How Ecommerce Sellers Can Avoid Order Delays in 2025? Invest Where It Matters, Not Everywhere
In Ecommerce, Time Lost Means Sales Lost
In the 2025 North American ecommerce market, order delays have become the biggest challenge for both online sellers and crowdfunding creators. According to Descartes’ Global Shipping Report, U.S. container imports from China dropped 15% in the first half of 2025, largely due to the Trump administration’s decision to end Section 321 (the de minimis exemption), which raised tariffs on low-value shipments up to 34%. This isn’t just a logistics hiccup—it’s an end-to-end supply chain challenge. From factory floors in China to last-mile delivery in the U.S., every step carries the risk of delays that hurt customer satisfaction and damage brand reputation.
Data shows just how costly delays can be:
- A 1% increase in order delays leads to a 3% increase in product returns.
- In crowdfunding, late deliveries can trigger up to 20% more negative reviews from backers.
- 43% of online shoppers abandon carts when shipping times are too long.
As an order fulfillment provider, I’ve studied practices from peers like ShipBob (known for multi-warehouse optimization and reducing delays through smart routing) and Red Stag (renowned for its near-perfect accuracy rate of 99.9%). The key to avoiding delays isn’t to spend blindly—it’s to invest in the weakest points of the supply chain. Here,we break down the causes of delays from factory to doorstep, while showing how WinsBS helps U.S. ecommerce brands (Shopify sellers) and crowdfunding creators (Kickstarter/Indiegogo projects) maintain a 97% order accuracy rate.
WinsBS achieves a 97% order accuracy rate through a combination of:
- Integrated systems (WMS, OMS, FMS) that connect the entire supply chain.
- Predictive planning, leveraging historical data and AI to anticipate peak-season demand.
- Automated processes, including AGV robotics and triple-verification checks, to minimize human errors.
This holistic approach reduces errors, avoids delays, and ensures reliable ecommerce order fulfillment for U.S. sellers and crowdfunding campaigns.
Cross-Border Shipping From Chinese Factories to U.S. Warehouses:
The Hidden Traps
Most U.S. ecommerce sellers source products from Chinese manufacturers and ship them via freight forwarders, either by sea or air. While the process may appear smooth, delays surge during peak seasons (such as Black Friday) or when policies shift. According to NRF and Hackett Associates, U.S. imports are projected to drop 20% in the second half of 2025 due to tariff hikes, port congestion, and freight forwarder fraud.
Freight Forwarder Scams: The #1 Source of Delays
Freight forwarders are the first link in the supply chain, but in 2025, rising U.S.–China trade tensions have fueled widespread scams. The April 2025 tariff increase (34% on Chinese imports) has pushed shady forwarders to exploit loopholes, creating longer transit times and customs issues.
Fake Express Shipping: The Low-Price Trap
In 2025, scams around fake “Matson Express” services (normally a 10–12 day sailing to U.S. ports) became rampant. Fraudulent forwarders promise fast shipping but in reality use slower carriers (such as COSCO, often 1–3 days longer) or market “extra sailings” like CLX+, which run 7–10 days slower than the real CLX service. In July 2025, a COSCO vessel breakdown exposed just how widespread these fake Matson Express scams had become, with Temu and Shein sellers reporting delays of up to 25%. These schemes often lead to 7–15 day customs delays, crippling inventory turnover.
Four Common Fake Express Tactics:
Bait-and-Switch:
Forwarders charge Matson rates (e.g., $5,000 per 40ft container, illustrative) but ship on slower carriers ($3,500), later blaming “customs issues.”
“Extra Sailing” Trick:
Selling CLX+ (public docks, 14–20 days) as CLX (private docks, 10–12 days), adding 7–10 days, especially during congestion.
Split or Mixed Shipping:
Out of 20 cartons, only a few move on Matson; the rest ship on slower lines. UPS shows the master record as “picked up,” but sub-parcels lag. Forwarders blame “UPS scan errors.”
Extra Port Stops:
Supposed “express” routes with stops in Vietnam or Korea, adding 5–7 days. Genuine Matson express routes are direct.
How to Spot and Avoid Scams:
Check Voyages & Schedules:
Real Matson Express has fixed cutoffs and sailings (~10–11 days sea time; ~98% on-time in normal conditions). Always demand voyage codes and verify via Matson’s site or tracking platforms. Anything over 12 days without clear cause is a red flag.
Verify Unloading Times:
Matson typically unloads within ~48 hours (excluding inspections). Ask for terminal release and pickup proof.
Track UPS Extraction:
UPS scans should appear within 24–48 hours. If not, double-check independently.
Use Licensed Forwarders:
Require FMC license, specific route details (e.g., Matson CLX, 10–12 days), and penalties in the contract. Keep all bills of lading and records.
Invest in Tracking:
Tools like Descartes or FourKites (even ~$50 per container) provide vessel + customs milestones and often save 10–15% of costs lost to delays.
