Shipping overseas questions

Hey everyone I shipped a letter via USPS to a friend in the UK but I've been kinda dumbfounded, the tracking hasn't been updated at all. Not even "picked up" or hitting customs.

https://tools.usps.com …tc_tLabels1=LK1​86020435US

Is USPS this crappy with letters? whenever I've gotten a letter with tracking from another country it always had constant tracking.

Also I've shipped numerous packages overseas and the tracking always worked, this was my first time sending a letter though.

Hey Alex. I would't worry about it. I ship end receive Internationally a lot and the tracking systems are notoriously bad, especially when shipping runs over holiday schedules. I mentioned this in another thread recently. I've sent packages and have received thank you messages from buyers days before the tracking system gets updated with the delivery confirmation.

nqjudo wrote in post #17505966
Hey Alex. I would't worry about it. I ship end receive Internationally a lot and the tracking systems are notoriously bad, especially when shipping runs over holiday schedules. I mentioned this in another thread recently. I've sent packages and have received thank you messages from buyers days before the tracking system gets updated with the delivery confirmation.

Thank you!

For future reference, always always ALWAYS have your local USPS scan in anything that has a tracking number/barcode. If you do not, it is not guaranteed that they will have it scanned at the origin point (which appears to be what happened in your case). If you do not get your item scanned at dropoff, you cannot prove that you ever dropped it off. If it gets lost before it's scanned (usually happens at the first distribution center) you are SOL even if you have insurance.

Had you taken your letter to the counter and had it scanned, it would have shown that in your tracking info. Only once have I ever had a tracked package not register an initial scan, and that was with a Fedex Smartpost package at my local USPS (supposed to only be dropped off at Fedex, but USPS will take them).

Dropping packages in the package chute or leaving them on the counter is really convenient, but it's not worth the headache when things go wrong. USPS is pretty good, but they do screw up more than the other carriers--and the risk of a loss is much higher when shipping internationally.

The funny thing is that I did take two packages that day to the office like I always do. But this was a letter so I just left it in my post box.

It was a for a friend also so no money exchanged.

Today they received it and the tracking still didn't update but I'm just happy they got it!

if the package was under 4lbs it can not be tracked...............
known fact

I did not know that! thanks!

whenever I do get small items(or letters w/tracking) from other countries they do get tracked all the way here, so it's just outgoing mail?

leemajors wrote in post #17519149
if the package was under 4lbs it can not be tracked...............
known fact

How is that? I ship and receive tracked packages under 4 pounds all the time, US, Canada, UK...everywhere. You can even do the same with letters.

leemajors wrote in post #17519149
if the package was under 4lbs it can not be tracked...............
known fact

That's BS, as judo already stated

not bs send something under that weight and it will not be tracked ...............

i ship all the time
must weigh over 4lbs

https://www.usps.com …ternational-shipments.htm

leemajors wrote in post #17519149
if the package was under 4lbs it can not be tracked...............
known fact

I'll add that to my book: 1,001 Things Everyone Knows That Are NOT True. Like tomato juice kills skunk smell, and cats are aloof.

leemajors wrote in post #18033435
not bs send something under that weight and it will not be tracked ...............

i ship all the time
must weigh over 4lbs

https://www.usps.com …ternational-shipments.htm

Only reference to 4 pounds I could find on the cited page:

Full Package Standards

Shipments sent in Priority Mail International® Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes can weigh up to 4 lbs.
Shipments sent in Priority Mail International Medium and Large Flat Rate Boxes can weigh up to 20 lbs.
Packages shipped via First-Class Package International Service® must weigh 4 lbs or less and have a value of $400 or less.



Nothing about tracking and weight together. I worked for the USPS for 28 years, and never heard of such a restriction. I can pay for tracking on a postcard, if I want.

leemajors wrote in post #17519149
if the package was under 4lbs it can not be tracked...............
known fact

Utter nonsense. I've shipped items under 4 pounds internationally and I have received items from overseas and have always had tracking on them.

I'm with Bassat....add it to the list of 'known facts that everyone knows that aren't true'.

The 'known fact' was the giveaway to this falling into the BS category.

So......moving right along......