Is it possible to send an international parcel to the US in the holidays?

My n=1 experience is that US customs have really been overwhelmed this year. I was born in the UK and at Christmas typically get 4 parcels from family members full of cards and trinkets from family for me and my kids, all shipped at increasingly eye watering expense.

This year every single package is still stuck in customs. The first was sent on 12/1, the latest on 12/12.

Has this been a universal experience? FedEx tell me that customs have told them that this year they’re holding packages for up to 60 days. I assume that’s correct but can’t confirm.

It just really sucks that it’s not possible to send things to family members at Christmas (short of going on amazon and throwing a few more coins in Bezos’ pile).

Our N=1, we have received multiple packages from Germany. All delivered before Christmas. Only one had been sent very early. three of them sent late nov/early dec and received.

Nothing of great value, cards, pictures, and sweets. But packages varied in sizes.

What is the method of shipment?

Fedex. They all did a circuitous but reasonably quick lap of European hubs, came to the US and then got stuck in customs here - Memphis in 3/4 cases.

They should be using the post office to get through customs really fast and it is typically the least expensive.

If they use FedEx, they can use an express service (rather than “saver”) to get through quick.

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Agree with Jim. This is what we always do. USPS to Germany, German post is delivered via USPS to us.

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