Most international packages take 6-12 business days once they reach a Passport facility, depending on your destination and shipping service. In this article, you'll learn:
Delivery timelines by service level
What's included in the shipping timeline
What can add extra time to delivery
Where to find your most accurate delivery estimate
Important: Delivery estimates are dynamic and based on current conditions. Times may vary due to customs, weather, holidays, and carrier capacity.
Find your estimated delivery date
Your tracking page has your most accurate delivery estimate. Look in the upper left corner; this date updates automatically as your package moves. We use historical shipping data specific to your location and service level, and reflect any known delays.
The merchant may show an estimated timeline at checkout, but your Passport tracking page always has the most current information based on your package's actual progress.
Delivery timelines by service level
These timelines begin when your package reaches a Passport facility (shown as "Received at origin center" on your tracking page). These represent typical timelines, excluding unexpected delays due to weather, customs holds, or other factors. Business days are Monday through Friday, excluding regional holidays.
Priority DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)
Typical timeline: 4-12 business days, depending on region
Duties and taxes paid at checkout mean faster customs clearance. Your package moves through customs more quickly because everything is already cleared for entry.
Priority DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid)
Typical timeline: 5-18 business days, depending on region
You'll pay duties and taxes before delivery. Customs holds your package until you arrange payment, which extends the timeline. Check your email for payment instructions from customs or your local carrier.
Expedited and Express
Typical timeline: 1-5 business days
Our fastest services with priority handling throughout the journey. Duties and taxes are typically prepaid for streamlined processing.
What's included in these timelines
- Standard customs processing: Typical clearance times for your destination country
- Export processing: Package sortation and documentation preparation at a Passport facility
- International transit: Flight and ground transportation between countries
- Local carrier delivery: Final delivery once customs clears your package
What's NOT included
Merchant processing time
Merchant processing times vary by seller. Your package won't show tracking updates until the merchant ships it to Passport. Most merchants need time to pack and ship your order before our timeline begins.
Customs delays beyond standard processing
While typical customs clearance is included, these situations add extra time:
- Waiting for duty payment on DDU shipments
- Additional document requests (tax ID, invoice, phone number)
- Random inspections
- Peak season backlogs
Failed delivery attempts
If the carrier can't deliver (due to an incorrect address, no one being home, or access issues), additional time is needed for reattempts or pickup arrangements.
Common delays and what to expect
- DDU duty payment: Can add several days or more if payment isn't arranged promptly
- Customs inspections: Random checks may cause additional delays
- Weather or carrier strikes: Check service alerts for impacts in your region
- Holiday periods: Peak seasons like November-December typically see extended timelines
- Documentation requests: Delays vary based on how quickly you provide requested information
Why your estimated delivery date changes
Your tracking page shows a dynamic estimate that updates throughout your package's journey:
- It gets more accurate: Initial estimates use typical performance for your shipping lane. After export and arrival in your country, the estimates are updated based on actual progress.
- It reflects known delays: Weather events, carrier strikes, holidays, or customs backlogs automatically adjust your estimate.
Stay updated on your package
Track your progress
Want to know exactly where your package is? Learn how to read your tracking page and understand each status update.
Get automatic updates
Enter your email in the "Shipping updates via email" section on your tracking page for status change notifications.
Check for known delays
Visit passportglobal.com/service-alerts for current delays affecting your region.
When your estimated delivery date passes
If your package hasn't arrived by the estimated date:
- Check service alerts for known delays in your region
- Check your tracking page to see if the estimate has updated and what the current status is
- Check your email for messages from customs about duties or documentation
- If there are no new tracking updates for 1+ week, contact us at help@passportglobal.com or use the chat button
Still have questions?
Chat with us using the chat button on your tracking page, or email help@passportglobal.com.