iherb shipping, should I be worried?

[calvin0416]

I made my order (about $20 worth) from iherb and they said shipped it out Nov.29th (via regular air mail).
Today is Dec.19th, and still not received.  Should I be worried or does it usually take this long for iherb packages
to get here?

[zongal2012]

All my iherb purchases normally take 2 weeks tops . Have you tried contacting them? No tracking number I guess. There might have been an item that Korean customs was not happy about. Also there is this new set up with deliveries to Korea from iherb (something about you have to use your ARC number now) maybe this has caused a delay with customs.

[calvin0416]

Yeah, when you use shipping via CJ GLS with tracking number, i had to give my arc number (but that took only 5 days)....not sure about regular air mail though?  I ordered with regular airmail once back in september and it came in my mail with no phone call asking me for arc number.

And it's just 2 bottles of shampoo.  I previously ordered 2 bottles of facial cleanser and it came no problem.

[scottdk]

I recently tried to order from a little over a month ago.  According to tracking and everything it was delivered within a week.  I tried calling and wasn't able to get a hold of anyone.  After about 4 weeks, I received an email asking to rate their service, kindly told them I was a disappointed and would no longer use their service nor recommend.  Got an email couple days later telling me they will refund my purchase.  Checked my cc, was credited back.  Glad it worked out, but won't be trying them again.

[hokeypokey]

Calvin0416, I would call them.  My orders usually arrive in 5-6 days.  I've used them five times and have been pleased every time. 

[calvin0416]

I emailed them today and got a response.  They told me that International Air Mail takes anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks (which is what the website said too).
I'm somewhere in the 3rd week heading to 4th so I'll wait a few more days and hope it arrives.....I'm running out of shampoo!

I know that if you use CJ GLS (airboy express?) or any other express shipping with tracking number, it takes 5 days or so.  But air mail usually takes 2 weeks. 
I guess from now on I'll pay the extra $3 for CJ GLS tracking just to be able to see where it is for peace of mind.

It's almost 2012 and I can't believe we still don't have mandatory/automated tracking for ALL mail.  In 2012, we can still have mail somehow get lost in the system and nobody knows where it can be found?  Seems rather backwards compared to all the other tracking devices we have now implanted in our cars, cell phones, even pets, but our mail is still not tracked (unless you specifically pay for tracking number).

I'm one of those ppl who get really worrisome over mail and check my mailbox every day wondering where it is? I literally have an orgasm when mail comes lol (figuratively of course).

[bluebonnet]

All my iherb purchases normally take 2 weeks tops . Have you tried contacting them? No tracking number I guess. There might have been an item that Korean customs was not happy about.

I've had a shipment take 20 days.  I've also had a shipment require 16 days and arrive soaked in water, such that the box was disintegrating and had been placed in a plastic bag.  So, the international airmail option maybe isn't totally secure.

Also there is this new set up with deliveries to Korea from iherb (something about you have to use your ARC number now) maybe this has caused a delay with customs.

I think the OP used the international airmail option, not Korea Post.  Has anyone successfully used your resident number to use the Korea Post shipping?  The service failed to recognize my number, and iHerb have completely side-stepped / ignored my questions about the situation.  This actually angers me a lot, as I've done quite a lot of business with them since moving here.

[seoulsister]

I'm in the same position as the OP. Today was the 21st day since my order shipped and when I emailed them they told me it could take up to 6 weeks. It's a bummer because this is my first time ordering from them and I probably won't even get to try the product.

[Morticae]

What? No way, your order is toast (lost).

I've made several orders from iherb. Both with USPS and CJ (the Korean shipping company).

CJS takes under a week.

USPS takes about 1.5 weeks.

I've never had to wait longer than this. The worst thing that happened to me was a jar exploded in one of my packages. Iherb never did refund me for that...

Shipping is usually consistent, it doesn't have such a large variation in time. Therefore, it's likely that your package is lost!

[seoulsister]

Well, there is hope left OP. I just received a text message from someone at Valex Logistics requesting my passport info and that I bank transfer 11,000W for customs tax. I'm still not sure why I'm being hit with 11,000W tax on 2 bottles of vitamins and a bottle of bread crumbs  However, at least I know it's not lost. I hope your order arrives soon!

