an open letter for USPS

[rider]

Dear USPS

This year I have made 2 purchases from the Gud'old US of A (hail to the chief for the exchange rate).
Both these have involved USPS.
The first averaged 36.4 KPH for the trip, and the second one has not arrived yet, but will not hit these heady speeds, as it is already down to 33KPH.

I have one question and one suggestion for USPS.

Question: How do you keep your aircraft in the air at that speed? I can only suspect that you send freight on the Hindenburg.

Suggestion: You used to sponsor Lance Armstrong, He can average 59.4 KPH on his time-trial bike, Why don't you get him back and use him as your premium service?

fondest regards,
your fan,
rider

[jeff65]

Received a USPS "Express" Mail package yesterday. According to the tracking the trip from NY to Australia averaged 120kph. A USPS "Priority" Mail package received in June averaged 100kph. Faster than Lance, but still too slow to keep a large plane in the air. Maybe they use ultralights now?

[multiweb]

:lol: That's a corker. Strong head wind? :P Agreed my only experience with USPS was terrible. It got there eventually but I had forgotten I ordered it by then. :)

[adman]

In contrast, I have had a package from Hong Kong via their EMS service which reached me in about 48 hours from the time of ordering. I am still wondering how they did that!

[troypiggo]

That's a very good way of looking at it, Rider. I think the packages I've ordered and had to be sent via USPS averaged around the same speed. Now, if they give a choice of USPS or courier (UPS usually), I pay a little extra and get the courier. Gets here is rocket time.

[DavidU]

It's Pete Wards fault, he's flying it.:D

[renormalised]

Yep, he's got those big Trent 900 engines in idle all the way!!:):P

[Waxing_Gibbous]

That Jet A-1's 'spensive!!

I don't know about others but the poor performance of USPS seems a relatively recent phenomenon.
I would have orders shipped by them as the cost was half FedEx or UPS and the wait about the same. I was a big fan.
About 18 months ago I ordered some stuff from OPT on a Friday (theirs) and it was here in 4 days!

About 5 months later, 10 days, and in February my order took 11 days.
They were all the same size and weight (to within 5%) and sent "International Express".
Maybe they've been gutted by lay-offs or something. Whatever the reason. Its a real shame.

[Jules76]

The USPS is all over shop lately. I've been buying items from the US I'm collecting fairly regulary over the past 3 or 4 months, and delivery times using First Class International vary wildly. Last one I received a couple of weeks ago took a little over a week. While I have another which was sent before the last one into it's 4th week. It's not the first time this has happened.

And as a comparison, I've received about a half a dozen items from the UK using standard Royal Mail and it consistently arrives within a week or so. Now THAT'S service.

While on the topic, one thing I was told by a US seller was the only difference between Express, Priority and First Class was the level of service/speed within the US. Once it leaves the US, they are all essentially the same. In other words, if you brought from a retailer in California for example, your probably not going to see much of a difference in delivery times for the various services due to the less distance required to travel before leaving the US. Where as if you purchased from the other side of the US, there is likely to be more US travel time so you will see a difference.

I think it pays to check where the item is coming from in the US before deciding which service to choose. Sometimes Express and Priority just aren't worth the extra cost.

[OICURMT]

This is true. The USPS delivers all items to the entry point of the receiving country, at which point the local postal services take over.

Since flights across the Pacific are limited, all packages regardless of Class are on the same plane.

The only services which are arguably faster are those who have their own fleet of aircraft and delivery service in the receiving country (FedEx, DHL, UPS for example).

OIC!

Late Edit: BTW, the USPS contracts out airlines for serves, this is why you don't see any aircraft with the USPS logo...

[el_draco]

California to Tassie in 40 days.... and counting.....:shrug:
Maybe this is a Yankee tactic designed to make sure their economy stays screwed... :screwy:

[acropolite]

I had a package shipped USPS priority, arrived in around 7 days, I really couldn't complain about that. From the tracking information most of the time was taken in getting to the international despatch point and from Customs in Australia to here in Tassie. I have to agree about the Honkers experience, I've ordered on ebay and paid on a Tuesday and had the item by Friday morning.

[wasyoungonce]

I'm waiting for USPS shipment ....it waited from 09 Jul to 22nd at USA clearance, arrived in Aust 22nd ...in Aust post 22nd Jul.

