Shein follows a fairly standard order flow. Each order goes through multiple touchpoints throughout its journey in the supply chain, and one of these touchpoints are logistics or transit hubs, also known as sorting centers.

Sorting centers are warehouse facilities that receive, consolidate, and ship orders so that they can be transported to their final destination. Shein leverages these shipping hubs to also do quality assessments and other important activities.

This article will explain in detail what activities orders go through in Shein’s transit hubs and also what happens after these activities are completed. We’ve also dedicated a section where we answer some frequently asked questions that were sent in by our readers.

What Activities Happen in a Transit Hub?

A hub (sometimes referred to as a transit hub, shipping hub, or sorting center) is a warehouse where parcels and packages undergo various types of processes before being sent for delivery.

When Shein orders arrive at these logistics hubs, they are typically received and unloaded, scanned and sorted, and consolidated. Other activities include quality control, scheduling, and dispatching.

These sorting centers are located around the world, and each Shein order is usually sent to the sorting center closest to its delivery destination. Let’s take a closer look at what Shein orders go through in the shipping hub.

  • Receiving and Unloading – The first step of the process occurs when a batch of orders arrives at the transit hub. This is when orders are first received and unloaded from the delivery truck. All orders are then brought to a staging area.
  • Scanning and Sorting – In the staging area, packages are then scanned and sorted based on their destination. The facility looks at key information such as the shipping address’s zip code, city, or country during the sorting process.
  • Consolidation – Shein receives numerous orders on a daily basis and has designed a process to optimize the cost-efficiency of their delivery. If multiple packages are labeled with the same destination, the facility will consolidate them, before they are being loaded onto the delivery trucks.
  • Quality Control – In order to minimize returned orders due to quality issues, the sorting facility staff performs a final quality control check. This entails verifying that each package is in good condition and has been sorted and labeled correctly. Not all sorting centers may perform a quality control step and rely on upstream processes at the origin.
  • Scheduling & Dispatching – Once all the aforementioned processes have been completed, Shein optimizes their scheduling based on various factors. These factors include truck availability, processing time, and minimum load quantity. Upon meeting the ideal criteria, the orders are dispatched by delivery trucks.

What Happens After Your Order Arrives at Shein’s Hub?

After your order has undergone each of the stages at the transit hub described above, it is scheduled for delivery. Most items typically arrive at their final destination within 24 to 72 hours of clearing the sorting center.

However, if you have accidentally provided incorrect shipping details such as a wrong name or delivery address, your order may be delayed. In some cases, the delivery could even fail and you won’t receive your items.

Frequently Asked Questions

While this process may seem straightforward, we understand that you may have questions relating to Shein hubs and the role they play in the overall order flow. We have answered some of the most commonly asked questions below.

How Long Does it Take to Get My Order Delivered Once They Arrive at a Hub?

It can take anywhere from 1 to 3 business days to receive your Shein order after it has reached the shipping hub. This timeframe can vary based on multiple factors, such as the overall order volume the sorting center is handling at the time (may take longer during peak seasons) and the transport provider’s efficiency.

If your order details require additional verification or additional quality control checks, the overall delivery time may be impacted.

Can Delays Happen in the Transit Hub?

It is possible for delays to occur in the transit hub. For example, your order may be delayed if the sorting center is currently dealing with a large volume of orders. Such volume-related delays typically occur during peak periods (around Christmas, New Year, or Easter).

A delay at the transit hub means a delay in the overall shipping process and delivery time. In extreme cases, such delays can lead to your package getting lost or damaged. If you experience any such issues, you should contact Shein’s customer support for assistance.

How Can I Resolve An Issue for Delays at the Hub?

Most shipments do not get delayed in transit hubs, as they take about 1 to 3 days to be consolidated and dispatched. However, if you are experiencing a delay in your shipment, your first course of action should be to check the order’s tracking information.

This will help you identify what is causing the delay and how long it’s been at the sorting center. If the delay’s reason isn’t stated in the tracker, you should consider contacting your local delivery courier or Shein’s customer support for assistance.

It’s also important to note that most of the delays experience at the hub are automatically resolved after a while, as the underlying issues are fixed by the logistics provider.


Get Free Course Access

If you enjoyed the article, don’t miss out on our free supply chain courses that help you stay ahead in your industry.


Agnes Aui

Head of Marketing
at freightcourse

About the Author

Agnes is the Head of Marketing at freightcourse and seamlessly blends her strong background in content management with strategic marketing expertise.

She brings a wealth of knowledge to readers, specializing in various e-commerce topics such as order fulfillments, purchasing, payments, and more.