Parcel stuck at Heathrow Langley HWDC

[aniac]

Thanks for the reply.

It's an envelope with an one-sheet document inside, sent from an European country.
Does it go to customs?
How're they going to inspect it, open the folder and read the enclosed document?
And then look for a translator to translate it in English so as they know what's written there before finally sending it to me?
Are they going to ask me to go there for questions after they read it?
I can write a whole comedy script like that but I'm afraid it's not that funny when you're expecting it urgently and you're told to calm and wait a few more days-weeks.

[aniac]

Update:

It was just delivered!
Before I signed it was still showing

HEATHROW WORLDWIDE DC

!
I asked the postman but he said that their system is not tracking international post in UK.

It's definitely not the expected quality of service from such a big company, taking into consideration also their ISO processes and the fact that big organisations in UK are utilising IT successfully for many decades.

[Snaggletooth]

Thanks for the reply.

It's an envelope with an one-sheet document inside, sent from an European country.
Does it go to customs?
How're they going to inspect it, open the folder and read the enclosed document?
And then look for a translator to translate it in English so as they know what's written there before finally sending it to me?
Are they going to ask me to go there for questions after they read it?
I can write a whole comedy script like that but I'm afraid it's not that funny when you're expecting it urgently and you're told to calm and wait a few more days-weeks.

Mail moves in opaque sacks, this sort of mail moves in sacks containing a mixture of letters and parcels. Customs choose sacks at random for further checking and may wait a white before the sack is opened.

The European aspect is not relevant. Customs don't just check for tax they also check for prohibited & restricted goods, with each member state having it's own list.

I don't know if UK customs check letter size items but we know that other countries do, Australia for instance, for quite different reasons to the ones you imply.

The track and trace system worked well until a couple of weeks ago but has been right up the spout recently.

[brontebee]

Having the same issue as everyone else.

I paid for priority mail express international which guarantees it'll be delivered within 5 working days, as I needed it for my girlfriends birthday. However, the tracking information last updated on March 9th at 7.36am, which said it had departed a transfer airport in Heathrow, London. I was told this means it was in customs and could take up to 6 weeks, however I still have not received it and it has now been just over 7 weeks. Royal Mail just say they are advised they will receive it, Parcel Force say its still in AMerica and I cant get through to anyone at USPS.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Snaggletooth]

Simple advice: the sender should be making a claim, given the amount of time.

[imwalsh]

Hey everyone, sort of in the same boat as the rest of you, and I know it is only been a week, but I contacted HMRC and they had 2 different departments look into it for me just in case it was stuck in customs awaiting payment but neither could find it (they just basically said it looked like from their end it had not gotten to the UK yet, which is what it looks like when I track it with parcelforce or royal mail). I am just sending a gift to my cousin, so I have no idea if it be sitting waiting at Heathrow for payment, or if payment is not needed until it reaches his postal office. I know it could just be sitting there waiting to go through customs or something normal like that, but wouldnt someone at least know where it is and confirm it so there is no panicky assumptions

Also I am not sure if the tracking number may have just changed once it got into the hands of royalmail/parcelforce, so I might be tracking it using the wrong number?

I know no one may be able to offer further insight, but if so that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

May 1, 2017, 7:02 am Departed LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
Your item departed a transfer airport in HEATHROW, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM on May 1, 2017 at 7:02 am. The item is currently in transit to the destination.
April 30, 2017, 6:42 pm Departed NEWARK, UNITED STATES
April 30, 2017, 2:46 pm Arrived NEWARK, UNITED STATES
April 30, 2017, 11:41 am Processed Through Facility ISC NEW YORK NY(USPS)
April 30, 2017, 9:52 am Arrived at Facility ISC NEW YORK NY(USPS)

[Sureshsiv1]

That's normal it often takes a few days to clear HWDC. Your next update will say processed through a facility and then your tracking will begin working on royal mail

[imwalsh]

Thanks for the response!!

So do you know if the tracking number will work all the way through the delivery or is there a new tracking number once it gets to UK?