Funny, I thought USPS delivery was separate to Aust post system, well they used to be...maybe I'm confused?

This is really slow lately and compared to past orders. Ordered bicycle parts from Europe and paid DHL delivery...got them in 3 days to my door and could track it no problems!:eyepop:

Sent a small parcel from Melbourne to QLD (registered)...took a week and couldn't track its progress at all!:mad2:

[Steffen]

Those HK dealers are dodgy. You trust your goods come directly from China but in reality they slip you local Australian stock… ;)

Cheers
Steffen.

[wasyoungonce]

Finally package from USPS is here. Less than 3 days since arriving in Aust to my door but 14 days from NY to Aust.

[FlashDrive]

Aust' Post is not what it used to be .... that's for sure ..... and their prices now are on the up and up.
Just woeful at times .... a week to get a part from SA to Qld.

This is what happens when you privatize things .... service and price go out the window :shrug:

I try and avoid them as much as possible ..... if I can.

Flash.

[snowyskiesau]

My experience with USPS has generally been good. I regularly buy tools from a US supplier and the price via courier is much higher, not to mention the extra 'fees' some of the couriers hit you with when the good arrive.
Now I've moved to Tassie, I'll be interested in seeing how long packages take to arrive.

I'm awaiting a package from Hong Kong (CNC router). It left HK on the 20th and was in Sydney on the 21st. If I'd still been in Sydney, that would have been great but the package was then sent via road to Melbourne where is still is, I suspect that the courier doesn't send a truck across on the ferry every day so hopefully sometime this week.

[TrevorW]

All parcel post goes by road (except next day service) within OZ so a lot of delay occurs once an item arrives here all items i've ordered and delivered by usps/ap take around 2 weeks

[Jules76]

Lucky you! My parcel I'm still waiting on is about to hit exactly 4 weeks since it was sent. That's the longest I've ever had to wait for a parcel so far. Sent by First Class International so this is the most info I'm going to get:

Detailed Results:
Processed through Sort Facility, June 28, 2011, 5:54 pm, TOPEKA, KS 66675
Shipment Accepted, June 28, 2011, 3:10 pm, MANHATTAN, KS 66502
Electronic Shipping Info Received, June 28, 2011

I think the Wicked Witch of the East has something to do with it's disappearance (note the 666 in the Topeka, Kansas Zip code). :lol:

[GrahamL]

I had a similar experiance Julian , my package was processed and transfered quickly in the US and took off from JFK, I gave up checking the tracking and looking for info on lost aircraft after 3+ weeks, and then found it on my doorstep.

It actually moved through customs and was delivered very quickly once it arrived , so quick the tracking info didn't appear until after i got it

In years past I've oredered monday and recieved thursday from the US ,maybe with the high dollar the volume of inbound freight is
well outside the capacity of the service provided and its sitting on a tarmac somewhere with a sea of other containers.

[ausastronomer]

I would have to agree with this. I haven't ordered anything from the US in the past 2 years, but in the 7 or 8 years prior to that, I have probably ordered about 20 items and received them all via USPS inside 10 days from date of payment.

Cheers,
John B

[BPO]

Everything ever shipped to me here in NZ via USPS has made pretty good time and I can't complain.

[rider]

Hey Hey - its arrived! (prepare for bad weather!)

not bad, only took a couple of months.

In the interests of masochism, I've ordered another Article from the U.S. ...

and guess what the name of the only available freight option is?

love that exchange rate!

[Jules76]

My package finally showed up today! Only took a little over 4 weeks lol. That's the longest by far I've had to wait for a USPS package to arrive.

Got some more packages coming, this time from the UK and Germany. If past experience is anything to go by, I wouldn't be suprised if they show up in less than 2 weeks. Mail service from Europe has been great, the US is just too unpredictable.

[vanwonky]

Not complaining about the timing but if this turns up at my doorstep tomorrow I will be amazed! Check the route! It has been to Perth a couple of times apparently.:P

98866

[stopusinmyid]

I've been waiting 3weeks now for a package from America through eBay. I sent the seller an email on Sunday asking about it. No reply. I sent them another one last night threatening to report them to eBay and get my money back from paypal. Check my email today and there is a reply saying item was sent 18/7, item has a tracking number but is non-trackable on the USPS.com site. They won't update until item gets to destination country and goes through customs. They said it can take up to 30-45days to get it. So I guess it's a waiting game.

