Guys,
Here is something strange that happened with me.
I ordered a small 1 kg parcel from HobbyCity on Feb 7th.
They shipped it out on 9th, and sent me the tracking number.
On 10th the tracking said that the package was leaving HK for Delhi.
Since then i have not received the parcel, and also the tracking gives the same status.

Of course the India Post tracking does not work, but they have a toll free number which i called. They said that that the parcel left Delhi for Allahabad on Feb 11th and that i should check with my local post office.

I visited the EMS section of the GPO here in my city. They had no clue of the parcel and said that it had not arrived, and they can do nothing about it.

I wrote to HK Post, their reply came within a day and gave me the dispatch/bag number.

I think the parcel cleared customs but lost on its way to Alld ?

Good thing is that on HobbyCity they say that if EMS is lost they can replace it. Now i will begin that proceeding.

Just wanted to share this recent experience with everyone here.
-Gaurav

Isn't it a bit too early ?  I thought it was typical to wait for up to 30 days !  Of course it *usually* happens earlier, but then there are exceptions ?

I suspect that you have a Foreign Post Office (FPO, though which all international parcel/post HAVE to pass through) in Allahabad. Kindly check with your GPO. If it is in Lucknow, you still need to wait.

Its possible that your parcel has not left Delhi FPO (most probable FPO for the region)at all. Customs may not care if it is EMS or normal air parcel and take same hold up time as normal Airmail, and it being 1KG, they would have definitely not let it go unchecked. If you can call again, kindly check whether it was delivered 'To' FPO or has actually left 'From' FPO.  Try to get a written confirmation from Delhi EMS section regarding dispatch of your parcel from Delhi and produce it to local EMS. Getting HK post involved would only lengthen the problem and you would loose precious time.

Let me be straight, Indian Post has a dubious reputation of loosing (??) parcels. Especially with scams involving theft of financial instruments, banks TOTALLY moved to private courier service for customer service (but few scams happened there as well).  There was this check sent by Smith Barney (US security firm)  after liquidating my colleague's stock options(MSFT) was stolen mid way when USPS passed to it  Indian post. It was actually en cashed by someone sitting in Dubai when he drilled down throughly!! BIG cartel. Even recently, my friend Vinay lost 2 small e-bay parcels as well!!

All the best.

wow that's quite scary

The other aspect. I ordered some spares with the weight close to 1kg from HC and registered parcel (ordinary post) on the 17th Feb.

HC took 8 days to dispatch due to the backlog during the Chinese New Year. The HK post sent it out to India on the 27th. I got the stuff yesterday - 4th March

That's efficiency on all accounts - HK post, Indian Foreign Post Office, Customs etc...

Pankaj

there is a predictable time lag at HK Post office. But once the item leaves Hongkong it reaches India in a single day (they ship by our beloved airplanes, not water bound ships). Then its all the mercy of Indian post and customs... I bet ur parcel was not opened and customs in a hurry let the parcels go in a bunch!

Lucky you!!! It surely doesn't happen all the  time and a Best Case scenario. Don't keep this as a benchmark.

-Ujjwal

Actually, this is the fastest I have received and parel from HC. Even the EMS parcel took twice the days to be delivered. BTW, baring one, no other parcel opened till date

hey...

i also ordered 4m HK..it arrived at New Delhi on 25th of feb...but therez not been any update since then...GPO at chandigarh says that they din recieved it....what should i do???

Keep patience. Allow minimum 2-3 weeks for the customs to clear. You show too much eagerness and they would definitely re-scrutinize your parcel. wait till this week end then call directly to the FPO with ship address and tracking no. Even my package which left HK on 23rd Feb has not reached. Holding on till this week.

-Ujjwal

bt sir...mine iz an EMS parcel...and on callin up d toll free number 2out of 3 times i gt a rply that it had been sent to chandigarh....whereas 1 was quite helpfuln gave me d number of Indian Customs Office..bt no onez pickin up d fone....
i really need dat stuff  for mah collg project....

also..the trackin site says...SENT TO DOMESTIC LOCATION(INB)

Just wait.

Rao sir...iske sivaye kuch kar bhi toh nai sakta.....bt i juzz hope ki i get d parcel on time....nai toh m screwed..

Dear Rawat,
I don't understand Hindi much so could not understand what you wrote.In case I offended you please forgive me.
--Rao

Rao sir,,

sir...nthin offended me...i was juzz sayin dat...all i can do iz wait for d parcel to arrive.......there was nthin in ur post fer me 2 feel offended...

rgds
YD

What is in the parcel can complicate the issue. Item like Transmitter, ARF/RTF planes etc are pretty sensitive items and most of the custom official are aware to confesticate  them. Please be advised.

Man, just wait and relax, It has to reach you, nobody can steal it.

i had ordered..2motors...few servos...esc... and 2 battries....datz all...i know ( after readin all d posts here)..ki ordering a transmitter/radio would be severe headache fer me...so i din do dat..

gaurav sir....aapke EMS ka kuch pata chala??? ne news?

When was this chinese new year? It seems that there has been a major backlog.

What was ordered on 03 Feb and 10 Feb from Hong Kong has not yet reached me. usually it used to take about 30 days on an average and once it had even taken me 45 days for the parcel to reach me so I am patiently waiting. Are all of you facing similar trends or is only few of us.

rgds

feb 14 was the chinese new year

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year

+1.... things are bad... even I am waiting for my other parcels from Honkong  (Non -HC as well)... it seems a domino effect may be our customs is having a hard time.

AFAIK, my parcels all got dispatched from china in time, its stuck with our customs. as they are receiving too many parcels after Chinese new year.

I got one of mine today. Ordered about 20 days back. Arrived by normal post. NO opening at customs. However, it didnt contain any electronic items.  In fact not even RC items.

Its plastic kits ordered from HK...

i guess its to be used with the items u won at the sweepstakes