Parcel sent abroad and not received. What can I do?

[Megan70]

It's now over a month I sent Christmass presents to my nephews abroad, but the parcel hasn't been delivered and, although it had "return address", it has been returned back either. I have the certificate of posting. I am just wondering what I am supposed to do, if I go to make a complain and they tell me "well, it was not registered delivery we can't do anything", what is my next step??. To me is very obvious that I paid for a service to deliver the parcel, if they don't deliver it, I should have it back. Obviously is a given that they would have to refund my money for not delivering it, but what happens with the parcel and its contents?? I am absolutely mad at how careless the postal service is!

Not a lot unless you paid for insured postage. You're being very naive with your expectations though.

What country did it go to? I've had post go missing internationally more than once - I have no doubt it was stolen in Sri Lanka, due to poverty and corruption for example.

Was it tracked/recorded delivery? Did you insure it for a certain amount?

If not then you've got no hope sadly.

If it was sent via Royal Mail and you have proof of postage, you might be able to make a claim for up to £20 for it:

www.royalmail.com/international-compensation
personal.help.royalmail.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/325

I don't see how you could 'have it back' as it is obviously lost.

My family have posted me items that have vanished (I live on another continent).

They chased it up but they never got a refund or an explanation. Sorry to be so bleak OP :(

In future ALWAYS INSURE!

Which country did it go to? I’m in the Middle East and you can usually track incoming post here via the Royal Mail tracking number (assuming you got one.....it would be extremely naive not to send anything here registered post!). It’s usually to be found somewhere in the main post office awaiting collection, as we don’t have postal deliveries here.

I sent it to Spain (supposedly we are still part of Europe). I don't know if I would be able to claim anything for the contents if they ask for prove of value; it was a box of legos and some clothes, I don't think I even kept the receipt of the items as I thought it wouldn't be of use (they were bought in local shops).

It was not something "hugely" valuable to actually be insured (I think) and...yes, it might sound a bit naive, but to me " I pay X money for someone to deliver my letter/parcel to someone else", that's the base of the service, if they it takes, longer or shorter, whether it goes by plane or by train I don't care, I just want it delivered. So I didn't really see the reason for spending more really. It would have been different if I had sent "designer" clothes, but it was just a little something for the family.

(supposedly we are still part of Europe)

That’s nothing to do with anything. There never has been a single European postal service so there’s no reason a parcel to Spain is safer than anywhere else.

It often takes a long time for international post to get returned to sender so you might still get it back depending on what has happened to it.

I run an online business and send a lot of international (small) packages. For the most part the postal system is very, very reliable, maybe 1 or 2 go missing out of hundreds I send every year. For what it's worth it costs about £8 more for tracked, at least then you know where it is and get compensation if it goes missing.

What's the system like in Spain if your relatives weren't at home when delivery was attempted?

If it was just a little something why are you so bothered? The post offices round here always ask what's in the parcel and what's the value. They then tell you if the service you are using is suitable. They give you a receipt which is also proof of posting. If you have this then you can go back and ask what options you have.