[vanwonky]

30-45 days to get it? What did you buy - an elephant? Mine turned up yesterday a few hours after my post. Of course no one was home - doh!
Rang them for a redirect to work today instead and it came a while back so I am a happy chappy now.

I think eBAY sellers can be a bit slack getting things posted in the first place sometimes but still that is a long wait for you.:P

[troypiggo]

Not talking about eBay sellers here, but USPS ;)

[vanwonky]

Damn - got my acronyms mixed up! USPS - UPS it's all the same BS anyway :)

Right back in my box.

[troypiggo]

My dealings with UPS have also been excellent. :)

[Waxing_Gibbous]

I got a USPS package this arvo.
Ordered from B&H Photo (N.Y.) on Monday!
Just regular 'o'seas expidited'.
They seem to have lifted their game again - perhaps this thread shamed them. :D

[stopusinmyid]

I think eBAY sellers can be a bit slack getting things posted in the first place sometimes but still that is a long wait for you.:P

Well yeh, I'm guessing it's just the seller. Another item I got from another seller only took about 10 days. I purchased the Celestron NexImagine imager due to it being lots cheaper then any of the prices I had seen it for in Australia. But then I saw it cheaper then what I paid for it right here in S.A :mad2: just last week.

[[1ponders]]

Ordered from Losmandy on 19th July, "Processed Through Sort Facility" 20th July, and thats the last i heard of it. Not impressed at all.

[Jules76]

First Class International i'm guessing? Normally they won't have any tracking information at all but in this case your "lucky" and that's the most you will get. Same for my last package which took a little over a month to arrive.

And an update on my UK and German package. Just as I expected, arrived within 2 weeks of being sent. I tell you, Royal Mail and Deutsche Post run like clockwork. :thumbsup:

[[1ponders]]

Someone from USPS must be reading this post cos my package turned up at the PO yesterday :D

[Steffen]

Unfortunately, that doesn't matter much. I had something sent to me from the UK on 4th August, on the 7th Royal Mail's Track & Trace service advised that it "has been passed to the overseas postal service for delivery in AUSTRALIA". It's been with Australia Post ever since…

Cheers
Steffen.

[Ausrock]

I've been following a similar discussion on a local music instrument forum, apparently, USPS in an effort to reign in enormous $ losses are considering huge staff cut backs, this is rumoured to have triggered an unofficial "go slow", hence the recent deterioration in service.

Oh.........Hi from a newbie ;)

[Jules76]

Welcome to the forum!

Yeah I heard they are planning on closing a lot of underperforming and smaller post offices. They plan on doing something similar to the Newsagent/Post Office setup we have here to cover the closures.

[TrevorW]

Well I just don't know what purpose their tracking system serves as I've been waiting since the 2/8 which the seller and USPS site says was dispatched (no update since), I wonder if it ended up on a slow boat from China

The only reason I go with USPS as AP take up delivery responsibilty on arrival in Australia and it's a lot easier if carded to pick up from a post office than a couriers site

[jeff65]

I've been waiting on something shipped "priority mail" now for one day short of three weeks and still no sign of it.

[MattH]

Just for the record:


Ordered from OPT 16/07/2011 (Saturday)
Acceptance by USPS 19/07/2011 (Tuesday - OK, there was a weekend)
Processed Through Sort Facility 20/07/2011 (Los Angeles)
Processed Through Sort Facility 15/08/2011, 4:50 pm (Australia)
Customs Clearance 15/08/2011, 5:10 pm (:eyepop: That was fast!)
Delivery 18/08/2011 around 12 pm (Sydney, CBD, Chifley Square - 12 km from the airport)

So, those waiting for three weeks should smile. Everything is on time. Well, almost :D

BTW, it was a small parcel (Sky Quality Meter and a Hutech LPS filter)

Regards,
Matt

[jeff65]

We shouldn't smile. You should be screaming at someone. That's nearly as long as the no longer available USPS surface mail used to take.

The USPS website has the cheek to say "expected delivery date 1 Aug". Hah!

[jeff65]

My recent order from OPT was placed two weeks after yours and I received it ten days ago. It only took a bit over a week.

