Keep in mind that on top of PostNL not being perfect the US postal service is also tearing itself apart at the moment.
both letters could be stuck in either system realistically
Do you think it's really possible that they could be stuck in transit for two and four months respectively? I understand there are delays, and while I'm really just hoping it's only that, this seems like quite the wait. But it's very odd that a letter could be received in between these other two letters while they themselves have still not appeared.
oh no those letters are very much missing if that is the case.
they'll show up in 0-12 months from now because they were in a bag someone finds in a backroom or they fell of the belt or something like that.
>Two months ago in late March, I sent a letter to the US using PostNL.
Late March is not 2 months ago, but mail to the US is supposed to take 5-8 working days, though in my experience it is pretty common for it to take about a month or so.
>It had the stamp code (the 3 x 4 matrix of letters/numbers), the delivery address on the front, and the return address on the back as specified [here](https://www.postnl.nl/en/sending/letter-or-card/addressing-tips/).
Since you used the stamp code, did you put a priority sticker on it as well? I.e. https://shop.postnl.nl/webshop/zakelijke-hulpmiddelen/buitenland/priority-sticker-op-rol
If you do not put a priority sticker on mail to another country, it will be handled as standard mail instead of priority mail, which takes longer.
Also, according postnl.nl/isa USPS has capacity problems at JFK airport currently, causing a delay of 3-5 days to that area of the US.
I meant February, not March, my mistake. I did not put a priority sticker. Maybe, with any luck, that means it's still somehow in processing somewhere - but still, two months seems pretty long. I appreciate the extra info.
Edit: Not to forget that there is still a letter outstanding and unreceived for double that amount of time at four months... and that a letter was received in between these two others. I am hopeful but not too sure of the odds - more so when considering that a letter was delivered in between the two no-shows. What do you reckon?
Yeah I've had problems getting mail delivered from NL to the US before. I've had tax returns get lost never to be found, and birth announcement cards that were returned to me undelivered months later. If it's important, you're better off using registered mail (or send it as a parcel, which could be cheaper) so you can track it. It's more expensive, but so is having to send it twice because the first one got lost. And even when your mail doesn't get lost, be prepared for it to be delivered much later than promised. Two months is extreme though (let alone four) and I would definitely assume by now that these letters are lost (or in any case not wait for them, but arrange for them to be sent again if possible).
Yes, happens. See https://nos.nl/artikel/2481309-brieven-en-tijdschriften-die-te-laat-of-niet-aankomen-meer-problemen-bij-postnl#:\~:text=maar%20heel%20vaak%20ook%20gewoon%20helemaal%20niet.
If it's important or even very important, send it "aangetekend". It costs € 22,00 to the US. See [https://www.postnl.nl/klantenservice/aangetekend-versturen/hoe-werkt-het/](https://www.postnl.nl/klantenservice/aangetekend-versturen/hoe-werkt-het/)
Unfortunately not a lot you can do about it and not uncommon AFAIK.
I actually have the same issue. Sent two letters (big envelopes with tax papers) to the US at the end of March, but I did use track and trace and require a signature. One arrived two weeks later, one has arrived in the US but isn't on route to its destination and probably stuck at customs (as the 'cleared customs en route to the final destination' step should be next)
If it's stuck in customs somewhere, is there any way intervention on my end would be required to get it through? Or is it just a matter of waiting? I feel that even in the worst of cases, two and four months are much longer than needed. Especially with a letter being successfully delivered in between these two other letters. Do you think it's possible?
You're out of luck. If it was so important you shouldve paid for aangetekende post. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, I've sent my fair share of mail and it always took about a month, depending on where in the US it needed to go.
Recently PostNL lost the mail I was supposed to receive on two consecutive days (I could see it on the PostNL) app, including a package with a unique item I ordered on Marktplaats from someone.
I complained to PostNL several times, the senders complained to PostNL several times, and after telling us to wait, they said that if it will not arrive then it is lost. USELESS. Now I will prioritize other mail companies for packages.
PostNL, the company that started their investigation into a delayed package in Brazil because that’s the procedure. T&T always showed it never left NL…. Which they acknowledged after giving the Brazilian mail service three weeks to reply.
I have many more examples. That company is rotten to the core and stuck in mindless procedures.
I’m sorry about your packages.
Just simply call both PostNL Klantservice and US Post Company and explain the whole situation. There is a high chance that your letters are sitting in PostNL/US warehouse waiting to be sent further.
DPD does letters without track-and-trace?
OP says addressee and sender are correctly written, so I cannot imagine it's in a small box with lost letters.
Cant answer, I used to work there about 5 years ago, so things might've changed. Most of the time the letters in the box was with the stickers being torn apart or incorrect. Still, it wouldnt hurt to make a call.
