Simple Question on International Tracking - UK incoming

[NickRMCustomer]

Wondered if anyone on the board might be able to give me some advice on this?

When a parcel is coming into the UK, is it scanned when it arrives before it enters customs? I'm waiting for a parcel that has taken longer than expected, and it's not showing as having arrived in the UK yet.

Are parcels scanned when they arrive in the UK before they enter customs checking, or is arrival in the UK classed as when they have cleared customs?

Hope that makes sense. Thanks to anyone who might have an idea.

[Snaggletooth]

When a parcel is coming into the UK, is it scanned when it arrives before it enters customs?

That is down to the postal administration of the originating country. A few, such as USPS scan them in. Most do not.

[SpacePhoenix]

AFAIK only USPS (the US equivalent of RM) scan items before they hand them over to customs. Generally the first scan an item will get in the UK is when it arrives at HWDC after having been released by customs. Customs choose random batches of mail for extra checks, if your item is in one of them batches, it'll take longer to clear customs

[NickRMCustomer]

AFAIK only USPS (the US equivalent of RM) scan items before they hand them over to customs. Generally the first scan an item will get in the UK is when it arrives at HWDC after having been released by customs. Customs choose random batches of mail for extra checks, if your item is in one of them batches, it'll take longer to clear customs

Thank you, that makes sense. In the past, the first UK scans I usually see are all at the same time and include Arrived in UK, HWDC Langley, Recieved by RM, etc., so this explains it is scanned after the item has been released by customs.

Many thanks.

[NickRMCustomer]

Hello, I have another question:

So, the item I am waiting for has finally been scanned by the Royal Mail system, and it reads as follows:

"This item has been received at LANGLEY HWDC, United Kingdom. More information will be available as it travels through our UK network."

Does this mean the item has cleared Customs, and is now with RM for processing and delivery? Or, could it indicate it is still in Customs?

[Snaggletooth]

Does this mean the item has cleared Customs, and is now with RM for processing and delivery?

This is correct.

[NickRMCustomer]

Thank you :)

Sorry I sound like a record stuck in the groove, I think I'm finally understanding it. I'm thinking of it a bit like when I arrive back in the UK, the moment I really get here is when I've gone through passport control and customs - I think that analagy works.

[Snaggletooth]

Thank you :)

Sorry I sound like a record stuck in the groove, I think I'm finally understanding it. I'm thinking of it a bit like when I arrive back in the UK, the moment I really get here is when I've gone through passport control and customs - I think that analagy works.

Yes, I have used that analogy before on this board!