What's going on?

[bmirac]

Hi all,

I've got a packet from Switzerland, posted on last Monday and has arrived in the UK on last Wednesday. It's actually a surprise gift (a small leather school bag, marked as "gift" and declared as US $50 , packed in a MaxiLetter envelope ) from my uncle to my niece for her birthday today.
Unfortunately we still haven't received the item. And I've spoke to the Royal Mail Customer Service agents, been told it's still in the Heathrow Airport ?? And they told me they have no idea or guarantee when the packet will be delivered, but asked me to keep tracking !

Can anyone who had the same experiece PLEASE tell me why it's takes so long? and when we will get the packet??

Below is the tracked result:

Date Time Event Processed by Notes
Mon 26.11.2012 17:04 Mailed 1200 Genève 6
Tue 27.11.2012 03:13 Arrival at border point of origin country CH-8010 Zürich 1
Tue 27.11.2012 03:13 Departure from border point of origin country CH-8010 Zürich 1
Wed 28.11.2012 20:08 Arrival at border point of destination country GBLALA

Many Thanks !!

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Can't tell you when you'll get the packet, but hopefully fairly soon.

However the Royal Mail track and trace site http://www.royalmail.com/trackdetails" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; confirms it is at HWDC - its probably awaiting customs/VAT clearance.

[bmirac]

Can't tell you when you'll get the packet, but hopefully fairly soon.

However the Royal Mail track and trace site http://www.royalmail.com/trackdetails" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; confirms it is at HWDC - its probably awaiting customs/VAT clearance.

Thanks for your reply. So do you think I'll probably get taxed since the item is being held at the customs so long? This is my first time waiting for an International Parcel delivering by RoyalMail. Normally we use courier service and it was much quicker though.

Thanks

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Can't tell you when you'll get the packet, but hopefully fairly soon.

However the Royal Mail track and trace site http://www.royalmail.com/trackdetails" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; confirms it is at HWDC - its probably awaiting customs/VAT clearance.

Thanks for your reply. So do you think I'll probably get taxed since the item is being held at the customs so long? This is my first time waiting for an International Parcel delivering by RoyalMail. Normally we use courier service and it was much quicker though.

Thanks

It may or may not it depends if they see it as commercial goods (vat due if over £15) or gift (vat due if over £50), http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPort ... P140_10548" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; they may just be doing various checks, or it could be as simple as the fact that its very busy in the run up to Christmas and there may be a back log at Customs.

[bmirac]

Can't tell you when you'll get the packet, but hopefully fairly soon.

However the Royal Mail track and trace site http://www.royalmail.com/trackdetails" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; confirms it is at HWDC - its probably awaiting customs/VAT clearance.

Thanks for your reply. So do you think I'll probably get taxed since the item is being held at the customs so long? This is my first time waiting for an International Parcel delivering by RoyalMail. Normally we use courier service and it was much quicker though.

Thanks

It may or may not it depends if they see it as commercial goods (vat due if over £15) or gift (vat due if over £50), http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPort ... P140_10548" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; they may just be doing various checks, or it could be as simple as the fact that its very busy in the run up to Christmas and there may be a back log at Customs.

Sigh.. Never expected this long. Guess I'll just have to be bit more patience. Hopefully it will arrive by end of this week (Double Fingers Crossed !!)

Thanks for your time and replies anyway",)

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Can't tell you when you'll get the packet, but hopefully fairly soon.

However the Royal Mail track and trace site http://www.royalmail.com/trackdetails" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; confirms it is at HWDC - its probably awaiting customs/VAT clearance.

Thanks for your reply. So do you think I'll probably get taxed since the item is being held at the customs so long? This is my first time waiting for an International Parcel delivering by RoyalMail. Normally we use courier service and it was much quicker though.

Thanks

It may or may not it depends if they see it as commercial goods (vat due if over £15) or gift (vat due if over £50), http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPort ... P140_10548" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; they may just be doing various checks, or it could be as simple as the fact that its very busy in the run up to Christmas and there may be a back log at Customs.

Sigh.. Never expected this long. Guess I'll just have to be bit more patience. I hope it won't be true as what people said "Royal Mail = Royal Snails" . Hopefully it will arrive by end of this week (Double Fingers Crossed !!)

Thanks for your time and replies anyway",)

Hnag on - I mentioned Customs as well - it might not yet have been released by them so you may be calling us Royal Snail quite unfairly. If customs don't/can't release it - we can't deliver it.

[bmirac]

Can't tell you when you'll get the packet, but hopefully fairly soon.

However the Royal Mail track and trace site http://www.royalmail.com/trackdetails" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; confirms it is at HWDC - its probably awaiting customs/VAT clearance.

Thanks for your reply. So do you think I'll probably get taxed since the item is being held at the customs so long? This is my first time waiting for an International Parcel delivering by RoyalMail. Normally we use courier service and it was much quicker though.

Thanks

It may or may not it depends if they see it as commercial goods (vat due if over £15) or gift (vat due if over £50), http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPort ... P140_10548" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; they may just be doing various checks, or it could be as simple as the fact that its very busy in the run up to Christmas and there may be a back log at Customs.

Sigh.. Never expected this long. Guess I'll just have to be bit more patience. I hope it won't be true as what people said "Royal Mail = Royal Snails" . Hopefully it will arrive by end of this week (Double Fingers Crossed !!)

Thanks for your time and replies anyway",)

Hnag on - I mentioned Customs as well - it might not yet have been released by them so you may be calling us Royal Snail quite unfairly. If customs don't/can't release it - we can't deliver it.

Apology!! I didn't mean that way! I was just been very impatience & worry (which are my problem). Of course I understand how not easy and busy during this festive season and this kind of weather, but the gift mean so so much to my niece! Like I said, I'll have to be more patience !