If you frequently order things from abroad, you might have seen the “Port of Destination Arrival” update on your tracking page. If you see it for the very first time then you might get confused about what this fancy term means.
The update means that your package has reached an important point on its journey to get delivered to the recipient’s address. Keep in mind, that it doesn’t mean your package has arrived in the destination country or near your delivery location.
So, if you’re wondering what to do next then don’t worry, in this article, we have provided all the information that you need to know regarding the “Port Of Destination Arrival”.
What’s the Meaning of the “Port of Destination Arrival” Update?
If your international shipment shows you the port of destination arrival update then it means your package has reached the destination seaport where it will be unloaded from the cargo ship and move forward to get delivered in the destination country.
It shows that your package is making progress to complete its journey to get delivered and it does not mean that it has reached the final destination.
So, the update “port of the destination arrival” means your package has completed its journey on the cargo ships and it might be making its way to get delivered either by road or air transportation.
To understand it better suppose you have ordered something from Vietnam and it is coming by the ocean through a freight cargo ship. Upon reaching the port of Los Angeles, you will receive an update “port of destination” informing you that your package has reached the destination country.
What happens with your package after the Port of Destination Arrival Update?
After recovery seamless notification your package resumes its normal scheduled journey. If it has reached the transshipment hub then it might get transferred to another vessel to resume its journey to reach the final port hub.
It generally means your package might have to go through another sea journey before reaching the final destination. If it has already reached the final port destination then the process of customs clearance will begin after it.
During the customs clearance, the official will check all the required documentation of your package like invoices, permits, certificates, and a lot of others. It helps officials ensure that the content of the package is genuine and all the taxes and duties are already paid. It usually takes from 24 hours to 2 weeks to get the clearance.
Once all of this is done, the package will resume its normal journey and might get delivered to your delivery address in a few business days.
How long does a package take after the “Port of Destination Arrival” update?
Well, there is no straightforward answer to this question it depends upon many facts like the country of origin of your package, final destination, and mode of transportation.
Upon arriving at the destination country the package needs to have clearance from the customs officials and how long it will take entirely depends upon the word load and volume of packages.
During the clearance, if the customs officials find something suspicious with your package then they might hold it for further inspection which will increase the clearance time of your package.
The distance from the test and clearance to your delivery dress can also significantly increase or decrease your delivery time. If you live in cities near the customs facility then your package might get delivered within two to three days but if it is a distant one then it may be gonna take a longer time.
Lastly, the mode of Transportation also makes a significant impact if you are packages coming by a truck or rail then it may gonna take a significant time compared to the one with the domestic flight. So consider all these factors whenever you are expecting your package to arrive.
In general, it takes around four to seven days to get your package but if some issue persists then it may gonna take a longer time to deliver your package.
What to do if a package status remains stuck on the “port of destination” update?
If you are expecting an international package then it’s okay to see your tracking status remains stuck on a particular update for days. If Weeks has passed and you haven’t noticed any significant progress on your tracking status then these are the things that you need to do.
Have a Buyer’s Guarantee Period
Many platforms have a buyer guarantee which makes sure that the buyer gets the delivery of their package in the given time frame by the shipping carrier. If fail to do so then the recipient can open up a dispute and claim the eligible shipping charges of their package.
Use Other Tracking System
If you’re expecting an international package then consider using the tools like parcel app to gain a true picture of what’s going on with the package. These tracking systems can sometimes help you identify the updates in detail which are usually not covered in the primary tracking system. The feature is quite helpful if you are expecting a package during the peak season.
Backlog Issues
Sometimes backlogs can also be the reasons why a package remains stuck on the same issue. When a lot of unshipped and delivered package accumulates in the shipping facility then they usually create the problem of backlogs.
If the issue occurs due to the shortage of working staff or increased package volumes then it can potentially increase your delivery time until it gets resolved by the shipping carrier.
What’s the main difference between the port of destination and the port of delivery?
People are often confused and think that both the port of destination and the port of delivery are usually the same thing but in reality they are not. Here, we have discussed the difference between the two, so let’s begin
Port of Destination
As the term suggests it’s a port where cargo ships usually unload some of their goods during their journey to the destination port. It’s quite crucial in international trade and shipping logistics as it determines the route transportation method and the customs clearance process which are necessary for cargo to reach its final destination.
Port of Delivery
Port of Delivery refers to the final destination of the cargo ships where all the containers on the vessels of the ships are unloaded and from there, they are released to the shipping carriers to make the final delivery attempt to the recipient address.