Parcel's Journey to USA

[gonneslinger]

Hi. I'm hoping some of my more clued up HWDC or otherwise colleagues can help me. I've left it terribly late to send a parcel (shoebox size <1kg, [correct] postage in 1c stamps) to my friend in Augusta, Georgia USA.

I sent it via Int. track & sign today and so far its gone from my local post office through Medway MC and allegedy arrived at what I assume is HWDC ["at our international mail centre and is being made ready for despatch overseas."].

When is it likely to leave the country - how fast do they process things there at this time of year? Will it be going via airmail (dumb question probably, at £18 for a 750g item). Do you know what the process/routing once it touches down in America [any idea where?] will be?

Cheers!


Also a big Thanks to all the fantastic guys & girls in processing and the great job you do, especially at this time of year!

[SpacePhoenix]

It'll probably be handled by USPS once it reaches the states (the US equivalent of RM) (https://tools.usps.com/go/TrackConfirmAction_input" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;). According to RM's site the 12th was the last recommended posting day. It'll possibly get held up in US customs (just the large volume of mail arriving in the US).

[wabbithunta]

I used to do something similar (send parcels to my brother in the USA) It should be handled by US Postal, assuming it left the UK on time for delivery to its final destination. Most of mine actually arrived on time, as they generally took a week from posting to delivery in December but a few of my parcels got held up in US Customs, in their bonded stores over the Christmas period, and were finally delivered to my brother on the 26th - 27th December.
It may well be down to how quickly they get moved once they're in the system, more so in the USA. The quickest one for me took four days, considering it used to take three days for a letter, that's good. My brother was in Baltimore, and I've got other family in various locations, to whom I send mail to every now and then, mainly in the New England area.

I don't wish to make you worry but one parcel I sent was held up until the New Year, but that was down to its contents. When that was delivered it had been opened by US Customs and repacked. This particular parcel was sent via DHL through my old workplace and left the UK on time, early December, so I'd assume this was the norm for them. There was no particular rush on this parcel either, as this was a "normal delivery" to him of dry goods, English condiments etc. Declared on the form used and also labelled on the parcel too.
British foodstuffs imported into the USA cost, hence me sending them to him every once in a while. Different sealing tape and strapping had been used to what I'd used on it plus "Opened by US Customs" label on it.


Hope yours gets to its destination before Christmas.