JLCPCB slowing down? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2022, 10:10:56 am
content: My most recent order PCB order from JLCPCB is taking way longer than advertised:Small 4-layer PCB, standard green solder mask, ENIG, advertised as 4-day build time. It now stands at 8 days, and seems to be losing another day since they can't get the stuff packed and handed over to DHL.See the attached "progress" report -- there are a couple of days with no activity at all (weekdays!), and other days with very little progress. I have nudged my JLCPCB sales agent a couple of days ago and she promised to try and expedite, but I guess that was just the boilerplate answer.What is your experience with JLCPCB lately? Is this an outlier, or are they struggling to meet their delivery times in general?

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2022, 10:27:03 am
content: Areas of China, in particular, Shenzhen, is locked down currently due to COVID prevention. This will be affecting everything even if the factory isn't in a locked down area itself, the staff members might be, or the shippers, or the raw material suppliers....

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2022, 10:38:32 am
content: That might be a factor. But JLCPCB did not mention any Covid-induced restrictions when I asked them about the delay.

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2022, 10:47:52 am
content: Look at the location of their 'Prototype Factory':https://support.jlcpcb.com/article/45-contact-jlcpcbI'd bet they are shuffling the prototype work through their other factories with consequent loss of efficiency and delays as their procedures are set up for batches of greater than one panel.

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 16, 2022, 11:21:14 am
content: The person responding on their Twitter account insists there are no COVID related delays.https://twitter.com/JLCPCB/status/1503275032533176323Yet a decent sized 3D printing order (>140 parts, ~US$500) that I put in last Friday which was assigned to "Factory 3" and due for completion by now, is still showing at 1% (or 13% depending on the web page) and in "Data Processing" stage.The previous order which was a bit larger, was showing as completed within the same 4 day period, but then sat for 5 days before shipment (only shipped after some prodding by me).I'm not complaining, but some more transparency would be helpful so we can plan around any issues.

author: kylehunter
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2022, 11:21:26 am
content: Yep, PCBWay is suffering the same delays."Latest Update: Affected by the Shenzhen epidemic, currently the orders are produced through PCBWay factories in other regions, and delivery may be delayed 3-7 days."

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 16, 2022, 11:26:28 am
content: Quote from: ebastler on March 16, 2022, 10:38:32 amI suspect they are encouraged not to explicitly state COVID as a reason for delays.Just about everywhere/everyone else in the world happily uses it as an excuse right now for almost any delay no matter the cause.

author: cgroen
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 16, 2022, 11:27:50 am
content: At the top of their website:"JLCPCB owns 6 factories for smooth production and supply. Manufacturing and shipping are going well, but the delivery time may be 1-2 days longer due to the current COVID situation."

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 16, 2022, 11:31:57 am
content: Quote from: cgroen on March 16, 2022, 11:27:50 amIt seems like that heading has been there for most of the last year or so.

author: 48X24X48X
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2022, 01:56:06 pm
content: Shenzhen is in lock down until 21st March and a lot of worker stayed at home. I'm sure those WFH are non-production staff. And the factory probably has a reduced staff allowed to work. All Taobao packages are not moving too due to this. Other places like Hangzhou too (there's where the Taobao consolidation warehouse I use). Recently I made a prototype 4-layer ENIG, that took quite long compared to their normal time. And few days ago, they finished 32 kg of 2-layer PCB of mine within time but just weren't pick up by FedEx for many days. There's a limit of 1000 kg per pick up I believe. So, they have to put everyone in the queue.

author: gamalot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2022, 02:35:16 pm
content: The bad news is that two of China's top 4 largest cities - Shanghai and Shenzhen are on lockdown and almost all orders will be delayed, the good news is that some media say the government is considering loosening controls as soon as possible.

author: sam512bb
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2022, 01:46:57 am
content: Good day All,Although JLCPCB, etc have other factories to help offset the shutdown, it is possible that the freight forwarder and/or the shipping company does not have the same option and no doubt has only one location to ship out of. The shipper may have many depots, but most likely has a single central fly out location which may have Gov restrictions (operational hours ot even temporary closure).Cheers,Sam

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2022, 02:31:05 am
content: Quote from: gamalot on March 16, 2022, 02:35:16 pmOh boy, is the bug coming again to here ...

