Inbound and internal An Post Delays

Hippodrome Song Owl · 16-08-2021 1:13pm

My parcel sent 17 days ago from England has been sitting in the Dublin Mail Centre Dublin 12 with no update for 7 days now - I expected to receive a notice to pay both VAT and Duty, but nothing.

So how long are people usually waiting on the An Post chat? It said 14 minutes wait time to start then gradually went up to 42 minutes but it's going up and down and intermittently goes blank and says "not available to chat with you right now", but then reloads the countdown.

Update: still waiting on chat an hour later - has said 5 minutes wait for the last 20 minutes. :(

Update: got through on chat after 1.5 hours. The item is being returned to sender due to an insufficient customs declaration. Apparently this can't be displayed on the tracking for customers. What a nightmare.

Hippodrome Song Owl · 17-08-2021 12:59pm

"Update: got through on chat after 1.5 hours. The item is being returned to sender due to an insufficient customs declaration. Apparently this can't be displayed on the tracking for customers. What a nightmare."

And now the seller won't even look into it for at least another week because the an Post tracker says it's still in Dublin, in transit, and they won't take my word for it or accept my screenshot from An Post chat stating that there is an insufficient customs declaration and that it is being returned to sender.

Gabriel · 17-08-2021 3:47pm

The same happened to me with 4 parcels to me! : 2 returned to US, 1 to Australia and 1 to Japan. Its being a disaster! Post is getting very bad so I guess it time to save the money and dont even bother to buy online anymore.

Hippodrome Song Owl · 17-08-2021 4:04pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117767525#Comment_117767525

Believe me it was absolute last resort to buy from the UK but I cannot find what I need - a medical product - anywhere else. I had accepted that I would have to pay VAT and Duty and was ready to do so, but this confirms for me that buying from outside EU is just not worth the hassle. I really wish there was an alternative from an EU company!

The UK company is obviously at fault here in having failed to provide a proper customs declaration, but this process of the item having to be returned to get it rectified is awful. That An Post seem incapable of updating their tracker to this effect when this happens is just the final insult really.

georgewickstaff · 17-08-2021 5:02pm

Same here... 2 packages held in storage. Returned to sender. **** show.

Gabriel · 17-08-2021 8:49pm

An post are really lazy and also I found that they prices are raise constantly like 3-4 times every year! Its time to just make them suffer and start using courier that, at this time,is almost the same prices are An "fail" Post!

NIMAN · 17-08-2021 8:53pm

I have sent quite a few small parcels over the last few weeks, latest one yesterday, and all have been delivered the next day in Ireland.

Don't do a lot of posting in the Republic, but they always appears fast to me.

Gabriel · 17-08-2021 8:54pm

Also I had friend who lately had their parcel sent back withouth customs even notifying him, also he was prepared to pay VAT and duty. I think this could be illegal? The should be another post about "Customs sending parcels back"

whiterebel · 17-08-2021 10:01pm

What would be illegal about it? I had a parcel sent from the UK, stopped iN Dublin and going to be sent back because there was no customs declaration on it. The sender had also managed to leave off my email address and mobile, and leave off half the address.

Darc19 · 17-08-2021 10:08pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117768942#Comment_117768942

Please please enlighten us on how on earth in any way whatsoever this could be "illegal"

Please tell me you are taking the piss?

Gabriel · 17-08-2021 10:16pm

Yes! :) but well I suppose they should inform the receiver? Is this new EU rules or local Irish customs rules? Just asking becuse maybe you know more than me. I never have some many packets sent back apart for this month. Actually I never have any packet sent back!

Yggr of Asgard · 17-08-2021 10:59pm

FedEx has a nice page about what the new Vat regime means for various sellers and the IOSS requirements that the EU requires for VAT.

https://www.fedex.com/en-ie/eu-vat-changes.html

whiterebel · 18-08-2021 8:04am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117769352#Comment_117769352

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058190416/vat-exemption-on-items-under-22-from-outside-eu-disappearing-on-1-july-2021/p1

Gabriel · 18-08-2021 6:22pm

Look this! I was here all day this morning there was a small packet delivered from France but one of the packet that I missing that came from Autralia it has this infomation on AN Post now! Crazy! what are they doing!? It a lie that the tried to delivered I was here all day!

