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Shipping options: EMS vs DHL/FEDEX

cosmicgate

Active Member
16/9/13
439
3
18
Just wanna get your opinion on shipping options.How long on average does it take to reach from China to EU/US via EMS?

I've used EMS once but it kinda took 2 weeks to arrive but that was back in 2006 and i've always opted for DHL/Fedex ever since but recently after reading some posts, some of the guys are getting their stuff as early as 5 days in EU/US?:woot:

FYI i'm from South East Asia and shipping via Fedex/DHL is kinda expensive. If EMS have improved so much i might as well save up on courier fees and get EMS as default shipping method.
 

cwazy1

Respected Member
29/2/12
3,812
10
38
Asia to US using EMS is usually around 7 days for me
Asia to US using DHL is always 2 days.
 

B3ard

Active Member
17/10/12
376
1
18
DHL will be your fastest route, but it's also the most expensive. EMS is a great service because I have heard that that USPS treats EMS mail when it gets into the US as Express Mail, since it IS government sanctioned express mail I think?
 

ilbambino86

Renowned Member
17/9/12
804
1
0
Is DHL safe like EMS/USPS is? I mean, when they go into customs and all?
 

B3ard

Active Member
17/10/12
376
1
18
Honestly, I think the customs is more risky when dealing with DHL since everything is moving so fast. I've heard its hit or miss, but it's more so a hit.
 

dev1ant

Renowned Member
Supporter
Certified
22/8/10
505
21
18
EMS has been quite interesting lately. Sead shipped my watches and they departed GZ Sunday evening(guessing they wanted to dodge some shipments from the typhoon). Already arrived in Canada today and I should be getting it tomorrow or the day after. That's <3 days. Fastest with EMS yet.
 

ShadyManc

Active Member
4/6/13
330
0
16
EMS to UK is 5 days. It's cheaper than DHL and you don't typically get hit with import duty, plus if you're not in when they attempt delivery they take to the most local post office.

I believe DHL charge an additional handling charge where there is customs duty to pay, some suggest this a nice little earner for DHL, but as I've never used them I wouldn't know.

I'm more than happy with EMS.
 

king_o

Known Member
17/11/07
180
4
0
Waiting on a watch at the moment, sent EMS from China to UK. Got a letter from Parcelforce asking for £22.50 import VAT and other charges - is this happening a lot now as I have not ordered in a couple years and never got these sort of charges before.

Still also waiting on delivery BTW...................................
 

smokiedabong

Respected Member
22/8/12
3,546
12
38
Fastest i got was DHL, watch was shipped out to me on Monday morning, Tuesday at noon it was at my door Northeast US. Other time DHL took almost two weeks. If I were you I would just go with EMS and have a little patience.
 

trevsdad

Renowned Member
5/1/13
552
1
16
there are many posts about DHL shipments from China to the the U.S getting snagged by customs so I avoid it.

EMS has always been reliable but not consistent with delivery time. i.e., I've got an incoming (...TD form RWG next door) that's been doing the Guangzhou delay thing now for most of the week...at the end of the day, it'll probably take about ten days. My previous buy came from Ryan at 'InTime' who had it to me in 3-4 days via EMS going pretty much the same route...don't know how he does it. :thumbsup:

Is DHL safe like EMS/USPS is? I mean, when they go into customs and all?
 

teoulennon

Renowned Member
17/5/11
514
4
18
I've never received a shipment faster than 2 weeks after being shipped EMS to the US
 

beefjerky456

I'm Pretty Popular
4/3/12
1,019
25
48
Waiting on a watch at the moment, sent EMS from China to UK. Got a letter from Parcelforce asking for £22.50 import VAT and other charges - is this happening a lot now as I have not ordered in a couple years and never got these sort of charges before.

Still also waiting on delivery BTW...................................

For the UK I think the charges depend on the declared value on the package, so if your TD has put a value greater than £15 (~$24), then you will be charged.

From HMR&C website:
consignments with an intrinsic value of £15 or less are free from both customs duty and import VAT
import VAT is payable when the intrinsic value of the goods is over £15
customs duty (and import VAT) is payable when the intrinsic value of the imported goods is over £135

Once you receive, I would be interested to know the value your TD put on the package and the TD.
 

catfish1

Active Member
3/9/13
210
1
0
Ordered several reps from China and used EMS, all sailed thru customs and were delivered via USPS as Express Mail.
 

bgreg

I'm Pretty Popular
18/11/12
1,673
137
63
Florida
I've been getting the true slow boat from China routine lately....
Package from Toro 15 days to door (US Fla.)- normal for me is about 12 days
Package from Nembo 26 days to door
Package from Sead still in GZ after 12 days
Package from Nembo in NYC after 4 Days- last Nembo package sat in NYC for almost 2weeks

So it is hit and miss lately miss....but it is all part of the thrill...lol

Just ordered 2 more today....have to wait for CN holiday to pass it won't ship until the 6th.



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