Need to get a parcel to US, fast!

[goldpendant]

Evening!

I sent a parcel to the US last week, with UPS. I’ve been tracking it as it was due for delivery in Wisconsin by 7pm today, but now says is being returned to me in the UK!! No other information provided at all.

Assuming I ever get this parcel back, can someone please give me a dummies guide for sending a parcel to the US?

I am returning some faulty “American Girl” dolls. The package is the size of a large shoebox. I had completed the paperwork (3x customs forms even though the parcel has no commercial value). No idea why it is being returned.

I need to now get the parcel to its intended destination ASAP as the company were due to send replacements to a hotel to coincide with a planned holiday to Florida - ARGH.

Can I ask anyone that frequently sends parcels to US, who do you use, and so I even need to complete the customs paperwork if there’s no value? UPS website was confusing to say the least…

Thanks!

DHL do it in a couple of days. I’ve not done it since before Brexit though.

parcel.dhl.co.uk/parcel-delivery-to-usa/

Judging by how long it takes to get a letter three miles away currently, I suggest taking it yourself on a plane would be the quickest.

It would probably be quicker swimming it there.

@MargaretThursday - as I had feared!!

I just knew it wouldn’t be as simple as doing the paperwork, paying the money (£35!), and expecting the service to actually work….

@goldpendant 🤣

I'm still feeling bitter after the parcel I posted took 18 days to go less than 100 miles. They didn't respond to my suggestion that paid tortoises would be quicker.

I doubt it even left the UK… or the Croydon depot by the looks of the tracking information.

FFS!

I send parcels regularly and FedEx are the best

Thanks @minidancer

Do I need to complete/attach the customs paperwork if it has no value? I wonder if this is where I went wrong??

UPS are utter shit. I use DHL, but have an account so there’s someone I can speak to if things go pear shaped.

Sorry, my reply got cut short;

Whoever you use make sure you follow the requirements to the letter, ie invoices etc, and presume you are dealing with morons.

@Palmfrond (nice name btw), I did this, literally spelled out the info as clearly as possible- followed instructions to the letter, or so I’d thought!

I'd send with DHL, yes to customs. The goods have a value, they cost something to be made

Have you double checked the address? Maybe it was not found by the delivery person?

Huge headquarters of American Girl (big company), address was definitely correct.

@SpottyBumPony - even though the dolls are broken?

Yes, still need to fill in customs stuff

If it didn't leave the country then it probably didn't pass customs.

Take them with you on holiday and post from there?

Fedex, they get it by lunchtime.

OK so sounds like FedEx, customs forms required (do I put a value?? On the last forms I put “no value”)?

@Beachsidesunset that might be an option but we only have 10 days there… not sure it’s time to turn the whole thing around!

@goldpendant can you not take them back to an AG shop? Whereabouts are you going in Florida? There definitely one in Orlando.

@goldpendant Thats probably why they haven’t passed customs. It’ll look like an incorrectly valued parcel.

@feelingrubbish2023 Id suggested that as we are 20 mins from the AG shop in Orlando but their customer services department have said they preferred me to send them back

UPS aren't anything to do with Royal Mail are they? As apparently RM got hacked and now aren't doing international deliveries until they get it sorted.

I live in the US and send stuff back and forth. UPS are USELESS. 50% of the time the packages go missing, get sent back or are horrendously delayed.

You want DHL - they're the best.