If you’re expecting a package to arrive from abroad and get this “Receive Item at Office of Exchange” update, then it can be confusing for you if don’t know what it means.
In this blog post, we will explain everything from meaning and what to do if you have got this update on the tracking status of your package. So continue to read on.
What is the Meaning of “Receive Item at Office of Exchange”?
If you have received this update, then it means your packages arrived at the designated shipping office where it will undergo further processing to be prepared for transportation to the next shipping facility. The status is a clear indication that your package has reached a specific point in your journey and is making progress toward reaching the final destination.
So, if you’ve got this update for the very first time then there is nothing to worry about. It’s just a normal update that everyone gets if they are expecting an international package.
What is an Office of Exchange?
An officer of Exchange is a simple facility that is operated by shipping carriers where international mail packages are processed and exchanged between the poster administrator and shipping carriers. In short, it’s in facility that handles the transferring exchange of packages between the countries. In brief, it works as a bridge between the postal office of both originating and the destination country.
Whenever a package gets this update, it means the package has arrived in the designated country and the country’s Postal Service has taken possession of the consignment. The update also acts as an indication that your package has officially entered the destination country.
Once the packages arrive at the office of exchange, it may undergo customs clearance, sorting, and other necessary procedures before its being forwarded to reach the required recipient address.
Why does a Package get this ‘receive item at office of exchange’ status?
A package usually gets this update when it reaches the international shipping facility in the destination country(where it will be delivered). These are some of the reasons why your package might have got this status.
Customs Processing: International packages always need to go through customs clearance whenever they enter a new country. At the Office, the customs officials may inspect its contents, and assess duties or taxes (if applicable) of your package.
Sorting and Distribution: Upon reaching the office, packages may need to be sorted and prepared for further transportation. It involves categorizing the package based on its delivery address so it can be delivered to the required local post office for last-mile delivery.
Documentation Verification: If some important documentation of your package is missing then the officials may hold up your package until you show them and verify the authenticity of it.
Transit Point: The Office of Exchange also serves as a transit point for international shipments, where packages are temporarily held before being forwarded to their final destinations. So if you’ve got this uptake then it might mean your package is held in one of these transit points on its way to reach the destination country.
What happens with a Package at the Office of Exchange?
When a package arrives at the office of exchange then it undergoes various stages. Here, we have provided a brief overview of what exactly happens inside the facility aka office of exchange
Custom clearance: Whenever an international package enters another country it needs to go through customs to verify that all the norms are being followed. The official also verifies the authenticity of paper attached to the package like commercial invoices, permits, certificates, and receipt of tax & duties payments.
Security Check: During this stage, the package undergoes screening such as X-rays and scans to ensure that nothing illegal or prohibited item enters the country.
Sorting: At this stage, the packages are sorted based on the destination address to make the entire process of delivery more efficient.
Departure: It’s the final stage at the office where packages are finally loaded up in the delivery trucks to reach the local post offices and from there, the packages will finally be delivered to all the recipients.
Can I pick up my package from the office of exchange?
No, customers are not allowed to pick up their package directly from the office of exchange. These are the large facilities that mainly focus on processing and sorting large numbers of international packages.
However, you are allowed to pick up your package once it has arrived at the local post office but besides that, you can’t really go to the office of exchange and ask for your package.
If your package seemed too stuck on the update and didn’t show any further progress then you need to contact your shipping carrier and ask them to transfer it to the local post office so that you can pick it up on your own.
When do you need to worry about your package getting delayed?
Delays are always bound to happen so there is nothing new about it if it is happening with your package. However, you do need to keep in mind that if a certain time limit has been crossed then you need to contact your shipping credit and ask what’s wrong with your package.
If less than a week has passed then there is nothing to worry about sometimes temporary issues cause delays which get fixed on their own. So if that’s the case with you then there’s nothing to worry about.
If more than a week has passed then you need to double-check whether your package has got the customs clearance or whether its taxes and duties appeared or not.
If more than two weeks have passed then it’s time you should file for a missing mail request search and contact the shipping carrier and ask them to look into the matter.