Also I have read here that they may mail something to the receiver (I am assuming) about paying any fees (although with a gift I am not sure if there are fees or not) but when would we know to possibly contact the office ahead of time to pay for it so as to not have to wait for the letter to come in the mail about payment?

Thanks again!!

[Sureshsiv1]

Tracking stays the same, usps shows processed through 2 different facility in uk then delivered, royal mail will show also item on way to delivery office and item out for every on their side as well as a delivered notification. Unfortunately there seems to be no way to pay the charges in advance, you have to wait til customs decide how much tax, if any, needs to be paid. RM/parcelforce will contact you about it once they make a decision

[imwalsh]

Ok, thank you so much for the information. Crossing my fingers I see an update next week. Thanks!

[Squivels]

Tracking number: LZ114613522US
I had an RMA coming from the U.S.A to the U.K, got stuck in customs for nigh on 2 months, just checked tracking and it appears it has been shipped back to the U.S. without so much as a whisper through my mailbox, no card, no fee request, nada. Now I get to beg for my supplier to resend the replacement parts again because who knows why T_T Better luck to the rest of you.

[Snaggletooth]

Tracking number: LZ114613522US
I had an RMA coming from the U.S.A to the U.K, got stuck in customs for nigh on 2 months, just checked tracking and it appears it has been shipped back to the U.S. without so much as a whisper through my mailbox, no card, no fee request, nada. Now I get to beg for my supplier to resend the replacement parts again because who knows why T_T Better luck to the rest of you.

It looks like it was refused entry to the UK and has ended up back at the US equivalent of a delivery office. Two main reasons for refusal. Firstly, the phrase "replacement parts" is a bit of a red flag because this can cover all sorts of things which are restricted by air transport: batteries, compressed gasses, even things that are just oily. What was inside? Secondly, the sender might not have attached a customs declaration.

The main lesson to learn here is to buy from EU-based sellers, you would have had a legal right to a refund if you had done so. Whereas, buying it from the US, you are reliant on the goodwill of the seller or Paypal (if used).

[Beastmix]

Anybody know what could be happening here?


09/06/17 AM ON ITS WAY TO TORONTO CANADA CANADA
07/06/17 04:16 ARRIVED (MDN) AT HEATHROW WORLDWIDE DC
06/06/17 19:15 ON ITS WAY TO HEATHROW WORLDWIDE DC CARDIFF MAIL CENTRE
06/06/17 18:45 ITEM COLLECTED CARDIFF MAIL CENTRE


Firstly, it's meant to be going to Montréal, but I'm guessing this re-routing could be something to do with the Montréal F1 Grand Prix this past weekend to make it less stressful for the airport.
Should it be 'on its way to' for such a long time though? Normally, when I send stuff, it's there and posted within three days at the most.

Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[Snaggletooth]

IIRC all mail to Canada goes through Toronto. Most countries have a single point of entry for normal mail (USA being a notable exception).

It has been "on it's way" for a long time, this is usually because it is stuck in customs. Canadian customs are arguably the most strict in the developed world. Did it have a return address and a customs form? The latter is not necessary if it's just papers.

[Beastmix]

IIRC all mail to Canada goes through Toronto. Most countries have a single point of entry for normal mail (USA being a notable exception).

It has been "on it's way" for a long time, this is usually because it is stuck in customs. Canadian customs are arguably the most strict in the developed world. Did it have a return address and a customs form? The latter is not necessary if it's just papers.

Hey, thanks for replying! Appreciate it.

Do you mean it's likely to be at Canadian customs?
Nevertheless, yeah, it has a return address and a customs form. It's some DVDs, a t-shirt, pin badges, and a framed photo (which I forgot to mention on the form is all plastic - no glass). Do you think the possibility of glass may be the cause of the delay at customs? It's not in a box. It's in a mail-bag (but heavily padded).

Thanks again!


*EDIT*
I have read through some of the similar threads on here, such as this: http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... =6&t=79452 and so I understand these situations do happen from time to time. Would still be interesting to hear your thoughts on the above though.