Advice. Shipping from the UK to the US - Parcelforce?

[SleepHater]

So I am hoping to get some insight on my latest odyssey. I placed an order from intellicig in the UK. Moderate size order. Too big to go Airsure so it was shipped International Signed For.

My tracking number never worked through Royal Mail (John at intellicig said he would contact them to find out why). So my first update was through USPS:

Foreign Acceptance, May 21, 2009, 4:26 pm, GREAT BRITAIN

Then, nothing. I was not concerned as my previous orders (all sent via Royal mails Airsure) would usually only have one/maybe two posting(s) from the USPS and all showed up fairly predcitably in 7-9 days. So I just waited. Then I checked Friday:

Foreign Arrival at Outward Office, May 29, 2009, 4:38 am, COVENTRY PARCELFORCE, GREAT BRITAIN

So I am think what the.... My package hasn't even left the UK?!? What was going on those 8 days? What is Parcelforce?

So I check out Parcelforces site and enter my tacking number... nada. It says tracking is not available for this service, etc.

Anyway, I am really hoping soemone has some experience with this service and can tell me what I am in for. I was told that International signed for is supposed to be pretty much the same transit time as Airsure but a little slowly, day or two. Not sure I am buying that or if I just got hosed.

I got some advice from another forum member who said I was probably looking at a few weeks to get my package! I am hoping that is not the case as I will be out of town!

Any information or experience anyone one has with shipping from the UK to the US using Parcelforce would be REALLY appreciated and maybe helpful to other members considering ordering from the UK.

So, anyone know what I am in for? Should I be expecting further customs delays once it eventually leaves the UK?

FYI: Apparently the airsure cuttoff is around 2 Kilos (4.4 pounds - I think). I was much more impressed with the Airsure service, that's for sure, so if your given the option I would choose that.

Thanks!

Here is the USPS info:

Class: Priority Mail International Parcels
Service(s): International Parcels
Status: Foreign Arrival at Outward Office

 

[SleepHater]

Anyone ever had something ship from the UK to the US using Parcelforce? How long did it take?

 

[SleepHater]

Now I am worried. No one out there has any experience with this? Anyone?

 

[Caesarea]

My order from Eastmall (China to Uk) has been at Coventry for 5 days now.
Dunno if that helps.

C.

 

[SleepHater]

That does help, I just do not seem to understand what it is they are doing with are packages at Coventry, I mean if it is going through customs then I can understand a delay. But I did not think that Coventry had anything to do with customs (atleast US customs).

Not sure what to expect in terms of when my package will be "released" from the Coventry shipping center.

 

[Angela]

No experience UK to US, but parcelforce is usually pretty OK. It's part of the UK's postal service (as opposed to an independent courier)

Just to confirm, you are checking it here http://www.parcelforce.com/portal/pw/track?catId=7500082 (should give you full details)

They offer various levels of service - some are quicker than others, but can be very expensive if 'speed' is the requirement. To give you an idea, you can look here: http://www.parcelforce.com/portal/p...untryinfo&country=227&gear=worldwidedirectory for estimated delivery times for delivery to US via their various services.

 

[Caesarea]

Sounds like there is a backlog of stuff at Coventry, though I have heard that the Parcelforce tracker is not especially accurate.

Best,

C.

 

[SleepHater]

Thanks, I did check there, the weird thing is that neither Royal Mail or Parcelforce recognizes my tracking number. Parcelforcemay recognize it (not sure) but says no tracking info is available for my service ! USPS says my package is there but that is where the trail goes cold. I guess I am just freaking out because it seems as if my package has spent the last 10 days on a tour of great Britian... not that that does not seem lovely.... it seems to be an awefully long time before the package even heads over seas. Then if I am still going to be facing a customs delay once it finally does hit the states... wow.

 

[Caesarea]

Nemmind Sleephater, I think there was a public holiday last Monday, that may have held things up a bit. Plus a Cup final....

C

 

[SleepHater]

I wonder if i could get 50 pounds of vaping gear through as my checked baggage. I could fly to GB, stock up for the year and save the headache. Round trip is only $1,500... somehow I think I would have some explaining to do on the return leg though "Sir, I really do need 100 attomizers and a gallon of very high strength ECOpure"! Not sure if that would work !

 

[SleepHater]

Nemmind Sleephater, I think there was a public holiday last Monday, that may have held things up a bit. Plus a Cup final....

C

I did realize that "Bank Holiday" I think our banks have been on holiday over here (Paid holiday) for the past 8 years! I am just shocked that 10 days have passed since it was scanned in great britian by the USPS and it is still in country. Maybe my EVO parts wanted to see who wins the cup before they left to the states.

 

[Caesarea]

Well, hoping you get your order soon.

Best
C.

 

[SleepHater]

Well, hoping you get your order soon.

Best
C.

Thanks! Me too. I have to head out of town I am am really hoping to get the goods before I go. I really appreciate the incite. Cheers!