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Pushing the Envelope Blog

Operating During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Date: 04/06/20 | Category: OIG

The global pandemic of COVID-19 has impacted our country in ways that were unimaginable months ago. It is changing how people across the U.S. and around the world are working, shopping, even interacting with one another. States have ordered many stores and businesses to close. Businesses that continue to operate are faced with protecting their employees and customers, while coming up with creative ways to market and deliver their products.

The Postal Service continues to serve the public, operating on the front line, fulfilling the universal service obligation to deliver to every house and business every day. USPS is finding itself serving a population that is relying on it now more than ever. For many home-bound and quarantined people, home delivery is the only source for medicine and other vital supplies. During this time, the Postal Service has also prioritized the safety of its employees and customers.

We recognize the reality of the pandemic and have adapted our operations to maintain continuity while ensuring the safety of our employees. We are taking abundant care to minimize exposure to both our employees and Postal Service employees, using technology whenever possible. As we have told our employees, we also ask you to follow CDC guidelines, remain home as much as possible, and stay safe.

For questions or concerns about delivery during the pandemic, please go to usps.com to track mail or get information from the USPS Coronavirus FAQs page.

Postal Service employees, for work-related complaints or issues, please use our Hotline to let us know.

Leave a Comment

  
Your Name
Amy
Sep 21, 2020
Your Comment
My package has been in Cali since July 22, no movement. I have no words. I can understand a few weeks, but months is beyond ridiculous. Now they have all of the fires and God knows what going on. I am not sure that we will ever see our things.

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Your Name
My response from customs
Sep 4, 2020
Your Comment
Hopefully this helps some of you. I reached out to customs via their website and received a response. They legally have 45 BUSINESS days to process a package and determine if it can enter the country, then an ADDITIONAL 45 days to let you know if it's being seized. Super frustrating for those of us waiting for items that are not typically seized. Mine is a wool kids' mattress that has been stuck since 7/27. They said to reach out again if I haven't heard anything by 9/28.
  
Your Name
Anonymous
Sep 6, 2020
Your Comment
I order 2 pairs of shoes on March 11th . On the usps website it says that it has
been in customs since June 11th 2020. I have order from
this company before and my shoes were here in 6 to 8 weeks.
I have never heard of something being in customs for so long.

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Your Name
Jesse Magaña
Sep 4, 2020
Your Comment
Can I still send a package to my family from US to Germany
  
Your Name
Marian
Sep 15, 2020
Your Comment
Be prepared for several months' delay or possibly just being stuck in the Chicago international distribution center. I have had no luck.

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Your Name
Cono
Sep 3, 2020
Your Comment
ISC Chicago, baby!!!!!!! This clown party has hijacked my $100 order of soccer gear from the Netherlands since 7/31! Customs points to the USPS, and guess what? The USPS says its the responsibility of Customs... No one can actually tell me what jurisdiction ISC falls under. Is ISC run by Kaiser Soze?? Is it located on 4th floor of a 3 story building? Honestly, I don't really care. I just want my package released from this clown circus process that seems to hide behind Covid and Donald Trump/Dejoy excuses!
  
Your Name
Dirk Rockwell
Sep 5, 2020
Your Comment
Dude, ISC Chicago has a FB page. It seems these people have time to post while sorting, but can’t be bothered to release your package in less than 30 days. Clowns is about accurate.

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

  
Your Name
Tim Jones
Oct 6, 2020
Your Comment
ISC Chicago is so pathetic. I've been waiting for about half that time.

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Your Name
Teresa Meehan
Sep 3, 2020
Your Comment
Is any mail being delivered from India (Mumbai) to the US? I haven't been able to get any information about this though one person there emailed me that they have not been able to get out to mail an item to me since March.
Your Name
SAndi
Sep 1, 2020
Your Comment
Hello,

During the Pandemic shutdown (April - June), mail carriers left mail to the nursing homes so they do not need to enter into the building due to safety reasons.

One nursing home resident was not happy that it was not in the mailbox. Is it ok for the nursing home to have the carrier drop off mail so the employees can deliver the mail directly to the apartments because residents were all quarantined.
  
