
Danes and Fins
France
Germany
Greece
Place of Origin: Hong Kong, China
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
The Italian, Japanese, Kazakh, Korean, and Luxembourgian
Malaysia
Latin America: Mexico, the Netherlands, and New Zealand
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Russia
Arabia Saudita
Singapore
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Thailand
to refer to the nation of Britain
NATO Ally: The USA and Turkey
Ukraine
Vietnam

How Long Does Epacket Take To Deliver from China to the Us?

The average time for an ePacket to travel from China to the United States is between 12 and 25 days. However, there are a number of factors, such as holidays and customs, that can cause shipping delays. On average, ePacket takes 12-25 days to deliver from China to the United States. However, holidays, customs, bad weather, epidemics, and other factors can all cause shipping delays. calamities of nature, contagious diseases, and similar occurrences.

Will the Customer Have to Pay Customs Duties and Taxes for ePacket Delivery?

When the package reaches the country of destination, customs may require the recipient to pay import duties and taxes. The ePacket package is no exception to the rule that all international shipments must go through customs clearance and be subject to local customs duties and taxes.

How Does ePacket Work on Aliexpress?

Because of its low cost, reasonable delivery time, and trackable feature, ePacket is a great shipping option when dealing with Aliexpress suppliers. Many Aliexpress vendors even provide ePacket as a free shipping option, allowing you to provide this service at no cost to your customers.

How Does ePacket Work with a Dropshipping Agent?

In most cases, dropshipping agents will offer ePacket as one of many available shipping methods. Learn how a dropshipping agent handles the shipping and delivery of your orders.

What’s the Benefit of the ePacket?

Providing customers with the quickest possible shipping at the most affordable price will almost certainly increase sales. You can make a more alluring offer to your customer and enhance their experience by using ePacket shipping.

How to Ensure the Delivery Time during Special Occasions Such as COVID-19 Pandemic?

An ePacket-sent package typically arrives at its destination within two months. Shipping times may be longer than usual if there is a holiday or a pandemic. It could take months for the package to reach the customer.

You can handle this problem by establishing a relationship with a supplier in the area, or by storing and transporting the goods from a facility in the vicinity. Learn how one of our clients handled dropshipping with 2-5 day shipping in the US during the Covington 19 virus outbreak.

USPS

What Is USPS?

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is a federal government agency that operates independently from other departments. If you have mail or packages weighing less than 70 pounds, USPS will deliver them anywhere in the country or around the world (31.75 kg).

The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers the following mailing and delivery options:

DomesticInternational
Priority Mail ExpressPriority MailFirst-Class MailUSPS Retail GroundMedia MailGlobal Express Guaranteed (GXG)Priority Mail Express InternationalPriority Mail InternationalFirst-Class Mail InternationalFirst-Class Package International ServiceAirmail M-Bags

Shipping from China to the Us with USPS. How Does It Work?

If you use our service, you can select USPS as your shipping option. Delivery of packages sent via USPS is as follows:

Every day, we collect USPS packages of all sizes, consolidate them into larger packages, and deliver them to DHL.
DHL transports the bulk of our Chinese imports to our warehouses in the United States.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) is in charge of picking up and delivering small packages from our US warehouses to your customers.

How Long Does It Take to Ship from China to the Us with USPS Shipping?

For our USPS packages to arrive in the United States from China, it usually takes between 10 and 20 days. Epidemics, customs, weather, and other factors can cause package delivery times to shift.

How to Track USPS Packages?

The USPS tracking number can be used in a number of different ways to monitor the delivery status of your package.

Look into USPS.com.
Just text the tracking number to 28777.
Get the USPS mobile app for your iOS or Android gadget.
Make use of a third-party package tracking system, such as 17track.
If you use our service, you can monitor your orders in detail on our website.

What Do USPS Tracking Statuses Mean?

We’ve compiled a list of the most frequently encountered USPS tracking statuses and their definitions below.

Pre-Shipment

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has received the package’s tracking information from the shipper or shipping partner and is anticipating the item’s arrival at a USPS facility.

Accepted

U.S. Postal Service has accepted the package.

In-Transit

Shipping status “In Transit” indicates that the item has left the shipping facility and is en route to its final destination.

Delivered

The item has arrived at its final destination, hence the delivery status.

Alert

Any time the delivery status changes to “Alert,” it indicates that something went wrong. Pay close attention to the specific tracking information provided, and get in touch with USPS Customer Service if you need any additional clarification or assistance.

What to Do If USPS Tracking Info Shows Delivered but the Package Isn’t Received?

