Hello, I sent a 10kg package from Germany to a friend in China. The contents were chocolate, some sweets, a Child-Digitalcamera and a stuffed animal from Germany. After the package sat at customs in Shenzhen for six days, I asked my friend if he could call them. Customs said the package had been returned, but without giving a reason. Now my friend is very upset. I'm not aware of anything illegal in the package. The customs declaration was attached to the outside of the package in duplicate. The address was also correct. What could be the reason for the return?

Best regards

Quote from chinapostvolunteer on March 18, 2026, 10:30
Did you write your recipient's mobile phone number in the parcel? if not, it is very easy to be returned.

No, I didn't, and it wasn't a required field on the shipping label (I filled it out online with DHL). But all my information is on the shipping label, including my phone number and email address. I just spoke with DHL, and they said it's still stuck in customs in Shenzhen. And customs in Shenzhen told my acquaintance it's been sent back.

Considering the effort being made over a missing phone number, it's incomprehensible to me. Customs could have contacted me by email or phone, and I would have provided the number. However, the recipient called customs themselves, so they already have the phone number. What I don't understand is that DHL says this package is still in Shenzhen and is waiting for missing information (presumably the phone number), but they can't do anything themselves. DHL hasn't received any return notification from China yet. I also received nothing to forward the data to. €65 for shipping simply thrown in the trash. I find it incomprehensible. Since it's the middle of the night in China, the recipient plans to call again tomorrow to clarify things.

EDIT: Is there no minimum storage time requirement in China?

I understand that, thank you but why can't customs notify the sender (in this case, me) if something is missing? I can't understand that. It would be more pleasant for everyone^^ And why does a return take 2-3 months? It only took 10 days to arrive in China after I sent it. Honestly, I find that very disappointing. Nevertheless, thank you very much for all the information

Small update: after pulling every string we could, my friend in China was able to pay the customs bill and will receive the package next week. We are so relieved!