According to the post office website:
"The United States Department of Homeland Security is continuing to require increased security measures for items carried on passenger airlines. As a result, some mail entering the US from around the world, and including the UK, that would normally be sent via passenger aircraft must now travel by other means, including ships and cargo planes.
Most items, including personal letters and cards, magazines, CDs, DVDs and lightweight packets, will be delivered in the US within a few days of posting. However, there are delays of about two weeks for some heavier packets. These delays are currently affecting stamped items, franked items, and items posted under contract, with the exception of Destination Sort and/or M-Bag items.
Royal Mail is very sorry for these unavoidable delays. We have implemented a number of contingency plans to ensure as much of our customers’ mail reaches the US as quickly as possible and are continuing to work to minimise disruption to our customers, whilst ensuring we comply fully with the US directives and regulations."
These postage delays (2 weeks my furry bum!!!) are upping some delivery times to up to 5 weeks which means that I am having to issue refunds to unhappy customers.... I am very sorry that items are being delayed but I am having to change my policies to state that USA and Canada deliveries may take up to 5 weeks
So if you are wanting something for a special date customers are advised to buy well in advance... I'm gonna curl up with a hot chocolate and feel sad now
Sniffle*
11 comments:
it's so annoying isn't it! I posted something from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Chicago on 16th November and it still hasn't arrived!
What a bummer, being held hostage to ridiculous rules..
I have always stated the mail may take up to 6 weeks to arrive, as it is better to expect a long transit time and then be surprised by an early arrival then vice versa :)
That's a real bummer. I know they've got to be careful but it's a real knock for small businesses. Royal Mail are hacking me off at the moment. I sent a lightweight package to Bristol by First class post which took 8 days to arrive, and I've just heard that one I posted to the South Coast last Monday has still not been delivered. They've got no excuse at all.
I'm glad I'm not the only one. I've got 4 parcels missing at the moment, it's so frustrating!!
thanks guys... It's good to know I am not alone in feeling this, the US customs problem has been awful for lots of us international sellers... I know they have to be safe but I think a 5-6 week delay is ridiculous
It's madness isn't it! I have one parcel which turned up one day short of the 5 weeks a couple of days ago, 6 more which I'm still waiting to hear about... I'm hoping it's going to get a little better now the weather over there has improved.
That is proper crap!
I'm irked with Royal Mail too, shipping to Spain is not US, and I'm waiting for a package since the 4th!
Excuses, excuses, the post service is going to the dogs! :( I feel bad for those sellers that have angry customers due to the incompetence of others!
Hummm... I've obviously been lucky so far and not "lost" anything. Still, it's a worry. The US need to realise they are likely to damage their own businesses by this behaviour - they need to find a better way to handle these parcels, to enable a much faster transit! I hope your items do turn up - and that your customers are honest and either return them, or send back the money you refunded.
Still, it doesn't exactly encourage repeat business, does it?
Such a shame that the USA are making international shopping such a problem for their own people - and for the businesses abroad.
I suppose I need to alter the mailing times on my Etsy shop too.. Thanks for the heads-up!
I apologize for the USPS. That's awful but I guess, they are keeping the USA safe from dangerous felt animals.
Oh no! Thanks for posting this I didn't know and have to post a prize to America this week. I'll let the winner know.
I got into quite a discussion with the post office STAFF at the counter yesterday. She just would not believe me when I told her that some parcels are now going by ship, even though we've paid for airmail. It's outrageous.
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