flycatchers Posted October 2, 2008 Report Share Posted October 2, 2008 Hi Has anyone else experienced delays recently from sending packages to the EU from the UK? Currently I have a couple of packages containing plants which I posted to Italy and France almost 2 weeks ago that have yet to arrive! In the past I have found 3 to 4 days an average time for airmail. One I could understand, but two sent at the same time... Hmmm! cheers bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJ Posted October 2, 2008 Report Share Posted October 2, 2008 Yep 3-4 working days is normally average though always takes longer to Italy and France. Normally takes about 7 days for me for those two, a bit less if I'm lucky - though even my recent one to germany has taken twice as long as expected and one to Italy posted on the 22nd hasnt arrived yet so seems to be taking longer than usual at the moment. Anyone else having delays?? Heather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-=Joel=- Posted October 2, 2008 Report Share Posted October 2, 2008 I hate posting plants to Italy and France due to the time it takes for the package to arrive. Though I have yet to have one not reach its destination I have had them take upto 4 weeks before ! On average it takes around 7 - 14 days but is still abit of a worry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bojahnik Posted October 2, 2008 Report Share Posted October 2, 2008 This wednesday I recieved a package which was posted on monday from UK. That was a new record. Normally it takes 4 or 5 days. But I'm located in germany. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnP Posted October 2, 2008 Report Share Posted October 2, 2008 The only slow delivery for me recently has been one sent to Spain. I haven't had a problem with any other EU countries. They seem to take 4 or 5 days on average. I always use signed for international but I don't know if that speeds thing up or not! Regards, John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenofeden Posted October 2, 2008 Report Share Posted October 2, 2008 14 days to Italy and France is unfortunately not unusual.. My best has been Germany in 3 days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trev Posted October 2, 2008 Report Share Posted October 2, 2008 I've noticed things slowing down recently. Italy has always been the worst. One package took 17 days by airmail this spring! Usuall it's about 10 days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..:griso:.. Posted October 7, 2008 Report Share Posted October 7, 2008 (edited) I don't think that it is only an our problem. I've noticed that only the english people complain about our postal service. I've not seen yet any german people, for example, who complains about it. I usually receive packets from germany in 3 or 4 days.. but packets from England take usually more than a week... Why are you so sure that it is an our postal service's fault? Edited October 7, 2008 by ..:griso:.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJ Posted October 7, 2008 Report Share Posted October 7, 2008 Hi Grisgo Its just an observation that generally packages to other countries from the UK take the usual amount of time - 3/4 days. My latest one to Italy arrived yesterday (6th October) and was posted on the 22nd September!! Normally it doesnt take quite this long though. Things seem slower than usual at the moment. Maybe we both have problems with our postal service - I guess we may never know what the problem is!! I wish I lived in germany - packages to and from there seem to be the quickest. Netherlands is normally quick quick too but even this is delayed for me at the moment. I have several packages coming from Germany - hoping these will atleast arrive on time! Heather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amar Posted October 7, 2008 Report Share Posted October 7, 2008 I don't think that it is only an our problem.I've noticed that only the english people complain about our postal service. I've not seen yet any german people, for example, who complains about it. I usually receive packets from germany in 3 or 4 days.. but packets from England take usually more than a week... Why are you so sure that it is an our postal service's fault? Griso, maybe they are on strike in Italy? Just kidding, dude. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispy Posted October 7, 2008 Report Share Posted October 7, 2008 Unfortunately, I have found that normal post to the continent can be very variable. I have started using 'International Signed for Delivery' (much more expensive) but it seems to arrive quickly with no problems. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Green Posted October 7, 2008 Report Share Posted October 7, 2008 There don't seem to be any delays from Italy to the UK (thankfully). I've just had 2 packets sent. First sent on 30th Sept and arrived on Sat 3rd Oct. Second sent on 2nd Oct and arrived on Monday 6th Oct. Considering the very long delays I had earlier in the year, I was rather pleased - this thread had me a bit concerned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..:griso:.. Posted October 7, 2008 Report Share Posted October 7, 2008 Griso, maybe they are on strike in Italy? Just kidding, dude. ahahah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenofeden Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 I've just been told by the post office, that you cannot post plants to Italy from the UK. They would not accept a parcel from me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamInLondon Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 That's odd. Is this a new 'rule' (grrrr)? I've posted plants to Italy before without any problems. Could you go back to the post office (or a different one) and pretend it's a pair of socks, a CD, anything? