Royal Mail/GLS questions

Executer · Post by **Executer** » 21 Apr 2018, 22:07

Good evening.

On the 16th April, I bought an item from a 3rd party seller on Amazon. The item is a simple plush toy, less than 10 cm (it's around 3 1/2'').
This is the full journey, according to Royal Mail's tracking service (it is International Tracked and Signed; please read bottom to top):

Wednesday 18 April
09:00am
ON ITS WAY TO GLS PORTUGAL
UNITED KINGDOM
Wednesday 18 April
02:21am
ARRIVED (MDN) AT
HEATHROW WORLDWIDE DC
Tuesday 17 April
08:39pm
ON ITS WAY TO HEATHROW WORLDWIDE DC
ROMFORD MAIL CENTRE
Tuesday 17 April
08:15pm
ITEM COLLECTED
ROMFORD MAIL CENTRE

However, when trying to track the item on GLS's tracking service, I get the following message:

Unfortunately there are no results.
Please check your entry.
It is also possible, that your parcel has not reached us yet. Please try again later.

I know this forum is not an official Royal Mail forum, but I was hoping someone here could answer some of my questions. This is my first time receiving an item through Royal Mail/GLS.

1. Will the item go directly to Portugal, or will it go through Germany before that?
2. Taking into consideration that today's 21st April, tomorrow is 22nd (and it's a Sunday), how likely is it that the item will be in Portugal by the 24th April (which was the maximum estimated delivery date)? If unlikely, does anyone have an idea how long, on average, will I have to wait?

My issue is that the item is a birthday gift, and I really need it by the 26th April. If it's unlikely that it will arrive until then, I need to order something else as soon as possible, so I would appreciate any effort in answering the questions above.

Thank you very much for your time.

Post by **SpacePhoenix** » 22 Apr 2018, 10:19

Executer wrote:1. Will the item go directly to Portugal, or will it go through Germany before that?

All GLS stuff goes through Germany afaik as that's where their central hub is located

Executer wrote:2. Taking into consideration that today's 21st April, tomorrow is 22nd (and it's a Sunday), how likely is it that the item will be in Portugal by the 24th April (which was the maximum estimated delivery date)? If unlikely, does anyone have an idea how long, on average, will I have to wait?

If it's stuck in customs then it's anyones guess as to how long it'll take.

Executer · Post by **Executer** » 22 Apr 2018, 10:48

Thank you for your answer.

SpacePhoenix wrote:
Executer wrote:1. Will the item go directly to Portugal, or will it go through Germany before that?
All GLS stuff goes through Germany afaik as that's where their central hub is located

I was looking at this thread, and according to the tracking on GLS's website (tracking number: RN096526498GB), the item does not seem to have gone through Germany. Am I wrong?

SpacePhoenix wrote:
Executer wrote:2. Taking into consideration that today's 21st April, tomorrow is 22nd (and it's a Sunday), how likely is it that the item will be in Portugal by the 24th April (which was the maximum estimated delivery date)? If unlikely, does anyone have an idea how long, on average, will I have to wait?
If it's stuck in customs then it's anyones guess as to how long it'll take.

Yes, I understand. But how can one know if it is stuck in customs?

Thank you.