[TrevorW]

well surprise my parcel turned up today but the tracking details say it hasn't left the states

[Dennis]

Here's my story with USPS:

Purchased stuff from the good old US of A on 10th July 2011.
Advised that the goods were dispatched on 12th July.
Advised that I could expect delivery between July 19, 2011 - July 25, 2011.
Goods actually arrived on 15th August 2011.

Goods sent via USPS.
Elapsed time: 5 weeks.

I kept the faith….or was that simply just plain old hope!:)

Cheers

Dennis

[TrevorW]

The advertised time for USPS Priority Mail International is 5-10 business days so at most you would expect 3 weeks in total

where is the delay occuring in the US or here

[vanwonky]

Is it normal for USPS tracking to end in America or do they track it all the way? I realise by the other posts that I might be expecting way too much for the parcel to arrive 5 days after processing by USPS but it would be nice to know where it is at the moment!

Service: Priority Mail International Parcels
Status of Your Item: Processed Through Sort Facility
Date & Time: August 17, 2011, 6:36 am
Location: ISC CHICAGO IL (USPS)
Features: Expected Delivery By:August 17, 2011, International Parcels

Cheers
Dave

[troypiggo]

I just checked the status of something I ordered on 10/8/11. Got USPS tracking information the day after saying it's at Pismo, CA on 11/8/11. It hasn't moved since then! Still at the same place it was 12 days ago!

[vanwonky]

Damn! OK, there is only one way to go with this. Forget that I ever ordered anything via USPS and be pleasantly surprised when a parcel turns up sometime.

[Jules76]

Depends on the level of service the seller has purchased. With Priority Mail they are trackable all the way except for Flat Rate Parcels. How you tell the difference depends on what your tracking number starts with, eg. "CJ" or "CQ". But I'm not sure which is which. But if it's of any consolation, I've got two Priority parcels with one of each code and they are both stuck at "Processed Through Sort Facility".

It's not normal at either rate as the last scan before leaving the US should be "International Dispatch" and the summary should state that your parcel has "Left the United States on xxxxx at xxxxx". I haven't seen this status for quite a while and I've been getting parcels from the US fairly regulary over the past year.

I think it's pretty obvious that with all the cut backs that the USPS is in a pretty bad shape at the moment. The service has really gone down hill which I guess shouldn't really come as a surpise.

Just a tip, ocassionally check the Auspost tracking and enter the USPS tracking number you have with them. If your lucky, and Auspost have done the right thing and scanned it when it arrived, you should be able to pick up tracking again from there. But again, this is only for the fully trackable parcels from the US.

[vanwonky]

My tracking number starts with a 'CW'. Looking back I did ask for priority mail and of course the text from tracking does indicate that so who knows what is going on.

Hmm.. according to the USPS website (https://tools.usps.com/go/TrackConfirmAction) - "Priority Mail International™ CP 000 000 000 US". Starts with a CP?

[Jules76]

Hmm come to think of it I think I've had a CW before, can't remeber if it was fully tracking or not. Get's confusing with their being so many different services.

This is what is confusing with USPS and their tracking numbers. It's not cut and dry with their being the three services, Express, Priority and First Class Mail. Within each service (at least the first two) there is varying levels again. I can never remember which is which and Google quite often doesn't have an answer.

Don't worry it will eventually arrive. I've never lost a parcel, yet *touch wood*. :)

[UniPol]

I've never had any trouble with USPS until recently (if it could be considered trouble). I had four relatively heavy boxes sent from the US by Priority Mail which contain model steam engine castings. They were all sent at the same time and place (end of July) however I received two boxes two weeks ago, one yesterday and as yet the last box is yet to appear. Tracking showed a smooth flow of information right up till delivery for the first two boxes received, the box I received yesterday showed it still on its way and the box I have yet to receive says it is in Australia. Another item I am still waiting on from the US was sent a month ago by 1st class international mail (has a tracking number) which says it left the US and that's it. I'm very confused but it looks like everything will be turn up in the end :question:

[rider]

USPS may be slower than erosion, but they have one department which is so fast that it can transcend the laws of the universe.

My latest "non-appearing after a month" purchase arrived at their processing facility on 7/8 at 4:19pm and processing was completed on the 7/8 at 4:19pm.

Considering the size of those warehouses, I suggest Light speed was exceeded during the process.

[Jules76]

That's the furthest tracking you'll get with First Class International. Once it's "left" the US it's purely a waiting game.

