USPS Chicago ISC & New York ISC - Packages Not Moving and Stuck for Weeks - Delays from Coronavirus

[dizzykid101]

Many people seem to have packages stuck in either New York or Chicago ISC (International Service Center) now going on multiple weeks to months presumably due to the effects of the Corona Virus - I have personally been waiting on one parcel from Denmark to start moving after being scanned into customs "Processed Through Facility" at Chicago ISC on April 22nd ... it is now May 26th and still no movement - I understand we are in crazy times right now and have no problem waiting but my question is what to do about my buyer protection - I believe, and could be wrong, but eBay says to open an INR (Item not Received) case before the 30 days after the item was expected to be delivered - In my case that day would be now as it was expected to be delivered on April 27th - I did open the case just so things are OK on my end but I really didn't want to have to do that - At the time I messaged the seller that I wasn't sure what was going on, I think it is stuck and I'm not sure what else to do right now - After looking into the reviews on Chicago ISC I found an endless amount of complaints from frustrated buyers and sellers about the same issues with parcels being massively delayed - eBay has been putting up the blanket statement that "packages may be delayed due to the Coronavirus" all on the tracking info but no real time frame and these customs places are not making any statements either - Is eBay extending these protection rules right now?  If so how long?  Are they taking into consideration that your package is sitting in one of these places for the sellers sake when people open up INR cases?  All I really want right now, and I'm sure other do too, is some kind of definite answers on timelines - If its gonna be a 6 week delay once my package gets there then it would be nice to know! - At least it would give sellers and buyers a little more relief knowing their packages hasn't disappeared into a black hole or gotten lost - I recently have 2 more packages that have showed up in Chicago ISC that I plan on being there for awhile - Also, one package that came from Canada to Chicago ISC in the beginning of May that scooted right on through in three days with no issues which is what is even more confusing in the midst of all of this ... almost like there is no priority to the packages that have been sitting for weeks on end - One good thing about reading the reviews on the USPS Chicago's page was at least people are getting the packages after an average of 6 weeks - Good to see updates on their previous comments as to when they did finally receive the parcel - This was the only thing giving the people that are waiting any sort or real time line on the delays that are happening right now

[orangehound]

eBay's window is indeed 30 days, and they are not extending it.   You have two (honest) choices:

1. Follow through with the eBay claim, and repay the seller once the item is actually delivered.
2. Continue to have patience, and use the PayPal claim process if it is not delivered.  You have 6 months after the date of purchase to file an Item Not Received claim with PayPal ... you can also file with your credit/debit card company.

It is not a good time to do international purchasing ...

[chapeau-noir]

I had Chicago ISC swallow up a package to Switzerland and it never resurfaced.  I've had to stop international shipping until things stabilize.

What I did, because my patient buyer waited past the 30 day window, was simply refund their item+shipping price.  I could see that the package had disappeared after going through Chicago ISC.  They said they'd repay if it ever arrives (and I believe them).

[dare-2046]

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@dizzykid101 wrote:

eBay says to open an INR (Item not Received) case before the 30 days after the item was expected to be delivered - In my case that day would be now as it was expected to be delivered on April 27th

I did open the case just so things are OK on my end but I really didn't want to have to do that

All I really want right now, and I'm sure other do too, is some kind of definite answers on timelines

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Which essentially means your item has about 30 days, i.e. before the end of June, to move out of the ISC and deliver from the last-moment date you started your INR request.

If the buyer doesn't ask us to step in and help within 21 business days of reporting that they didn't receive an item, the request closes automatically

[dizzykid101]

Yes, and everything is compounded by the original delayed shipping while everything was shutdown due to covid19 - I have another package sitting in Chicago ISC that didn’t even arrive there until after ebays 30 day expected arrival date because I was “patiently waiting” for shipping to return to normal, doing what I thought was right - Did not expect the Chicago ISC black hole bottleneck  - So I cant even open an INR on that package if I wanted too - At least they PayPal has the 6 month period but you always get shafted on the full refund going that route - such a mess 

[tonyome]

I've sent some packages to friends in Taiwan, and they sometimes sit for 4 to 6 weeks in Chicago before getting outside of the U.S., even for Priority Mail. 

[pikeview]

The International Service Centers have been a black hole for years, where incoming mail from overseas disappears, never to be seen again.  The situation got really bad starting around 2009, when the USPS issued a ruling, that they would no longer keep incoming registered mail from abroad separate from the regular mail stream once it arrived in the U.S., as a cost-saving measure.  ISC New York is the worst; there have been convictions for mail theft there.  With COVID, the whole system is breaking down.  Many eBay sellers who have done business with buyers in other countries have simply stopped listing on eBay - it's not worth the lost mail and chargebacks.

[georgefix]

          Delivery times can vary.  The newly appointed Postmaster General has refused to approve overtime requests at the sort facilities affected by the Coronavirus.  Priority and He has also removed 167 sort machines from those facilities. Express deliveries are not affected