Gabriel · 18-08-2021 6:27pm

I dond understand anything of what they are doing ! :( I am going to stop completely to use An post.

gerard2210 · 19-08-2021 11:08am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117772999#Comment_117772999

Must be an issue with the address on the package.

Mrcaramelchoc · 19-08-2021 11:17am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117773008#Comment_117773008

Id say they'll be thrilled.

Hippodrome Song Owl · 19-08-2021 11:18am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117772999#Comment_117772999

That's what my tracking says now for my parcel with the insufficient customs declaration. Could be the same issue for you.

Though it only updated to that today, despite An Post knowing that was the problem since 9th August. At least the seller might actually look into addressing the issue now as they refused while An Post tracking stated it was still sorted in the Dublin Mail Centre. An Post needs to get themselves in order and improve their service of specifically notifying customers of customs issues in a timely manner. At the moment their service is unacceptably unprofessional in that regard.

Cookiee · 19-08-2021 12:10pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117772999#Comment_117772999

It's not that they actually tried deliver to your address, it's that something is wrong with the address on the label or with the customs declaration, so they can't deliver it for that reason, because if they actually we're trying to deliver it and couldn't because you weren't home or whatever, they would try deliver again the next day or bring it to an post collection point for you to collect, but they didn't do that, so must be something wrong with customs declaration etc, very frustrating thought as they don't contact you about it

mrslancaster · 19-08-2021 1:06pm

What happens if An Post have the package for so long that the return period allowed by the seller is passed?

Say you buy from UK or USA and use AddressPal. The package gets to D12 hub but delays by an post in delivering it means you dont get it for 3/4weeks later. As far as the seller is concerned it was delivered within a few days to the address pal depot & the return clock starts then. Is it just suck it up? Even though you pay An Post for a service they didnt provide.

Edit..its a shambles & AnPost knew the EU rules were changing on 1st July and they should have known theyd need extra staff to cope & also with the extra calls to customer service. Pretty poor management that didnt plan properly for it.

but never mind, customers can wait for weeks or just hold on for more than an hour to try & find out whats happening..

It is disgraceful & most definitly is not customer service. Whoever wrote that Customer Charter must be having a good laugh.

Gatling · 19-08-2021 3:28pm

They should allow customer pick ups once any duties has been paid , being packages from Europe come through on problem ,have a UK from the UK sitting in Dublin 12 even though the dutie is paid three weeks now ,

manna452121 · 19-08-2021 7:23pm

If people use their local Post office they should ask for the correct paperwork,C22 or C23 form, for what they are sending.If customs do not know whats in the letter/package they will stop it and then if it has a return address be sent back.

Yggr of Asgard · 23-08-2021 7:45am

It's even effecting standard, simple Amazon shipments that used to go through without a problem.

Ordered on 08 August - Prime - shipped only on Friday 13 August (bad form of Amazon too)

AnPost on 15 August We have your post in DUBLIN PARCEL HUB, DUBLIN 12

Then loads of "we have your delivery" and "your deliver has sorted" over the 15 and 16 August with nothing else until 20 August which again is loads of "we have your delivery" and "your deliver has sorted".

It's becoming a joke; I have stopped using Amazon as even with Prime it takes days to be shipped and then that a parcel may make it not even to delivery.

antimatterx · 23-08-2021 10:18pm

I'm finding everyone bad atm. An Post and other couriers. I'm getting nothing in a reasonable time frame other than Amazon.

VG31 · 24-08-2021 1:51pm

Just received a small package worth €7 from Switzerland today. It was delivered as normal with no charges.

Edit: The envelope had an IOSS number with paid beside it on the label.

