Help! FedEx shipment delay!
 

I purchased 3 railpasses worth over 1000 usd over the internet. It was estimated to reach here (Kursk, Russia) from the US on the 22nd January, that's fine since my day of travel is on the 25th of January. But over the past 10 days, my parcel has been 'in transit' in GB, I'm anxious it won't reach me in time!!! What do I do?

Hi A,

You still have 11 days.

Have you considered calling FedEx?

((I))

I can do that? And they will fasten the delivery? It's in GB (I think Great Britain), while I am in Kursk, Russia, is there any possibilities at all it will reach me in time?

FedEx at least in US has a tracking thing you can see where it is on the internet. How is FedEx delivering it to you in Kursk? Do they have Fed
Ex there - if so contact them.

Hi A,

If FedEx will deliver your tickets they have an office in Russia.

Go to www.fedex.com and click "Russia".

If they don't have a Kursk office,call the head office in Moscow.

((I))

When you say "parcel" do you mean envelope. Generally envelopes - marked documents only - are whisked through customs and reach major cities in europe in 1/2 days and smaller places in 2/3 days (from the US).

But if by parcel you mean package - holding other things besides tickets - there may be customs issues - depending on how the customs documents were prepared. I would get the tracking # of the package and hop on-line to see what info you get.

If that doesn;t work - email, then call you closest office.

Being held in the UK sounds like the customs documents don;t match the parcel in some way.

(I hate to say it, but depending on the country of receipt delivery can take forever - not the fault of FedEx - but the vagaries of the customs system. We sent some printed material - properly marked with all documents complete and correct - to a professional organization conference in Venice - and had to eventually have someone from the hotel provide a gift to someone in customs to have the boxes released.)

I always try to allow more time for delays in a packages going to Russia, especially a regional city (the current schedule only gives you two days of cushion, and regularly we have documents delayed).

Not sure when the sender posted the item, nor from where, but you should take initiative on this. As far as I know Fedex's only offices in Russia are in Moscow and St. Petersburg (and they probably contract out their deliveries outside of these cities(the Moscow HQ is 495-787-5555). I wouldn't waste the time and effort of waiting for an email reply, I would call and ask them if there are any delays.

Also, remember that there was a holiday in Russia from Jan 1-8; even though the website shows that the package is being held in England, it might be at customs in Russia.

To Moscow a Fedex package (containing only documents) will take two business days, minimum. To regional cities in European Russia, 13-18 days is common. Usually we send critical documents to Russia via DHL, as their network in Russia is far more comprehensive and our experience is that they are more reliable (every time I've sent items via Fedex we've had to push to get them cleared through customs--again, only documents and an occasional data CD and transparencies).

I assume these are not Eurailpasses but some kind of country pass...if you are a Russian resident of course you are not eligible to use anything labeled Eurail on it and may be rebuffed when you try to activate it with a Russian passport. I assume you are not a Russian citizen or have dual nationality in a country that would allow you to use a Eurailpass. Again some country passes are open to all.

Thanks, I just called the office, apparently it just reached Moscow today. I am a Malaysian, living in Russia, so I am entitled to a eurailpass. I think it will reach me in time, thanks for all your response. (It was an envelope I think, with 3 railpasses, sent from railpass.com office in the US)

Alecki, please let the Fodor's forum know the outcome of your experience.

ditto

Yea, I'll keep you all updated. But It's a relief though it's in Moscow, I mean, in the worst case scenario I would only need to approach the Fedex facility in Moscow. But it's the 14th today, at least there's still more than a week to my travel date. I'm kind of certain (and relieved, for sure!) that it's in Moscow. I will keep you all updated with an latest news.

Rejoice!!! i've received my parcel! Today 17th January around 2pm russian time. Everything is in great condition!!! I can finally let out a sigh of relief.

Thanks for all your help/advice. I'm going to have a real great time in europe (need to first get through this examination coming my way...)