DHL - Questions

[Razorlight123]

I decided to see what the fuss was about with DHL, so I've put an order in.

I've been given a tracking number - but it's not showing on the DHL tracking site.

Is this like EMS - it requires a day or so to become active?

[JamesNorth101]

It can take a day to show. Sometimes companies provide the tracking numbers before the shipment has been collected as well

[Razorlight123]

In your opinion, much more safer than EMS?

[BigCJ]

Sometimes it takes a day to show and sometimes they give you another reference number all together. Be sure to ask your supplier if the number doesnt start tracking after around 48 hours if they got a new number.

[Razorlight123]

Thank you.

[GreenBean]

Dont forget times of delivery may differ between USA & UK.

There may also be different treatment of imported items from the respective country's Customs.

Overall DHL delivers and so it should for the price paid.

Good Luck

[libbo]

DHL is much more reliable then EMS to UK. When it arrives in HK you will get the proper Wayward Bill Number to track all the way home.

[jeffweico]

DHL is lightning fast. Sometimes a seller will give you the tracking number they use to ship from their facility to Hong Kong. That tracking number will NOT show up on DHL. The seller should give you the DHL tracking number once they have it, usually within a day or two of receiving the first tracking number.

[beneysz]

Definatley go with DHL, i used to ship both when i was based out in china and DHL took a few days at most and could be tracked at any point. If your suppliers are shipping from the mainland it will normally arrive in HK and be consolidated with other shipments first so make take a little while to show up on the tracking system

[GreenBean]

Off-topic, DHL run fantastic advertising campaigns.

[CH1N3S3_W@RR103]

Originally Posted by GreenBean™

Off-topic, DHL run fantastic advertising campaigns.

Agreed!

I don't know if your question has been answered yet OP but it's actually not unusual for shippers to give you the reference number instead of the tracking number (Waybill). You would need to use the link below to locate it:

DHL | Track by Shipper's Reference | English

[jeffweico]

Originally Posted by GreenBean™

Off-topic, DHL run fantastic advertising campaigns.

Here in the US, they don't advertise at all. They only deliver here, they no longer pick up packages. But GB is right, they DID have some good (and very funny) ads if memory serves.

[jeffweico]

Originally Posted by beneysz

Definatley go with DHL, i used to ship both when i was based out in china and DHL took a few days at most and could be tracked at any point. If your suppliers are shipping from the mainland it will normally arrive in HK and be consolidated with other shipments first so make take a little while to show up on the tracking system

I agree. I much prefer the SPEED of DHL to EMS. With EMS it can take anywhere from 3 days to 15 days to arrive in the USA from China. It's a crapshoot. DHL costs a little more, but what is the cost of running out of inventory for a week or more? With DHL, my packages are always here within 3-4 days (excluding weekends and also if customs holds the package for inspection).

[slapped]

DHL is FAR Superior to EMS,,,

[GreenBean]

I decline to have packages delivered as part of a crapshoot as jeffweico says. LOL.

No use whatsoever to be at the mercy of some shipping service because an oxen was on the runway or the fog lights failed.

I will pay for superior service.

My happy customer will enjoy their items and buy again from me.

Win-win

[AlanM]

Originally Posted by jeffweico

Here in the US, they don't advertise at all. They only deliver here, they no longer pick up packages. But GB is right, they DID have some good (and very funny) ads if memory serves.

DHL most certainly do pick-up packages in the United States - they just have to have an international destination. Since the pull out in 2009, DHL no longer provide a domestic shipping solution for shipments (i.e. NY to California).

[rsot]

Originally Posted by JamesNorth101

It can take a day to show. Sometimes companies provide the tracking numbers before the shipment has been collected as well

Exactly - the tracking number is off of the form but sometimes the package has not even been entered into the system. Can take 1-4 days for some suppliers.