"Shipping Problems with Germany?" Topic

So my buddy and I started krakenskulls.com over a month ago, and were pleasantly surprised at how global this market it. We have sent packages to every corner of the globe, but the only place we have had any trouble is Germany.

We seem to have a missing package in that direction, and after googling a bit about it, it seems like we are not the only ones who have had problems with shipping to Germany. I was wondering what other's experiences were with this, and if they had any recourse? We cannot track the package after it leaves the US, and the customs form number turned up nothing in either the US or German postal system. It is essentially gone without a trace, and has been almost 6 weeks.

We have gotten packages to China with first class, cheap postage in 10 days or less, and often times 5-8 days to England and France. Usually 12-16 days to Australia and New Zealand, and 10 days or so to Japan. It seems unusual to have these problems with Germany, and we are replacing his order, but want to see if there is some way we screwed up before sending the second order. Is it German Customs perhaps?

Shouldn't be – for US to Germany you need to make sure the customs declaration's correctly filled in, as VAT will be levied on import unless it's a very small (under 22 Euros, I think, but not certain) parcel, but that's standard across the whole EU, nothing specific to Germany.

The occasional item is going to go AWOL, wherever you're posting to, but Germany is better than most – in western Europe Italy is the stand out "problem child" for unreliable postal services. Most other countries are yeah, occasional foul-ups happen (I'm having a rough patch with France for some reason, but it's not typical) but basically no more or less reliable than Royal Mail or the USPS.

From UK, can't remember losing any parcels to UK, USA, Canada, Australia or Eire. Continental Europe – Germany, France, Italy, etc – it's about 20-25% go astray!

It seems in the last year German customs has really ramped up delay times and have gotten very picky. Have you had the customer check on his end. That sometimes helps, especially if the package is stuck in customs.
David

I live in Germany and over the years have received (and sent) dozens of packages from all over the world. I never had a single one go missing.

the only packets I have lost were usa, but Italy is very slow though

I've experienced customs delays shipping to Germany. I suggest that your customer should contact German customs. Sometimes it takes 2 months for package to be cleared by German customs, but it takes only 3 days to leave USA.

when I lived in Germany, I never had a problem receiving packages from the US, UK, and even Sri Lanka.

Try using DHL for shipping in the future. May be a little more but you will be able to get a tracking number. I have had problems getting shipments from the UK to my apo AND/or off base address. It has gotten worse in the past 3 months, I have noticed.

Tom

I second DHL. Flawless service and I think it's actually very competitively prices.

Yes, German customs has become MUCH more active in the last half year or so in checking parcels but they do take their sweet time doing it. Two months in customs is no exception nowadays. Tell your customer to contact his local customs bureau, that usually speeds things up.

Fons
mmps.asia

For all shipments to Germany from the USA, fill out the standard US customs form AND fill out a separate packing list, to be attached to the outside of the box in one of those "Packing List Enclosed" plastic bag with self stick backing..