Royal Mail handed to delivery partner *tracking doesn't work*

[Andraz93]

Hello all,

I have a question regarding my package.

It was originally sent from Slovenia to UK using our post service 'Pošta Slovenije'. In 5 days, it was scheduled to be delivered in Salford but turned out to be incorrectly addressed. Since I left a return address on the package, they marked it as 'return to sender'. It was 'dispatched back overseas' from Hearthrow distribution centre on Saturday, December 1st.

It says that Royal mail handed the package to delivery partner. When i click 'continue tracking', it redirects me to GLS' website. This is the first weird thing. If I sent the package via Standard Post, shouldn't it return the same way? Or is it possible that it was given to GLS nevertheless? The package, still equipped with the same tracking number which was handed to my by 'Pošta Slovenije', now cannot be tracked in the GLS system. I had some mails sent from UK and I know that tracking doesn't work straight away on the GLS' website but should after a day of two. After almost 10 days, this is what I get still:

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.

Where is my package? Is it possible that it is held by security check? There is an automatic watch in the package, and on the package there is a CN22 declaration.

Can anyone help me?

[SpacePhoenix]

All international trackable items within Europe go through GLS. GLS's central hub is in Germany so it'll have to go via German customs first. Is there a lithium battery in it that could cause it to be rejected by German customs?

[Andraz93]

Hy, thank you for your reply. No, it is an automatic watch, so there is no battery inside.

[Snaggletooth]

We have seen before that “automatic watches” seem to be prone to delay. I suspect this is because, although they are fine to send in the mail, they look very similar to items which are banned or restricted in the mail, such as items containing lithium batteries.

I think the problem here is partly the term you are using. To me, a watch which is powered by the wearer’s movement is a “kinetic watch”. This term makes it clear that the watch contains no battery, and therefore is very safe to send in the mail. To me, an “automatic watch” is one which is set by a radio time signal, and therefore is battery powered. I am no expert on watches, so the above could be completely wrong, but I think it shows the possible confusion.

BTW you do not need to attach a CN22 to a parcel travelling between two EU member countries.

[Celgar]

I have a feeling automatic refers to 'radio controlled' as in it sets the time for the location you are at. May also mean the watch is battery powered but not necessarily.

[Andraz93]

Thank you all for taking your time and replying to me.

I see. I guess that only experts in the field of watches know exactly what an automatic watch is.

Hmm, I was told that a CN22 declaration might speed up the customs process. I guess it did on the way to UK, but now that it is marked as 'return to sender', it is even more prone to inspection, I guess.

I've read a couple of posts from people who had the same problem, and found out that it sometimes took a really extensive amount of time for the product to proceed to GLS. At this time of the year, I can expect no different.

As long as it eventually arrives, no problem, but it is quite frustrating not to have any updates on a trackable item.

[SpacePhoenix]

What's the manufacturer and model number of the watch?

[Snaggletooth]

I see. I guess that only experts in the field of watches know exactly what an automatic watch is.

Yes. When sending something in the mail, you need to look at it from the point of view of the customs officer and mail staff handling your item: what do they need to know? For watches, what powers them is the most important thing. But also many countries ban or restrict certain materials that are used in making watches, for instance leather and precious metals.

[Andraz93]

What's the manufacturer and model number of the watch?

It's a Seiko SARB017 Alpinist.

[Andraz93]

I've contacted GLS and a lady told me that if my tracking says 'item leaving overseas' at Royal mail's tracking, then customs have already been cleared. Comments?

She also claimed that if an item was shipped originally with Standard post service, it should return the same way, and that Royal mail should give it a new tracking number if that would not be the case?

I am so very confused right now ...

[SpacePhoenix]

What's the manufacturer and model number of the watch?

It's a Seiko SARB017 Alpinist.

On Amazon on the product page for it, it says that it needs a CR2 battery. Googling the battery type, it looks like there's a fair chance that it'll be a lithium battery

[Andraz93]

What's the manufacturer and model number of the watch?

It's a Seiko SARB017 Alpinist.

On Amazon on the product page for it, it says that it needs a CR2 battery. Googling the battery type, it looks like there's a fair chance that it'll be a lithium battery

I truly appreciate your effort.

It looks like Amazon made an error, and an embarrassing one at that. The whole point of an Automatic watch is to be powered without a battery. On top of that, a CR2 battery is thick and quite long, it would never fit into the casing of such a small watch.

[SpacePhoenix]

What was the original tracking number?

[Andraz93]

What was the original tracking number?

RA409179276SI

[Andraz93]

The tracking info for RA409179276SI has been updated on the Royal mail tracking site. It now says:

Updated on: Tuesday 18 December
09:32am
Item Received

However, there are no indicators as to where it has been received. Does this mean that it is in Slovenia and is soon to be delivered?