The techniques describe packet reordering for packets flowing on a new path in response to a change in internal forwarding paths in a network device. For example, a network device may dynamically change the selection of an internal forwarding path to achieve fabric path optimization (“OFP”) or to ensure optimized load balancing. Packets forwarded on the new path are buffered such that the transmission of packets forwarded on the new path are delayed for a buffering time period of at least the time in which a packet is being sent from the source packet processor to the initial destination packet processor.