Limestone1 · 24-08-2021 3:19pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117797502#Comment_117797502

Off topic but what % VAT was due on the contact lenses ?

whiterebel · 24-08-2021 3:24pm

MOD: I've split off the posts regarding imports being returned to its own thread here: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058200515/an-post-returning-packages-from-outside-the-eu/p2

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000 · 24-08-2021 4:22pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117797812#Comment_117797812

I paid €14.38 for a months supply and an post were looking for another €3.30 plus their own fee of €3.50 on top of that again...for the craic. You'd think they'd actually post them out after shafting me so hard.

It's a joke at this stage. The cost of living has gone up so much lately.

Johnstaf · 28-08-2021 9:54am

According to the USPS website, the package referred to in the above post is now in San Diego. What a mess. I hope the sender will try again, as the item I bought isn't available from any other seller in the world.

labrik · 28-08-2021 4:12pm

I ordered 2 cds from a US company three weeks ago August 7th 2021. The last update was processed through a Dublin Delivery Centre on Tuesday August 17th. A friend said customs is slow at the moment. Give it at least a week. I was busy the last few days so took my eye off it. The originally tracking number still says the same thing but there is also a tracking number beginning with letters LV and it states August 26th in the Jamica NY International Distribution Centre. I know this is beside JFK airport. Yesterday, August 27th it's moving within the USPS network and it is on track to be delivered to its final destination. So it's gone back the States. or as other posts have stated it never left it. Confusing! I

I presume An Post just deliver it like normal post. It should fit in the my apartments mail box. I presume if it's oversized a card would be left if I'm not in. My phone number was on the order, as was my email.

Jordo1993 · 29-08-2021 2:08pm

I had ordered a t-shirt from the USA at the start if August, bought from this guy more then twice in the past with no issue. This last package came to Ireland where I assumed it would be handed to an post....but no, it went to new york from Dublin and then they processed to try deliver my mail for galway ireland to some flats in Huntington Beach califiornia on Friday....how the he'll is that even possible when it's bound for ireland, some very stupid people in this world

labrik · 30-08-2021 11:40am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117818766#Comment_117818766

I just got an update. My package sent via Chicago to Dublin two weeks ago is now at Elm Grove Post Office. I presume it will be delivered there. Totally confused. I did contact the sender who has agreed to refund or re-send. I'll give it one more day. How is this happening?

whiterebel · 30-08-2021 2:19pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117822749#Comment_117822749

clothes hanger · 01-09-2021 9:29am

Do items from other European countries go through customs does anyone know?

whiterebel · 01-09-2021 9:57am

From the EU they don't need to clear customs, but they can open an dissect any package on arrival. Anything from aa non-EU country needs to be cleared through customs.

clothes hanger · 01-09-2021 10:29am

Thank you so would the status 'assessed by customs' mean package is opened for inspection? I've never had that tracking status on by An Post before

Jordo1993 · 01-09-2021 10:27pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117822456#Comment_117822456

It went back to America, delivered in Huntingdon Beach California for final delivery by agent whatever the hell that means it was sent a month ago tomorrow, seller is located in Vegas and has said he's received nothing. I've bought items from this guy before with no issue. Over a month, for a t-shirt what the actual f**k

fdevine · 02-09-2021 10:40am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117797222#Comment_117797222

Had a package with value of €17.50 (mymemory.ie) shipped from Switzerland. Got an email advising c.€7.50 in charges. Vendor refunded all charges without question. Delivery time, in total, was no longer than before July 1st

That said, I've have a small package that's now been "sorted" ~~four~~ six times in two weeks with two of those being today. Unlikely to have the correct declaration on it TBH but previous identical package was delivered having been sorted three times and came with a yellow warning label re insufficient declaration. Third package had its first sorting yesterday so we'll see how that goes......🙄

harr · 05-09-2021 9:41am

How long are people waiting for deliveries once it gets to Dublin ? Have an item posted from U.K. and it’s in Dublin last two weeks . All tax and fees are paid through the seller so nothing to be paid .

