Apple Insider reports that customers who were among the first to preorder the iPhone 5 from Apple have begun seeing updates that their orders are shipping from China.

Orders at Apple's website are still listed as "preparing for shipment," but some have been able to track their package by using a reference number, such as a cell phone number tied to the order. By searching the reference number, it can be discovered that the product has in fact already shipped.

  First Apple iPhone 5 orders now shipping from China