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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think they should have mentioned it before posting

62 replies

Justforlaughs · 02/01/2014 12:46

My DMum posted a parcel to DSil in another country. It was a bottle of perfume. Cashier in PO asked what was in the parcel and filled in the forms. DMum later received a letter stating that perfume was NOT allowed to be posted and that the parcel had been disposed of, including the birthday card. Yes, DMum could have asked specifically whether perfume was allowed to be posted, but surely the cashier should have checked herself if she didn't know, or told DMum if she did. DMum is very upset, both about £60 wasted and that DSil didn't get her card or any other acknowledgement of her birthday on the day.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 02/01/2014 12:48

I would have thought she should have checked before sending. TBH I would never consider attempting to post liquid.

phantomnamechanger · 02/01/2014 12:49

surely everyone knows you cant send bottles of liquid in the post overseas???

BrownPaint · 02/01/2014 12:49

Seems pointless asking the question if she allowed prohibited goods to be posted. I'm sorry you mum lost her money...

CrohnicallySick · 02/01/2014 12:49

YANBU. If the cashier asked what was in the parcel and filled out the forms, she could have checked whether it was allowed to be posted (or given your mum the leaflet on prohibited items).

Original poster
Justforlaughs · 02/01/2014 12:51

Never having tried to post liquid overseas, I genuinely wouldn't have known that. It never occurred to DMum either. I can't believe that someone working in the PO didn't know, and think she should have said something.

OP posts:
IneedAwittierNickname · 02/01/2014 12:53

I didn't know that you can't send liquid overseas, and wouls expect the post office to tell me when I tried to send it tbh.

IamInvisible · 02/01/2014 12:55

I've been sending parcels overseas lately. I checked on the websites of what you're allowed to send before I bought anything. I saw it as my responsibility.

DrankSangriaInThePark · 02/01/2014 12:56

It's been fairly well publicised recently to be fair.

ShadowFall · 02/01/2014 12:56

Seems a bit daft that the cashier didn't say anything at the time after going to the trouble of asking what was in the parcel.

picnicbasketcase · 02/01/2014 12:56

PO employee asked what is was, your DM told them and they didn't tell her there and then that she couldn't post it? That's appalling, what a waste.

BellaVita · 02/01/2014 12:56

The cashier should have known. There are leaflets in the PO giving exact details of what is/isn't allowed.

DrankSangriaInThePark · 02/01/2014 12:57

You really can't blame the post office.

Imnotaslimjim · 02/01/2014 12:59

I've posted a parcel this morning and they showed me a list of prohibited items. They shouldn't have let her post it if they knew what was in it

BrownPaint · 02/01/2014 13:00

Why do staff ask what's in the parcel?

Original poster
Justforlaughs · 02/01/2014 13:01

How many elderly people are being caught out by this?

OP posts:
Original poster
Justforlaughs · 02/01/2014 13:02

Drank where has it been publicised? I honestly haven't seen anything. It seems like they pocketed the £27 postage and then just disposed of the parcel.

OP posts:
BaronessBomburst · 02/01/2014 13:04

You can send bottles of liquid in the post PhantomNamechanger . The rules vary for different countries though. MIL sent me a selection of toiletries which she declared and were okay but she had to take out the aftershave for DH, so not exactly sure on the logic behind it all.

ChasedByBees · 02/01/2014 13:04

I haven't seem it either and I do think you can blame the post office if they directly asked and were told it was perfume. I'd complain.

craftynclothy · 02/01/2014 13:05

There has been publicity lately but I think you can blame the Post Office when the cashier accepted the parcel despite it containing a prohibited item. Surely the cashier should have said that you can't send perfume and given OP's mum the chance to remove it and just send the card.

Mcnorton · 02/01/2014 13:06

I post overseas regularly and every time I'm either asked 'what's in it?' (in case it's prohibited I assume) or shown a list of prohibited items to check. I use various post offices depending on where I am (work, home, etc), so I'm surprised your Mum's had that experience. I'm sorry to hear it.

RandyRudolf · 02/01/2014 13:07

I have just read Royal Mail's International Restricted items and you cannot post perfume internationally,only within the UK. The post office cashier should have advised you of this when you told her what you were posting. In fact, she shouldn't have accepted it.

I think you can only post it if you are a business.

ShadowFall · 02/01/2014 13:07

I haven't seen any publicity lately either. I didn't even see a poster / leaflet about prohibited items on display when I was in the post office posting a parcel shortly before Christmas.

And I agree that you can blame the post office if the post office staff ask what's in the parcel, and then accept it despite it being a forbidden item.

caroldecker · 02/01/2014 13:08

Surely the forms she filled in had a list of banned items on it - i think the perfume one is because it is flammable

MinnieMooMoo · 02/01/2014 13:09

I was asked if a parcel was perfume the week before Christmas and that was posted to a UK address. The cashier should have known the rules.

wowfudge · 02/01/2014 13:12

I think you can blame the post office - all the guidance on their website states you can't send flammable liquids, including perfume, abroad. Sounds like a training issue with the cashier involved. I think the difficulty would be in proving what was written on the customs declaration, and then whether it was clear to the cashier what exactly was in the package. (Your mum might have put 'toiletries' or the name of the perfume, etc.) If your mum wants to do the same in future, maybe it would be safer to order online for delivery to SIL as then the onus is on the retailer to ensure it is delivered. I.e. the item may be purchased and posted within the same country.