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manders Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 The problem is that the the Italian PO (and French) will destroy plants if they find them, so its hit or miss, some will get through others wont. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJ Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 I've never had a problem with packages not arriving, sent some to Italy not long ago - I find sometimes they can take a bit longer to get to there but I've never had them not arrive or be refused! Though saying that I'm never asked if the package contains plants. I'd try a different post office if you can. That a pretty rubbish rule, with us all being in Europe I dont see what the problem is Heather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manders Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 If it does go missing, the UK PO wont pay out any insurance, as you are not allowed to post plants to those countries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenofeden Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 which means no more ebay sales to Italy, unfortunately. I was told France is Ok with a few exceptions... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flycatchers Posted May 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 which means no more ebay sales to Italy, unfortunately. I was told France is Ok with a few exceptions... My local sub PO is happy to take plant packets to Italy, but has refused to touch any to France for several years now! bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trev Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 (edited) I expect this is in response to the amount of claims made on packages of plants arriving dead due to the long time they take to be delivered in Italy. If you watch the tracking info, the packages arrive within 3 days to Italy, then take upto 2 weeks to be delivered to the address. Express delivery is not available to Italy (from Ireland) because of this situation and even the couriers wont give a time guarantee. Trev. Edited May 13, 2009 by Trev Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mantrid Posted May 14, 2009 Report Share Posted May 14, 2009 I expect this is in response to the amount of claims made on packages of plants arriving dead due to the long time they take to be delivered in Italy. If you watch the tracking info, the packages arrive within 3 days to Italy, then take upto 2 weeks to be delivered to the address.Express delivery is not available to Italy (from Ireland) because of this situation and even the couriers wont give a time guarantee. Trev. So its not the case that its illegal to ship to these countries, its just that the delivery companies gets too many claims for dead plants because of delays that are out of their control? So its less hassle for them to simply not deliver plants there. Is this correct?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manders Posted May 14, 2009 Report Share Posted May 14, 2009 So its not the case that its illegal to ship to these countries, its just that the delivery companies gets too many claims for dead plants because of delays that are out of their control? So its less hassle for them to simply not deliver plants there. Is this correct?? No this is not correct, the italian PO will actively destroy plants if they find them, same with the french. Why they do that is down to their own shipping rules. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimfoxy Posted May 14, 2009 Report Share Posted May 14, 2009 (edited) Don't label it 'live plants' and it's unlikely it will get opened. Of course, it might, and then get destroyed. That's the risk. Explain to your buyer that they take all the risk before paying, get a certificate of posting in case they want to see it and all is sorted. What is the advantage of labelling it 'plants' anyway? You don't need to identify contents for customs in the EU. I find it highly unlikely that most post office workers would take any more care with a box labelled 'live plants' than they would with a box not labelled with such; particularly if the postal worker doesn't speak the language. What are they going to do, keep it out of the frost and away from any heaters? I don't think so. The most important thing is to package plants well with enough internal support and padding. Treat them as if they were just about to be put in a cement mixer! And don't send non-hardy plants when they might get exposed to frost. I've always wondered how much cold plants are exposed to on regular postal flights in Europe on aircraft. I have no idea what pressure and cold the cargo sections are exposed to on such journeys. Anybody know? Edited May 14, 2009 by jimfoxy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
An D Smith Posted May 15, 2009 Report Share Posted May 15, 2009 Interesting topic. It seems it is not only Europe as two packages recently sent buy me to Malaysia and Tasmania have gone 'Missing'. These were not even luve plants but books and CD's, oh well. I believe that the hold of aircraft are pressurised the same as the cabin but it is not heated. Given the outside temperature of minus whatever it is, I guess the plants will get really cold on long flights. Maybe you could send a max/min thermometer through the post and see what temperature is recorded. Cheers Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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