[TriKorea]

I made my order (about $20 worth) from iherb and they said shipped it out Nov.26th (via regular air mail).
Today is Dec.19th, and still not received.  Should I be worried or does it usually take this long for iherb packages
to get here?

Mine usually take 10 days, but the last 2 took a bit longer then that. Remember it's the holiday season and anything ordered after 'black friday' will take longer!!!

I ordered some stuff form somewhere other then iherb, usually would take about 1 week to get here, took 3. Mail is much slower this time of year!

[seoulsister]

ugh, still waiting... The package customs contacted me about this morning was from another order I placed with a different company. 

[bluebonnet]

Well, there is hope left OP. I just received a text message from someone at Valex Logistics requesting my passport info and that I bank transfer 11,000W for customs tax. I'm still not sure why I'm being hit with 11,000W tax on 2 bottles of vitamins and a bottle of bread crumbs  However, at least I know it's not lost. I hope your order arrives soon!

11,000W customs tax?  How did that happen?

[seoulsister]

Well, there is hope left OP. I just received a text message from someone at Valex Logistics requesting my passport info and that I bank transfer 11,000W for customs tax. I'm still not sure why I'm being hit with 11,000W tax on 2 bottles of vitamins and a bottle of bread crumbs  However, at least I know it's not lost. I hope your order arrives soon!

11,000W customs tax?  How did that happen?

I'm not sure, but I contacted them to ask why I had to pay the 11,000W (on what I assumed were the vitamins), and I got a reply saying they made a mistake. They now want 44,000W for an order of clothing that is worth about 123,000W (68GBP). I asked about the limit of 150,000W per package and I'm still waiting for a response. Still no word on my iHerb order.

[calvin0416]

Once again to make it clear for everyone:

CJ GLS takes about 1 week or less (they call you to get your ARC number).  I've had an order via this route and it came in 5 days with a phone call asking me for ARC number.

The shipment I'm still waiting on was shipped via INTERNATIONAL AIR MAIL.  So, stop telling me it should take only 6-7 days lol.  That's for CJ GLS or UPS or DHL.  For International Air Mail, it takes 2-4 weeks.  I'm nearing the 4th week and that's why I'm just getting worried, cuz I had an order back in September via International Air Mail and it took exactly 2 weeks.  I hope it's because of the holiday season, but my order was made back in Nov.29th which should have been well clear of any holiday season congestion.

The korea@iherb email contact also told me CLEARLY that there is no phone call or additional contacting for ARC or passport information for International Air Mail (small package, under 4lb).

I've ordered from them twice (1st time via International Air Mail, took 2 weeks, 2nd time via CJ GLS and took 5 days with phone call for ARC info).  This is the third order and it's almost been 4 weeks.  I don't think iherb is shotty or shady in their business practices....but I have heard some reviews of shipment being lost or taking over a month to get to it's destination.
I'm sure it'll come, but man, waiting 4 weeks for a package (or more) is very very nerve racking.  From now on, I think I'll just pay the extra $3 or so for CJ GLS tracking so that shipment is always trackable and confirmed.


EDIT: counting weekends, it's been about 21 days.  Without weekends, it's been about 15-16 days so I guess I'm still well
under the 20-25 day upper limit.

[Frozencat99]

Two orders (this month) to the foreign teacher building where I live were damaged and late. Approaching upper limits is often worrisome, to be honest.

[calvin0416]

Two orders (this month) to the foreign teacher building where I live were damaged and late. Approaching upper limits is often worrisome, to be honest.

At least you got your mail.  I hope I get mine.  Love your profile pic too.  I can't seem to find any DVDs of that series

[seoulsister]

OP, my order arrived on Saturday (23 days after it shipped). I really think the holidays must be slowing things down. Don't lose hope

[calvin0416]

OP, my order arrived on Saturday (23 days after it shipped). I really think the holidays must be slowing things down. Don't lose hope

Update.  Finally the order arrived today! (Dec.26th. - Order was shipped out on Nov.29th).  Almost a full month.
Phew, thank god it's here...now i can have a shampoo party    I was getting worried there....was about to run into a shampoo drought (eeking out every last drop from the bottle i could muster).

[naturegirl321]

I've heard iherb has changed, now you need a KOrean to help you with shipping. I've checked prices there, and they're pretty expensive. I'm going to order from thesage.com. Even with shipping, it'll be cheaper.