What the packaging looks like - first timer reassurance
Mine looked like a greeting card envelope. Roommates did not give it a second look.
Yeah, I totally get the first-time jitters—everyone goes through that. But like the OP said, plain packaging is pretty much the gold standard among reputable vendors. I've had a handful of orders over the past year, and not a single one has screamed "I contain novelty IDs." It's usually just a generic poly mailer or a discreet cardboard envelope, sometimes even a small bubble mailer if it's a single card. Nothing fancy, no logos, no return address that raises eyebrows. Honestly, it's designed to blend in with the rest of your Amazon or eBay deliveries.
Courier choice varies though. In my experience, most vendors stick with the usual suspects—USPS, Royal Mail, or DHL depending on the origin. If it's coming from overseas, I've seen packages hit transit hubs like Chicago ISC or Jamaica NY for US-bound stuff, or Langley HWDC for UK-bound. Honestly, the trip through those hubs is where most of the anxiety sits, but I've never had a package get snagged or even opened for inspection. They just chug along and show up in your mailbox.
As for durability, it's solid but not over-engineered. The envelope itself won't fall apart in the rain or get crushed easily. One of my orders came in a thin cardboard mailer that had a tiny tear on the corner, but the inside was still intact—two IDs and a small note. No damage. Vendors usually tape the seams well and sometimes put a piece of cardboard inside to keep things flat. It's not bombproof, but it'll survive the trip unless your local carrier decides to play soccer with it.
Customs? I've yet to see any serious inspection marks or tape resealing. For domestic orders it's a non-factor, and for international ones, they just breeze through if the packaging is plain and the contents aren't obviously metallic or suspiciously thick. A single card wrapped in paper won't set off any alarms.
Shipping speed? It depends heavily on the vendor's location and the shipping method they use. Some offer tracked, others stick with untracked. I've had orders show up in 5 business days from China to the US, and others take almost three weeks. The plain packaging is consistent, but timing is always a wildcard. For a first-timer, just expect a 7–14 day window and you'll be pleasantly surprised if it comes faster. And seriously—don't stress the envelope. It's boring on purpose.
If you are still worried, have it sent to a PO box or mail pickup service.
Completely plain envelope. Generic return address, no logos, nothing identifying on the outside. Looks exactly like any piece of mail you would receive. No reason for anyone to pay special attention to it.