I have always used JLPCB from Hong Kong for my PCB fabrication, as they offered excellent performance at an unbeatable price. Now, with the new tariffs and USPS suspending all Chinese shipments, what are our domestic alternatives that at least come close to JLPCB?
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I've only read of paused shipments via the USPS although the barrage of news has been somewhat difficult to keep up with. To your knowledge, are private carriers effected?
Edit: I see that private carriers aren't effected as of yet. Who knows what tomorrow might bring
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It's cheaper if you order them from someone in the EU and have them shipped to the USA.
I placed an order wiith JLCPCB over the holidays and had them in less than a week using their default shipping (UPS). Fastest delivery on any pcb order from China I've ever experienced (previously Seeed and PCBWay). With Trump/tariffs in place, I don't know what impact this will have on a) price, and b) delivery time.
I remember ordering boards from a UK supplier when I did my original Ovation 250 Amp back in 2006. 4 THP SS boards cost me about 300 bucks. A few years later in Japan, one of the local apps guys said ‘Order your boards from China Andrew-san’. I use PCB Cart now - great service and never had a problem.
I'll let you know as I have a small shipment of PCB on the way right now from JLCPCB. I use global direct line saver with USPS delivery for most of my less time sensitive projects and so far have not had problems. Last order received a little over 1 week ago.
There are no really cost effective options in the U.S. that I am aware of except Osh Park. Small boards in quantities of 3 are not too expensive, need more costs mount rapidly, get bigger and costs mount even more rapidly. Quality is very good, and turn around times if you are in a rush are quick, otherwise select the slowest option.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/usps-suspends-packages-china-hong-kong/ (Suspension ended)
There are no really cost effective options in the U.S. that I am aware of except Osh Park. Small boards in quantities of 3 are not too expensive, need more costs mount rapidly, get bigger and costs mount even more rapidly. Quality is very good, and turn around times if you are in a rush are quick, otherwise select the slowest option.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/usps-suspends-packages-china-hong-kong/ (Suspension ended)
I ordered $111 worth of PCBs through JLCPCB and paid UPS $100.91 yesterday.
Import Charges:
Government Charges: $71.91
Brokerage Charges: $29.00
There was also the added cost of shipping the package with UPS. So all in its close to $250 for 20 boards. Items arrive Monday or at least I hope they do.
Import Charges:
Government Charges: $71.91
Brokerage Charges: $29.00
There was also the added cost of shipping the package with UPS. So all in its close to $250 for 20 boards. Items arrive Monday or at least I hope they do.
I tend to ship with DHL when I don't use global direct line saver. In the past I have found UPS to be significantly more expensive. Under the current circumstances I think you made a very reasonable choice based on the information available.
I normally pick the cheapest for shipping between DHL and UPS on international orders. It’s has varied. But import costs will be the same across all carriers.
The tariff loophole was reinstated today, so I’m hoping UPS will refund the money. Just a bit of bad luck, items shipped on Wednesday and expected to arrive on Monday.
The tariff loophole was reinstated today, so I’m hoping UPS will refund the money. Just a bit of bad luck, items shipped on Wednesday and expected to arrive on Monday.
They are also a high quality PCB manufacturer, I haven't used them, but some of my colleagues at work do. I used PCBCart before JLCPCB but switched due to lower costs. All of these manufacturers will get the job done well.
So will Osh Park if you are looking for a stateside alternative.
So will Osh Park if you are looking for a stateside alternative.
I have used OSH Park for a number of 0.062, two layer, 1 mil copper boards and they have been just great.
Good news, the boards I had JLCPCB ship by global direct line saver for about $2 arrived this morning.
Fantastic service. In my case it took about a week, almost as fast as DHL service without the extra cost. If I have multiple orders at the same time I have to break them up since global direct only allows a maximum weight
I had two orders for JLCPCB delivered this month and times from order to delivered were 10 days and 15 days. This was with the cheapest shipping method. The difference was in the shipping times. The slow one was stuck at the originating courier company for several days.
I've got another order which I placed on February 14th and that has left JLCPCB. It is now in the hands of the courier and I should get it by the end of the month.
I agree that this is a fantastic service. Can't barely buy perf boards for this price.
I've got another order which I placed on February 14th and that has left JLCPCB. It is now in the hands of the courier and I should get it by the end of the month.
I agree that this is a fantastic service. Can't barely buy perf boards for this price.
They bulk shipping to Canada, then send out XpressPost. received 4 packages in the mail box on friday.
over the years the post shipping option has only gotten better. Hopefully I'll never need to use DHL again.
make your own perf board, I make my own adapters, its such a great service.
Folks like to crap on China, but these folks have brought new life to DIY and allow me to run a business.
I do not think the business would be viable nor as successful using a north american fab.
over the years the post shipping option has only gotten better. Hopefully I'll never need to use DHL again.
make your own perf board, I make my own adapters, its such a great service.
Folks like to crap on China, but these folks have brought new life to DIY and allow me to run a business.
I do not think the business would be viable nor as successful using a north american fab.
Same here, the reasonable price has opened many DIY doors that I would have not otherwise followed. Most of the stuff I build could never been done on perfboard with parts available today. (I use a mix of TH and SMD parts, but generally biased heavily in the direction of SMD.)
I have completely replaced perfboard with little PCB quickly designed and sent out - so much tidier and so much more professional looking than perfboard.
For larger boards and higher quantities the big price advantage of global direct line saver more or less evaporates and in those cases I generally use DHL. If I am in a huge rush I will use DHL, but I have learned to be patient because most of my projects are gated by my available personal time and level of (dis) enthusiasm. 🤣 Almost nothing is a rush in my world.
The customer service people at JLCPCB are also very helpful and transparent, very refreshing, and that boosted my esteem for the company even more. Not a single downside in the 5 - 6 years I have been using them.
I have completely replaced perfboard with little PCB quickly designed and sent out - so much tidier and so much more professional looking than perfboard.
For larger boards and higher quantities the big price advantage of global direct line saver more or less evaporates and in those cases I generally use DHL. If I am in a huge rush I will use DHL, but I have learned to be patient because most of my projects are gated by my available personal time and level of (dis) enthusiasm. 🤣 Almost nothing is a rush in my world.
The customer service people at JLCPCB are also very helpful and transparent, very refreshing, and that boosted my esteem for the company even more. Not a single downside in the 5 - 6 years I have been using them.
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