If you‘ve excitedly placed an order with the online fashion retailer Shein only to be left waiting and wondering when your package will arrive, you‘re not alone. Many Shein customers have experienced frustratingly long shipping times, sometimes stretching on for weeks longer than initially estimated.
As an expert in the retail industry with over a decade of experience analyzing ecommerce trends and practices, I‘ll share some insights into why Shein orders in particular are prone to delays. We‘ll take a deep dive into Shein‘s unique business model, the common causes of Shein shipping delays, and what you as a customer can do to minimize potential issues.
By the end of this post, you‘ll have a clearer understanding of the intricacies of ordering from this fast-fashion favorite and some handy tips for making your next Shein shopping experience as smooth as possible. Let‘s jump in!
Understanding Shein‘s Business Model and Supply Chain
To start untangling the mysteries of Shein‘s often lengthy shipping process, it‘s important to understand a bit about how the company operates. Shein is a completely online, direct-to-consumer retailer that specializes in providing the latest fashion trends at rock-bottom prices.
What allows Shein to keep costs so low is a unique supply chain model that‘s very different from traditional fashion brands. Rather than designing collections far in advance and manufacturing large runs of inventory to keep in stock, Shein uses a just-in-time strategy, only producing small batches of items that prove popular with consumers.
This fast-fashion, test-and-repeat approach means Shein can jump on trends quickly and avoid overproduction. However, it also means the vast majority of items are shipped directly from their manufacturing facilities in China. Unlike larger online retailers like Amazon or legacy brick-and-mortar stores, Shein doesn‘t maintain extensive warehouse inventory across the globe.
When you place an order on Shein‘s app or website, it kicks off a fulfillment process that‘s highly dependent on their suppliers and manufacturing partners in China. Your item may need to be individually made to order rather than simply pulled off a shelf in a local warehouse. This is the core reason why Shein orders tend to take longer to receive compared to other major online retailers.
Top Reasons for Shein Order Delays
Now that we‘ve covered the high-level view of Shein‘s business model, let‘s get into the nitty gritty of the specific issues that most commonly lead to those frustrating shipping delays. I‘ve identified six main factors that can cause your Shein order to take longer than expected:
1. High order volumes during sales and promotions
One of the most common times for Shein shoppers to experience major delays is during the brand‘s frequent sitewide sales and promotions. With discounts of up to 70-80% off, these events can generate a massive influx of orders that strain Shein‘s fulfillment operations.
While the company has invested heavily in technology and supply chain optimization, there‘s only so much that can be done when hundreds of thousands of orders flood in at once. This is especially true given Shein‘s made-to-order production approach, which is less able to absorb large demand spikes compared to a traditional pre-stocked inventory model.
During major sales, many customers find their orders take several days longer than normal to ship out. The sheer volume can overload every step of the process from order processing to picking to packing to the first leg of the delivery journey.
2. Shipping from China and customs delays
As mentioned, the vast majority of Shein‘s inventory comes direct from manufacturing partners in China. And while the company has a solid track record of delivering within their 1-3 week standard shipping window most of the time, delays can and do happen.
Shein relies on international commercial freight to transport bulk shipments from China to importing countries like the US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. Port congestion, bad weather events, and other logistics snags can lead to slowdowns in this leg of the shipping journey.
Once your order makes it to your country, it still needs to clear customs before entering the local postal system for final delivery. Getting through customs is usually quick but packages can occasionally be held up for longer in-depth processing without much visibility for the end customer.
These location-related delays are some of the hardest to predict or avoid as a shopper, since so much is dependent on global supply chain and customs conditions outside of Shein‘s direct control. The most you can do is pad your expectations, especially if ordering around the busy holiday season when international shipping channels tend to be overloaded.
3. Items being out of stock or discontinued
Shein‘s ultra-fast fashion model means the company is constantly adding hundreds of new products to their site daily while cycling out styles that are no longer trending. If an item has been live for a while, there‘s a chance it may be out of stock or discontinued by the time you go to order it.
Sometimes Shein‘s stock levels may not be reflected accurately on the product page. So you could purchase an item only to later receive an email informing you it‘s back-ordered or no longer available.
This scenario can be particularly frustrating because you‘re eager to receive the items you ordered. Unfortunately in most cases, the fastest resolution is to process a refund or store credit so you can select an in-stock alternative rather than waiting on a restock that may not materialize.
4. Payment processing problems
Less visible than inventory or shipping issues but just as impactful, payment processing hiccups can lead to unexpected Shein order delays. If your chosen payment method is declined or flagged for fraud prevention review, your order won‘t progress to fulfillment until the issue is resolved.
