Australia Post International Economy Questions & Answers
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I ordered products from an Australian pet shop to be delivered to my door in Cape Town, South Africa. Currently tracking shows as awaiting collection in South Africa. Does this mean it’s been handed over to the post office or a local delivery company?
Hi Jade,
I understand you're inquiring about your order's status, currently showing as "awaiting collection" in South Africa after being shipped from an Australian pet shop. This status generally indicates that your package has arrived in South Africa and is now in the custody of either the local postal service or a delivery company in your country. It's likely awaiting either your collection or further processing for delivery to your address.
For specific details, I recommend contacting South Africa's postal service or the local delivery company handling international shipments. You may also want to reach out to the Australian pet shop for any additional information they might have.
(Please note, I'm not affiliated with Australia Post or any other company, and this information is based on general practices in international shipping.)
Hi. On the 1 August 2023 I sent a bottle of Tasmanian Whisky as a gift to a friend in Northern Ireland. The package went quickly through customs and on to the Air Courier. The parcel has not moved from there since they received it on 7 August. This whisky was very expensive $285 for 500ml. I have contacted Australia Post who have advised that it is still there but said they can't look into it until the end of the month. This parcel has cost me $79.25 in postage and I am honestly thinking that someone has read the label at the Air Carrier and decided they will take that home.....surely this could be the only reason that it has not progressed. I have a tracking number and I insured the parcel. Insuring it doesnt mean that someone can just take it home cause it is insured and they will get their money back and can buy another one. Well that is not the case as I cannot buy anymore bottles of this whisky as it has all sold out. I am very annoyed at this moment and want it investigated. Tracking number LK181337575AU
Sorry for the delay, I would be annoyed as well coming from Tasmania I can attest to the quality of the whiskey. I do believe customs can hold or stop numerous parcels regarding illegal substances.
No. It has already been passed by Customs. That happened on 4 August. It is the Air Courier that has it now and wont progress. As I said, I reckon someone at the air courier has taken possession of an exceptional bottle of whisky.
Hi, my parcel is still on the "awaiting clearance in Sydney'' status since 15 June 2023, I am just wondering if anyone is having the same situation of waiting for your parcel for a long long long~~time now?
Why is Australia Post allowing overseas shipping agents to advertise shipping from, for example, the USA to Australia via Australia Post, when in fact the shipping occurs via APG eCommerce, an entity incorporated in Singapore. Australia Post claims it has nothing to do with the operations of APG eCommerce, a company with a very poor reputation.
I need my parcel to be stopped from being sent back to the UK I’ve been living at the same address for years but on my Australia Post app it says Returning to sender- receiver not known at this address WHICH IS NOT TRUE!! My tracking number is LP456247774GB I want my package delivered back to me or my local post office Silverwater NSW Somebody please get back to me ASAP!!
My Australia post app says “returning to sender - receiver not known at address” WHICH IS NOT TRUE!! I’ve been living at the same address for years!! I need my parcel to be stopped from being sent back to the UK!! This is ridiculous!! My tracking number is LP456247774GB I want my parcel delivered to me or my local post office Silverwater NSW Someone get back to me ASAP!!
Have you rang them with an inquiry?
They should be able to help as you have the tracking number
Yes I did ring Australia Post but they just said your item will be returned to sender. They weren’t helpful at all!!
Hi Fancyface,
I'm sorry to see this.
I've had a look at LP456247774GB and can see it was incorrectly addressed, which is why we couldn't deliver it to you. Our process when a parcel is incorrectly addressed is to return it to the sender so they can correct the address issues before sending it back out. I can see your parcel is already in transit back to the sender so I'm sorry to say we're unable to intercept.
I recommend speaking with the sender and letting them know it's on it's way back to them so they're able to help with a resolution.
- Cat
Hi Cat,
I spoke with the sender and they did put the correct address on my parcel!! They even sent me proof!!
Hi Fancyface.
Thanks for letting us know, it may be that the address label on the parcel became damaged or unreadable while in transit or something like that if the sender definitely addressed it correctly.
While it's not usually possible to prevent something being returned to sender once it has already started it's journey back, it may be worth chatting to our international team on 1800 007 678 just in case there is anything we can do to attempt to prevent this. Please be sure to let them know you've received proof from the sender that the parcel was addressed correctly initially.
Hi Casey,
Thank you for the international number. I called and they are going to try to stop my parcel at the border so it doesn’t get shipped back overseas. But they can’t promise anything. They told me to keep an eye on my Australia Post app next week.
Fingers crossed for you!
Hopefully we are able to catch it.
-Casey
Hi, I’ve been expecting a package from Germany, tracking number LB838645841DE, via Deutsche Post to Australia Post. However, it has said “FRANKFURT (DE), Cleared and awaiting international departure” since 10/06/2021. Are you able to help me?
Hey there,
As LB838645841DE hasn't arrived in Australia yet, I'm afraid there isn't too much information I'm able to give you. I recommend reaching out to the sender and asking them to speak with their postal service to see what's going on.
