What can I do if Canada Post cannot find an item I sent to the US with the Xpresspost?

Question

I used the Xpresspost service of the Canada Post to send a letter mail to New York 10 days ago. However, the tracking information only tells me that it has arrived at the destination country. I have called the customer service many times, and they have set up a file for me. However, their answers have become more and more 'official'. They just claim that they can't do anything or contact the US custom. I contact the trace mail department, and they say that my mail is at the US custom and they have contacted the US Post. But there are still no responses from them. I have also contacted the Ombudsman's office but I am told that it will take weeks to resolve the case. The things I sent are very important and requires urgent delivery. Otherwise, I would not have used the Xpresspost. I should have used more reliable service like the DHL. Xpresspost really sucks! They guarantee 3-5 days of delivery, but you can see what happen to me! What can I do now? I really need some help!

Answer 1

I have had a similar problem.  In my case, I went to my local post office and got them to call it in for me.  They talked to someone on the phone for a while and explained my situation.  The person on the other end started an "investigation".  Within a week, I got a call from Canada Post telling me that they had deemed the package lost and were refunding me my insurance amount plus the amount that I paid to ship it in the first place.

Once a package crosses the border, there is no tracking that can be done on it.  It is unfortunate, but that is the way it is.  

I would suggest that if you are sending important stuff to use an actual package carrier.  They are trustworthy and track all over the world.  Not just to the border.

There is a similar problem for people mailing to Canada too though.  Someone in Ohio had to mail me something 3 times before I actually got it.  

I wouldn't say that it was the fault of Canada Post.  They got it to the border.  After that it was the fault of the US postal service.  Unfortunately there is nothing you can do to retrieve your package.  Just hope that some day it will magically appear at its destination.