Experiences with USPS sought...

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Trunks2

224 posts

Master Geek

#585359 22-Feb-2012 20:57

Behodar: In my experience, the USPS tracking site is best while the package is in the US. Once it arrives in NZ, NZ Post's site tends to be more up to date. In one case I've had the USPS site say "arrived in NZ" two days after NZ Post did.

Short version: For the latest details, put the tracking number into the NZ Post site.

Yeah that's where I've been watching it from, still has the same info though.

1 Picked up 05.49 AM on 25/01/12
2 Left country of origin 09.34 AM on 26/01/12

Kyanar

4089 posts

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#585582 23-Feb-2012 10:27

LookingUp:
Kyanar: Everything I've ever had sent via USPS has taken the two weeks and then some - they are hideously slow. Contrast that with Royal Mail, where every package has arrived in 3 working days flat. On the bright side, neither USPS nor Royal Mail have ever lost a package I've ordered, compared to NZ Post which has lost one or two.

The software used to track RoyalMail parcels was delivered out of Christchurch. NZ Post previously used the same NZ supplier, then decided to DIY their own version 'cos it would be cheaper, hmph, 'nuff said? ;-)

It says a lot. It's especially bad that NZ Post takes three days longer than Royal Mail to get me a package, when the former package came from Wellington and the latter from London.

Trunks2

224 posts

Master Geek

#586204 24-Feb-2012 12:50

Woo, it's arrived in NZ

3 Arrived in New Zealand 11.24 AM on 24/02/12
4 Held for clearance 11.26 AM on 24/02/12

It only took about a month, don't think I'll use USPS again.

Trunks2

224 posts

Master Geek

#587782 28-Feb-2012 12:00

I got a letter in the mail today saying my package is being held by customs

Here's a copy: https://i.imgur.com/0dZD7.jpg

Now from what I've read if I call NZpost they will charge me extra for the broker service? I'm in Rotorua and I looked up the NZ customs service in the blue pages as it says but there is no address, only the 0800 4 customs number and an email address.

I don't really want to be charged extra if I don't have to so should I just call the 0800 4 customs number?

Thanks.

Trunks2

224 posts

Master Geek

#587851 28-Feb-2012 14:43

Called up Customs and they have told me I need to either use the NZPost customs broker ($75 fee) or go to the nearest Customs office with receipts etc so they can calculate what fees I need to pay, annoying thing is the nearest one is in Tauranga! (I'm in Rotorua).

Guess I need to make a trip to Tauranga now, this is bull.

timmmay

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#587860 28-Feb-2012 14:57

Importing things over $400 can get expensive. I just pay the fees they ask, it's easier that way. Your time and petrol are probably more valuable than $75.

KevinL

656 posts

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#587876 28-Feb-2012 15:38

Trunks2: Called up Customs and they have told me I need to either use the NZPost customs broker ($75 fee) or go to the nearest Customs office with receipts etc so they can calculate what fees I need to pay, annoying thing is the nearest one is in Tauranga! (I'm in Rotorua).

Guess I need to make a trip to Tauranga now, this is bull.

I'd guess the issue is they didn't include an invoice when they shipped the item - as it's been picked up by customs, they need to verify the value of the items independently. Such a small, yet very annoying omission...

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Trunks2

224 posts

Master Geek

#587883 28-Feb-2012 15:47

KevinL:

I'd guess the issue is they didn't include an invoice when they shipped the item - as it's been picked up by customs, they need to verify the value of the items independently. Such a small, yet very annoying omission...

Ah OK I'll remember that. It's just a private sale of an item I bought off a member on the XDA forums so I'm not sure what documentation to take.

Guess I'll print out all PMs I sent, a pic of a receipt for shipping from USPS and a printout of the Paypal transaction.

timmmay: Importing things over $400 can get expensive. I just pay the fees they ask, it's easier that way. Your time and petrol are probably more valuable than $75.

The item is only worth about $160USD so I don't really want to pay $75 on-top of customs fees + GST for such a low value item, plus I don't pay for fuel and I don't have anything to do for the next month while I wait for my class to start :) It's just a bit of a pain is all.

Skolink

1081 posts

Uber Geek

#587915 28-Feb-2012 16:44

KevinL: The customs thing is a bit hit and miss when you send via EMS/USPS - customs don't pick up every package (in fact, I don't think I have -ever- been hit for GST/duty for any shipments - not that I'd mind paying). When they are picked up by customs, they can be held up for some time as the default notification seems to be postal.

If you send via Fedex/UPS/DHL then it is a little bit different - essentially, you pay a premium for the courier company to act as your representative at customs; consequently everything that is due to be taxed, is. The first time this happens it can delay things by a day or two (you need to apply for a customs ID of some sort), but subsequent packages are effectively fast-tracked.

Yes, I've decided it's worth paying a little more for UPS rather than USPS for urgent items that are likely to attract GST.
The one time I shipped something with USPS, the shipping status didn't change for two weeks once it arrived in the country. I called USPS and got passed off a couple of times to other outfits (eg NZ Post) untill I finally got someone who could tell me that my package was being held at customs. Then I had to go in person to NZ Customs, with ID, to pay the GST. I never received any form of notification.

nzkiwiman

2585 posts

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#587949 28-Feb-2012 17:39

Most of my parcels from the USA come via USPS (about a 30:70 split over EMS vs Priority.
Most of the delays I have are getting from the East Coast to the West Coast of the USA or getting from Dunedin to Auckland.

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