posted on February 28, 2001 10:50:06 AM new
My worst fears have come to fruition. In October we shipped 2 large cartons to Australia, surface parcel post with insurance. Very costly over $80. but the items are worth $1000. US.
Customer felt it would take about 3 months.
Well we are now on month # 4 and no sign of
the items. And yes, they have recieved other items shipped from this part of the World
in the same time frame.
I went to PO yesterday, they handed me a 4 part form and told me to bear down and fill
out two of them (one for each box). ANDthen he said, "you know this is going to take months to resolve."
Question does anyone know if there is
some action the customer can take on his end
to help speed up this process? This is my first tracking for ANY shipment domestic or
international.
I am looking for input HELP!! from anyone who has gone through this procedure on an international sale .... how long did it take? Is there anything the recipient can do on his end (example)
with customs to try to expedite. This is an
institution that is waiting for the item.
Any help or ideas greatly appreciated.
Thanks
posted on February 28, 2001 11:25:33 AM new
Go to your post office and ask for the form to track an international shipment.
I filled one out for an overseas shipment and the package miraculously arrived the next day. It was a parcel post shipment (estimated 4-7 day delivery) that was not delivered five weeks after mailing.
P.O. folks also have told me that packages sometimes get hung up at Customs in the destination country... depending on how busy the customs folks are.
edited to add: I don't recall the name of the form, but it's white with green print. Be sure they give you the right form.
posted on February 28, 2001 11:51:38 AM new
Thanks Vargas. Any idea if the customer can
get in touch with customs in their country
to see if it can be expedited? I don't want to suggest it if it is impossible.
posted on February 28, 2001 12:20:15 PM new
I filled out one of those tracking request forms for a lost international shipment once. Thought I'd never hear anything back. About a month later, I got a copy of it back- it had gone to the customs and postal folks of the other country, who somehow were able to track it and confirmed that it was delivered.
When I told the customer, he suddenly found it.
You might also check your copy of the cusoms form- see if you can enter the number into the USPS tracking computer-- it might show something if it got scanned.
posted on February 28, 2001 12:41:37 PM new
It can't hurt for the customer to contact customs in their country. The worst that will happen is that customs will tell them to go away!
posted on February 28, 2001 01:26:58 PM new
Living in England you learn to adopt a very laid back attitude to delivery times on items which are shipped by Ground (and even Air sometimes). They will arrive when they feel like it I have a theory that even items like books enjoy a good old cruise. I know it is easier said than done but try not to worry - it will turn up when it gets seasick and not before.
posted on February 28, 2001 01:39:59 PM new
I would contact the customs office and *specific* post office for your customer in Australia. Since your packages had a high $ value (and a lot of taxes or duty might have been due), if the packages were delivered or refused, the carrier might remember it. They could also be sitting at a customs office. It's like a double edged sword...it stinks that packages worth so much were misplaced, but there is also a better chance of them being found because there would be more taxes/duty due.
As for the cutoms form # on our end...that # is useless. Apparently, when a package enters the country in which its being delivered, their customs office will slap a new customs form on it.
I currently have the same situation with a buyer in Canada. It's a bit of a nightmare, but if you're willing to hunt it down, there might be information available. I would start with Australian customs and the buyer's post office.
I have a theory that even items like books enjoy a good old cruise. I know it is easier said than done but try not to worry - it will turn up when it gets seasick and not before.