1) Choose the right shipping line
The safest line depends on your risk tolerance and timeline.
- Express (DHL/UPS/FedEx): 7-12 days, highest inspection rate. Use only for small, low-risk items.
- Standard Air: 15-25 days, best balance of speed and lower customs scrutiny. Ideal for most orders.
- Economy Sea: 30-60 days, cheapest but slow. Good for bulk hauls if you can wait.
Pro tip
Ask your agent which line currently has the best clearance rate for your destination (it changes month to month).
2) Declare smart values
Customs flags packages that look overpriced or inconsistent.
- Keep declared value to $10-30 per item or roughly 20-30% of retail.
- Match invoices/packing slips to the declared value to avoid suspicion.
- Split a giant haul into multiple smaller boxes instead of one heavy shipment.
3) Package like a normal parcel
Neutral, tidy packaging gets less attention than brand-heavy boxes.
- Remove branded boxes where possible; use plain fillers.
- Keep total weight reasonable for the items inside.
- Avoid including marketing cards or receipts that scream "luxury".
4) Always review QC photos
Fixing mistakes after shipping is expensive. Approve QC photos first:
- Check stitching, logos, color accuracy, and materials.
- Verify sizes/variants match your order.
- Reject or swap items during QC instead of after delivery.
5) Insurance and tracking
- Consider reship insurance for high-value hauls (usually 5-8%).
- 3-7 days without scans is normal; over 10 days, ask support to open a ticket.
- If seized, insurance helps. Without it, reshipment is at your cost.
Quick pre-ship checklist
- Picked Standard Air (or the line your agent recommends this week).
- Declared $10-30 per item and kept box weight realistic.
- Removed branded boxes and marketing inserts.
- Approved QC photos for every item.
- Added insurance for high-value packages.