Airmail to USA, since mid Nov transit time is 4-8 weeks

ArmitageShanks

We have a business account with Royal Mail but I imagine this affects everyone.

We notice a problem by early December but it has taken till yesterday before Royal Mail sent us an email explaining there was problem.

We presumed the now standard 4-8 week delivery was because of the weather, but its actually because of the increased security caused by the toner cartridge bomb plot. With FedEx it has increased transit time too, 1 day.

I imagine this has caused no end of strife, certainly has for us. The lack of communication by RM has been shamefully dire.

So a little heads up for those sending ebay sales etc. I wouldn't send it Airmail.

custardy

http://www.royalmail.com/portal/rm/content1?catId=112300784&mediaId=3800088#1600085

the service status was updated nearly 2 months ago

USA
Start date: 18th November
End date: Ongoing

Increased security measures delays some mail to USA

Since November 2010, the United States Department of Homeland Security has increased security measures for items carried on passenger airlines. As a result, 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, will arrive in the US within a few days of posting. The vast majority of Christmas cards and gifts posted prior to the last recommended posting date of 10th December will have arrived in the US in time for Christmas. However, these ongoing security issues, combined with the impact of recent severe weather on the movement of mail throughout the UK, are continuing to cause delays to some items bound for the US. The delays mainly affect heavier items, but also affect other items including Destination Sort bags posted under contract by business customers. We’re really sorry for these unavoidable delays and are doing everything we can to keep mail moving out of and into the UK.

We have implemented a number of contingency plans to ensure as much of our customers’ mail reaches the US as quickly as possible. Handling significantly increased volumes of mail at this festive time along with the complexity of reacting at pace to contingency arrangements, means we’re unable to track individual items for customers or identify exactly when in the current arrival patterns deliveries are likely to take place.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and are continuing to work to minimise disruption to our customers, whilst ensuring we comply fully with the US directives and regulations.

---

now you have a weather issue

USA - North America
Start date: 10th January
End date:

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has declared a Force Majeure which commenced on Monday 10th January 2011 due to the continued heavy snow and high wind alerts crossing the Southeast, Midwest, and travelling up the Northeast region of the US impacting in and outbound mail flows. There will be delays to inbound and outbound mail services in affected areas.

Myyrrddyn

I just had one that was sent beginning of December arrive in the US yesterday. Luckily they where patient and gave me a positive feedback as they understood that all airmail was taking its time to clear customs etc.

ArmitageShanks

Posting the notice on some lonely notice board is useless.

Even when I spoke to our rep in Nov/December she wasn't aware of any problems.

Decent communication and people can at least attempt to work round problems or at least no what to expect.

soolin

That is odd as only two weeks ago I sent something to a US buyer who mentioned that his stuff was taking ages, but promising to keep in touch, and I got an email 5 days later to say it had arrived. I've also just checked two other items sent to the US in December and they have both had feedback left within approx 2 weeks of sending.

I wonder if the size of the package or the contents declared on the customs label makes a difference?

Still, thanks for the update, when I next list I'll add something to my auctions just in case as I get a lot of US buyers.

Myyrrddyn

I get more buyers from the US rather than Europe and will now be sending a message to my US buyers that there may be a hold up with customs and weather.

ArmitageShanks

Literally it has been a nightmare.

Our stuff is all sorted in mail bags for 5 different zones. Looks like its quicker just using the PO.

The delays mainly affect heavier items, but also affect other items including Destination Sort bags posted under contract by business customers

soolin

ArmitageShanks wrote: »

Literally it has been a nightmare.

Our stuff is all sorted in mail bags for 5 different zones. Looks like its quicker just using the PO.

I wonder if that is why I am not having issues then? All mine goes to a mail centre in one bag and is tipped in the cages straight for sorting.

sezzlebum

cheers for this,
i sent a small package on the 17th december that still hasnt arrived yet

chancesare_2

We have a rm business account. We use Oz1 for airmail to USA and it is taking about 8 working days on average.

What code do you use?

ArmitageShanks

PS1. We have courier rates which are similar to OZ1 for America.