author: JPortici
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2022, 07:02:47 am
content: last week i placed two orders in two different days, first assembly (that went to factory 3) and then just pcbs that went to factory 1they finished the same day, and were shipped the same day, so yes there may be a couple of days delay.i don't really mind, we're not talking about our regular contractor with 3 months waitThough i have to say courier have slowed down for sure, fedex takes at least two days more than usual. DHL from JLC hasn't really started yet and if these two orders will arrive the same day because they are grouping them to save on fuel or whatever (but at the same time charge me for two shippings) i am going to be really pissed

author: mon2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2022, 01:34:23 pm
content: For us, it is the opposite experience. We closed the EQs on Friday or Saturday. Received a confirmation on Tuesday that our boards are shipping along with the supporting stencil.Impressive on the present lead time for our 4L PCB.

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 17, 2022, 01:44:04 pm
content: Well after a gentle prodding email to my JLC contact last night, I had a response within a couple of hours that yes there is some small delays caused by covid and relocating of equipment, but my order is in progress and apparently the production status just hadn't been updated.I looked this morning and the status had moved to 75%. And now about 24 hours after my prodding email I just got a shipment notification with DHL tracking number.The big question now is how long it will take for DHL to pick up, and then how long till it gets on a plane. I've seen anything from 1 to 7 days just to get picked up, and that was under more normal conditions. The reply seemed to indicate shipment could be delayed 1-2 days, but still picked up this week. So I may even get the parts early next week.

author: cgroen
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 17, 2022, 04:09:10 pm
content: My DHL Express delivery times from JLC has increased from 3 days (which had been like this for ages) up to 5 days now. They simply sit longer at the different terminals in China before moving on.(but, with the amount of projects I'm involved in, its actually nice it takes a couple of extra days for the boards to arrive)

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2022, 04:38:09 pm
content: Quote from: mon2 on March 17, 2022, 01:34:23 pmHmpf, now I feel cheated...After more prodding, my boards have now been packed and announced to DHL, but apparently too late to be picked up. If they actually leave JLCPCB tomorrow, that would be 10 days after ordering -- not impressive at all for a 4-layer prototype (ten small boards).

author: Kamran Malik
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 18, 2022, 06:59:08 am
content: Yes thats true. I faced similar issue with my the sampling orders. It took 2-3 times more time

author: JLCPCB Official
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2022, 06:31:31 am
content: Quote from: ebastler on March 16, 2022, 10:10:56 amThe recent delay of multi-layer boards is due to factory transfer and covid situation, the equipment didn't move in the factory in time. Please understand and wait patiently.What is worth looking forward to is that JLCPCB will support multi-layer boards up to 32 layers in the future.

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2022, 07:11:37 am
content: Quote from: JLCPCB Official on March 19, 2022, 06:31:31 amThank you for the information. What makes this so annoying is that JLCPCB has not been open about the delays. Your website has always offered 4-layer boards with a 4-day lead time, and only a hint of "1 or 2 days delay" on the home page.And my boards have still not been shipped. After manufacturing took twice as long as advertised, they have now been sitting in your shipping center for three days. 11 days since I ordered them, and counting...

author: kayvee
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2022, 05:10:16 pm
content: I had a relatively simple order of 10 panels of double sided PCB new order placed with them on the 15th, received DHL tracking number today 19th. So yes, I believe they are doing okay under the circumstances. Compared to delivery of local supplier (60 km away) of 10 to 15 working days, I for one am not complaining. YMMV or course

author: DIYGUY Chris
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2022, 09:08:31 pm
content: I saw a notice on JLC official website about the possible delay due to COVID blocking carrier from picking-up the packages, it seems that JLC production is moving normally, my order has been delivered yesterday after getting it processed for shipping through another shipping method, I appreciate the efforts of the shipping team at JLC who suggested a more effective shipping method to avoid a longer delayBTW, if your order is finished during the weekend then it could be shipped only on Monday, you can check this on this link where it is mentioned :"Note:Orders arrive at our shipping center after 11 am Saturday will be dispatched next Monday as there is no pickup service on Saturday afternoon and Sunday."https://support.jlcpcb.com/article/88-when-will-my-order-be-shipped

author: nigelwright7557
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2022, 09:16:41 pm
content: PCBPartner are the same.Slow production and slow delivery.Lock down blamed there too.

