Parcelforce not accepting overseas deliveries

Mr Dibb

Free Member
Jun 1, 2011
56
6
Cambridge
Just had the below email

Following recent announcements regarding the concerns over the new coronavirus variant in the UK, the French government have currently imposed a 48hr ban on any accompanied freight entering France by road, from the UK. Freight lorries cannot cross by sea or through the Eurotunnel and the Port of Dover has closed to outbound traffic. Ireland has also banned ferries for 48 hours. However, we are closely monitoring the situation as this could change at any point.

There are many other countries responding in a similar vein, so we expect significant disruptions to our international services. All European exports and imports will be impacted, plus Canada and we expect other countries to follow.

It is unclear how long these disruptions will remain, so we have taken the decision to temporarily suspend with immediate effect the following international services and collections of:

- Euro Priority, Euro Priority Import and Euro Priority Pack
- Euro Economy
- Global Priority and Global Priority Returns

So, you will not be able book or create shipping labels for these services above.

Our account Global Express and Ireland Express services remain unaffected and are still available to use when sending overseas.
 
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fallschirmjaeger

Free Member
  • Jul 17, 2014
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    Royal Mail are not taking anything for mainland Europe.

    Is it just me or is anyone else panicking a little bit because RM are not taking post to Europe from UK? I'm hoping it will be sorted by 29th of Dec 2020 but what if its not. I have many letters/large letters pilling up!

    Is there an alternative to RM for letters and large/letters?

    Cheers Mike
     
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    Mr D

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    Feb 12, 2017
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    Is it just me or is anyone else panicking a little bit because RM are not taking post to Europe from UK? I'm hoping it will be sorted by 29th of Dec 2020 but what if its not. I have many letters/large letters pilling up!

    Is there an alternative to RM for letters and large/letters?

    Cheers Mike

    Sure, there's all the couriers.
    However if you have charged your customers based on RM price then you'll be paying out a lot more to send the stuff.

    Or you could explain to your customers that stuff is delayed and you will keep trying.

    When RM announced they weren't able to take any more I simply increased prices overseas to cover the extra cost and if anyone buys this close to brexit date (they haven't all the previous brexit dates) then I can send it via a courier if necessary.
     
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    fallschirmjaeger

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  • Jul 17, 2014
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    Hi

    Many thanks for the answers, i think this was caused by the Covid19 and the stopping of lorries and flights (with a smattering of the French proving a point about Brexit...), so I'm hoping this will change as this has now been lifted. If not I need to look at plan -B = couriers!

    Anyone recommend any that are actually still operating who take letters and large letters to Europe!?
     
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    fallschirmjaeger

    Free Member
  • Jul 17, 2014
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    I just tried DHL for a package and was emailed: Service Update: Our UK domestic delivery capacity has been sold until 29th December. Our road services to Europe have been suspended with immediate effect. Our international air service will be suspended from 29th December."

    Looks like all couriers are affected now - so looks like UK and outside Europe (with Royal Mail) is the current way forward! :(
     
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    Mr D

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    Feb 12, 2017
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    I just tried DHL for a package and was emailed: Service Update: Our UK domestic delivery capacity has been sold until 29th December. Our road services to Europe have been suspended with immediate effect. Our international air service will be suspended from 29th December."

    Looks like all couriers are affected now - so looks like UK and outside Europe (with Royal Mail) is the current way forward! :(

    Royal mail should update their systems as they have been doing for past 9 months regarding delivery - not the first time countries have been cut from delivery services.
    Notify your customers. Keep trying a couple of times a day.

    Just because air travel to one destination is problematic does not mean stuff cannot get there, just be delayed.
     
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    fallschirmjaeger

    Free Member
  • Jul 17, 2014
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    Royal mail should update their systems as they have been doing for past 9 months regarding delivery - not the first time countries have been cut from delivery services.
    Notify your customers. Keep trying a couple of times a day.

    Just because air travel to one destination is problematic does not mean stuff cannot get there, just be delayed.

    Yes all good points however RM Post Office is actually refusing to accept mail to Europe! Outside Europe is OK, so even if i wanted to I cannot get the mail into the system for Europe! It appears that DHL is similar and possibly other couriers! :(
     
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    Mr D

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    Feb 12, 2017
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    Yes all good points however RM Post Office is actually refusing to accept mail to Europe! Outside Europe is OK, so even if i wanted to I cannot get the mail into the system for Europe! It appears that DHL is similar and possibly other couriers! :(

    So keep trying.

    I do mine on the computer so I can see at a glance that the parcel will go or not. The website should be updated presumably once a day or whenever the situation changes.

    Customers will blame you regardless. You may as well get some bonus points with a few for trying.
     
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    Mr D

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    Here's what is showing in my messages from royal mail.
    Click and drop account.

    Published Date:24/12/2020 13:07
    From:Click & Drop Support
    Subject:Royal Mail Corona Update - International Services
    Whilst border issues remain and long delays continue at the tunnel, Royal Mail and Parcelforce are unable to collect new traffic for despatch to Europe. However, we are now re-opening our shipping systems to allow customers to produce labels and prepare items for despatch, and we aim to collect international traffic on Tuesday 29th December. Please be aware that owing to new procedures at ports and the channel tunnel, traffic despatched may be subject to delays. This is a changing situation and we will advise of any further changes through these channels.
     
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    fallschirmjaeger

    Free Member
  • Jul 17, 2014
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    Hi that is good to know the 'Incident' posting still says 23'd Dec and 'Royal Mail has temporarily suspended all mail services to Europe' Hopefully that will be updated today! However I was at the post office and they still say they are not accepting mail and they are calling 'drop and go' customers to pick up European mail as they are not sending it! Hopefully all sorted today!
     
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    owas

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    Jan 3, 2010
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    DPD are still not allowing road EU parcels to be booked online, which is frustrating seeing as other couriers have started the move.
    DHL are getting a gold star from me, as we managed to get a bulk shipment out via air the day this all started and they arrived the next day!
     
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    fallschirmjaeger

    Free Member
  • Jul 17, 2014
    216
    36
    DPD are still not allowing road EU parcels to be booked online, which is frustrating seeing as other couriers have started the move.
    DHL are getting a gold star from me, as we managed to get a bulk shipment out via air the day this all started and they arrived the next day!

    DHL however are not sending Abroad till after the 5th of Jan!
     
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