International Package Tracking HELP

MDQBox

MDQBox

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Hi, I was hoping someone could help me in regards to tracking or resolving a package I mailed from Florida, USA to Ontario, Canada. I made a trade with another member on the forum. We both mailed out our knives to each other on January 23, 2012. I received my package within a week but the package I sent him has not yet arrived. I sent it USPS PRIORITY MAIL INTERNATIONAL SMALL FLAT RATE BOX. I was given a customs barcode number, but the number is only good for tracking through USPS until it leaves the United States.

QUESTION: Is there ANY way to locate the package through customs or any other entity?

I really feel bad for the guy, plus it makes me look bad. I like the knife I received in trade and would hate having to return it to him, but I'm afraid this is what I will have to do.
The other guy has been really patient and very nice. We agreed that if it does not arrive by this Friday, it probably got lost in transit. I have no reason to believe he is lying about not receiving the item, so please don't even make that an issue.

Any and all help is appreciated. Thanks.
 
For some odd reason Canada's custom can be very slow. They can take up to 3 weeks or so, even with Priority mail.
 
The last time I sent a package to Canada it took about 3 weeks. I wouldn't worry too much about it and as far as I know there is no way of tracking after it leaves the US.
 
I too would give it more time. Same experience as the other guys.

Edit- the tracking number from Canada to me worked on their website and the usps website. It doesn't work the other way around?
 
This is common when customs is involved. I suspect that the reasons you cited are the same reasons why many people do not like shipping internationally. The average time I've seen it take to send something to Canada is 12-18 days. There is nothing you can do, give the person you traded with the information you were given at the Post Office. I would think that your trading partner would already be familiar with the delays.
 
I have received over 20 knives from the US and have only once had it take more than 2 weeks, but it is definitely possible that it is caught up in Customs. Have the person in Canada contact Canada Customs and see if there is any way to find the missing package. I don't know if they can help or not, but it is worth a try.
 
I was told that there has recently been a backlog at Canada Customs. I ordered something via another website, that was shipped in a Flat Rate USPS Box from Oregon to me in Ontario. It took 3 and a half weeks to arrive (Ordered Jan10, recieved Feb 5). I order a lot from the US, and this was the first time that it took more that 6 business days. I hope whatever backlog they have clears up soon.
 
I have received hundreds of knives from the US and have had them take from 2 weeks to 5 weeks. That said I have never bought one that I didn't receive (except for 2 that customs decided I didn't need). It has only been 2 weeks and I would bet that the knife shows up soon.
 
I think your tracking number will work in the canadian postal service tracking system. I sent a package by priority a few months ago. The customs number worked in the usps for tracking until it reached canada. The member I traded with said the number worked in their system allowing him to track the package from there.
 
I've got the reverse problem going on right now. I'm working a trade with someone in Canada. The knife he sent me has been sitting in US Customs in San Francisco since 2/1. Lord only knows when Customs will let loose of it. But from what I can gather, there's nothing I can do about it until they do. I can't even request a trace be put on the package for 30 days. :mad:
 
It's only been 2 weeks.

I'd start being concerned at the 2 month mark.

The USPS and Canada Post "tracking" is only "delivery confirmation"
It's not real time, you can only use it to determine if it has been delivered or not.
 
bld522 said:
I've got the reverse problem going on right now. I'm working a trade with someone in Canada. The knife he sent me has been sitting in US Customs in San Francisco since 2/1. Lord only knows when Customs will let loose of it. But from what I can gather, there's nothing I can do about it until they do. I can't even request a trace be put on the package for 30 days. :mad:
Click to expand...

That is pretty much news to me. The last couple knives I bought from fellow members here from Canada tool exactly 8 buiness days to arrive. I don't know that customs did much to them, it's hard for me to know because they just arrived one day.
 
***** UPDATE *****

Just received an email from the receiver that the package has arrived at his post office.

Also, FYI for those who don't know about declaring what you are sending. If you check the box "MERCHANDISE" instead of "GIFT", the receiver will be charged taxes on the item. In this case it came out to $29.
 
Anytime anything gets shipped out of the US, you have to fill out a customs form. It's hidden along with all kinds of other useful information in the sticky threads at the top of the forum. ;)
 
MDQBox said:
***** UPDATE *****

Just received an email from the receiver that the package has arrived at his post office.

Also, FYI for those who don't know about declaring what you are sending. If you check the box "MERCHANDISE" instead of "GIFT", the receiver will be charged taxes on the item. In this case it came out to $29.
Click to expand...

But why would you tick gift when it is not?
 
12345678910 said:
It's only been 2 weeks.

I'd start being concerned at the 2 month mark.

The USPS and Canada Post "tracking" is only "delivery confirmation"
It's not real time, you can only use it to determine if it has been delivered or not.
Click to expand...

USPS now does offer real time tracking if you fill the SCAN form and leave it with your package - this ensures the tracking is updated all along. I use it while shipping priority and keep it with the box - the mailman scans the form and leaves it back for me (that's how it works)

Also "dc" has been stopped, everything is now "tracking" - I believe they have dropped using the terminology as well.
 
That's right. I was just in my local Post Office yesterday, and they had a sign at the counter saying that Delivery Confirmation is now USPS Tracking.
 
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