If you are asking when to order a mahjong set for a gift, the short answer is earlier than you think. Our sets are printed to order after you buy them and then shipped from Vietnam by express delivery, so the total is roughly 10 to 18 days. The best plan is to work backward from the day the gift must be in your hands.
Key takeaways
- Production usually takes 5 to 10 days, and express shipping from Vietnam usually takes 5 to 8 days after the order ships.
- Together that is roughly 10 to 18 days from order to delivery, before any holiday delays.
- Count back from the date the gift must be in your hands, then add a few days of cushion.
- Every product page shows an estimated arrival date; for Christmas it also shows the last day to order.
- In-stock ornaments and line reader cards ship within 3 days and arrive within 7 days of shipping.
How the time adds up
A SOLMAY mahjong set is not pulled from a shelf. The artwork is UV-printed on the tiles after you place your order, in Vietnam, and only then does the set ship. Two stages make up the wait.
| Stage | What happens | Usual time |
|---|---|---|
| Production | Your set is printed to order | 5 to 10 days |
| Express shipping | Shipped from Vietnam to the US | 5 to 8 days after shipping |
| Total | Order to delivery | About 10 to 18 days |
These are typical ranges, not promises, and holiday seasons can add delays. Each product page shows an estimated arrival date for your order. For Christmas, the page also shows the last day to order, so you do not have to calculate it yourself. When the page and this article differ, trust the page.
Plan backward from the gift date
The mistake most gift buyers make is counting from the day they will give the present. Count from the day it must be in your hands instead, since you will want to open the box, check the contents and wrap it.
- Write down the date the gift must be in your hands. This is a few days before the party, birthday or holiday.
- Count back at least 18 days. That covers the slow end of production and shipping.
- Add a cushion of a few days. Five is a comfortable number, and more in busy seasons.
- Check the product page. Compare your date with the estimated arrival shown there.
A worked example with sample dates
The table below uses the 18-day figure and a 5-day cushion. It is an illustration, not a quote, so always confirm on the product page.
| Gift must be in your hands by | Order by (18 days back) | Safer order date (plus a 5-day cushion) |
|---|---|---|
| November 15 | October 28 | October 23 |
| December 20 | December 2 | November 27 |
| December 24 | December 6 | December 1 |
Imagine a gift for a birthday on December 22. You want the box in your hands by December 18 so you can count the tiles and wrap it. Eighteen days back from December 18 is November 30, and a five-day cushion makes it November 25. Order by the end of November and you are comfortable. These examples count calendar days and are illustrations only; the policy page does not say whether production and shipping days are calendar or business days, so rely on the estimate shown on the product page.
If time is short
Items that are already in stock move much faster. Our mahjong ornaments and line reader cards ship within 3 days and are delivered within 7 days of shipping, and both are $19.99.
That gives you a good plan B. Give an ornament or a line reader pack on the day, and tell the recipient a set is on its way. Other ideas are in mahjong gifts under $50.
When the box arrives
Our 30-day money-back guarantee counts from the delivery date, not from the order date or the gift date. That is a good reason to open the box early. Count the tiles, look for eight matching jokers, and then wrap. If anything is wrong, write to support@mysolamz.com or use the contact page. If you plan to hide the box until a holiday, read how the 30-day window works so that you know how much time you have. For help with what to check, see three checks before you order.
Common mistakes
First, a reminder: if you spot an error in your order, contact support@mysolamz.com within 12 hours of ordering, before the order ships.
- Counting from the gift day. Count from the day you need the box in hand.
- Ordering on the last possible day. A cushion costs nothing and protects against surprises.
- Ignoring the estimated arrival date. It appears on every product page. Read it before you pay.
- Forgetting that production comes first. Shipping time alone is not the whole wait.
- Treating dates as promises. They are estimates; leave slack.
- Waiting to see if a sale appears. A tight timeline is a poor moment to gamble. Decide on the date first, then shop.
Try it today
Put two dates on your calendar: the date the gift must be in your hands, and the date you will order. Then open the product page and compare its estimated arrival with your date. If it falls short, move your order date earlier or pick an in-stock gift to cover the gap.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a mahjong set take to arrive?
Usually about 10 to 18 days from order to delivery. Production takes 5 to 10 days, then express shipping from Vietnam takes 5 to 8 days after the order ships.
Why are your mahjong sets made to order?
The artwork is printed on the tiles after you order, so a set is started once your order is placed. That is why there is a production stage before shipping.
Will a mahjong set arrive in time for Christmas?
It can, if you order early enough. The product page shows the last day to order for Christmas delivery, so check it rather than guessing.
Where do I find the estimated arrival date?
On every product page. Look again at the product page if you wait a few days before ordering.
Do the ornaments and line reader cards take as long?
No. They are in stock and ship within 3 days, arriving within 7 days of shipping.
Does free shipping apply to a set?
Orders over $75 ship free in the US, and a mahjong set clears that amount on its own. The product page shows the estimated arrival date.
What if the set arrives before the gift day?
That is good news. Open it, count the tiles, check the jokers and wrap it. Your 30-day window starts at delivery, so check it early.
About our sets. A SOLMAY American mahjong set has exactly 152 tiles (36 dots, 36 bams, 36 craks, 16 winds, 12 dragons, 8 flowers and 8 matching jokers), each 35 x 25 x 11 mm, with original artwork UV-printed on glossy pearlescent acrylic. Sets are printed to order in Vietnam. Racks, pushers, mats, bags and the yearly card are not included. See the mahjong sets.
Keep reading
- Three checks before you order
- Gift returns: how a 30-day window works
- Mahjong gifts under $50
- Gifting the whole table
These guides follow the way American mahjong is commonly played with the National Mah Jongg League card. Groups sometimes add house rules, so agree on yours before the first hand, and always use the current year's official card. SOLMAY is not affiliated with the NMJL.
