Shipping Delays Explained

Why Shipping is Slower Recently and What to Do

Buyers across Europe have noticed delivery times increasing over the past two months. This article explains the causes, which shipping lines are affected, and practical steps you can take to minimize delays on your oopbuy orders.

Why Shipping Became Slower Recently

Three factors are causing delays: increased EU customs inspections following new import regulations, reduced flight capacity on Asia-Europe routes, and warehouse congestion at major sorting hubs. German customs has increased random inspections by approximately 30% since March. France and Spain are also conducting more thorough package checks. The combination means packages spend 3-5 extra days in processing compared to late 2025.

Which Lines Are Affected

<strong>Tax-Free Lines:</strong> Delayed by 2-4 days on average. The delay happens at the EU entry hub, not in origin country. Success rate remains high at 97-98%.

<strong>DHL Triangle:</strong> Delayed by 1-3 days. The triangle routing adds an extra processing step that now takes longer. Still the fastest option overall.

<strong>EUB:</strong> Delayed by 5-8 days. This budget line is hit hardest due to lower priority handling at sorting hubs.

<strong>EMS:</strong> Delayed by 3-5 days. Moderate impact but still faster than EUB.

Countries Most Affected

Germany faces the most delays due to customs changes. France is second with increased processing times. Italy and Spain have moderate delays. Poland is least affected due to the new tax-free route that bypasses congested hubs.

What Buyers Can Do

<strong>Order Earlier:</strong> Add 5-7 days to your expected delivery timeline when planning orders. If you need items by a specific date, order 3 weeks in advance.

<strong>Choose Tax-Free or DHL Triangle:</strong> These lines are affected but still more reliable than EUB or standard DHL. The extra cost is worth the reduced seizure risk.

<strong>Keep Packages Under 4kg:</strong> Smaller packages move through sorting faster. Large packages are more likely to be flagged for manual inspection.

<strong>Remove Shoe Boxes:</strong> Reduces package size and weight, helping packages move through processing faster.

<strong>Avoid Peak Periods:</strong> Chinese New Year (January-February), Black Friday season (November), and summer holiday periods (July-August) see the worst delays. Plan accordingly.

Current Delivery Estimates (Updated May 2026)

FAQ

Will delays get better soon?

Industry experts expect normalization by Q3 2026 as new customs staff are trained and flight capacity increases.

Should I pay extra for faster shipping?

DHL triangle is worth the premium if you need items within 2 weeks. For non-urgent orders, tax-free remains the best value.

Can I get a refund for delayed shipping?

No, shipping delays are not refundable. Check agent policies before ordering.