Shein accepts a variety of payment options including Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, ApplePay and Afterpay. They also frequently offer discounts and promo codes. Sometimes specific combinations of payment methods and promos can trigger anti-fraud flags that block the order from going through.
If you believe your payment should have been accepted, reach out to Shein‘s customer support team for assistance. They can usually manually review and push the order through once they verify it‘s legitimate. But keep in mind this process can add a few days to your order timeline.
5. Inaccurate shipping address information
One of the most avoidable but still too common causes of Shein shipping delays is customers inadvertently entering inaccurate or incomplete shipping information. Even a small error like a missing apartment number or misspelled street name can be enough to stall your package‘s progress.
Always double check that your shipping details are correct before placing your Shein order. Make sure you‘ve selected the right country and that the postal code matches the city and region. Including a phone number is also recommended so the local carrier can contact you if any delivery issues arise.
If you do happen to notice an error after your order has been placed, contact Shein right away so they can update the information before the package ships out. Acting quickly increases the odds of correcting the problem without adding more than a day or two to the overall timeline.
6. Quality control checks and product issues
A final common reason Shein orders can be unexpectedly delayed is the company‘s quality assurance process. Every item is supposed to be inspected prior to shipping to ensure it meets Shein‘s standards and matches the product description.
If a product doesn‘t pass Shein‘s quality check, it won‘t be sent out until the issue is resolved or a replacement is secured. This can add anywhere from an extra day to a week or more to the order processing time depending on the specific situation.
While it can be disappointing to learn your order is held up in quality control, try to keep in mind that this is ultimately for your benefit as a customer. It‘s preferable to have Shein catch and correct any product issues on their end rather than you receiving a subpar item that you then have to go through the process of returning or exchanging.
How Shein‘s Shipping Times Compare to Other Online Retailers
For all the potential causes of Shein delays we‘ve discussed, you may be wondering if the retailer‘s shipping times are really that much slower than the ecommerce competition. The truth is, it depends.
Shein‘s standard shipping option typically quotes an estimated delivery window of 1-3 weeks, which is on the longer end for ecommerce. Many leading online retailers like Amazon and Nordstrom offer free 2-day shipping on most orders with even faster options available at an added cost.
However, Shein is often more comparable to other international fast-fashion brands like Boohoo, Fashion Nova, Missguided and the UK‘s Pretty Little Thing. Most of these retailers also ship from overseas and quote standard delivery times of 1-2+ weeks.
It‘s also worth noting that Shein does usually deliver within their promised window the majority of the time when there aren‘t major disruptive events in play. A 2021 analysis of nearly 3,000 US Shein orders found an average shipping time of 13.1 days from order placement to delivery.
So while Shein may not be able to compete with the likes of Amazon Prime‘s famous 2-day turnarounds, 2 weeks is a reasonable expectation for receiving your order under normal circumstances. Expedited shipping options are also available for an added fee if you need your items faster.
Tips for Minimizing Shein Shipping Delays
By now, you hopefully have a clearer sense of the various factors that can lead to longer-than-expected shipping times for Shein orders. While some of these issues may be unavoidable, there are a few proactive steps you can take as a customer to minimize your risk of delays:
- Plan ahead and place your order well in advance of when you‘ll need the items, especially if ordering for a specific event or deadline.
- Double check the accuracy of your shipping information before placing your order and contact customer service right away if you notice any errors.
- Consider expedited shipping if available for time-sensitive orders. The added cost can be worth the peace of mind.
- Read item descriptions closely and check the estimated processing time before ordering, particularly for styles marked as "pre-order" or "shipped within X days."
- Be cautious of ordering on the last day of major sitewide sales when the risk of oversold inventory and quality control delays tends to be higher. Consider waiting until the first day of the sale instead for a better shot at quick fulfillment.
- Reach out to Shein‘s customer support team for help if your order is delayed significantly beyond the original estimated delivery date. They can look into the specifics of your order and sometimes expedite shipping if the delay is due to an internal error.
The Bottom Line on Shein Order Delays
At the end of the day, ordering from Shein can require a bit more patience than shopping with massive ecommerce players like Amazon or big box stores. The company‘s unique fast-fashion model and complex global supply chain mean longer standard shipping windows and a higher risk of unanticipated delays.
However, for many fashion-loving shoppers, the combination of on-trend styles and ultra-low prices make the possibility of a slightly longer wait time worth it. By understanding the common causes of Shein shipping delays and taking a few proactive steps to minimize risk, you can still have a great experience snagging some amazing fashion deals.
The keys are to plan ahead when possible, carefully review your shipping and payment details, and be prepared to roll with a little uncertainty in the process. With any luck, your Shein order will arrive safe and sound ready to refresh your wardrobe without too much extra wait.
