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!

Yes of course it has value. This is where you went wrong, I think. It looks to customs like you were trying to cheat the system. Unless you’re shipping an empty box, it has value. No one can accurately value 2 broken American Girl dolls, so I would put the original value of what you paid. I’ve never had any issues with UPS above and beyond the usual stuff and we ship to the US weekly.

Argh I could kick myself. I’d put the original RRP value on the customs forms and DH made me re-write the dam things because he insisted they have no value… GRRRRRR.

For future reference there should be a “returned items” box to tick on the customs docket.

Hmm the UPS form doesn’t have a return box to tick.

Anyway, the parcel arrived back with me today. I have completed new paperwork with the value included this time. That is now attached to the parcel with the shipping label. There is also a copy inside the parcel.

Is there anything else I’m missing?? UPS are going to collect again tomorrow morning….

Not sure exactly what this is but when sending abroad you need to make sure the correct electronic customs information is included. I only know this because something sent to me aboard got returned to the sender, and their small post office had no idea how to do this 🙈
Technically I think the courier should be doing this for you going off your forms. You should definitely give a value though. I would call the courier company before they collect if you can to make sure there's not some information your missing & meant to include.
Best of luck & hope it doesn't get returned to you again!

Honestly, I’d try and get a refund or cancellation from UPS and send via DHL. Every time I’ve used UPS they have been fucking shocking, to the point where I honestly had to check whether I was getting scammed (I mean, I was getting scammed, by UPS).

Did you mark the customs info as zero value or with the correct value and "return"?
UPS are the fastest and the chances are it isn't their mistake.

@DelilahBucket - yes definitely my mistake first time. I said “no value” on the customs form as DH insisted that the broken doll had zero value.

This time I have provided the retail value in $, but given the reason for the shipping as ‘RETURN’. Hopefully this is correct now.

So one copy in the parcel, one on the box in the clear pouch, and one to hand to the driver.

I keep seeing something about a waybill, but presume this is the tracking number and barcode on my shipping label?

thanks so much everyone, who knew it would be so hard!

Nooooo UPS is awful. Use DHL or Fed Ex. I send lots of things back to the US and fed ex is by far the best. You only put zero value on a used personal item not on a return.

@2FelisCatus so I have heard!! Unfortunately I don’t want to pay again so it’s last chance saloon…

If all else fails go on the American moms in the U.K. Facebook group and I bet someone will bring it back for you and ship it from within the US.

Fantastic thanks @2FelisCatus

Updating this…!

so, my parcel arrived back with me remarkably fast, and after three further calls to UPS to clarify how I could get them to take it again (correct paperwork this time), I finally established that they could collect again the next day…

off it went a week ago…

So far it is been to:

Croydon
Tamworth
Castle Donington
Tamworth
Castle Donington - where it got delayed for a few days…
To Stansted - where it was delayed for another day

BUT it has finally made it to Kentucky! Which is a mere 8 hour drive from its final destination!

what do you reckon my chances are? I really want it there by Feb 2nd latest!

OMG!!!

The doll made it, actually made it!

And American Girl have already shipped the replacement to our hotel. This grand plan might actually work!

Go UPS!

Great news! Happy it worked out for you