- Cat
I posted a padded post article to New Zealand on the 18/03/21 which has still not been received. Tacking number UC193357299AU. How can I find out what has happened to it. It's for my 95 to mother. Thanks, Phil C.
Hey Phil,
The service you've sent UC193357299AU with doesn't include tracking, so I'm afraid I don't have any updates for you.
Our current economy delivery timeframe to New Zealand is 25+ business days, so we would have expected it to be delivered by now. I recommend giving our specialist international team a call on 1800 007 678 so they're able to advise you on next steps.
- Cat
Hi! A parcel a friend of mine was send on the 3rd for shipment to the UK.
It's saying it's been 'Processed by air carrier' on auspost and 'Dispached to the UK' on Parcel force. But it's been like this for 11 days. Whens it going to be arriving in the UK?
TN: CH119047965AU
Thanks :)
Hi Alasdair,
Estimated delivery times for international mail are available here: https://auspost.com.au/service-updates/international-delivery-updates
Standard Mail to the UK is estimated to take 10-15 business days so should be with you by around this time next week :)
What's the next step now? It should have been here a week ago but it still hasn't left Australia.
Good morning Alasdair,
Delays are preventable in the current situation we're in with delayed and limited international flights, so we'll need to allow more time. If it still hasn't been delivered by the 8th of July, ask the sender to contact us so we're able to investigate further.
- Cat
Hi Australia Post.
Can you please help me to track my parcel. It shows that it’s been sent from Poland on 23/04 by economy.
My tracking number is: CP205649464PL
Thank you
Hi Nadia,
You can actually track this one on our website: https://auspost.com.au/mypost/track/#/details/CP205649464PL
The most recent update is:
Cleared and awaiting international departure
PRUSZCZ (PL)
Fri 23 Apr, 11.24am
You'll see another update once it does arrive into Australia. Until then, best to keep in touch with your sender who can contact the Polish postal service for any further information about current delivery times to Australia.
Hi, I'm looking into LH808249113CN, I am receiving it from China and Auspost is listed as the domestic carrier. The item was last scanned as leaving China by Airline on 04/02. After a month, there are no updates. I queried this with Auspost and the latest tracking they have is awaiting departure. Every other tracker I have used says it has left China. Can you look into this? Thank you.
Hi Jitesh,
LH808249113CN definitely has not arrived into Australia yet. It's certainly taking a long time so I'd recommend letting your sender know you never received it. They'll be able to follow up with the postal service they've used to send this to you and can discuss an alternative arrangement for you if something has happened to the parcel to while in transit.
Hello,
My item RC111219483IT has not appeared, it left Italy on 30 December and has not been scanned through to Australia apparently. Is there a way to check if has been returned to sender?
Hi Ryan,
This parcel never made it to Australia so the sender would need to follow up with the Italian postal service for any further information.
hi auspost, i posted a registered airmail to Australia on the 31st of March and it seems like in Sydney at the moment,just wondering what day is it expected to arrive?
Tracking Number: RA 083 932 064 JP
Hi Simon,
I've had a look at RA083932064JP and can see that it's arrived in Australia and is awaiting clearance through customs as of the 11th of March. This process is external to us so I can't advise how long it typically takes, but it'll update on the tracking once it's been cleared and handed over to us for delivery.
Keep in touch with the addressee as they'll receive a letter in the mail if there's anything they need to do before receiving the parcel.
Hope this helps.
- Cat
Hi my parcel number is CY103820152AU which is from Sydney to India and it still says Processed by air carrier since March 24th and scanned five times till 28th March. Can you please let me know what's going with my parcel. Has it left the country or is it still in the country ? Thanks.
It seems to having delay due to lack of the flight. Although I can guarantee that it is not abnormal to have bunch of scans that states “Processed by air carrier” before departure, it just seems to be delayed due to the health and safety concerns.
Hi Nishanth,
While parcels don't get a specific scan saying they've left the country, the long gap since the last scan indicates to me that the parcel has actually left.
Our current delivery time frames for airmail to India are between 2 and 5 weeks, so delivery would be expected by April 19, but to allow for any unexpected delays in transit, we do need to allow a further 10 business days from the 19th to pass before we can raise an investigation with India Post, so if CY103820152AU still hasn't been delivered by 3 May, the sender can contact us to raise an investigation.
Okay Thanks
Hi, I am waiting for an urgent parcel from India and the status I see is awaiting clearance at Perth airport since 16th March. Contacted customs and they said parcel is not being held with them. Australia post says they haven't received parcel for delivery yet. I have no way to find out whereabouts of my parcel. Please help.
Hey Rajashri,
That's definitely very frustrating, especially given the delivery is urgent.
Just so you're aware, awaiting clearance refers to border and airport processing, not necessarily customs. All incoming mail needs to be screened and processed and they'll only get transferred over to customs if there are import duties that need to be paid or something like that. It could be that there are delays processing cargo into the country and that this hasn't yet even been through customs yet.
