Package from France to USA - How Long?!

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Hatfield1313

Hatfield1313

Member
Jan 17, 2013
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#1
Hey guys, I ordered a bag on eBay on November 22, and the seller shipped it on November 23/24, one of those two days. Tracking is not updating, it still just says processed through facility chilly_mazarin centre colis export. I have never purchased from a seller based in France on eBay before and I'm starting to get worried. Shouldn't it be in the states by now? I contacted the seller who said it may not be updating yet if it's in customs. Can anyone offer any advice? eBay's estimated delivery is by December 11 and at this rate I definitely don't see that happening. I'm tempted to start a missing mail search with USPS, or am I jumping the gun?
 
#2
If the package is shipped by USPS, you can take the tracking number and go to your local post office to check the status. Their internal system has more tracking details than the info we get from their website. I did it in the past. If you don’t receive the package on time - December 11, you can always contact eBay for help. I would suggest you go to the post office first. Hope it helps.
 
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#3
Styleanyone said:
If the package is shipped by USPS, you can take the tracking number and go to your local post office to check the status. Their internal system has more tracking details than the info we get from their website. I did it in the past. If you don’t receive the package on time - December 11, you can always contact eBay for help. I would suggest you go to the post office first. Hope it helps.
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OP bought something from France. The package was sent from France. I doubt very much it was sent via USPS. It would be more likely to be by La Poste which is the French national postal service. It could be handed over to USPS once it passes U.S. customs and enter the U.S, which doesn't seem to be the case here.

@Hatfield1313 , I am not sure what more you can do as nothing is within your control at this point. Wait it out and open a case if you don't receive it past a certain time.
 
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#4
Hatfield, we've been having protests and rioting here in France that have blocked major motorways; it's been interfering with the postal system for the past month. I've had a few domestic and international parcels that have taken several days longer than usual to arrive. Don't panic just yet :smile: give it another week or so.

Also, in case if you haven't already tried this: input your tracking number into the French language version of La Poste's website - it often shows more information and updates than the English version, for some reason. Here's the link: https://www.laposte.fr/particulier/outils/suivre-vos-envois
 
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#5
seidokat said:
Hatfield, we've been having protests and rioting here in France that have blocked major motorways; it's been interfering with the postal system for the past month. I've had a few domestic and international parcels that have taken several days longer than usual to arrive. Don't panic just yet :smile: give it another week or so.

Also, in case if you haven't already tried this: input your tracking number into the French language version of La Poste's website - it often shows more information and updates than the English version, for some reason. Here's the link: https://www.laposte.fr/particulier/outils/suivre-vos-envois
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I kind of thought maybe all that’s going on over there has delayed it a bit. Thank you for that link, I’ll try it.
 
#6
You also try the aftership website to track your parcel. Sometimes, it shows more info than even La Poste although it should be deriving the info from La Poste :confused1:
I've had shipments from France and Italy sit at the post office sorting house for two weeks to a month before they finally get shipped out. And that's without riots or protests :amuse:
 
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#7
While I can't answer your question specifically (for France --> US), I know that when shipping from the US ---> another country, tracking usually stops once the parcel leaves the originating country.

What happens next varies, depending on the country, the type of service used and the diligence of that country's postal employees. Sometimes tracking ultimately shows delivery; sometimes there's nothing.

My recommendation is to try to be patient and wait as long as you can (29 days) before filing a non-receipt dispute.

ETA: In my own experience, there have been very few "delivered" scans but all got there. The only "lost" international package I've ever had was going to Mexico. And in that case, I don't think it was really lost. I think either the buyer or their postal system wasn't honest.
 
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#8
Thanks everyone, you’ve all eased my mind a bit. I order from Japan on eBay all the time and never bother checking tracking as I know it takes a long time. This is probably gonna be the same situation but because it’s a bag and I’m excited I’m checking multiple times a day. Watched pots never boil, right? Lol
 
#9
I've ordered merchandise from retailers in many different countries over the years--including Australia, NZ, Denmark, Germany, UK--and my experience has been what BeenBurned reports. Postal tracking usually stops once the item leaves the originating country. Even when I pay for so-called "international tracking" the package often vanishes from the radar at some point until it shows up in my mailbox. And rarely have I received the item in under two weeks. It happens, but usually it's 2-3 weeks. So I'd sit tight. Especially in light of what's going on in France. I wouldn't start to be concerned until four weeks have passed.
 
#10
Hatfield1313 said:
Thanks everyone, you’ve all eased my mind a bit. I order from Japan on eBay all the time and never bother checking tracking as I know it takes a long time. This is probably gonna be the same situation but because it’s a bag and I’m excited I’m checking multiple times a day. Watched pots never boil, right? Lol
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It always depend on what shipping service they use. DH bought me a ring over the weekend, shipping from Japan, and it arrived on Tuesday (as in 2 days). They used UPS Express Saver.
 
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