The primary causes include fraudulent or misleading express shipping services, customs inspections or holds, sudden tariff changes, and labor shortages in U.S. warehouses. These factors can disrupt order fulfillment timelines and affect both inventory turnover and customer satisfaction. Sellers and crowdfunding creators need to monitor each link in the supply chain to avoid costly delays.
Sellers should carefully verify shipment details:
- Voyage codes and vessel names: Confirm directly with the carrier or via tracking platforms like MarineTraffic.
- UPS pickup/extraction times: Packages should appear within 24–48 hours after unloading; delays may indicate slower vessels or misrepresented services.
- Licensed forwarders: Work exclusively with forwarders licensed by the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) and include route and delivery time guarantees in contracts.
Using these checks helps sellers reduce the risk of delayed shipments and ensures reliable ecommerce order fulfillment from China to the U.S. in 2025.
Case:In June 2025, a Kickstarter creator faced a 10-day delay due to a fake Matson Express service, with backer complaints jumping 15%. After switching to an FMC-licensed forwarder with live tracking, the next batch achieved 95% on-time delivery.
Dangerous Goods Mixing and False Declarations
Another major source of cross-border shipping delays comes from how freight forwarders handle cargo classification. Some forwarders mix dangerous goods—such as batteries, liquids, or powders—with general merchandise and declare them as harmless “accessories.” When Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspects and discovers the misclassification, the entire container can be held for 7–15 days, and fines may reach up to 50% of the cargo value.
In 2025, CBP has also stepped up enforcement against false country-of-origin declarations, driven by tariff increases and stricter trade compliance rules. For example, a Shopify electronics seller faced a 28-day customs hold and lost nearly 20% of orders after their forwarder underreported product values and mislabeled origin codes.
Practical Compliance Measures:
- Require separate dangerous goods (DG) declarations in line with IMDG standards, with accurate HS codes.
- Use SGS or other third-party compliance firms to audit MSDS, battery certifications, and COO (Country of Origin) documents before shipping.
- Prepare pre-clearance documentation templates (commercial invoice, packing list, COO certificates) to avoid rework and delays upon arrival.
Fee Traps and Credit Fraud
Freight forwarders often lure sellers with quotes 20% below market rates, only to tack on unexpected fees mid-shipment, such as “congestion surcharges” or “tariff adjustment fees.” Some fraudulent forwarders even use fake credit accounts, which can lead to cargo being held or payment disputes. In 2025, cases of export fraud via forged documents have also increased, adding further risk to cross-border shipping.
Delays can significantly impact a campaign’s reputation:
- Backer trust declines, leading to negative sentiment.
- Negative reviews increase, sometimes by up to 20%.
- Refund requests and chargebacks rise, affecting cash flow and fulfillment planning.
By proactively managing shipping lanes, verified forwarders, and warehouse readiness, crowdfunding creators can minimize these risks and maintain a positive backer experience.
How to Protect Your Margins and Shipments:
- Fixed-Price Contracts: Require contracts that lock in rates and explicitly prohibit mid-shipment surcharges.
- Monitor Lane Performance: Regularly review lane metrics, including transit times, dwell times, and inspection rates. Keep backup forwarders on file in case of issues.
- Escrow or Milestone Payments: Tie payments to verifiable events such as on-board confirmation or release from port to reduce the risk of fraud.
Avoid “too-good-to-be-true” low quotes. Pay for transparency, enforceable contracts, and verified forwarders rather than chasing discounts that may end up costing more in delays and fees.
Table: Common Freight Forwarder Scams and Impacts (2025 Data)
| Scam Type | Description | Delay Impact | Penalty/Risk | Solution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fake Express | Slow ships posing as Matson Express | 1–3 days+ | — | CLX-specified contract + GPS tracking |
| Extra Sailing Fraud | CLX+ posing as CLX | 7–10 days | — | Verify schedules + official voyage checks |
| Mixed Shipping | Partial express, mostly slow | 5–10 days | Credit loss | UPS extraction audit on all child parcels |
| Excess Port Stops | "Express" with multiple extra stops | 5–7 days | — | Demand direct routes + lane SLAs |
| Dangerous Goods Mix | DG disguised as general cargo | 7–15 days | Up to 50% cargo fine | Separate DG declarations + audits |
| False Declarations | Under-values or altered product names | 28+ days | Customs fines/holds | Full-value docs + legal adviser |
| Fee Traps | Low quote, hidden surcharges mid-journey | 5–10 days | Credit/reputation risk | Fixed-price clauses + backups |
KPI to watch : Port dwell time, inspection rate, days from ATA (actual time of arrival) to pickup, % of shipments with verified voyage code.
