Another 'Langley' Question

[teacake202]

First time posting so please bear with me!
Sent an item from the UK to US on the 8th April 2021 using Royal Mail's International Tracked & Signed service. The last message received from Royal Mail was on the 9th April, it said- 04.54am, 'Item leaving the UK' Langley HWDC. (The package is a hardback envelope containing urgent paperwork all customs paperwork etc. completed). Have checked USPS (delivery partner) website and the last message from them (9th April) is 'Origin Post is preparing shipment. We have received notice that the originating post is preparing to dispatch this mail piece'. Underneath this is 'April 9, 2021, 4:54 am- Processed Through Facility, LANGLEY HWDC, UNITED KINGDOM '. This was 13 days ago. Where exactly is the envelope? I have phoned RM one person said it is in the UK waiting for transport and another that it will be in US customs. Ironically, I sent another envelope on the 9th April and it has been delivered.
I am so confused, is the package still in the UK, or in the US.

[Snaggletooth]

Sounds like it is US customs. If they operate like UK customs then clearance times will vary depending on randomly selected level of checking.

[teacake202]

Thank you Snaggletooth for the reply, much appreciated :0)

[David0808]

Hi there, just come across your posting as I’m also desperately trying to trace a missing envelope containing documents. Sounds very similar to yourself. I posted on Saturday 10th to the US all went well within 24 hrs it appeared to be on its way then nothing, so I was wondering if your item has since arrived as mine has not! I’m so disappointed having paid a premium for track and trace hopefully they get there.

[teacake202]

Hi David0808,
Sorry for not catching your post earlier
Today is the 26th of April and still no update on Royal Mail's tracking or USPS website!!! I am starting to inwardly panic!
'Snaggletooth' has mentioned that from the messages left by RM and USPS which I mentioned in my posting, my envelope is probably at US customs, and I found out apparently US customs do not scan incoming overseas mail including tracked at their facility so this sounds logical. The next update I believe I will receive is when USPS receive the envelope from US customs. I'll keep you updated.
Any news regards your envelope?

[David0808]

Hi there thanks for replying, unfortunately no news the recipient informed me over the weekend that it had not arrived. It’s so annoying and potentially very inconvenient as it relates to the ownership of a property in Florida. I keep having a look to see if there is any one I can speak too however it just seams pointless

[SpacePhoenix]

I found out apparently US customs do not scan incoming overseas mail including tracked at their facility so this sounds logical. The next update I believe I will receive is when USPS receive the envelope from US customs.

AFAIK no customs in any country scan any item that they receive. Some postal operators might scan an item before they hand it over to customs (though that's probably only a handful at most) but in general for any item the first scan it'll get in the destination country is after customs have released the item to the local postal operator

[teacake202]

Thank you SpacePhoenix for your comment I'll take that on board when sending other items to different country's :0)
David0808 - my envelope has started to track again today with RM and USPS again!!! Message reads -"Your item has been processed through our facility in ISC LOS ANGELES CA (USPS) at 10:33 pm on April 29, 2021". I am about to have a calorie rich hot chocolate with extra cream on the top to celebrate :0)
Is your envelope tracking again yet?

[David0808]

WOW glad to hear your news it’s giving me some hope. No change on my tracking will let you know. Hot chocolate sounds good will make mine a gin hopefully

[David0808]

Just had a look and good news. My parcel like yours has started tracking after 21 days in customs just like yours did. Three weeks to process! Not great.
“Your item has been processed through our facility in ISC LOS ANGELES CA (USPS) at 4:38 pm on May 1, 2021”
Hopefully it can make the rest of the journey