You've been a wealth of accurate info on my ePacket parcels! I'm hoping that knowledge base carries over to DHL as well! I have an order that I'm not too sure what to think about...

DHL Global

Every time I've ever had something ship DHL from China and the tracking number started with an "8", it was an invalid tracking number that updated anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks later. I assumed it was actually a "false shipment" in order for seller to meet the *ship by* deadline, then the updated tracking number was the ACTUAL ship confirmation (especially since that update actually began all activity in tracking). When I asked a seller about this, this was the conversation...

Me: Hi. I just wanted to check to see if that DHL tracking number will be updated at some point in the next couple of days or if that is the actual tracking number. (I'm going to be out of the country for a week beginning *** *** and am trying to figure out if the package will make it to me before I leave.) I know when I've gotten tracking numbers beginning with "8" in the past, they've all updated to valid tracking numbers a few days later when the package actually shipped. As a seller, I understand this and know the need to provide a tracking number within the specified shipping time, even if it's not a valid one. 😉 Normally, it's not an issue as long as the shipment DOES go out within a couple of days. But, since I'll be out of the country so close to the projected arrival date, this one has me a little worried. Could you give me an estimate on when this actually will ship, please? Thank you so much!

Him: Hi friend

Thank you for your kindly message and understanding:)
actually we shipped out your order yesterday once we fill the tracking number on dhgate.
Logistic company will come to our company to pick up the packages today. new tracking number will update today. it shoud no problem arriving you before your departure date.

thanks.

This was a week ago and still no change in tracking number and no package.

What are YOUR thoughts on this?

Lots of good info! The only discrepancy is that, when the tracking number updates, it updates to a number with exactly the same number of digits, but starting with a 3,4,5, or 6. (The 3s were probably 10 years ago and they've gotten progressively higher, but still in the low sixes at this point. Last shipment I got from China via DHL came last week, and it started with 627...)

I'm going to check to see if that's a shipment number and not an actual DHL number. I'm hoping it'll update tonight, though, and be a non-issue since it's almost business day Monday there. Keep your fingers crossed for me!