U.S. Warehousing and Last-Mile Delivery — The “Execution Bottlenecks”
Even after shipments arrive at U.S. warehouses, delays can still occur due to both internal operational challenges and external factors. According to Red Stag, warehouse bottlenecks account for approximately 40% of all order delays, even outside peak periods such as Amazon Prime Day.
Last-mile delivery delays often occur due to internal warehouse bottlenecks, carrier issues, or external factors like weather or strikes. Sellers can reduce delays by:
- Leveraging multiple warehouse locations (East/West Coast) to shorten delivery distances.
- Using real-time tracking systems to monitor shipments from port to doorstep.
- Maintaining backup carriers such as FedEx or UPS to reroute packages if primary carriers face delays.
These strategies ensure smoother and faster order fulfillment, keeping customers satisfied and reducing cart abandonment.
Internal Operational Challenges
Labor Shortages and Skill Gaps
The U.S. labor market remains tight in 2025. Seasonal staff often perform at one-third the efficiency of full-time employees, and fatigue increases picking errors, such as wrong item or wrong address shipments. ShipBob mitigates this risk with AI-based training tools, but smaller sellers often overlook this.
Solutions:
- Invest in warehouse management system (WMS) simulators and structured shift rotations to reduce fatigue.
- Implement training programs following Red Stag’s zero-error approach, which keeps error-related delays below 1%.
Outdated Equipment and Legacy Systems
Aging forklifts, conveyor belts, or crashing order management systems (OMS) can lead to lost or delayed orders. In 2025, AI-driven WMS solutions increase concurrency and throughput by ~30%.
Solutions:
Upgrade to AGV robots and cloud-based WMS, which can yield a 6-month ROI for typical warehouses (~$10,000 investment).
Ensure OMS/WMS integration to reduce data silos and manual intervention.
Process Redundancy and Inventory Errors
Inefficient warehouse layouts (e.g., high-demand SKUs stored in distant zones) can double picking times. Multiple manual checks without process streamlining slow fulfillment, and virtual inventory errors trigger backorders.
Solutions:
Use ABC storage classification, placing high-velocity items close to picking stations.
Streamline workflows by merging verification steps, maintaining triple-check accuracy without redundant manual effort.
External Uncontrollable Factors
Policy Changes
2025 U.S.–China tariff adjustments (U.S. up to 34%, China down to 10%) and EU ICS2 compliance requirements (12 data points per shipment) can delay customs clearance by 5–10 days.
Natural Disasters
Floods, hurricanes, or earthquakes may block transportation routes or inundate warehouses.
Strikes and Health Crises
Labor strikes (e.g., UPS) or pandemics can halt delivery networks nationwide.
Mitigation Strategies:
- Diversify sourcing, e.g., maintain suppliers in Vietnam or Mexico.
- Use multi-warehouse networks, like ShipBob’s East/West Coast fulfillment model, to reduce single-point failures.
- Maintain backup carriers (FedEx, UPS) and insurance coverage (~$500/month).
WinsBS Solution — Guaranteeing 97% Order Accuracy
Order delays typically arise when demand exceeds fulfillment capacity or when information flows break down. WinsBS’s full-chain optimization goes beyond ShipBob’s warehouse focus and Red Stag’s error prevention to deliver 97% order accuracy for U.S. ecommerce sellers and crowdfunding creators.
Proactive Optimization: Forecasting and Capacity Alignment
WinsBS integrates its proprietary WMS/OMS/FMS platforms across a global network, leveraging historical data and AI models to forecast peak-season inventory needs (e.g., 20% extra stock for Black Friday). This approach reduces overstocking costs by ~15% compared to competitors.
Process Optimization: Automation and Intelligence
- AGV robots increase picking efficiency by ~50%.
- Automated triple-verification reduces manual steps and errors.
- Staff productivity rises by ~50%, even with seasonal labor.
Risk Management: Black Swan Contingencies
- Contracts with suppliers include explicit delay penalties.
- Buffer stock alerts help handle sudden demand spikes.
- Post-event reviews refine SOPs for continuous improvement.
Results:Delay rates drop to 3%, well below the industry average of 10–15%.
Instead of spending on every part of the supply chain, sellers should focus on chokepoints that consistently cause delays:
- Lane verification and contract penalties with forwarders.
- Compliance with dangerous goods and customs documentation.
- Dual-coast or multi-warehouse fulfillment to cover last-mile risks.
- Backup carriers and contingency plans for peak season or unexpected events.
Strategic investment in these areas maximizes ROI, improves order fulfillment reliability, and maintains high customer satisfaction.
For ecommerce supply chain delays from China to the U.S. in 2025, WinsBS offers free consultations.
Avoiding order delays requires strategic investment across the supply chain, not indiscriminate spending. WinsBS enables U.S. ecommerce sellers and crowdfunding creators to maintain stable, predictable fulfillment even in 2025’s volatile environment.
Contact WinsBS today for a free supply chain diagnostic and quote to ensure seamless order fulfillment.