11/01/2021   English German
  Edition # 140  
San Francisco, 11-01-2021

Packages on an endless journey
Figure [1]: This parcel from Germany was almost 12 months on its way to San Francisco.

Angelika Nowadays everyone is talking about the pandemic-related supply chain problems and we have already written about the container ships that are stuck in sea traffic. At that time we also reported that we were still waiting for a Christmas package from Michael's sister, which she had sent by ship (Rundbrief 04/2021). It should be noted that the package started its journey at the end of October 2020 when it was dropped off at the post office in Augsburg.

We all thought it had been lost. But lo and behold, just over a year later, in September 2021, our faithful postman Jose delivered it. He could hardly believe it when Michael told him that the package had been on the road for so long, as it was neither damaged nor opened by customs. The address was also clearly readable. We then wondered what the post office had done with the package and what adventures the package had experienced on its long journey. According to the DHL tracking number, the package had not even been handed in to the post office yet. In any case, we were very happy when it arrived.

Figure [2]: Container ships are waiting to be unloaded in San Francisco Bay.

Coronavirus is now often used as an excuse for why many things don't work or don't go as planned. I have a particular bone to pick with the German Post, as they are charging a hefty surcharge on goods sent by airmail to the USA. Normal letters are exempt from the surcharge, but if you want to send a package by airmail, there is only the option up to 5 kg, which then costs over 50 euros in postage.

Although there is the option to send small packages and parcels by ship without the surcharge, it can take up to a year, as you now know. Furthermore, this is only possible if the customer arranges the postage online, which is okay if the customer is told this. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, or it is promised at the counter that the air package will arrive within 14 days at the latest, which is why the customer pays more so that the package is transported faster. However, according to our personal experience, this is not the case. Six to eight weeks of running time was more standard last year for packages from Germany to the USA by airmail.

Sure, one understands that in a worldwide pandemic everything takes longer, but then the customer should not be asked to pay extra at the checkout. Incidentally, the US Postal Service does not charge such a surcharge for parcels and packages from the USA to Germany, and the delivery times are much shorter. It's not entirely understandable, but one blames the other.

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