International arrived in America, then sent BACK- DO NOT FLY

[LukeBlackwell]

Hello there.

Almost 2 weeks ago I shipped a parcel to my girlfriend in America. It contained various gifts, memorabilia, clothing and such. It cost me almost £30 and I was told it would arrive in about a week.

I have been checking my tracking number online. The item arrived at O'hare airport (Chicago) 4 days after sending. Since then, it has been sent BACK to England.

04/12/14 13:40 DESPATCHABLE TODO NOT FLY - NRC HEATHROW WORLDWIDE DC
02/12/14 10:54 RECEIVED AT OEO`HARE (CHICAGO) O`HARE (CHICAGO)
30/11/14 AM DESPATCHED TOO`HARE (CHICAGO) UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
28/11/14 20:13 COLLECTED BIRMINGHAM MAIL CENTRE
28/11/14 14:35 ACCEPTED AT POL 2 Halesowen Road B62 9AA

Can someone please tell my why my parcel has been labeled as DO NOT FLY, and can they also explain why it was flown to America, only to be flown back?

I'd also like to know how I go about claiming a refund or having my item sent back again, as the cost was quite expensive.

Thank you.

[IcanthelpthewayIam]

What were the exact contents of the parcel?

If it contained something prohibited that will be removed and disposed of and the remainder returned to sender or possibly sent back to destinations

As for compensation you won't be entitled to anything if there is a prohibited item in the package

[SpacePhoenix]

When the tracking number is tried on the USPS website, does it offer any clue as to why the parcel was returned to the UK?

[LukeBlackwell]

The parcel contained a hockey jersey, two scarfs, a t-shirt, a pendant, some aftershave and a harry potter wand. The total price of the content is close to £200, so I'm worried that I won't actually get any of the items back.

I'm guessing the aftershave caused a problem, though I've known people both send and receive similar things abroad before, so I figured it was ok.

As for USPS:

Postal Product:
First-Class Package International Service
Features:
International Letter
Date & Time
Status of Item
Location
December 2, 2014 , 10:54 am
Processed Through Sort Facility
ISC CHICAGO IL (USPS)

Your item has been processed through our sort facility in ISC CHICAGO IL (USPS) at 10:54 am on December 2, 2014.

I hope this helps. I did call the Royal Mail CS team for this, they were confused as to why the item was flown to America despite being declared DO NOT FLY. They were even more confused as to why it was then flown back. If this is apparently 'hazardous' material, why was it flown twice? Lovely logic.

I've come to terms with the fact I probably won't get my money back, I just hope I get the parcel back so I can sort it and send it again. The thing that really gets to me, is why it was put on two planes after being labeled a risk. Great work by whoever did that, I think they need retraining.

[Snaggletooth]

The aftershave is definitely a problem, it is a criminal offence to send it in international post. I am surprised that it wasn't picked up until it reached the US though. Did you mention it on the customs declaration?

[LukeBlackwell]

I don't think I did. When the chap at the counter asked what was in it, I told him movie memorabilia, clothing and just general gifts. He was happy with it and signed off and everything.

I honestly had no idea it would be a problem, it didn't even cross my mind that something like that would cause a problem. I'm legitimately worried that I'm going to get into trouble for this, or that the entire package will be disposed of. The items in the package hold significant sentimental value.

Is there anything I can do? Could I call up and explain the problem, tell them that it really was a genuine mistake and tell them which item it might be? Each item is individually wrapped as they were either birthday or Christmas presents, they'll have to go through the entire thing, opening every item before they find it.

Is there anything, ANYTHING I can do to fix this? I really don't want to get into trouble over a silly mistake or have all of my items destroyed.

[LukeBlackwell]

I realise there hasn't been a reply yet, but I just checked the detailed tracking site.

11/12/14 11:29 ----- RETURNED TO CO ----- NATIONAL RETURN CENTRE

I'm not sure what 'CO' is, I googled it and apparently it's the office I originally sent the parcel from. Can anyone confirm this? Also, am I likely to get an e-mail from them telling me this or should I just go in and ask?

[LukeBlackwell]

Another update.

I called customer service, they told me because I didn't have my name and address on the back of the parcel (I didn't think to do that either, I never even thought it would be returned to sender) I'm looking at a few weeks before they can get it delivered back to me. It's currently on its way to the Nation Return Centre, before being sent to Section B (place for parcels without name and address), before being opened and the prohibited item destroyed.

They did state, THREE TIMES, that ONLY the prohibited item would be destroyed. I made a point of asking as I've heard of people losing ALL of the items in their parcels. I was put through to the International department around 9:02am, and it was pretty quick getting through. The lady worked it out that I should call back either 29th or 30th of December.

The woman I spoke to also knew that the prohibited item was perfume. As soon as I said it was a gift for my girlfriend she knew. I told her it was aftershave, but she said "Yep, we get a lot of those now that it's prohibited." Or words to that effect.

[IcanthelpthewayIam]

Yes just the aftershave will be disposed of, I would advise though that although that is the correct timescale it is our busiest time of year so it may take longer to get back to you, but it will get back eventually,

In future it's always a good idea to put a return address on back of item even if it's only a house number and post code

[Snaggletooth]

I'm legitimately worried that I'm going to get into trouble for this...

Sorry if I was a bit heavy-handed with my reply. You should be fine as long as you are suitably apologetic, it happens quite a lot.

When you were at the Post Office counter and told the clerk that it was "movie memorabilia", he should have asked further questions about the contents and handed you a laminated card to look at with a list of prohibited items on it. He should then have scanned the barcode on the laminated card so that a record of the discussion was noted in the computer system in case anything went wrong. If any of those things did not happen he could be in trouble. If you see him again when he is alone, you might want to have a quiet word about what happened, just to make sure he is up to speed with the next customer he serves.

[LukeBlackwell]

That's ok, I'll be honest when I first read what you wrote, I focused entirely on that and not the rest of the sentence. After calling Customer Services and realising that I'm not actually in any sort of trouble, I reread your message. In it's full context, it's fine, I just zoned out after the first part of the sentence and got worried

As for the clerk, I don't personally know him but interacted numerous times. He didn't actually give me any sheet or document anything else. He asked about the items, gave me a declaration and asked me to fill in certain parts and sign it. That was it. The entire encounter lasted about 3 minutes, that included weighing, writing and paying.

I'm going back to the same place once I got the items back, to send them properly. I'll be sure to tell him what happened and make sure everything is done right this time.

Thanks for all your help, everyone, it's been appreciated.