Postage Issues - Passport Renewal

[nozparade]

Hi everybody,

I sent my UK passport for renewal from Switzerland to the UK passport office on 15th January via Swiss Post / Royal Mail. It ended up going to the USA in error, and now appears to be in the UK (USPS Tracking):

International Transit
Departed
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND
January 23, 2024, 8:03 pm

However, it has been on this status since 23 January and I'm starting to get worried since I need to travel in 5 weeks. The Royal Mail tracking shows nothing, only that it was 'Accepted' on the 15th January in Switzerland (which makes it all the more confusing how it ended up in the USA).

I understand there's a good chance it is at UK Customs (Langley), however I've been reading a few posts about how long delays can be there and wondering if I'm one of the unlucky ones to face a heavy delay.

Would anybody have any advice in this situation? I've tried calling all postal services, Swiss Post have opened an investigation but it seems that they basically just check the online tracking of other providers...

Thanks a lot for any help.

[Snaggletooth]

It is very difficult to pass much comment based on that fragment of the tracking, we really need all of it to see the context. But worth noting that when items are accidentally sent via a third country the tracking systems often don’t cope well with it.

I am not aware of any delays at customs right now. But as part of normal operations they pick out mail for extra checks, either at random or because the contents are considered higher risk.

[nozparade]

Thanks for your reply.

Here's the full tracking history on USPS. It went from Zurich to New York by mistake, and seems to have made it's way to London, but I'm not sure.

Royal Mail only shows "Accepted" in Zurich on the 15th December and no further updates.



International Transit

Departed

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND

January 23, 2024, 8:03 pm


Departed

NEWARK, UNITED STATES

January 23, 2024, 8:45 am

Arrived

NEWARK, UNITED STATES

January 22, 2024, 11:10 pm

Processed Through USPS Regional Facility

JAMAICA NY INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER

January 22, 2024, 5:48 pm

Arrived at USPS Regional Facility

JAMAICA NY INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER, UNITED STATES

January 22, 2024, 11:12 am

Arrived at USPS Regional Facility

JAMAICA NY INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER

January 22, 2024, 2:27 am

Departed USPS Regional Facility

QUEENS NY DISTRIBUTION CENTER

January 22, 2024, 1:49 am

Arrived at USPS Regional Facility

QUEENS NY DISTRIBUTION CENTER

January 21, 2024, 4:00 pm

Processed Through USPS Facility

ISC NEW YORK NY(USPS)

January 20, 2024, 5:58 pm

Inbound Into Customs

Origin Post is Preparing Shipment

Processed Through Facility

ZURICH 1, SWITZERLAND

January 16, 2024, 11:51 pm

Processed Through Facility

ZURICH 1, SWITZERLAND

January 16, 2024, 11:50 pm