Parcel stuck on "ARRIVED (MDN) AT HEATHROW WORLDWIDE DC" for several days

arbruno · Post by **arbruno** » 10 Feb 2017, 21:04

Hi,

I normally send international parcels to relatives and I always keep track on them! This time I sent 3 slim books on Monday afternoon and they are now stuck in HEATHROW.

This is the current status of my parcel: (weight 1.225 Kg, C3 size, declared value 20 £) LB507845836GB
07/02/17 04:40 ARRIVED (MDN) AT HEATHROW WORLDWIDE DC
06/02/17 20:38 ON ITS WAY TOHWDC AIRSURE PETERBOROUGH MAIL CENTRE
06/02/17 19:59 ITEM COLLECTED PETERBOROUGH MAIL CENTRE
06/02/17 16:21 SENT AT POST OFFICE 1 Cobble Yard CB1 1HP

Usually the tracking status shows this progress: (from another similar sized parcel to the same address):
18/01/17 AM ON ITS WAY TOCURITIBA BRAZIL
18/01/17 00:46 ARRIVED (MDN) AT HEATHROW WORLDWIDE DC
17/01/17 20:45 ON ITS WAY TOHWDC AIRSURE PETERBOROUGH MAIL CENTRE
17/01/17 20:33 ITEM COLLECTED PETERBOROUGH MAIL CENTRE
17/01/17 16:50 SENT AT POST OFFICE 1 Cobble Yard CB1 1HP

Today I went to my Post Office and asked what should I do about that. I got a leaflet "Our Services" and the gentleman pointed out the phone on the bacl that I should call to address the issue. I have done that this afternoon but the customer service was so not polite, very rude

(I could hear she was speaking quite loud and her sound was cracking/clipping). Probably a bad day at the office

for that lady, anyways, she "shouted" that the parcel has been sent overseas but it was not scanned.

With that information I was checking the tracking using the destination country website. The parcel shows up there but showing the same status. When parcel arrives in the destination country (normally on the second or third day of posting) it shows clearly in the tracking.

I would like to know what are my options from here! I know it is too early to file a claim (3 months from what I understand), but I see there is a problem with this parcel and find no way to raise this to someone in the Royal Mail.

Thanks in advance for any helpful words/suggestions

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 11 Feb 2017, 15:13

When there is a gap in tracking between Heathrow and the destination country, it usual means its being checked by Customs at either end.

Contacting Royal Mail or the destination countries Postal Service would make no difference. All you can do is wait for it to start tracking again.

Your situations above are a common experience and 99% of them eventually turn up with no further problems.

arbruno · Post by **arbruno** » 11 Feb 2017, 16:27

"When there is a gap in tracking between Heathrow and the destination country, it usual means its being checked by Customs at either end."

It is very strange since this parcel is quite standard and similar to others I sent before. It is a small parcel, low declared value (books) and again, as per experience, similar parcels sent before shows fast progress as demonstrated in the other parcel I provided as an example:
--> 18/01/17 AM ON ITS WAY TO CURITIBA BRAZIL

Yesterday I sent another parcel with similar characteristics. I will post its progress here soon!

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 11 Feb 2017, 19:02

arbruno wrote:"When there is a gap in tracking between Heathrow and the destination country, it usual means its being checked by Customs at either end."

It is very strange since this parcel is quite standard and similar to others I sent before. It is a small parcel, low declared value (books) and again, as per experience, similar parcels sent before shows fast progress as demonstrated in the other parcel I provided as an example:
--> 18/01/17 AM ON ITS WAY TO CURITIBA BRAZIL

What the item is, how many you sent before and the value, I am afraid, play no part in whether Customs (at either end) decide to check it.

Most get through without any checks, but every so often Customs will randomly stop a batch/aircraft load/consignment and do deep checks on not only what is inside, but whether its legal, safe and lawful. When they do it causes delays to that batch only. So its possible to send 1000 items and not have one stopped, but then number 1001 may well be.

arbruno · Post by **arbruno** » 12 Feb 2017, 12:44

Here is the similar package posted last Friday. It already shows it is on its way to destination county!

12/02/17 AM ON ITS WAY TOCURITIBA BRAZIL
11/02/17 00:34 ARRIVED (MDN) AT HEATHROW WORLDWIDE DC
10/02/17 20:29 ON ITS WAY TOHWDC AIRSURE PETERBOROUGH MAIL CENTRE
10/02/17 19:35 ITEM COLLECTED PETERBOROUGH MAIL CENTRE
10/02/17 15:12 SENT AT POST OFFICE 1 Cobble Yard CB1 1HP

arbruno · Post by **arbruno** » 13 Feb 2017, 18:32

I am glad to report the parcel has resurfaced in Brazil!

Thanks a lot Terrier for your guidance!

13/02/17 08:58 ARRIVED IN COUNTRYCURITIBA CURITIBA