It’s only a small item but important I have it before middle of September as it’s needed for a project I am doing . Here’s me thinking I ordered it in plenty of time .

fdevine · 06-09-2021 10:51am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117848707#Comment_117848707

I'm into week three now - first sorted 20th August - sixth sorting 2nd September & nothing since. Brexit/COVID/EU/Customs all being cited as causes

whiterebel · 07-09-2021 12:24pm

Join the queue......https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058200515/an-post-returning-packages-from-outside-the-eu#latest

ShayNanigan · 07-09-2021 2:22pm

I don't know if I'm just being impatient or should I worry... Ordered a birthday present from France and it left the country on Thursday 2nd. No tracking information since. It was sent as registered international letter (requiring signature) which in hindsight might have been a bad idea and probably should have asked the seller to look into courier firms but I thought it would be fine as it has before. I don't know whether the letter will go straight to Dublin or travel via UK. Technically it's not delayed yet as the seller said it might take 3 to 7 work days to arrive but all these posts here about delays, parcels being sent back etc. make me worry.

Darc19 · 07-09-2021 2:29pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117858506#Comment_117858506

Why would it travel via the UK? All mail goes via air.

Even if it went ground and travelled through the UK, it would make no difference

With a continued reduced air capacity, post can still have a couple of days delay. When it says "it has left france", it only means it has been scanned into dispatch, sort of like you going through security at an airport after checking in, but you still await the boarding and take-off.

Your next scan will be when it is sorted in dublin mail centre

ShayNanigan · 07-09-2021 2:58pm

Well that's what I thought as well, why would it travel via the UK, but you never know. Stranger things have happened.

I know, probably should just wait patiently but you know how it is when you're expecting something.

copacetic · 13-09-2021 1:08pm

Can’t get through to an post at all on the phone, their ‘chat bot’ is useless and web form not answered. I paid customs on a package over a week ago, but it hasn’t moved from ‘sorted’ status. Is it safe to assume that if they charged me 50€ customs they are happy with the documents etc and will eventually get around to delivering it? Their quotes in the press blaming everyone else for delays don’t seem to apply in this case? The sorted status itself only came up about a week after the item arrived in Ireland. It was a 48hr expected delivery from UK!

is there anything at all to try except wait and check tracking vainly every few hours?

Lamina · 14-09-2021 9:13pm

Hi all,

I'm waiting on three different packages. There was no updates at all on the tracking since they were in Dublin. Assuming nothing was coming, I wasn't home Friday morning and came back to a missed delivery notice. No tracking number on the notice or anything so I've no clue what I missed. Also no updates on the tracker until yesterday. Yesterday and today I've got a "Your delivery is in Cork City D.S.U" update for all my packages. No missed delivery update or anything. I'm assuming those updates mean they are holding your package after missed delivery? Haven't been able to get through to them. I arranged redelivery through their website, do they even pay attention to that?

Exclamation Marc · 14-09-2021 11:21pm

Have received two customs payment requests from An Post this week for items already delivered...

Anyone else had this? Feel like I should just ignore it given I have the post.

whiterebel · 14-09-2021 11:28pm

It has been paid out on your behalf, why wouldn't you pay it? The more that happens the more likely that charges are increased to cover non-payers.

copacetic · 15-09-2021 10:11am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117884564#Comment_117884564

My item arrived this morning, about 13 days since it hit Ireland, terrible service, but lucky based on others experience.

WestWicklow1 · 16-09-2021 1:56pm

Apologies, if this has been mentioned before....

I have a package coming from the US via USPS. The last tracking entry is...

September 5, 2021, 8:29 am

Departed

DUBLIN, IRELAND

Your item departed a transfer airport in DUBLIN, IRELAND on September 5, 2021 at 8:29 am. The item is currently in transit to the destination.

There is no mention of the tracking number with An Post. There will be VAT etc. to be paid.

My question is, is this kind of delay (11 days now) usual at the moment?

Inbound and internal An Post Delays

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