Delivery has been confirmed via tracking data. You still can’t locate it, right? Your first step should be to verify all the locations near your given address that could be used for delivery.

Don’t forget to check with your loved one to see if they received it and passed the message along. The delivery may be slightly delayed even if it shows up as delivered. After 24 hours from the delivered status, if you still haven’t received your package, you can contact your local post office for further information on the delivery and assistance.

DHL

What Is DHL?

Deutsche Post DHL, of which DHL is a subsidiary, is the preeminent logistics company in the world. The initials of the founders’ surnames—Dalsey, Hillblom, and Lynn—form the company’s name, DHL. The logistics services offered by DHL reach over 220 countries and territories.

How Much Does DHL Cost?

The price you pay to have your package shipped via DHL will change based on the size and weight of your package, as well as the country or territory to which it is being delivered. A current DHL shipping rate can be obtained by registering with us at no cost and entering the relevant shipping information into our shipping calculator.

Techniques for Dropshipping A Comprehensive Reference
Techniques for Dropshipping A Comprehensive Reference

How Long Does DHL Express Take To Deliver?

DHL Express is one of the most dependable methods of international package delivery. The time it takes to get something from one place to another depends on where you’re shipping from and where you’re going. Sending a package from China to the United States via DHL Express can take anywhere from 3-7 business days, with the quickest delivery time being 1 business day.

Sign up now to see international shipping times via DHL and the other services we offer.

How to Track DHL Packages?

You can check on the status of your DHL shipment by entering the tracking number provided by your shipper on DHL’s official website. We advise using a package tracking platform like 17TRACK if you are sending packages via more than one shipping service. If you use our service, you can check for tracking updates directly on our website.

What Are the Restrictions on Using DHLShipping?

Since every country has its own set of rules and regulations regarding what can and cannot be brought into the country, there are some things that simply cannot be imported at all. DHL Express’s Global Import Guidelines can be used to identify restricted goods for specific countries and regions.

There are certain items that cannot be sent via DHL under any circumstances:

An example of a living animal
To collect or possess (animal) hunting trophies, (animal) body parts (like ivory or sharks’ fin), (animal) remains, Products derived from or containing animals that are not fit for human consumption and therefore are restricted from transport due to the CITES Convention or national law.
Cremated or otherwise decayed human remains
Bullion (of any precious metal) (of any precious metal)
Cash (current legal tender) (current legal tender)
Free-floating diamonds, rubies, and sapphires
A full arsenal of weapons and explosives
Dangerous commodities, including knockoffs and drugs

EMS

What Is EMS?

The United Nations’ Universal Postal Union oversees the Express Mail System (EMS), an international express mail service. The China Postal Express & Logistics Group Company operates this service in China (CPEL).

CPEL’s e-EMS is an international express service that helps it meet the needs of online retailers who do business across national borders. To date, 106 countries have been added to E-list EMS’s of supported locations, with the service’s primary goals being to provide faster delivery times and improved tracking capabilities.

E-EMS is more cost-effective for dropshippers than EMS because it charges per 50 grams instead of per package.

How Much Does E-EMS Cost?

The cost of sending a package via e-EMS depends on its dimensions and weight as well as the country or territory to which it is being delivered. To get the most up-to-date e-EMS shipping rate, sign up for free and enter the relevant shipping information into our shipping calculator.

How Long Does E-EMS Take To Deliver?

As with any form of international mail, e-EMS delivery times are not constant. You can use our shipping calculator to find out how long it usually takes for e-EMS packages to arrive at their destination and make a comparison to the delivery times of other shipping methods.

How to Track E-EMS Packages?

If you have an e-EMS tracking number, you can check the status of your package at any time by visiting the China Post Tracking Page. We advise using a package tracking platform like 17TRACK if you are sending packages via more than one shipping service. If you use our service, you can check for tracking updates directly on our website.

What Are the Restrictions on Using E-EMS Shipping

There are size and weight restrictions on e-EMS shipping services. Read on for further explanation.

China Post Registered Air Mail

What Is China Post Registered Air Mail?

China Post’s inexpensive Registered Air Mail service is available to international destinations. The term “Registered” implies a traceable shipping option. More than 200 countries and territories can be reached, making it ideal for the delivery of lightweight packages.

How Much Does China Post Registered Air Mail Cost?

China Post Registered Air Mail shipping rates are based on the dimensions and weight of your package, as well as the country or countries to which it is being sent. To get the most up-to-date rates for China Post Registered Air Mail, sign up for a free account on our shipping calculator.