And I say "left" as I'm led to believe this just means it has cleared US customs and is ready for export. But due to it's lowest priority it makes way for higher priority shipments on the limited flights going out and sits around at the USPS sorting facility waiting it's turn.

In total contrast, I can tell you it's an absolute pleasure to see UPS in action compared to what the USPS serve up. I've got a case for my Celestron 8SE that left Portland, Oregon on Tuesday (our time), went all the way across the US in the opposite direction to Louisville, Kentucky (where the main UPS hub is) by Wednesday our time, and then late this afternoon (Thursday) it arrived in Sydney after having a nice little stop over in Honolulu. If my last UPS package is anything to go by, it should be arriving overnight here in Brisbane and ready for delivery tomorrow (Friday). And that's only UPS Expedited, not their fastest service!

It's like night and day.

[Paul Haese]

I won't be using USPS ever again. This is about the 5 time my package has taken over a week to arrive. Currently I have a Feather Touch 3" focusor some where out there being delivered. It is now 9 days and counting since it arrived at the Chicago airport. I suspect it has been lost. I have already notified the chaps at Starlight Instruments and I will wait to see what happens.

I have noticed that if an item has to leave the east coast of the US it takes forever to get here. If it comes via the west coast it is usually 5 days.

Mind you Australia Post is pretty ordinary too. Sometimes an item can sit at the sorting facility for days and nearly a week before it moves from Melbourne. Not great service really.

[stopusinmyid]

well my item finally arrived today :D. it wasn't a delay from the sellers end, the date on the postage says 19.7.2011 which is when seller said they posted it.

[vanwonky]

And mine is now 12 days after Chicago! I queried this with AstroZap (the vendor) 3 days ago with no reply yet. Now I am getting pi**** off!

[Jules76]

How's this for funny? I was just about to post how one of my USPS Priority packages, according the to tracking, cleared customs on Friday afternoon so now I'm playing the Aus Post waiting game. Then postie delivered it! :)

Shipped on the 17th from the west coast USA so that's not too bad. Although I also received another parcel from the UK which was shipped on the 23rd by just your average low priority Royal Mail and it did it in a week. Royal Mail does it again. :thumbsup:

I know what you mean Paul about the east coast of the USA taking forever. My other Priority mail package had a 6 day head start (sent on the 11th) but it's still yet to show. It was sent from Chicago.

[vanwonky]

Whoops - I take back anything that I may have inferred about AstroZap not getting back to me. They have been very responsive in all other cases and now I know why the short delay. Interesting what they say about USPS though.

"Sorry for the delayed response, we were closed since the 24th.

It's not uncommon for USPS to show incorrect tracking info. I see it all the
time. Boy, they sure have fallen apart and some day will be out of business!

Give it a little more time as I'm sure your order is on the way."

[Jules76]

Reading this I took it to be a light hearted comment, but it prompted me to do a web search to see if there was any truth to it. I found these articles which just made me realise just how much trouble they are in.

USPS asks Congress to allow it to lay off 120,000 postal workers
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-usps-asks-congress-to-allow-it-to-lay-off-120000-postal-workers-20110812,0,2057357.story

Fund to aid injured postal workers at risk if USPS defaults
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-fund-to-aid-injured-postal-workers-at-risk-if-usps-defaults-20110829,0,1278274.story

U.S. Post Office closures: Get ready for a battle
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-post-office-closings-battle,0,1969893.story

Holy cow I didn't realise it was that bad. And here's one which is going to already affect slow transit times with First Class and Priority mail.

Study: USPS could save $1.5 billion with slower mail
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/study-usps-could-save-15-billion-with-slower-mail/2011/08/23/gIQAhtruZJ_story.html

It talks about delivery times within the US, but this will have a flow on effect with international parcels before they leave the US.

Fun times ahead waiting for parcels.

[rider]

Actually, I might have to take back all those nasty thoughts about USPS.
The last 3 packages have averaged ONLY a bit over 5 weeks from ordering.

This is pretty fast compared with one package ordered on the 19th of July, which is coming via "Canadian post air" which has NO tracking - and it has not yet arrived!!!!

[troypiggo]

My package, according to vendor, was shipped on 10/8/11 via USPS' so-called "1st-class International mail". Still hasn't arrived!

I'd hate to see the delivery times for anything less than first class!!!

