Sending perfume abroad

PA71

I was wondering if anyone else has experience of posting perfume abroad?

I recently posted a box of expensive perfume to a friend in the US using the Royal Mail Track and Sign option at a cost of £18 which they said would be delivered within 5-7 working days, It's now been 10 days and it hasn't been delivered so I tracked the item online and it says the parcel is still at the dispatch stage.

I tried to call Royal mail but all they have is an automated service. I did more search online and it appears that perfume is among prohibited items because apparently it is dangerous on airplanes!!! I am now very worried that my gift will not arrive at all. I then read online that Royal Mail dispose of these items and even sell them for profit on Ebay, which I find totally unacceptable. The lady at the post office didn't say anything when I was posting.

I find it extraordinary that sending perfume is somehow dangerous while millions of people fly everyday with perfume packed in their luggage. How is this not contradictory?

I guess I know now. I just want to know what to expect next and whether I will get my parcel back at least.

theonlywayisup

PA71 wrote: »

I was wondering if anyone else has experience of posting perfume abroad?

I recently posted a box of expensive perfume to a friend in the US using the Royal Mail Track and Sign option at a cost of £18 which they said would be delivered within 5-7 working days, It's now been 10 days and it hasn't been delivered so I tracked the item online and it says the parcel is still at the dispatch stage.

I tried to call Royal mail but all they have is an automated service. I did more search online and it appears that perfume is among prohibited items because apparently it is dangerous on airplanes!!! I am now very worried that my gift will not arrive at all. I then read online that Royal Mail dispose of these items and even sell them for profit on Ebay, which I find totally unacceptable. The lady at the post office didn't say anything when I was posting.

I find it extraordinary that sending perfume is somehow dangerous while millions of people fly everyday with perfume packed in their luggage. How is this not contradictory?

https://personal.help.royalmail.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/96/~/prohibited-and-restricted-items---advice-for-personal-customers

Perfumes and aftershaves (including: Reed diffusers; body sprays; room fragrance sprays (non-Aerosols only); essential oils; eau de parfum and eau de toilette but excluding non-flammable perfumed creams, gels oils or lotions)

International - Not allowed in the mail

Did the lady at the PO ask you what you were sending?

DCFC79

Why did you not check what was prohibited ?

PA71

DCFC

Thanks but that's really not helpful right now. I didn't come for judgmental people to show off how much better they are! I wanted to know what I can do now to at least get my parcel back.

PA71

theonlywayisup wrote: »

https://personal.help.royalmail.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/96/~/prohibited-and-restricted-items---advice-for-personal-customers

Perfumes and aftershaves (including: Reed diffusers; body sprays; room fragrance sprays (non-Aerosols only); essential oils; eau de parfum and eau de toilette but excluding non-flammable perfumed creams, gels oils or lotions)

International - Not allowed in the mail

Did the lady at the PO ask you what you were sending?

Yes, I said a gift. She wrote gift on the sticker.

I have read the T&Cs now. I just want to know what to expect next and whether anyone has a similar experience.

Will I at least have my package returned to me or will they consider it theirs?

theonlywayisup

PA71 wrote: »

Thanks but that's really not helpful right now. I didn't come for judgmental people to show off how much better they are! I wanted to know what I can do now to at least get my parcel back.

You send a prohibited item. You won't get it back.

How do you get your parcel back? You don't.

Judgemental? No. Get a grip.

comeandgo

Did you put your return address on the parcel? If so, there is a good chance it will be returned to you though could take a long time.

visidigi

Got Xray'd - got pulled, will likely be disposed of.

Perfume is not allowed in mail, but mail can go by boat and plane - reason why it differs from people having it in luggage is post could have every packet in a container all perfume, in that volume its a dangerous good.

Given perfume is primarily (by quite a margin) alcohol - its flammable and therefore not allowed on planes in notable quantities - as this in uncontrollable for the postal service its a blanket ban.

PA71

comeandgo wrote: »

Did you put your return address on the parcel? If so, there is a good chance it will be returned to you though could take a long time.

Yes I did.

I hope I get it back anyway.

theonlywayisup

PA71 wrote: »

For god's sake, do people here have a problem with simple comprehension?

Asking someone "why didn't you check list of prohibited items" is patronising. That's not what I asked. We all make mistakes.

Thanks for saying I won't get my parcel back. It's all I wanted to know.

Where did I say "why didn't you check list of prohibited items" ?

You need to take a step back and read the replies in context.

PA71

visidigi wrote: »

Got Xray'd - got pulled, will likely be disposed of.

Perfume is not allowed in mail, but mail can go by boat and plane - reason why it differs from people having it in luggage is post could have every packet in a container all perfume, in that volume its a dangerous good.

Given perfume is primarily (by quite a margin) alcohol - its flammable and therefore not allowed on planes in notable quantities - as this in uncontrollable for the postal service its a blanket ban.

Is it possible that it won't get scanned and gets sent anyway? I have heard of people sending perfume without problems.