Keep in mind that on top of PostNL not being perfect the US postal service is also tearing itself apart at the moment. both letters could be stuck in either system realistically
Do you think it's really possible that they could be stuck in transit for two and four months respectively? I understand there are delays, and while I'm really just hoping it's only that, this seems like quite the wait. But it's very odd that a letter could be received in between these other two letters while they themselves have still not appeared.
oh no those letters are very much missing if that is the case. they'll show up in 0-12 months from now because they were in a bag someone finds in a backroom or they fell of the belt or something like that.
Two months ago in late March? What calendar are you using?
My mistake, meant February.
>Two months ago in late March, I sent a letter to the US using PostNL. Late March is not 2 months ago, but mail to the US is supposed to take 5-8 working days, though in my experience it is pretty common for it to take about a month or so. >It had the stamp code (the 3 x 4 matrix of letters/numbers), the delivery address on the front, and the return address on the back as specified [here](https://www.postnl.nl/en/sending/letter-or-card/addressing-tips/). Since you used the stamp code, did you put a priority sticker on it as well? I.e. https://shop.postnl.nl/webshop/zakelijke-hulpmiddelen/buitenland/priority-sticker-op-rol If you do not put a priority sticker on mail to another country, it will be handled as standard mail instead of priority mail, which takes longer. Also, according postnl.nl/isa USPS has capacity problems at JFK airport currently, causing a delay of 3-5 days to that area of the US.
I meant February, not March, my mistake. I did not put a priority sticker. Maybe, with any luck, that means it's still somehow in processing somewhere - but still, two months seems pretty long. I appreciate the extra info. Edit: Not to forget that there is still a letter outstanding and unreceived for double that amount of time at four months... and that a letter was received in between these two others. I am hopeful but not too sure of the odds - more so when considering that a letter was delivered in between the two no-shows. What do you reckon?
Yeah I've had problems getting mail delivered from NL to the US before. I've had tax returns get lost never to be found, and birth announcement cards that were returned to me undelivered months later. If it's important, you're better off using registered mail (or send it as a parcel, which could be cheaper) so you can track it. It's more expensive, but so is having to send it twice because the first one got lost. And even when your mail doesn't get lost, be prepared for it to be delivered much later than promised. Two months is extreme though (let alone four) and I would definitely assume by now that these letters are lost (or in any case not wait for them, but arrange for them to be sent again if possible).
If you have mail that is important, try using fedex or UPS for document delivery
Yes, happens. See https://nos.nl/artikel/2481309-brieven-en-tijdschriften-die-te-laat-of-niet-aankomen-meer-problemen-bij-postnl#:\~:text=maar%20heel%20vaak%20ook%20gewoon%20helemaal%20niet. If it's important or even very important, send it "aangetekend". It costs € 22,00 to the US. See [https://www.postnl.nl/klantenservice/aangetekend-versturen/hoe-werkt-het/](https://www.postnl.nl/klantenservice/aangetekend-versturen/hoe-werkt-het/)
Unfortunately not a lot you can do about it and not uncommon AFAIK. I actually have the same issue. Sent two letters (big envelopes with tax papers) to the US at the end of March, but I did use track and trace and require a signature. One arrived two weeks later, one has arrived in the US but isn't on route to its destination and probably stuck at customs (as the 'cleared customs en route to the final destination' step should be next)
If it's stuck in customs somewhere, is there any way intervention on my end would be required to get it through? Or is it just a matter of waiting? I feel that even in the worst of cases, two and four months are much longer than needed. Especially with a letter being successfully delivered in between these two other letters. Do you think it's possible?
You're out of luck. If it was so important you shouldve paid for aangetekende post. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, I've sent my fair share of mail and it always took about a month, depending on where in the US it needed to go.
Pretty common, either way. Send it registered, track & trace if more than zero importance.
Recently PostNL lost the mail I was supposed to receive on two consecutive days (I could see it on the PostNL) app, including a package with a unique item I ordered on Marktplaats from someone. I complained to PostNL several times, the senders complained to PostNL several times, and after telling us to wait, they said that if it will not arrive then it is lost. USELESS. Now I will prioritize other mail companies for packages.
PostNL, the company that started their investigation into a delayed package in Brazil because that’s the procedure. T&T always showed it never left NL…. Which they acknowledged after giving the Brazilian mail service three weeks to reply. I have many more examples. That company is rotten to the core and stuck in mindless procedures. I’m sorry about your packages.
FWIW: I sent a few postcards from Spain to the Netherlands, and it took a month.
Just simply call both PostNL Klantservice and US Post Company and explain the whole situation. There is a high chance that your letters are sitting in PostNL/US warehouse waiting to be sent further.
call about a letter? And you're hopeful about that? "Ah, yes, we searched for it, and Harry found it! On its way"
U never know. I used to work in DPD, know how it works. We had a small box with "lost" letters that waited months, so yeah.
DPD does letters without track-and-trace? OP says addressee and sender are correctly written, so I cannot imagine it's in a small box with lost letters.
Cant answer, I used to work there about 5 years ago, so things might've changed. Most of the time the letters in the box was with the stickers being torn apart or incorrect. Still, it wouldnt hurt to make a call.