I just received a tracking number for an order that was shipped EMS from India. It didn't specify a particular carrier, but after trying a couple of international "EMS tracking" links, it seems as if it will be coming USPS - although I can't be positive. The USPS info says:

"There is no record of that mail item. If it was mailed recently, it may not yet be tracked. Please try again later"

And when I tried any of the other options (Fedex, UPS, DHL-not sure if there is DHL in the US?), I got messages similar to: 'Invalid tracking number'.

I'm guessing then that it will be coming by way of USPS and probably just isn't in the system yet, and if that is the case, will I have to sign for it?

If not, will I still need to be here to accept it?

I'm asking because it's been my experience in the past with having to pick something up at the Post Office because I was not here to accept it - regardless of whether a signature was required or not - I have always had to show photo ID in order to pick it up. It has also been my experience that when I have had to sign for something, as long as I was home to sign - they never asked for ID. I would prefer NOT to have to show ID, in which case I know it would be best to just be sure to be here. However, it also will be a nuisance to try to juggle things around in order to do that - especially since the mailman where I live isn't real regular about what time of day he shows up. So, if it would be delivered even if I'm not here, that also would be real helpful to know.

If anyone is familiar with this method of shipping (EMS) out of India, I'd really appreciate your input. TIA:)

hi i know that try in www.usps.com
its may help you

Thanks.. I just tried entering the tracking number there, but got basically the same thing: "There is no record of this item". I'm hoping that is just is not in the system yet. If it is being sent though a different carrier, though, wouldn't it say something like 'invalid tracking number'? Which is why I think the tracking number is for USPS....

My main concern though is whether or not I will need to be home when it comes (either to sign or just to accept). I mainly added what little I had been able to infer regarding the actual carrier in case that might be helpful in answering my question to anyone familiar with the handling in general of EMS out of India.

I'm grateful for additional info. Thanks!

If it was shipped EMS it will be delivered USPS. It's just not in the system yet.

yes thats right you may have to wait for 2/3 days

ems will transfer their tracking# to usps once it enters the us....u can try iship.com

good luck!

Thanks for your input! The tracking number has finally registered and it appears to be on it's way. Still don't know though if I will have to be here or not to sign for it....

You will need to be present or sign a slip allowing delivery of said EMS package.

Thank you PharmaKarma! That bit of info has not been easy to find - at least I couldn't find it anywhere. I really appreciate it - at least I know to plan to be here.. hopefully they will update again soon and I will find out when! So far, it seems to be stuck here:


Class: Express Mail InternationalŪ
Status: Inbound Into Customs

Your item is being processed by United States Customs. Information, if available, is updated periodically throughout the day. Please check again later.

Detailed Results:

Inbound Into Customs
Inbound International Arrival, October 03, 2009, 10:02 pm, ISC NEW YORK NY(USPS)

No further updates as of yet...

*I feel a little silly about this, it's just that I've ordered lots of stuff online - from books, to computer parts, odds & ends, etc.. and the tracking info has always been much more precise and always with an expected delivery date. But,that was all within the US, never ordered anything international before, am realizing it just must be a lot different and.. elusive? than I'd expected.*

Thanks everyone for being so patient with all my questions... especially as I'm very IMpatiently waiting for it to just GET HERE!

As Ive said before the waiting game is never fun. You should be ok. Hope you receive.

well if it's come from India so it's take 7 days for shipping and 4 to 5 tadys for tracking if you try to track this tracking id so it's depands on time and days. because i am allso facing this problem because i always recived my medication like that but i recived always.

Thanks to all for having been here with me during this first (and hopefully last) agonizing wait. It has finally arrived!
9 days total from date money was sent WU to receipt here in Central US. I'd say well worth the wait.. though I hope to
plan better next time so as not to be so miserable while waiting.... but as I posted in the medicinehut forum, I was quite
pleased with the contents, quality, packaging, etc.... and frame of mind at least 180 degrees from what it has been since
I joined this board!
you guys have all been wonderful and I hope very much to have the chance to return the favor

thanks dear anytime

Happy to help. Hope the quality was good.

Better than what I had been getting in the local pharmacy off of scripts from my then regular Doc! (More expensive this way... but wtf, it all worked out just fine!) They even put in an extra strip of 10 for no reason - just good business, maybe??