Langley outgoing packages, when is system updated?

[steviebilbo]

Hi, first post but I have read the note on the intro regarding no info (other than tracking site) being available ... however

Can someone confirm when the tracking says 'handed to delivery partner' (in this case Deutsche Post, Germany) that this means the package has LEFT the UK or does it just mean that is is scheduled to leave the UK shortly?

I suspect it is the former as I have experience where packages have taken up to 6 week to be delivered to France (would you believe) and according to the french postal service, the package was stuck in Langley for about 4 of those weeks DESPITE the website stating it had been handed to a delivery partner.

This latest missing package was posted on 25 Feb and according to the track n trace, it was received at Langley at 0317 on 26th and was leaving UK just 42 minutes later at 0359. That notification is the latest apart from "Handed To Delivery Partner" so what does, "ITEM LEAVING UK" actually mean? - is it in a queue, on a plane, or just logged onto a delivery partner system? If indeed it was handed to the delivery partner they don't appear to have received it!

The Tracking no btw is RY273799012GB and when I connect with the German delivery partner there is no record of it in their system.

Please advise as to what I can/should do now?

Thanks,

Steve B

[SpacePhoenix]

It's probably stuck in customs. What's the contents, any lithium batteries in it?

[gt94sss2]

The delay is likely to be caused by Customs in the receiving country.

According to the Royal Mail:

'Items are leaving the UK for all other overseas destinations on time, but we're experiencing delays to a number of EU countries as a result of both new customs processes and ongoing Covid-19 measures.'

[redrook]

I had a parcel stuck in Slovakian customs for about two weeks, the recipient finally got it though. Tracking did update on RM though.

[steviebilbo]

Appreciate the responses folks but why would my package being stuck in customs PREVENT the receiving countries postal authority having it on their system? I currently have a package in Austria - held up by customs seemingly, now that is showing on the postal system as held in customs whereas the German one is simply 'no record on our system' ...

Also can anyone answer the original question as to what the message re 'handed to delivery partner' and 'departing UK' actually mean with respect to what is actually happening at that point.. I suspect they are just a system logging events and the package is still in a queue to leave?

I also see from my tracking for this that some of the timings are out - it was despatched to Heathrow Worldwide DC (Langley I presume) two minutes BEFORE it was received by Dorset Mail Centre ... not very confidence inspiring is it!

Thanks again

[SpacePhoenix]

Appreciate the responses folks but why would my package being stuck in customs PREVENT the receiving countries postal authority having it on their system? I currently have a package in Austria - held up by customs seemingly, now that is showing on the postal system as held in customs whereas the German one is simply 'no record on our system' ...

Customs will operate differently in different countries, some will scan items as they enter customs, some maybe as they leave customs as well. Other customs won't scan anything.

Also can anyone answer the original question as to what the message re 'handed to delivery partner' and 'departing UK' actually mean with respect to what is actually happening at that point.. I suspect they are just a system logging events and the package is still in a queue to leave?

Probably the best way to think of it is that it's been scanned as ready for transport to the destination country. With Covid, there'a way less flights around the world, with the knock-on affect of less available cargo space. In general the delivery partner won't scan an item into them until their local customs have released the item to them

I also see from my tracking for this that some of the timings are out - it was despatched to Heathrow Worldwide DC (Langley I presume) two minutes BEFORE it was received by Dorset Mail Centre ... not very confidence inspiring is it!

Probably the scanner scanning stuff out to the next office has uploaded its data before the scanner scanning stuff into the office

[steviebilbo]

Thanks SpacePhoenix, so is there any method to tell whether or not the package is still waiting at Langley then - for some inexplicable reason after over two weeks?

If the message implies it has been processed - but then it has been held up, how can anyone know when it actually leaves UK - if I want to try n trace this then the German postal system is (online at least) claiming non-receipt - German customs are showing nothing and Langley are 'suggesting' it is ready to ship?

thanks again.

Steve B

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Thanks SpacePhoenix, so is there any method to tell whether or not the package is still waiting at Langley then - for some inexplicable reason after over two weeks?

If the message implies it has been processed - but then it has been held up, how can anyone know when it actually leaves UK - if I want to try n trace this then the German postal system is (online at least) claiming non-receipt - German customs are showing nothing and Langley are 'suggesting' it is ready to ship?

thanks again.

Steve B

Once it goes into Customs, legally and operationally that's the point it has left the UK.
The same in reverse, its not in the UK (or destination country) until Customs release it.

Unfortunately, no Postal Authority anywhere has any powers over Customs (or equivalent) as they are usually the statutory authority and they have the legal powers over the Postal Companies.

Also, Covid is and continues to have a massive impact on international mail, Customs, and International Air transport, add to that the chaos around the Brexit rule changes its (to use a colloquialism) FUBAR. Indeed some companies are currently refusing to ship from the UK to the EU (and the opposite way) because of the situation.

[steviebilbo]

Many thanks for the continued responses .. there is still the "elephant in the room" (unanswered question) regarding how we are supposed to tell when the item has ACTUALLY left Langley.

At this rate, I may eventually need to raise a compensation claim for this item and if there is no proof it even left Langley, how can anyone claim no responsibility and "blame it on the German Customs" There does appear to be a lot of customers posting on here who also have items 'seemingly stuck' at Langley.

I do understand about customs delays but this is only the second time in 3 years that I have had a tracked and signed package 'lost in the system' and that includes during the last year (Covid). I have 3 packages currently 'held in customs' in 3 different countries and all are still being tracked by the respective postal systems. I do believe it has left Langley but how can anyone actually prove that using the current system?

Thanks again folks.

Steve B