But before anything else: Shipping dates are dynamic and subject to change depending on the retailer, so this is meant to help you understand what factors can impact your shipping, not the number of days it will take exactly. Be sure to verify the actual shipping policy on any site you place an order on with the actual shipping numbers.

Domestic Orders are typically the easiest to make

If you're placing the order from the same country as the retailer's shipping, you will have the easiest and quickest  rick owens schedule. It's simple, just the same domestic shipping logistics without customs processing or international carrier handoffs. The most predictable choice for you if you are looking for speed.

International Orders Add Real Variables

After an order crosses a border, the clock starts running. The processing of a customs declaration can take from one day up to much longer depending on the country to which the goods are being shipped, the actual volume of customs clearance and if, due to any ancillary activity that is required, it is identified for further inspection. This is outside of the retailer's control, and even if a retailer has a good idea of how long it will take for a shipment to arrive, the actual time it takes to arrive at customs may vary.

In that case, who cares what kind of carrier it is

The shipping companies are really different with regard to the speed of delivery and reliability of the deliveries depending on the destination. If you're shipping outside of Europe, a carrier who's consistent and quick for Europe may be less so for other markets. When retailers ask you where you want your order shipped or which carrier you prefer, do some research about a particular carrier or retailer's past experience in your area to make sure you aren't assuming that all carriers are created equal.

Peak Seasons Slow Everything Down

Sometimes shipping times are less reliable during the holiday seasons when volumes are high and the shipping company's volume is high. When ordering during busy sales, it's wise to allow additional buffer time and time buffers in sales tend to be less accurate during these times, so planning is better than trusting the standard estimated delivery windows.

Less Serviced Regions Take Longer, and so do the remote areas

For example, if you place an order which should be a simple order, delivery times will be longer in areas away from major shipping hubs, or areas with less frequent shipping of carriers. It has nothing to do with a particular brand or retailer, it's simply the reality of international shipping logistics. When you are in an area such as this, it is more beneficial to ask a retailer directly how delivery times will be in your area rather than taking their word for it.

Practical experience with tracking information

With the order information, you will have actual tracking information of what is actually happening and not a best guess based on when you think it will arrive. The tracking information usually provides more information when a package is stuck in customs or in a particular facility for an unusually long time as opposed to the original ‘estimate' that was given, which is really a best guess.

If shipping takes longer than expected, what to do

When an order is much bigger than the delivery time on the estimate, it is best to directly contact the retailer's customer service with the order and tracking numbers. They will usually know more specifically than the public can find just by using the basic tracking services where the shipment is really located, and they can be better able to determine whether the hold is a normal customs hold or if it is something that is worth escalating.

Setting realistic expectations by region,

In general, orders from within the country are quickest and the most predictable, while overseas orders can vary widely, depending on customs and carrier, and off-the-beaten-path orders are likely to take longer regardless of how fast a package is shipped. None of these are absolute, only workable expectations when making a decision on a number of days in advance of a specific need date.