USPS/Parcelforce custom clearance times?

[Bluedevils123]

Hi there,

I am just wondering if anybody can give me some advice on what to do regarding this situation.

I ordered an art print/poster from the US but has been awaiting custom clearance for 5 days now, it's my first import but i would have thought that it would have been cleared or is a 5 day wait normal?

It was sent via USPS but i can track it through parcelforce now, here my tracking info atm:

Customs Clearance, March 05, 2012, 12:16 pm, GREAT BRITAIN
Customs Clearance, March 05, 2012, 12:15 pm, GREAT BRITAIN
Processed Through Sort Facility, March 05, 2012, 12:06 pm, GREAT BRITAIN
Processed Through Sort Facility, February 29, 2012, 6:05 pm, ISC CHICAGO IL (USPS)
Arrived at Sort Facility, February 29, 2012, 5:02 pm, ISC CHICAGO IL (USPS)
Electronic Shipping Info Received, February 28, 2012

Usually i wouldn't worry but it is a limited edition print which sold out in minutes so just want to make sure i receive it, do you think ringing Parcelforce would help?

[GreenBean]

5 days is not too serious a delay.

By all means call Parcelforce if you want to pull your hair out & get really cheesed off.
They dont really 'shine' in the customer service line.

More than likely what will hold you up is which depot has got the item for despatch. Try to hold off until Tuesday lunch-time B4 going postal

From your info I would say it's the domestic side causing delay. :D

[Ebayorbust]

I've had several recent (last week) orders take around 5 days to clear customs with Parcelforce - not time to panic yet.

[Callidus]

Hate parcelforce with a passion their customer service is absolutely dog - 1 minute tell you a parcel is in the country and out for delivery the next its with customs and then the next time I was told their was no sign of it reaching the country.

Love DHL and wouldnt use EMS as the shipper ever again as parcelforce get hold of it this end.

[Bluedevils123]

So it updated over night etc. Went from Customs Clearance to Customs Charging to received in my local depot, i rang them to see if i they could give me an expected delivery time and they said it won't be delivered as i owe them £17 in 'Customs fees', now i don't mind paying customs but this amount is way to high, the cost of my parcel is only £19.02 ($29.90) and so something is wrong with this amount i was expecting fees to be around the £4-5 marks not £17!!

[Bluedevils123]

Sorry for double post, this is pretty much my tracking info atm

12-03-2012 02:13 Leicester Central Depot Received at delivery depot
11-03-2012 19:05 National Hub Received and processed
10-03-2012 13:19 International Hub Awaiting Customs Charging

Pretty much from searching around the internet usually when charges are incurred doesn't it update saying RELEASED WITH CHARGES after awaiting customs charging?

I just wondering if i should wait and see if it gets delivered or phone them up and try and pay it asap because i've waited long enough for my parcel as it is so just want it now!

[GTB]

i think you will receive it today or tomorrow

unless something goes wrong which i doubt

good luck

p.s do not phone them now,just chillax

[GTB]

btw how long have you waited

best thing to do when ordering from china using ems is place order

then forget about it for a full week

then look on tracking and you will only be waiting a few more days if that if there is no hold ups etc

10 days is about standard imo with ems

[Bluedevils123]

Originally Posted by GTB

btw how long have you waited

best thing to do when ordering from china using ems is place order

then forget about it for a full week

then look on tracking and you will only be waiting a few more days if that if there is no hold ups etc

10 days is about standard imo with ems

It was from America via USPS, it arrived fairly quickly in the UK. I'm more worried about the fact they may be trying to charge me an overinflated price for my parcel, i'm not very knowledgable on the subject but like i say after searching about on the web i thought it usually updated with released with charges yet this guy is saying it wont be loaded for delivery until these are paid in full.

Thanks for the advice i'll just wait and see now hopefully i don't get charged and receive it fairly quick

[GTB]

sorry mate

i didn't read the thread,just the last post

yeah it will be parcel force you need to make the payment too

then they will deliver

you will need to pay it first

[Callidus]

Yeh ring up and speak to some drip on the other end of the phone, they dont have a clue at the Coventry Hub really clueless.

I would ring up otherwise you will wait for a letter which takes ages.

From that tracking though surely it doesnt get released to Leicester unless youve already paid charges or it hasnt had any applied. Should say awaiting customs payment?

[NotAHappyBunny]

Hi
Call them up, dont put in your tracking number into the call system - eventually they direct you to a human.
Explain that you wish to make the payment over the phone - they will direct you to your local depot - new call / phone number.
Phone them & make the payment over the phone - they then deliver quite quickly.

[Bluedevils123]

Originally Posted by hdavey10

Yeh ring up and speak to some drip on the other end of the phone, they dont have a clue at the Coventry Hub really clueless.

I would ring up otherwise you will wait for a letter which takes ages.

From that tracking though surely it doesnt get released to Leicester unless youve already paid charges or it hasnt had any applied. Should say awaiting customs payment?

Thats what I'm confused about, I would have thought there would have been some mention of charges on the tracking but there hasn't, I'll give them a ring and ask just hoping the guy who replied to my email was wrong

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Heres my tracking info it just goes straight from customs to the national hub with no mention of charges etc, i don't mind paying VAT or duty (about £4) but i'm gonna be mega annoyed if i have to pay their £13.50 'handling fee'

[Ebayorbust]

Parcelfarce charge a £13.50 "handling" fee over and above customs duty and VAT. This is only taken if they are collecting duty and or VAT.

I had a parcel declared at $50 US. I paid £19.88 in charges.

[Bluedevils123]

Originally Posted by Ebayorbust

Parcelfarce charge a £13.50 "handling" fee over and above customs duty and VAT. This is only taken if they are collecting duty and or VAT.

I had a parcel declared at $50 US. I paid £19.88 in charges.

Yeah i read their site, it's a piss take to say the least a payment that should be £4 is inflated up to £17 because of the robbing company! never going to use parcelfarce again and this is my first time using them!