How Long Does China Post Registered Air Mail Take To Deliver?

Sending via China Post Registered Air Mail is cheap but inefficient. Sometimes, shipping can take weeks or even months.

External factors such as holidays, customs, weather, or epidemics can cause delays in international shipping. To learn more about the transit times for China Post Registered Air Mail and the other shipping methods we offer, sign up for a free account and use our shipping calculator.

How to Track China Post Registered Air Mail Packages?

China Post Registered Air Mail tracing numbers begin with a “R.” You can check on the whereabouts of your packages with the help of the tracking number you received from China Post.

We advise using a package tracking platform like 17TRACK if you are sending packages via more than one shipping service. If you use our service, you can check for tracking updates directly on our website.

What are the restrictions on using China Post Registered Air Mail shipping?

If you want to send something via China Post Registered Air Mail, you’ll need to make sure it fits certain parameters in terms of size, weight, and content.

PostNL

What Is PostNL?

PostNL is the primary Dutch postal service, delivering mail and packages nationally and internationally.

How Much Does PostNL Cost?

PostNL’s shipping rates are determined by the package’s weight and the country or countries of delivery. By creating a free account, you will have access to our shipping calculator, where you can view the most up-to-date PostNL shipping rates.

How Long Does PostNL Take To Deliver?

From 15-35 days is the typical time it takes for PostNL to deliver an international package. Inevitable events like bad weather, snafus at the customs office, holidays, pandemics, and so on can all cause delivery delays.

How to Track PostNL Packages?

If you have a tracking number for a package you’ve sent through PostNL, you can check its whereabouts at any time using the PostNL Online Tracking service. We advise using a package tracking platform such as 17TRACK if you are sending packages via more than one method of transport.

Additionally, using our service will allow you to receive all tracking updates on our website.

What Are the Restrictions on Using PostNL Shipping?

If you’re going to use PostNL for drop shipping, check that your products aren’t on the list of prohibited items below.

Aluminum batteries for perfume and aftershave
Common examples of aerosols include perfume sprays, hairspray, whipped cream, and antiperspirants.
Please refer to the Shipment Conditions for additional information on the regulations governing international shipments.

Turkey Post

What Is Turkey Post?

Turkey’s national postal and telegram service is operated by PTT, also known as Turkish Post. PTT is a service provider that offers postal, logistics, banking, and international shipping services.

How Much Does Turkey Post Cost?

Find out how much your package weighs and the country or region it’s going to with Turkey Post’s shipping calculator. By creating a free account on our site, you’ll have access to our shipping calculator, where you can view the most up-to-date shipping rates offered by Turkey Post.

How Long Does Turkey Post Take To Deliver?

Delivery time for international orders placed with Turkey Post is typically between 15 and 35 days. Weather, customs clearance, holidays, epidemics, and other external factors can all cause delivery delays.

How to Track Turkey Post Packages?

Put the number in the box provided on PTT’s site to see where your package is in transit. An online package tracking service like 17TRACK is better suited to those who are shipping packages via a combination of methods. In addition, customers can check the delivery status of their orders at any time in our system.

What Are the Restrictions on Using Turkey Post Shipping?

There are some products that cannot be shipped via Turkey Post due to their characteristics, such as those that are liquid, powder, cream, magnetic, or sharp. There is also a ban on batteries.

YunExpress

What Is YunExpress?

YunExpress is a well-known Chinese logistics provider that specializes in providing cost-effective international B2C e-commerce shipping options. Customers and vendors alike on AliExpress, eBay, Gearbest, and other leading e-commerce platforms prefer YunExpress due to its low prices and reliable service.

How Much Does YunExpress Cost?

YunExpress is widely regarded as a cheap shipping option. Costs associated with sending your package abroad are determined by its size and weight as well as the location to which it is being sent. By signing up for a free account, you’ll have access to our shipping calculator, where you can view the most up-to-date YunExpress shipping rates.

How Long Does YunExpress Take To Deliver?

YunExpress shipping from China to the United States typically takes between 12 and 26 days. Estimated delivery times for European countries served by YunExpress are between 10 and 20 days. These include the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain.

How to Track YunExpress Packages?

Packages sent via YunExpress can be tracked by entering the tracking number on the company’s official website.

When checking the status of your shipment, you may notice that another tracking number has been provided. This is because YunExpress works with a local logistics company in the country of delivery to handle the final leg of the delivery process.

What Are the Restrictions on Using YunExpress Shipping?