[Jules76]

First Class is the slowest service. :) Priority is second fastest with Express being the top service.

That's normal for that service with the delivery time depending largely on where in the US it comes from. If it's coming from the West Coast, 1-2 weeks is not unheard of. However if it's coming from central US or the East Coast, 3-4 weeks is what you should expect.

Of course there are always exceptions to the norm, which has been occuring a lot lately, but that's generally it.

[Paul Haese]

Finally got my package on Friday. Making it 13 days for delivery; which seems odd to me. Even the tracking just stopped after Chicago.

[OICURMT]

About time... 'nuff said.

[rider]

Yay! it got here Friday afternoon 1/9/11. Canada-post must use huskies.

[vanwonky]

Would you believe it? It turned up just now. :rolleyes:

Service: Priority Mail International Parcels
Status of Your Item: Processed Through Sort Facility
Date & Time: August 17, 2011, 6:36 am
Location: ISC CHICAGO IL (USPS)
Features: Expected Delivery By:August 17, 2011, International Parcels
Location: God knows where
Location: Don't ask me
Location: Who is asking
Location: Gilligans Island: The professor is working on the coconut radio as we speak
Location: 20 days later - in Dave's hands!

Better late than never.. I guess!

[Terry B]

I ordered a music CD from the US that was allegedly posted on 24th July. It still hasn't turned up. I assumed that it was lost. Maybe there is still hope.

[Terry B]

My CD arrived today. Over 6 weeks for a music CD to be posted from the US.:shrug:

[dreamstation]

Excuse me for bumping an old thread, but it seems USPS haven't changed one bit. Ordered an NPB filter from DGM Optics which was shipped out on July 12 with steady updates to the tracking information until July 15. Then it sat in the same USPS facility until today, a full 10 days later. It's still in the US. Absolutely shocking, almost on par with Australia Post.

[raymo]

Oddly enough, I fairly recently ordered an NPB from DGM, and nearly
passed out from the excitement when it arrived only 6 days later.
Reminds me of the time I posted a letter to England at 11am on a Sunday
at my local newsagent/post office, and it arrived in Norwich at my
daughter in law's front door at 8am on the following Tuesday[45 hours].
raymo

[Don Pensack]

USPS Priority Mail tells me 6-10 days for delivery to Sydney (direct flight from LA) though flights go there several times a day, but longer to other places in Oz.
It's ironic, but I've shipped packages to Australia that took only 3 days to be delivered, and others that took up to 21 days. What's the difference? I don't know.
About once a year I ship a Priority Mail package (1-3 days) in the US that takes up to 4 weeks to get there.
That makes me think the post office should bring back Pony Express!
DHL is very fast, but it's a lot more expensive--a small box costs me US$80 from Australia and is more going the other way.
For now, the fastest affordable shipping seems to be USPS Priority Mail, despite its foibles.

[Ausrock]

Recently purchased some test equipment (for work) from a seller in Florida, USPS tracking showed it took 1.5 days before it left Fl for LA but the total time to delivery in Newcastle was 8 days and USPS had tracking updates the whole way.:thumbsup:

[Shano592]

"Ain't no need fo' name calling." :P - Major Payne

I sent a parcel from work here, to a customer on the Gold Coast last November. At the time (before their great changes - more expensive AND slower), the delivery should have taken 2 business days.

One month later, no delivery, no sign of the stock. One month later again, stock turns up in MY PO Box. What the heck AusPost? I has to re-send stock out via express parcel, because of their stuff-up. I ended up claiming it back, because it was their fault that Christmas was almost ruined...

I did have a book from the US take over 3 months to arrive. Apparently there is a super-snail mail mode that can be used through USPS, and the seller chose that one, to save 80 cents.

On the other side of the coin, I have bought a few things from Agena Astro, and they have all arrived within a week of sending. I think they are in California.

[dreamstation]

DHL are fantastic. I recently ordered some Pentax XW eyepieces from Amazon Japan and within 2 1/2 days they went from Japan to Sydney and finally up to their depot in Brisbane. They then changed hands to Australia Post for the short distance remaining of the trip, which ended up taking twice as long as it had for DHL to get it to them in the first place. In fact, they had sat in the Australia Post facility for 3 days before even moving. Shocking!

An update on my DGM filter, it has finally been processed through the USPS facility in San Francisco, which has taken a little over 48 hours. Total time since it was shipped? 16 days. Hopefully soon it will make it to the runway...

