Parcel addressed to Australia has been sent to Seattle USA

[AnnaWheeler]

On 6 April I posted a parcel in York correctly addressed to my grand-daughters in Hurstville NSW Australia. Tracking shows that it was processed through Langley on 7 April and arrived at San Francisco International Distribution Center on 10 April. On 12 April it arrived in Tacoma WA Distribution Center and on the same date at Seattle WA Network Distribution Center. By 13 April It had arrived at Post Office WA98199 and on the same date listed as out for delivery at 6.10 am, at 9.28 it was being held at the Post Office "at customer request" which is difficult to understand as the customers wer in Australia. It was then delivered to a mailbox at 4.59 pm. What I would like to know is, who has the parcel intended for my grandchildren in Australia and why did it end up in Seattle, USA?

I do wonder what is the point of being able to track an item so precisely when Royal Mail can do no more than offer a claim form for its value.

[Snaggletooth]

It is law in most countries that the parcel has to be delivered to the address on the parcel. Failure to do so is a criminal offence. This item has gone through multiple stages where an incorrect routing could be detected, so we can only assume that it was delivered as addressed.

The only theory I can offer for this is that the barcode label of this parcel has accidentally transferred to another parcel. Although the labels stick well to many things, including standard envelopes and the Post Office own brand packaging range, they are less reliable with certain other types of packaging:

1. The brown / orange coloured, slightly furry type padded envelopes;
2. A variety of types of shiny plastic envelopes and coverings;
3. Anything covered in brown paper, unless there is some kind of stiff box inside the paper.

I have seen labels slip off many times in branches, generally due to the quality of packaging. We always tried to put them back on the package they had come from, but it is always possible that someone go that wrong.

I suggest it is likely that your parcel will still turn up in Australia, but without any tracking.

What I would like to know is, who has the parcel intended for my grandchildren in Australia...

You would have to ask Royal Mail about the details of the receiver in Tacoma. Depending on the service used they *might* be able to tell you. Not sure what that gains you though?

...and why did it end up in Seattle, USA? I do wonder what is the point of being able to track an item so precisely when Royal Mail can do no more than offer a claim form for its value.

As stated above, the law is very clear on what mail carriers have to do, and severely limits their ability to make changes to routing. Ultimately, you should be making a complaint to Royal Mail once the standard 5 weeks have gone by. Again, not sure what you expect them to be able to do?