Please be aware that Yunexpress will not accept the following items: counterfeit goods, batteries, liquids, powders, dangerous goods, firearms, ammunition, and items that are not permitted by laws or regulations.

Australia Line

What Is Australia Line?

The “Australia line” is a nonstop route that departs from China and arrives in Australia. Once the shipment reaches Australia, Australia Post will deliver it to the customer.

How Much Does Australia Line Cost?

Australia Line’s shipping rates are based on the package’s dimensions and weight, as well as its final country of delivery. You can sign up without cost and enter your shipping information into our shipping calculator to get the most up-to-date shipping rates.

How Long Does Australia Line Take To Deliver?

Shipping via Australia Line typically takes between 14 and 20 days. However, as you may be aware, there are a number of external factors—including weather, customs, holidays, epidemics—that can delay the actual delivery.

How to Track Australia Line Packages?

The Australia Line tracking number will allow you to check the status of your package on the Australia Post website. We advise using a package tracking platform like 17TRACK if you are sending packages via more than one shipping service. If you use our service, you can check for tracking updates directly on our website.

What Are the Restrictions on Using Australia Line Shipping?

When using Australia Line, packages cannot exceed 20 kilograms in weight.

Australia Line prohibits the shipping of batteries, liquids, powders, and sharp objects.

Dropshipping Shipping Methods by Product 

You should base your shipping method selection on a product’s attribute. When shipping liquids or other fragile items, for example, you’re limited to a small selection of carriers and carriers with special expertise.

See the options for transporting goods with various characteristics to the USA in the table below.


PostNL
USPSYunExpressCJPacketDHLEMSCJPacket MY SensitiveePacketYanwen OrdinaryYanwen SensitiveCJPacket YDS USCJPacket Liquid US
OrdinaryYYYYYYYYYYYY
ElectronicYYYYYYYY
Battery ContainedYYYYYYY
LiquidYY
PowderYY
CreamYYYYY
MagneticYYYYYYY
Sharp (e.g. knife)YYYY
There aren’t many limitations on product characteristics when shipping from US warehouses.

.

OrdinaryElectronicBattery ContainedPure BatteryLiquidPowderCreamMagneticSharp (e.g. knife)
USPS+YYYYYYYY
Curious about the international shipping options we provide? Sign up now and use our shipping calculator!
OrdinaryElectronicBattery ContainedPure BatteryLiquidPowderCreamMagneticSharp (e.g. knife)
USPS+YYY

How to Overcome Long Shipping Times?

Some people are wary of getting into dropshipping because of the perceived long wait times associated with receiving orders. If a customer can buy the same thing on Amazon and have it delivered to their door in two days, why would they bother placing an order with me?

Continue reading to learn why shipping times are not a big deal and how to eliminate the problem altogether.

Sell a Product that Evokes the Desire

People don’t need to buy from you, and that’s the honest truth. You need to advertise a product on Facebook in such a way that it creates an immediate desire for the product in the minds of potential buyers, even if they had no intention of purchasing it before seeing your ad.

Be Frank about Shipping Times

Give your customers an accurate estimation of when they can expect to receive their packages. Making sure customers can easily find shipping details on your site is essential.

Giving customers accurate shipping estimates will help you keep their expectations in check. When customers see they have to wait for weeks, you may worry about a drop in conversion. Rather than losing a lot of money on chargebacks, I would much rather have fewer sales.

Offer Excellent Customer Service

Customers will email you about their packages, and you’ll get even more emails if there are any delays in shipping. There’s nothing you can do to speed up shipping, but a prompt response to customer concerns can ease their fears that they’re being scammed.

In this way, customers won’t have any grounds for demanding a refund because of the delay of a few extra days.

Cut Down Shipping Times by Shipping from US Warehouses

In order to minimize transit times, it’s best to ship from the same country as your customers. Products can be stocked at a local fulfillment center, or products can be purchased from suppliers with local warehouses.

Shipping from one of our two US-based warehouses allows us to reduce the delivery time to the US to just 2–5 days. Having a quick shipping time will put you ahead of the game.

How and Where to Track Your Orders?

Your orders can be monitored in a number of different ways.

In fact, there are a variety of online tools available to help you keep tabs on your orders once you get your tracking number from the vendor. If you are considering or currently utilizing our services, you will appreciate the convenience of real-time order tracking. Please select from the list of available options below; we’ve included the most popular methods for your perusal.

In the first place, you should look at the company’s website that you dealt with for the shipment.

If you’d rather not have to navigate between different sites to track your packages, a third-party service like 17TRACK can help.

If you use our service, every order you place can be monitored in one convenient place.