Stuck items at North West Midlands MC

[dm12dm]

2 items stuck at North West Midlands MC
Items sent on 28 & 30 June (for delivery next working day)
Both arrived at North West Midlands MC on 1st July
Appear to still be at North West Midlands MC, definitely not arrived at destination
Track number 0214-2AD9-01BF-1387 to post code BX9 1AS (HM Revenue & Customs)
Track number 0214-2AD9-01BF-1EEF to post code BX9 1AS (HMRC)
The questions I have are
What is North West Midlands MC?
Why are these items stuck at North West Midlands MC?
Can you trace these items and deliver them now?
Why has the next working day delivery not been achieved?
Thank you.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Just to clarify—this message should have been posted in the "Customers" section, so I’ve moved it there.

We’re not Royal Mail; we’re volunteers here offering advice and insights in our own private time.

The two tracking codes you provided can only show status at the point of receipt and delivery—not in between.

Regarding the delivery insights: Royal Mail’s system often takes longer to update items sent to major government departments. So, it’s quite possible that the parcel has already been delivered, but the tracking system hasn’t caught up yet.

Also, “Midland MC” refers to the Mail Centre that handles all deliveries for that specific department.

[Nebiroth]

I have exactly the same problem. Th eissue is that BX9 is not a "true" postcode. It's used exclusively by HMRC and it isnot in the Royal Mail database. My documents sent to the same are likewise stuck in my local mail depot. I finally got RM on the phone and they said that this postcode means the item is not machine recognised, s it has to go manually.

I also used Special Delivery Guaranteed and the whole postage was refunded.

At least your items made it out of the local Mail Centre (MC). Mine haven;t even done that, and I sent mine Special Delivery Guaranteed 1pm next day. Four days ago.

I see yours still haven't moved.

It;d stupidity on stilts. And it;s caused by HMRC.

[SpiralGalaxy1982]

Can I ask if the item ever got there?

I sent some paperwork to HMRC on Saturday, Special Delivery before 1pm. It's now Tuesday night and the status is still 'Ready for Delivery.'

Looking at Google reviews, it seems like their post goes through this DO? and often gets stuck there, which is pretty bad considering that's government departmental mail with a delivery guarantee. The problem is that if I don't know HMRC have received it, I have to send it again, and I presume my replacement would also languish there, like trying to get a stuck coin to go through a machine by putting a second one in....

[yellowbelly]

Can I ask if the item ever got there?

I sent some paperwork to HMRC on Saturday, Special Delivery before 1pm. It's now Tuesday night and the status is still 'Ready for Delivery.'

Looking at Google reviews, it seems like their post goes through this DO? and often gets stuck there, which is pretty bad considering that's government departmental mail with a delivery guarantee. The problem is that if I don't know HMRC have received it, I have to send it again, and I presume my replacement would also languish there, like trying to get a stuck coin to go through a machine by putting a second one in....

It doesn't necessarily get 'stuck', it's just that HMRC get that much mail (Special Deliveries, Signed For items) that they're not individually signed for (as you would if you received one at your doorstep). It has probably already arrived there (HMRC) but the acknowledgement tracking may not appear on the system for a few days. There are several topic threads about this, but it's unknown to the general public.

[Nebiroth]

This is a very common problem with mail destined for HMRC. I am assuming it is addressed to the BX9 address?

The problem is that this postcode is not a geographical one. It is a special postcode created to direct mail to an HMRC "receive and scan" facility. The firts part of the postcode is always BX9. The second part changes, depending on what youre sending in (for example, Inheritance Tax forms are 1HT). This acts as a sorting mechanism within the facility.

The postcode is recognised ONLY by Royal Mail. Other carriers will nto recognise it. They will either reject acceptance, or return to sender. HMRC provides a different address - in Newcastle - for items sent by carriers other than Royal Mail (like a courier service).

All items sent to BX9 are first sent to the North West Midlands Mail Centre. The problem is that the volume is so huge that Royal Mail don;t track them properly. It is often the case that items are tracked only to their arrival at NW Midland MC. Sometimes they will nto even be tracked to there.

I sent in a Special Delivery item and the tracking never got past my local Mail Centre. According to RM it is still there. I spent weeks trying to get them to find the "lost item". HMRC informed me that it had in fact arrives safely.

HMRC do not record deliveries. Your documents will not show on their system until they are opened, scanned and processed - HMRC will not be able to confirm they have received them until after that. This can take up to ten workign days from delivery day.

Royal Mail are aware of the problem (customer support said I was not the first complaint they;d had), and so are HMRC - their customer support staff said they get "lots of enquiries" because peopel send tracked items that never show delivery.