Shipping and tracking

Once production finishes, your order is packed and handed to DHL. This page covers how orders are packed, where to find tracking, and what to expect on international shipments.

How orders are packed

A batch is produced as one order, and the goal is to ship it as one parcel. Where size and weight allow, all parts in an order are consolidated into a single DHL shipment. Consolidation keeps shipping simple: one parcel, one tracking number, one delivery.

Very large or heavy orders may need more than one parcel. In that case each parcel gets its own tracking number and all of them appear on the order page.

Parts are packed to survive transit: machined and finished parts are protected against scratches and impact, and finished surfaces (anodized, powder coated, PVD) get extra care since cosmetic damage would defeat the point of the finish.

Shipping carrier and timing

All orders ship with DHL. Transit time depends on the destination and the DHL service level available for your address, and it is separate from the production lead time shown in your quote. The lead time covers making the parts; shipping starts after dispatch.

A few things to keep in mind:

• The quoted lead time ends when the parcel leaves the factory. Add transit time on top when planning a delivery date.
• Production speed (Standard or Expedited) does not change shipping speed. See Production speed: Standard vs. Expedited.
• If your schedule is tight, the most reliable estimate is the batch lead time plus the DHL transit estimate for your region.

Finding your tracking number

You do not need to wait for an email to know where your order is.

1. Sign in and open your dashboard.
2. Go to the Orders section.
3. Open the order you want to check.

The order page shows the current status of the order as it moves through production. Once the parcel is dispatched, the DHL tracking number (or numbers, for multi-parcel orders) appears on the same page. Click through to DHL’s tracking for the detailed scan history and delivery estimate.

If an order shows as shipped but no tracking number is visible yet, give it a short while: tracking is attached when the carrier booking is confirmed, which can lag the actual handover slightly.

International orders: customs and duties

OpusFab ships internationally, and international parcels pass through customs in the destination country. The general points:

• Duties and taxes may apply. Many countries charge import duty, VAT, or GST on incoming goods above a threshold. These charges are set by your country’s rules, not by OpusFab, and they are typically collected from the recipient on or before delivery.
• Customs clearance takes time. Clearance can add anything from a day to over a week to delivery, depending on the destination country and the shipment paperwork. This is outside the quoted production lead time.
• DHL usually handles the clearance process and will contact you if payment or information is needed. Responding quickly to any DHL or customs request keeps the parcel moving.
• Check your local rules before ordering if cost certainty matters. Your country’s customs authority publishes duty rates and de minimis thresholds (the value below which no duty is charged).

Customs policies vary widely by country and change over time, so treat the above as general guidance rather than a quote of specific charges.

If something looks wrong

• Tracking has not updated for several days: carrier scans can lag, especially around weekends and international handovers. Check again after a day, then contact support if it is still stuck.
• Parcel marked delivered but not received: check with neighbors or your building’s receiving area, then contact DHL with the tracking number, and reach out to OpusFab support so we can help from our side.
• Customs is holding the parcel: DHL will tell you what is needed, usually a duty payment or an importer detail. Provide it promptly to avoid storage fees or a return.

For what happens before shipping, see Lead times and Checkout and payment.