Q: My spouse and I shipped two suitcases from Iowa to Norway for a cruise utilizing FedEx (through Baggage to Ship).
The baggage arrived on time however was despatched again to Oslo for customs verification. Regardless of each day calls to FedEx, brokers supplied conflicting updates and blamed Norwegian customs. For 4 days, FedEx provided no info on how I might get my baggage out of customs.
Why did FedEx fail to speak clearly or resolve this? Are we entitled to a full refund?
— Todd Janus, Des Moines, Iowa
A: FedEx ought to have dealt with your customs clearance and supplied correct monitoring updates. Its Worldwide Precedence service ensures well timed supply, contingent on correct documentation — which you had.
You used a 3rd social gathering known as Baggage to Ship, which guarantees “simple, reliable and affordable” baggage transport, in accordance with its website. However a more in-depth have a look at the Baggage to Ship phrases reveals it’s not liable for cargo delays due to, amongst different issues, “customs delay, customs or carrier inspection.”
That permit Baggage to Ship off the hook. It could be capable to ship your baggage to Norway, have it sit in a warehouse and return it with out providing you with a refund (a minimum of, in accordance with its phrases).
However FedEx is one other story. It guarantees “dependable service,” and on the time of your cruise, it provided a money-back assure. (On the time I’m scripting this, this assure has been revoked.)
In equity, it seems to be like FedEx was attentive to you if you requested concerning the standing of your luggage, however then didn’t replace you recurrently when your baggage obtained caught in customs.
I’m used to writing concerning the perils of checking baggage, so it is a new twist. Subsequent time you cruise someplace, it would make sense to only pack a small carry-on to keep away from the effort of transporting plenty of baggage.
I believe taking this up with FedEx was the proper concept. You paid to have your baggage shipped to your cruise, and it by no means obtained there. What’s extra, you shouldn’t have had any customs bother, because you have been sending garments and toiletries to your ship.
I contacted FedEx in your behalf. A consultant responded that it will resolve the case with you “directly,” apparently hoping to maintain me from writing a narrative about this. However as I stated, FedEx already had its probability. FedEx refunded your $1,237.
And the story? Effectively, right here it’s.
