Sooooo I bought a coin almost 3 weeks ago from vcoins. The seller (Herakles Numismatics) posted it using Registered - International - US$ 20.00. But tracking says: Not Trackable USPS Tracking® is unavailable for this product for AUSTRALIA. Wouldn’t you use proper tracking for a $300 order?! Also posted has been really bad here in Australia because of the coronavirus. Australia Post is backed up really bad and orders are taking much longer or getting lost. I’m hoping it arrives ok eventually but the tracking thing annoys me. Paid via PayPal.
Australia (as many other countries) tracking system is incompatible with USPS tracking systems , so no information is exchanged. Registered is the way to go since it is signed for every step of the way. Yes you will need to be patient delivery time wise since COVID has so many systems backed up. But it has been sent the safest and most reliable way. Customs clearance is also taking a lot longer then usual.
Right but I ordered another coin from another US seller and they used USPS International First Class Package - Trackable and Fully Insured which is trackable for me.
Once upon a time, registered was the way to go for international shipping but no longer. Once a registered parcel leaves the US, there is poor tracking and no guarantee of special handling. Handling varies from country to country, depending on reciprocal agreements. In some countries, registered mail from the US simply enters the ordinary mail stream. I'm not certain how registered mail from the US is handled in Australia. Generally speaking, I consider first-class package and priority to be better international options than registered. That being said, the owner of Herakles is among the best in the business, even if his shipping choice is a little old-fashioned.
Try putting the tracking number in EMS, it sometimes works when the sender country does not. https://www.ems.post/en/global-network/tracking