The best thing to do is to notify your sender that you've not received it. They'll be able to lodge an investigation through the postal service they've used to send this to you to find out more information.
Hopefully you will see a tracking update shortly to indicate that this is with us at which point you're welcome to contact us for a delivery estimate. Until then though, best to keep in touch with your sender.
Hi,
My parcel still says processed by air carrier and it is now the 29th of March.
I am needing this parcel by 4/5 April latest as my it is for my boss to take with him on his trip.
Please advise how I could find out the status and where this parcel is.
Tracking number is CF139152543AU.
Thanks.
Hey Tina,
I've had a look, and it appears that CF139152543AU arrived in South Africa yesterday, so we're unable to advise how long it'll take to get delivered to you now that it's left Australia.
Our current delivery timeframe is 25 business days to South Africa (not including any time spent in customs), so definitely best to touch base with South Africa Postal Service if you need it urgently.
- Cat
Hi Cat,
Thank you for answering.
My next question is, it is being delivered to a home address and not a post office so surely the number listed on the box would be contacted for delivery? Is it with a courier company?
We have so many post offices so it would be very difficult to determine which post office would receive the parcel.
Thanks.
Hi Tina,
I'm afraid that I don't know whether SAPO will call you or not for delivery, but they will be handling the delivery, so it should be handled like any other parcel you have posted around South Africa with SAPO.
If you give them a call on 11 961 6000 they should be able to help you further.
Hi John,
I have tried emailing and phoning and have had no response.
Is there any other way I can find the South African tracking number?
Hi Tina,
SAPO use the same tracking number that we do. I'd recommend giving them a call.
Hi, I hope you can help me. I had a letter sent from England via Royal Mail and arriving in Melbourne on January 10th of this year. It has been marked "Arrived awaiting clearance (inbound)" since then. Since it has landed in Melbourne but not sent to Australia Post to delivery, I am unsure what to do. The item number is LG478565173GB
Kind regards
Marcel
Hi Marcel,
It definitely looks like something is up and this needs to be investigated. You'll need to let the sender know so that they can contact Royal Mail to follow up. Royal Mail will get an investigation underway to confirm that the parcel was actually on the plane it was scheduled to be travelling on and liaise with us to ensure this can be resolved as quickly as possible.
Thankyou..
Can someone assist me with, LP903864155SG. It’s been almost 4 weeks for a speedpost parcel surely it cannot take so long
Hi Jesse,
I can see it's now arrived in Australia which is good! From here it has to go through border clearance procedures before it's given to us and you should see the status change in the next few business days and it will say 'We've Got It' on our website.
four letters sent to the USA have been returned, two asking for C22 and the other two saying they required EAD when they only had documents. Seems that USA Post is not taking into account Economy Air Letters rather as seeing everything as a parcel! What can be done?
Hi David,
I just replied to your other post before seeing this post where you've advised they were economy air letters. Does it look like they've been returned to us by USPS?
Please private message me or call our international team on 1800 007 678 so that we can get some more details from you and work out what has happened.
They were sent back by the US postal service and two were repacked in a bag by Australian Post. It seems it’s Customs who are doing the resending as the letters were sent to different parts of the US. The letters were sent in the week of the 22nd Jan so they have been in the post for a month. I’ve resent them with a suggestion from the post office to write Economy Air Letter, Documents only and no commercial value. I just feel the US customs does not know what a Economy Air Letter from Australia is which does not look good for future post.
Thanks for the further info David,
It's definitely very odd and really strange that it's happened with all 4 letters you posted so definitely does sound like a systemic issue isn't something that's been coming up as a widely reported issue, especially given the amount of letters that would be posted to the US every day. It's definitely something I'll pass on to my colleagues in the international team in case they do start getting reports of this happening. Please keep us posted if you do run into any further issues with these.
Same thing happened to me, letter to the US was returned a month later to me with a 'return to sender CN22' required sticker on the front. I went to the post office to do the CN22 and the post office manager told me that you can no longer send anything economy air unless it is an actual letter. So no CD's, no stickers, no keyrings etc. I asked where I could find this new policy and he said it was sent to all Aust Post offices as an internal memo. So anyhow I filled out the CN22 and went to lodge it at the counter as the CN22 clearly states "Must be lodged over the counter". Then the Aust Post manager told me he is not allowed to accept my item over the counter as they are the new rules & it would be best to try my luck posting it in a red street box. WTH?
I had four returned and two requested CN22, so its all abit hit and miss! Think Customs are a law on to themselves. Yes. I know that now with economy air letters you can't send cds, etc which is a killer for small business. Any dvds or cds are now classed as small parcel. The letters I had returned were documents only which should have be classed ok to go. I've lodged a few at the counter last week with CN22 without a problem. Best thing to do is go to a different post office as each one sames to have a different way of working.
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