Canada Post international mail experiences

[alasken]

Hi all,

I'm starting this thread cause I'm starting to get worried about my passport. I sent it from Quebec to London, UK as a registered International Letter with Canada Post on October 20. I was told it would take 5-7 business days, and that I would be able to track it. I have a tracking number, and the latest update is from October 21, saying the item left Canada. Now, I have used Canada post for similar things in the past, and I seem to remember that they are not able to give you detailed information once your package leaves Canada. However, I just called Canada post and they said they in fact can do this, and that the next information I will be informed of is when the package reaches the destination country. However, like I said, I seem to remember that this information was not very accurate in my previous experience with international Canada Post mail, so I'm wondering if anyone can help shed some light on how this actually works?

So: In your experience, has Canada Post given accurate/up to date information about registered international items they have delivered for you in the past? Or should I not rely on the tracking info once the package leaves Canada?

Cheers.

[Elizabeth Joe]

Hi alasken, have you tried to track it through the website of the country you sent it to? Sometimes it works with the same number.

[AllisonVSC]

So: In your experience, has Canada Post given accurate/up to date information about registered international items they have delivered for you in the past? Or should I not rely on the tracking info once the package leaves Canada?

I'm not sure what happens outside the country, but CP is NOT reliable inside. I just recently had an item stolen, but I was the recipient not the sender. It was an international trackable item with signature required. When I didn't get the item I asked the sender for tracking info. According to Canada Post, the item was delivered and signed for on a morning when both my partner and I were home. The electronic signature was a phony and I think it's unlikely that a neighbour is responsible.

[alasken]

Hi alasken, have you tried to track it through the website of the country you sent it to? Sometimes it works with the same number.

Yes, I tried the UK Royal Mail, and they don't track packages sent from abroad.

[alasken]

I'm not sure what happens outside the country, but CP is NOT reliable inside. I just recently had an item stolen, but I was the recipient not the sender. It was an international trackable item with signature required. When I didn't get the item I asked the sender for tracking info. According to Canada Post, the item was delivered and signed for on a morning when both my partner and I were home. The electronic signature was a phony and I think it's unlikely that a neighbour is responsible.

Sorry to hear about your bad luck, that definitely sounds sketchy.

[steaky]

I don't use Canada Post for courier documents overseas.  I rather use UPS for its fast and reliable tracking system.  From my experience, UPS never lose my items.

[Elizabeth Joe]

Yes, I tried the UK Royal Mail, and they don't track packages sent from abroad.

Oh that sucks! But I'm sure it will arrive. Usually it takes longer than they say it will. Did you put a value on it? It might be stuck at customs.

[Eddy070]

We will pray for you....Hope it is delivered successfully.

Few months ago we sent a mail to UK via Canada Post which was only traceable within Canada then we keep tracking only to see is item has left Canada nothing else then that get us thinking but was later received in about 7weeks. Note: So is not reliable for international but great for mails to US.

[sahibzada_2010]

Sometimes I send packages like letters gifts to my wife through Canada post on registered mail to Pakistan and I get the tracking number but it always says item left Canada for abroad destination. After this I cannot track my item and it delivered after 2 or 3 weeeks. So you don't worry about it. Your item will be in safe hands. Just keep checking the destination area where you sent it.

[scarycemetery]

I never send mail out of Canada through Canada Post. I had to send my husband important papers from Canada to Lebanon, and I sent them by Canada Post and they got lost.  Even after 3 years, we still don't know hat happened to them...

Go into a Canada Post post office and ask them to track it for you and for them to give you the detailed information.

[alasken]

Thanks for the replies everyone

I just got an email from the visa office in london saying that they shipped back my passport with the visa inserted today!! Im so relieved!!!

I just checked the tracking info again, and it still only says "international item left Canada", so the lesson here is that you definitely can not rely on Canada Post for accurate tracking info outside of Canada!

[scarycemetery]

Thanks for the replies everyone

I just got an email from the visa office in london saying that they shipped back my passport with the visa inserted today!! Im so relieved!!!

I just checked the tracking info again, and it still only says "international item left Canada", so the lesson here is that you definitely can not rely on Canada Post for accurate tracking info outside of Canada!

Congrats!!!! Glad to hear it made it there safely

[Eddy070]

Thanks for the replies everyone

I just got an email from the visa office in london saying that they shipped back my passport with the visa inserted today!! Im so relieved!!!

I just checked the tracking info again, and it still only says "international item left Canada", so the lesson here is that you definitely can not rely on Canada Post for accurate tracking info outside of Canada!

Wow, Congratulation...