Shipping time from UK to US

[sam_gordon]

So DW sent me a link for something she'd like for Christmas. The company is in the UK. I ordered it yesterday (11/20). I got the notification that it was "shipped" today, but I think it just means the tracking number was created. The tracking number was part of the email, but when I click on it, there's no results.

Anyway, what would the expected shipping time be? There's was nothing on the website when I placed the order. I'm guessing the item will come in a small box or large envelope, it should be <5 lbs, probably <3.

TIA

 

[spiders]

If they sent it through the mail then 2-3 weeks depending on how long it takes to get through customs. If you want to track it then track it first through Royal Mail and that will show its movement until it departs the UK. The USPS will only show when it’s picked up until it reaches customs and then begin normal tracking.

If it was UPS, DHL or FedEx than from the UK overnight...their slower services take 2-3 days.

 

[sam_gordon]

Thanks. Royal Mail was the tracking number they sent. I've got a month, so hopefully it will show up in time.

 

[QueenIsabella]

I order from the UK on a semi-regular basis. Once it leaves the facility (we'll call that "shipped"), it generally takes 2 weeks. It will have to pass through customs, then arrive at a facility here--typically DHL. I think mine get delivered by USPS. It's tough for me to tell, only because UPS delivers throughout the day--not always the same time, or even close. Meanwhile the USPS person sometimes does a package drop-off at one time, then delivers the letters to the mailbox at a later time.

Generally, they provide you with a means for tracking, but I don't find it particularly helpful. It'll sit there, unchanged for days. Then suddenly, it's like A Miracle Occurred, and the package is on your doorstep.

 

[mamamia2005]

I send a parcel a couple of times a year from the UK to a friend in the US. Generally it takes 2 - 3 weeks.

 

[spiders]

Thanks. Royal Mail was the tracking number they sent. I've got a month, so hopefully it will show up in time.

It probably will. The tracking will provide some clues as to when to expect it. When it arrives to the US (probably New York) it will say something like ISC New York. That means it’s in customs. I’ve seen this take anywhere from 1 day to a week. Eventually it will say it is cleared or something similar and then it will show up with its first actual USPS scan saying it’s at a USPS Facility. From there, add 2-3 days.

 

[sam_gordon]

It probably will. The tracking will provide some clues as to when to expect it. When it arrives to the US (probably New York) it will say something like ISC New York. That means it’s in customs. I’ve seen this take anywhere from 1 day to a week. Eventually it will say it is cleared or something similar and then it will show up with its first actual USPS scan saying it’s at a USPS Facility. From there, add 2-3 days.

Will I get a new tracking number when it converts to USPS? Who emails that? Royal Mail? USPS? Shipper?

 

[spiders]

Will I get a new tracking number when it converts to USPS? Who emails that? Royal Mail? USPS? Shipper?

No. It will be the same tracking number the entire time. But you’ll get better results by tracking it directly from Royal Mail until it leaves the UK and better results from the USPS once it is in the US.

The USPS will probably just say when Royal Mail has accepted it and then something very generic like “Item dispatched from a foreign country” until it’s in the US. Likewise, Royal Mail will become very vague once it’s in the US until it gets delivered.

 

[sam_gordon]

Thank you! So use the same number, just go to the shipping sites (Royal Mail/USPS) at the appropriate time, not necessarily using the email link.

 

[spiders]

Thank you! So use the same number, just go to the shipping sites (Royal Mail/USPS) at the appropriate time, not necessarily using the email link.

Yes and this applies anytime you send/receive international mail. If it were going back to the UK (or anywhere) then the USPS would provide you the most detail until it leaves the US and then you’ll get more detail if you track it from the destination’s respective postal service.

 

[Disney_Alli]

Yes and this applies anytime you send/receive international mail. If it were going back to the UK (or anywhere) then the USPS would provide you the most detail until it leaves the US and then you’ll get more detail if you track it from the destination’s respective postal service.

As someone who frequently has things shipped from the US to Canada I could not agree more. Track on the Royal Mail site until it arrives at the US then track using the same number on the USPS site. (In my case I track via USPS until it crosses the boarder then track with the Canada Post site/app)