Delay cause 1: imported furniture
Imported pieces depend on factory time abroad, shipping, port handling and customs clearance. Freight rates and transit times have been volatile in 2025–26. Under the Furniture (Quality Control) Order 2025, six categories need a BIS licence: work chairs, general-purpose chairs and stools, tables and desks, storage units, beds and bunk beds. It has been in force since 14 February 2026 for medium and large enterprises and since mid-August 2026 for micro and small enterprises. Covered goods arriving without the required licence can be held by customs. Before ordering an imported piece, ask where it is now, whether the category is covered, and what the seller's licence status is. Check the current notification on egazette.gov.in or bis.gov.in, as of September 2026.
Delay cause 2: custom work
Custom pieces are made after you order, so the date depends on materials being available and on the design being final. The most common self-inflicted delay is a change after sign-off, such as a new fabric or a size tweak, which can send the piece back to the drawing stage. Unusual materials can take longer to source. A completely new design takes longer than an adapted base model because the first piece is also the test piece. Finalise the drawing, specification and swatch before paying, and treat any later change as a new date.
Delay cause 3: your site is not ready
Flooring, painting, false ceilings and carpentry often run late, and loose furniture is usually the last delivery. Delivering into a dusty or wet site risks damage, so many buyers delay delivery themselves. The problem arises when the seller charges for storage or asks you to take delivery anyway. Ask about storage before you order. SOISU holds finished furniture free for up to 30 days if the home is not ready. If your site is further behind than that, agree storage terms in writing at the time of order.
How to protect yourself
Get a ready-by date on the order document, not a range. Agree milestones, such as drawing approval, material confirmation and production start, and ask to be told at each one. Write down what happens if the date slips: cancellation with a full refund, compensation, or a revised date you must accept. Write down storage terms. Pay in stages where possible, with the balance on delivery. Check the delivery route before the day: lift size, staircase width, society timings and parking for the truck. For high-rise buildings, confirm whether the lift can carry the largest piece.
Ready stock versus made to order
If the date matters more than the exact size or material, buy from ready stock. Ready pieces avoid factory and shipping time entirely. SOISU's ready pieces within Mumbai limits are typically delivered within 30–34 hours of payment. Made-to-order pieces carry a ready-by date written on the order. Many buyers split the order: ready stock for pieces needed on moving day, custom for the pieces that have to fit a specific wall.