An Post returning packages from outside the EU-See 1st post

Possibly not but there's no way to know way to be sure that's what the problem was. I've just asked for a refund now, I'll try again in a few months, maybe things will be handled better then

It isn't a level playing field as it's the smaller sellers & retailers who are most affected by this.

Packages sent via

Amazon UK / USA

and Ebay UK / USA 's Global Shipping Programme

are being delivered without issue

So all my online orders from UK and USA are being made via these channels.

It's more a case of a double standard. Amazon UK must have some arrangement with An Post and I don't think those packages go through customs.

Ebay's Global Shipping Programme seems to be outsourced to Pitney Bowes. Those packages do go through Irish customs but clear without issue.

Not sure what the smaller sellers are doing wrong (if anything) but a few negative experiences have put me off completely.

Hmm, I'm waiting for a small bespoke item sent from a private individual in the UK, it was sent on the 7th of April, not a dickybird about it yet. I guess I won't be getting it and its pointless trying to contact an post about it judging by this thread.

Of course, we REALLY need ten digits here, I mean, there are at least ten Billion different items we might import, not the paltry million of the six digit code.

It reminds me of the signal corp spares descriptions in the army stores back in the late 70's. Six or seven columns. E.g; LAMP - ONE - EDISON SCREW- 6 WATTS - 12 VOLTS- SOLDIERS FOR THE USE OF. Something like that. Whoever got the job of going to the shop for the tea and sugar would be told to get TEA. BOX. ONE. LYONS. LABEL, GREEN. SOLDIERS FOR THE USE OF. (or Civilians). None of your auld pansy teabags. Happy days.

Slightly off-topic, but are there issues with all parcels from the UK, would you encounter similar problems with a gift for a family member posted from the UK or is this just business/retailer items?

If the family member marks the item as a gift and the total value is under €45 (including postage), there won’t be any custom charges.

They will need to provide a 10 digit TARIC to avoid an automatic return to sender as An Post’s system can’t handle any other length.

Same here, no text or email. The package has been returned to the sender.

My Package was lost, that's the explanation by the sender. They did a refund though, and asked me to replace the order, which I did, and it arrived within a few days. No fees, it was all in the price according to the seller, the vat ect all collected on behalf. So no reason for first package to be held up, it just vanished.

I did - 12 days later

"Our records indicate that the item was processed to be returned to sender as the goods were valued at over €1000 on the electronic declaration that we received from the sender and so were required to be shipped under a H1 declaration. You will need to query the electronic data supplied by the sender/sending postal company."

The goods were declared as £100 on the package label so the only conclusion is that Royal Mail may had added a 0 when doing the electronic declaration part.

The package eventually found its way back to England. The seller re-sent it at the end of last week and amended the value slightly downwards. Fingers crossed. If it's rejected again, I'll just get a refund.

I've received a customs charge today, it has a tracking ID number which I think is jersey but the only item I'm waiting for isn't being dispatched from Jersey. Not sure whether to pay or not!

I received a letter from an post. It is legit as it is the same as others I have received in the past. It has a tracking ID number UMxxxxxxxxxJE, apparently it doesn't have tracking if it begins with UM!

Edit: Just put in the details on An Post and it is the parcel I'm expecting! Customer service at some companies have not got a clue!