[PRejto]

I won't ever use USPS again after a recent order from Woodland Hills Camera/Telescope in California. The problem wasn't the speed to arrive in Australia. The problem for me was that the order exceeded the $900 import threshold. Now, if the shipper had been FedEx or DHL, etc the paperwork would have been dealt with by the shipper. Not so with USPS and AUSPost. I found the N10 extremely vexing to fill out properly because not being the shipper means you cannot possibly answer the slew of obscure questions. Then it took several days for Border Protection to process (and charge $90 to read the N10 and issue a payment request), and then another wait of at least several days to get the camera. Also, the threat by AusPost to charge storage if customs wasn't negotiated quickly enough only adds to the stress. Yikes. I will pay a premium when duty or GST is owed and use a premium shipper. You do get what you pay for (sometimes!). I told Woodland Hills Camera about this experience and suggested that they might warn their international clients to consider importing difficulties when using USPS vs FedEx, etc if they know in advance that GST or duty will be collected. I would have been grateful for such a warning.

Peter

Peter

[Don Pensack]

Customs documents must accompany the shipment.
It sounds like the customs documents were not properly filled out.

[Shano592]

When you breach the $900 threshold, Customs (Border Farce) require a 'Nature 10' document to be filled out, as well as the paperwork that should be sent with the goods.

It requests all of the transport details... ship name/number/flight, special markings on the box (if any), cost of goods, exchange rate on the day the goods left the country of origin.

And if you get any of the fields wrong, or omit something that BF deem important, then you get to start over again. As Peter said, it can be a very stressful form to fill out on your own. And Border Force cannot help you - they are not allowed to.

That's why I have a Customs broker now. They even know all of the codes to use for my goods - I don't even have to tell them any more.

[PRejto]

So, Shano592 what does your customs broker charge you? Is it worth it compared to just using a full service shipper like DHL or FedEx? I hope to never personally see another N10 in my life. I think it's almost a miracle I somehow filled it out to their satisfaction.

Peter

[gregbradley]

I recently bought a camera from overseas. It was sent USPS. I was tracking it and then noticed after several days it was delivered back to the shipper.

It was because USPS will not ship anything worth over $2500. So it had to be resent using UPS and it arrived within 4 days. The USPS added a week.

Greg.

[PRejto]

Greg,

Actually I think you got lucky that it didn't arrive in Australia only to have AusPost grab it and hold it hostage!

Peter

[dreamstation]

Well it finally made it's way to Australia. Landed in Sydney on Saturday and that's the last I've heard... Time since being shipped: 22 days...

[Slawomir]

Hopefully you will get it shortly James.

I am still waiting for an item posted on the 21 July with USPS Priority Express (advertised 3-5 days worldwide delivery)...2 more weeks of waiting and apparently I will be able to apply for a refund.

On a slightly different subject, just got a reply from the US Customs to my enquiry made on the 25th of September 2015! :lol: It went something like this: Due to the extremely high volume...

[Slawomir]

The sender did not include all necessary paperwork so the item was held up by the customs for a week. Did the N10 form myself - not such horrible thing as it might seem at first sight; took me about 15 minutes - you only need to fill in one page; all went well, the form has been already accepted by the customs and there are no duties to pay (except for an administrative fee..) - anyway, happy days!

EDIT: I finally got the parcel today. International priority express took only 26days...but what matters most that it is here :)

[acropolite]

Hate to be a spoiler but I bought an item off ebay, posted 3/8 (US date) arrived today 11/8 not too bad, perhaps USPS treats eBay shipping differently.

[Shano592]

Hi Peter,

Sorry, I just saw this.

I deal in container lots now, not LCL or air-freight.

You could check with any of the import agents around Mascot. Last time I did that, I think it was around $100 on top of the GST/Duty (but that was a while ago).

For a container, with up to 40 lines, they charge me around $2-300 on the top.

[Shano592]

If they are anything like AusPost, then their inner workings are a total enigma.

I can often get stuff arriving in Perth, faster than it gets to Manly. The issue is the Black Hole of Chullora. The huge sorting centre down there must have a section with the lights out or something. Local stuff takes ages, but interstate is generally quite fast.

Unfortunately, with USPS being an overseas organisation, it is significantly harder to get a trace done on a missing parcel.