This is a very unlucky series of events. The package is currently lost. What are the chances of that, plus a fraudulent buyer? Ugh..

I had that status on a package of mine for 2 weeks. It wasn't an international package. I called USPS and they were able to place a trace on the package ONLY if it was done by the recipient, which she did. Soon after it was delivered.

What did you do with the package? Did you bring it to the post office or hand it to your mail carrier. Did you visit the local office or call customer service? I believe someone should be able to give you a little more information. I am almost positive this is not a customs label number. This is a tracking number. A customs label number is different. I'd call USPS again or visit your local post office. It's probably sitting in a corner somewhere.

It's definitley the customs label number. I drop the packages off at the PO counter just as I always do. It may be a fraudulent buyer, but they claimed hacked. It may be held up in customs, but i don't know how customs would know that particular package was paid fraudulently?

I'm trying to get thorugh with ebay chat to see if I can at least get my fees back, at the very least, sheesh!

This stinks. Sorry this all happened. I would think if it's held up in customs there would be more info in the tracking:confused: Maybe ebay can at least help a little.

i'm on chat with ebay now and so far they are at least refund my fvf fees whoo hoo! I'm rich again! they are also fliling a complaint with USPS. a lot of good that'll do, but I'll take anything at this point.

If it was held up in customs, the label number would have at least said the item was scanned and accepted over here, but nothing. that's why I think susps lost it before it even went out.

Good for you for complaining to ebay, maybe they'll change some of the policies.

I feel your pain. I had a bow order go missing on it's way to Italy (which I later found out is the worst country to ship to).

International priority mail doesn't operate like domestic mail does. It is not trackable and there is no delivery confirmation. The only way to track international packages is to either send them registered mail ($11.50 extra, but that only reimburses up to $45.62 if the package is lost) or Express mail or Global Mail, which is very expensive.

I have since heard that international buyers will scam sellers by only paying for first class/priority untrackable mail, then filing a Paypal dispute 30 days later claiming they did not receive the package when they really did. Unless you have proof of delivery, Paypal will refund the buyer's money.

I have gotten very picky about which countries I will ship to. I also prefer to ship small bow orders of $25-$30. That amount usually isn't subject to duty tax so most of my customers are okay with it. I now require orders over $50 be shipped registered mail and who wants to pay $18 shipping on $50 worth of bows sent and then have to pay duty on top of that?

I really hate international orders. :thumbdown

As a mail mans wife he has told me time and time again once it leaves the US they don't really have any control over the packages. They rely on the other countries basic mail services as their fees.
We have always gone with fed-ex for over seas as well as UPS. We have several friends in the military that live off base that we mail things too. Altho some have gotten smart and gotten a APO shipping address on base to keep the cost down at bit.

As for the lack of being scanned lots of times offices just shuffle around large carts of mail that are being shipped over seas and it doesn't get scanned till its being loaded for flight. I believe they have the option to stop a package with notification, I say that b/c my husband was about to make a drop off of a package but when he scanned it he had a "hold" message pop up on his scanner.

You also may want to seriously think about your international shipping orders and if you benefit greatly for the sales. And stop being "nice" and start following a solid rule plan of you get what you pay for. People always take advantage of the nice ones.

This makes more sense to me now. But wouldn't you think they'd send it back to me at least? Feels like they stole it from me now. :(

Just this past week was seriously like 80% international. I get worried, but I need to make the sales. esp when it's something that hasn't moved in a while.

I guess from what I've learned form this is do NOT ship to an unconfirmed address, and do not use the flat rate envelopes or small flat rate boxes.

Yeah italy is the worst. Have you ever read through their prohibited items lists? It's pretty much everything.

Yup, Italy doesn't allow any sewn items to be imported into their country. That pretty much rules out dog clothes or dog bows!

I think a lot of the merchandise is confiscated.