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2022, 10:07:10 pm
content: JLCPCB must be living in a different reality. They have now updated their home page to sayQuoteMyreality is that manufacturing took twice as long as advertised (8 days instead of 4), and that the order has then been sitting at the JLCPCB shipping center for at least 3 days without pickup. Wednesday to Friday, nothing to do with weekends.It is unclear whether it has been picked up now -- see the slightly absurd shipping status below. DHL Express still shows it as "shipment information received" (but not the actual shipment).

author: MarkF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2022, 01:55:06 am
content: My last order from them was Nov 2021.Two double sided PCBs manufactured in 4 days and received within 2 weeks from date of order.Actually faster than my previous experience.

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 20, 2022, 05:48:43 am
content: My 3D print order was picked up by DHL on Friday evening, and is now in HK and hopefully heading to AU tonight...There has definitely been some delays, but JLC certainly appear to be doing their best. No reason to feel cheated, as not all jobs will be equivalent.I'm told by another Shenzhen based supplier that the recent lock down is now over and their staff are back at work, although rules may depend on the specific district a business is in (i.e. some limits to travel across district borders).

author: phil from seattle
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2022, 05:45:06 pm
content: FWIW, JLCPCB can be highly variable. So can shipping time. I usually have them build batches of 50 boards. The most recent one (about a week ago) they completed PCBs and assembly in 5 days. Shipping took 3 days. 8 days from start to boards in hand is pretty fantastic. The previous batch, a few weeks earlier, they took 8 days and delivery took 5 days. In general, assembly is fast, usually less than one day. PCB production has a lot more steps and it is not unusual to see 24 hr or more delays on several of the steps.

author: JPortici
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2022, 08:31:40 am
content: Okay, something's off.i have a package that's been sitting there for 10 days waiting for pickup by the courier.Sure it's because of the lockdown but i thought that couriers would be working anyway?

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2022, 09:44:40 am
content: Quote from: JPortici on March 21, 2022, 08:31:40 amDHL Express finally confirmed today that they have picked up my package -- but only after I had nudged JLCPCB again. The package was originally announced to DHL on the 15th, nearly a week ago.There might still be some backlog at the JLCPCB shipping center; maybe they "lost sight" of a few shipments? If yours has been stuck for 10 days I would definitely ask them about it.

author: gamalot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2022, 10:58:23 am
content: The lockdown in Shenzhen was finally lifted today.

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 21, 2022, 06:54:28 pm
content: Quote from: JPortici on March 21, 2022, 08:31:40 amHave you tried contacting support or your account manager?They seem to have a (new?) central shipping location, where everything goes from their various factories to be consolidated. Maybe your job got put into the wrong "pigeon hole" and marked as awaiting more items.As this seems to happen a lot, they should probably have someone proactively dealing with it. Just like many companies need someone assigned to deal with back order reports, so things don't fall through the cracks.

author: SMTech
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2022, 11:42:37 am
content: Quote from: Kean on March 21, 2022, 06:54:28 pmNo, lockdown for them means lockdown; we had completed PCB orders with other suppliers that were stuck in Shenzen until Monday.

author: JPortici
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2022, 02:32:17 pm
content: An order placed on friday was shipped today.It was PCBA so it was handled to their FAB #3, outside of shenzen.I reached out to support to ask for our order from now two weeks ago, on FAB #1 in shenzen, and it's still there. They apologized and wrote some excuse and told us it was being rushed now, but the package it's still there.I understand that you have issues in that particular fab because of lockdown. I wrote them that. But instead of honesty i receive excuse. It's not that i'm never going to order from you again if you have problems you have not control over. I really hate excuses.

author: JLCPCB Official
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2022, 02:20:07 am
content: We still want customers to know the true situation for the recent delays, mainly due to logistics delays caused by the covid, followed by delays caused by the relocation of the JLCPCB factory（move to Zhuhai city, a city near to Shenzhen city). We are really sorry. Shenzhen has been unblocked. All JLCPCB colleagues were back and the process will gradually return to normal to provide efficient services. Please accept our sincere apology, support@jlcpcb.com and sophie@jlcpcb.com(customer support team leader ) can quickly answer the delay question.