LOST PARCEL?

Alex_91 · Post by **Alex_91** » 22 Jun 2017, 12:39

Hi everyone,

I am new in this blog, but I hope you can help me somehow.

I sent a package from UK to Italy last Monday the 12th of June. On the 15th of June on the Royal Mail website I noticed this message: "On its way to Italy". Since then, no one received the package.

My question is: do you think the package is still in the UK or is it trough the Italian mail now? The message "On its way to Italy" is not really clear to me.

Also, if the package was blocked, I think they should have contacted me by now. I left my address on the back of the box.

The package included:

- A bottle of conditioner
- 4 creams 100 ml
- 1 bookmark dictionary
- 1 lighter (I have to say, this was never used. So, it is brand new).

The woman at the post office asked me what was inside. I explained it to her and she said it is fine.

So I don't understand what's happening. I called the Italian Mail and they said they never received it. I called the Royal Mail and they told me the package is in Italy and they don't have any records.

Does anyone know what could have happened?
I just hope I didn't lose the package, it supposed to be a gift.

Thanks for any help/support you can give me.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 22 Jun 2017, 14:43

The most likely explanation given the current security alerts in most countries is its delayed in Customs for security, legal and safety checks. Customs don't just deal with import duties.

It's happening more often at the moment and can take some time to get through. The problem is the items are selected at random so while most stuff makes it through unhampered, occasionally a batch is heavily delayed and there is nothing neither Italian or British postal networks can do about it.

Alex_91 · Post by **Alex_91** » 22 Jun 2017, 15:09

Hi TrueBlueTerrier,

thank you very much for your answer.

I read many blogs and threads about this.

Could be a stupid question, but don't you think if the Italian mail received the package the Royal mail should have written delivered in Italy (or something similar)?

I am just not sure if the package is still in the UK (and therefore it has been lost) or it is trough the Italian mail and they are checking it.

I truly hope I will receive it back or that it will be sent soon.

Thank you again for your help.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 22 Jun 2017, 15:40

Alex_91 wrote:Hi TrueBlueTerrier,

Could be a stupid question, but don't you think if the Italian mail received the package the Royal mail should have written delivered in Italy (or something similar)?

No as that would be inaccurate. When the Italian Post Office scan the parcel it should update RMs tracking.

Alex_91 wrote:I am just not sure if the package is still in the UK (and therefore it has been lost) or it is trough the Italian mail and they are checking it.

I truly hope I will receive it back or that it will be sent soon.

Thank you again for your help.

At the moment its technically neither in the UK or in Italy, as its probably going through Customs which form the border it's in legal limbo. However, experience has taught us here on RoyalMailChat, that the vast majority of delays are caused at the receiving customs, not the sending ones. Even in the UK there are delays if items are selected for deeper checks.

Alex_91 · Post by **Alex_91** » 22 Jun 2017, 15:46

Ok, it actually makes all sense.

I just don't know why the Royal Mail said it's already in Italy and the Italian mail said it never arrived. Why Royal mail is giving wrong information then?

Anyway, thank you so much again.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 22 Jun 2017, 15:50

Royal Mail ins't giving wrong information - they have sent it to Italy.

Italian Post office isn't giving wrong information - they haven't received it.

It's in Customs - they don't scan parcels so there is no update from them until the Italian Post Office get it.

Alex_91 · Post by **Alex_91** » 22 Jun 2017, 15:55

lol I feel a bit dumb, I don't know too much about this things and sorry if I ask so many questions :P

Do you think sooner or later will be in Italy? Last question (I promise), do you think there was an issue with the things inside the package or just "normal" delay?

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 22 Jun 2017, 16:04

Alex_91 wrote:lol I feel a bit dumb, I don't know too much about this things and sorry if I ask so many questions :P

Do you think sooner or later will be in Italy? Last question (I promise), do you think there was an issue with the things inside the package or just "normal" delay?

Yes, it will get to italy at some point, just that it will be at the whim of their customs.

This is perfectly normal for batches of mail that Customs of any country select to check.

This a guide for sending stuff to Italy and there are some restrictions on "Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations" so that may be the reason for the delay while they check it out.

The lighter may have caused them to look at the parcel more closely as well, empty ones are fine, but full ones do sometimes cause concern.

http://www.royalmail.com/italy" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Alex_91 · Post by **Alex_91** » 22 Jun 2017, 16:16

Thank you very much for your help.

I feel a bit more relaxed :) Hope it will get in Italy soon.

I wish you a good afternoon!

Alex_91 · Post by **Alex_91** » 28 Jun 2017, 10:31

Hi everyone,

I just received an update from Italian mail. The lat communication they got about my package is at the customs in England, a place that stands for "LALA".

Do you have any idea where is this place or what it stands for? They didn't have any other info about it.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 28 Jun 2017, 13:19

Alex_91 wrote:Hi everyone,

I just received an update from Italian mail. The lat communication they got about my package is at the customs in England, a place that stands for "LALA".

Do you have any idea where is this place or what it stands for? They didn't have any other info about it.

Thats heathrow - its sometimes called GBLALA. In essence nothing has changed its been sent to Italy, but the Italian postal system has not received it. Its still stuck in Customs - GBLAA is usually the last update till the Italian Post Office get it.

Alex_91 · Post by **Alex_91** » 29 Jun 2017, 08:02

Thank you very much for your answer :) It really helped.

Alex_91 · Post by **Alex_91** » 02 Jul 2017, 10:22

Hi TrueBluTerrier,

I checked the Royal Mail website again and it showed that the package came back to Heathrow and then sent back in Italy. I am truly confused right now.

I called the Royal mail and they told me the Italian customs sent it back and then they tried to sent it in Italy again. I talked to the Italian mail and they told me that if there was an issue with the package they would have called or sent a letter to the person that was supposed to receive the package. This is their procedure, so I have my hands tied now. If the Italian customs sent it back, why Royal Mail tried to send it in Italy again?

I attached what I see on the Royal Mail website. At least, I know that the package still exists.