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

PeterinScotland

We're very disappointed to note that we have now had two reports of packages sent in later January and early February still not having arrived, suggesting that either the practice of Royal Mail sending airmail packets by sea to USA has not stopped, or that US security measures on one or other side of the Atlantic are causing extended delays.

This does not accord with Royal Mail's expressed hope some weeks back that they could quickly return to the normal 7-10 day delivery time.



Peter

PeterinScotland

PS I've just discovered that Royal Mail have updated their International Incident Bulletin in the past few days:

8. North America (USA & Canada) USA
Start date: 18th November 2010
End date: Ongoing

Update 15th February 2011:

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.




Kind regards

Peter

Pembroke

There's talk on the Ebay community boards of other countries postal services being told specific weights of packages over which they aren't allowed to send by passenger aircraft. The amount seems to be around the half kilo / one pound mark. If that is the case then higher weight items really need to be sent by a courier company that own their own aeroplanes.