Your Name
OIG Moderator
Sep 2, 2020
Your Comment
Hello. Thank you for your comment. Regarding your concern, please contact Postal Service Consumer Affairs Office at https://postalpro.usps.com/ppro-tools/consumer-affairs

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Your Name
mike estes
Sep 1, 2020
Your Comment
my package made it to isc chicago on 08/21/2020 and a few hours later my tracking info updated saying "Inbound Into Customs"
(Your item is being processed by United States Customs.)
i know most people on this board, well everyone before me have been waiting longer than me, i just wanted to keep with the norm and list the dates ive been waiting so that the next person can maybe see a time frame he/she will be waiting. ive always heard that the mail never stops. what about customs?
  
Your Name
Nick
Sep 1, 2020
Your Comment
I have a package that arrived in Chicago on 8/18. It’s still there 2 weeks later with no end in sight. Even lying for express shipping didn’t help.

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

     
Your Name
Ivy
Sep 9, 2020
Your Comment
Hi Nick, Any updates on your package? Mine has been there since August 18th as well. Mine is coming from France to NY. Where did your package originate from?

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

     
Your Name
Anonymous
Sep 10, 2020
Your Comment
Mine has been there since the 5th coming from Thailand... Was released from Customs and now just sitting there

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Your Name
Springfield Illinois
Aug 31, 2020
Your Comment
Since the pandemic, all of my packages are always late a couple of days to sometimes a week.. I shop and order on line several times a month, and while i do understand what is going on, this happens all the time. I do get my packages eventually but tracking information will say one thing and then i find it's always something else. But here again, i do understand, just a bit frustrating when you take time off expecting your package will be delivered. Whenever my package leaves The St. Louis distribution facility headed to Springfield Illinois, it is always late, never on time, and leaves me wondering where my packages are. I guess this sort of thing will not go away no time soon and i will continue to shop on line, I just won't expect my deliveries to be on time.
Your Name
ISC Chicago Complainer
Aug 27, 2020
Your Comment
ISC Chicago has had my package since 07/31. Will be a full month on Monday 08/31! Prior to Covid, these folks could churn, burn, and turn packages out at the breakneck pace of 2-3wks!!!! That is like meteor speed by their standard!!!!

Now, strap in for a minimum 30-60 days for that $100 worth of soccer apparel you had to order from Spain...
  
Your Name
Mia
Aug 31, 2020
Your Comment
I have the same issue but mine has been stuck there since August 8th no new updates either

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

  
Your Name
ISC NY
Aug 31, 2020
Your Comment
Mine has been stuck in NYC since 7/27. It's a handmade item that I paid $300 for so the sender won't do anything about. Beyond frustrated at this point.

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Your Name
Lori
Aug 27, 2020
Your Comment
My parcel has been stuck in Chicago since August 2nd. I am not mad, I am more concerned about the protection of all during a pandemic.. i have learned what really matters and gained much appreciation for front line workers!! Patience is a virtue.. peace and good will to all including my American neighbours.. we worry about ALL of you! From your Canadian friend
  
Your Name
Chris
Aug 28, 2020
Your Comment
Dude mines been stuck in Chicago to wtf! Did you ever get your package?!

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

     
Your Name
Olga gavrilova
Aug 29, 2020
Your Comment
Mine two are also in Chicago since 18th of August. Its a first time packages went to this location .... before my international packages went through the JFK NY and i ve never had a problem ;((

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

        
Your Name
Kim
Sep 1, 2020
Your Comment
I’ve been having the same problem with ISC Chicago. My package has been sitting there for over a month. My packages used to go through New York ISC, and I never had any issues. Chicago ISC is a joke!

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

        
Your Name
Kelsey Flinchbaugh
Sep 1, 2020
Your Comment
My package has also been at this facility since 8/21 and the expected delivery is 10/27. HOW!? How is this possible??

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Your Name
Hayley Latham
Aug 26, 2020
Your Comment
USPS is making excuses for pandemic there is no way I should be struggling to get in contact with anyone I have answers for my package