Anyone else facing delays from Germany? UPS is saying it is due to customs, but it seems like the facility at Cologne has a history of issues.

Package (From Germany to USA):

27.08 We Have Your Package

30.08 Arrived at Facility (Koeln, Germany)

03.09 An emergency situation or severe weather condition has delayed delivery. (Koeln, Germany)

04.09 On the Way An emergency situation or severe weather condition has delayed delivery. / Your delivery will be rescheduled. (Koeln, Germany)

** Edit 1: Sept 5 **

Now it’s saying: 05.09 Delay (Koeln, Germany) 05.09 Rescheduled Delivery, but no updated date.

** Edit 2: Sept 6 **

Now it seems to have departed or at least moved! As of 9pm in Germany: 06.09 On the way (Koeln, Germany)

** Edit 3: Sept 9 **

Seems to be out for delivery now in USA.

** Edit 4: arrived! No explanation from UPS…. **

I've read a lot of comments about Germany, but I don't get why packages are being delayed there.

I have a package travelling from Hong Kong to Bulgaria, and really strange things happened:

The package was sent on the 22nd of October and on the 26th it arrived in Germany. I received an update that it arrived there on the 1st of November, which is really strange. I tried reaching UPS but they were not able to assist me as they said "we don't know what's going on, but we will prioritize your package". I know that this is bs, so my question is - are all shipments delayed in Germany? If so, how much time does it take for them to continue the journey?

Anyone know whats going on in koeln, germany ? Have a 3 package shipment that says it was supposed to be here on the 23rd and once it arrived in koeln it said it was on the way but estimated delivery date would be given as soon as possible?

Got a parcel coming from Poland to UK it got to Herne-Boernig, Germany ok then it is stuck in a loop same thing for 3 days same time each morning 10am

• 22 May 202410:00**Your package was cleared after the scheduled transport departure. We will reschedule for the next available departure. / Delivery will be delayed by one business day.**Herne-Boernig, Germany UPS

• 21 May 202410:00**Your package was cleared after the scheduled transport departure. We will reschedule for the next available departure. / Delivery will be delayed by one business day.**Herne-Boernig, Germany UPS

• 17 May 202410:00**Your package was cleared after the scheduled transport departure. We will reschedule for the next available departure. / Delivery will be delayed by one business day.**Herne-Boernig, Germany UPS

• 17 May 202405:13Arrived at FacilityHerne-Boernig, Germany

I have a package headed for Boston originally shipped from Denmark on January 19, 2022 that “Arrived at Facility” at Koeln, DE on January 21.

Every weekday update since has been: “We are experiencing transit delays. We will deliver your package as soon as possible.”

Today being Feb 1, that’s a 10-day delay so far.

Anybody else been waiting for Cologne recently as well? How long have you waited for?

2022-02-11 FINAL UPDATE: Delivered! Three weeks + 2 days total: 2 days to get from Denmark to Germany, 3 weeks - 1 day stuck in Cologne, and just 24 hours to move it from Louisville, KY to my front door in Boston.

Props to SkatePro for being candid about the delays and active in working with UPS. Given how many others had their packages suddenly move out of Germany on the same day, it feels like the collective efforts to get this in front of UPS may have indeed paid off.

Best of luck to everyone else on this thread, or came here hoping for some catharsis, if vicarious.

2022-02-10 UPDATE: Looks like UPS was being quite serious when they told SkatePro that they were prioritizing their packages. At least three of us here (ordering from multiple vendors) have had our packages pass out of Cologne today, landing in Louisville, KY.

Signs of progress in the tracking history directly after the final "We are experiencing transit delays. We will deliver your package as soon as possible. Koeln, Germany" include:

• "The delivery address has been updated and your package is on its way."

• "Import Scan"

• "Departed from Facility"

All followed by "Louisville, KY, United States". Like this:

https://preview.redd.it/etpj6cvwj3h81.png?width=1600&format=png&auto=webp&s=7f1d72f0e054e954bd4ea7938eae313b6365077e

2022-02-08 UPDATE #2: SkatePro issued the following statement (emphasis my own) that has given me renewed hope!

Dear customer

UPS is experiencing service disruptions beyond their control. A sorting facility in Germany has been hit with a Covid outbreak, resulting in delayed deliveries to the United States and Canada. The severe weather conditions in parts of the USA have further disrupted services for parcels that managed to cross the Atlantic.

UPS has assured us our parcels will be prioritized in handling and shipping, so expect to see updates in tracking in the coming 2-4 working days.

We sincerely apologize for this, and any inconvenience caused, we would like to thank you for your continuing patience and understanding. Our customer service team is ready to answer questions you might have.

Once again my apologies,

Mikolaj Frank MacioszekTeam Lead for the United States and CanadaSkatePro

2022-02-08 UPDATE #1: There was some nice color on this thread:

https://www.reddit.com/r/UPS/comments/sgdxyc/koeln_germany_must_be_the_worst_ups_depot_anywhere/hvyk3e9/

This might explain why when I asked Snowcountry.eu whether they are affected by the Cologne delays they replied simply that 99% of orders deliver on time.

That’s when I noticed Snowcountry’s shipping is expensive — but it is UPS Express Saver by default. In contrast, SkatePro is merely UPS Worldwide Expedited.

So I finally did a price comparison and realized Snowcountry more than compensates for shipping with cheaper price. SkatePro has a higher package price but slower shipping.

Lesson learned the hard way. For now, consider choosing an Express shipping option when shipping out of Europe.

2022-02-04 UPDATE: Still stuck in Cologne — making this a full two weeks delayed in that city alone — although today there was a service alert on UPS.com specific to packages outbound from Europe to the US:

Summary (Last Update: 04/02/2022; 10:08) Service delays from Europe to the US

Due to severe weather conditions in the US, shipments from Europe to Dallas, Texas and Louisville, Kentucky air hubs are experiencing delays. Please not that these delays may impact deliveries to other destinations in the US ....

...

Additionally, UPS Expedited and Worldwide Express Freight shipments from Europe to the U.S. are also experiencing delays due to the prolonged surge in volume and network adjustments caused by coronavirus measures.

https://preview.redd.it/jl48n6oucxf81.png?width=1142&format=png&auto=webp&s=305401c0878b81d90ee30a7314f28d30cd7f4b2a

2022-02-03 UPDATE: Added screenshot of tracking (don't be fooled by the "On the Way" at the top: the most recent update always says that, even when it has been delayed). 12 days in Cologne now. Most. Boring. Tracking. History. Ever.

https://preview.redd.it/bn3a89oglmf81.png?width=776&format=png&auto=webp&s=e9b2f4b76f1f2ee47fb765cbf44ad93e56ae082f

Also, SkatePro, the retailer that shipped the package (a pair of skis), added a banner warning today on the tracking page they provide customers:

Due to new and sudden covid restrictions in Germany, some UPS parcels are unfortunately facing delays in transit. We are very sorry for this inconvenience and are in contact with UPS to resolve these issues as soon as possible.

https://preview.redd.it/owtv9id3qof81.png?width=1243&format=png&auto=webp&s=42f8b7aa5524c60732d35b11f25f02cd13ff12e7

I've seen and also got packages delayed at the Koeln depot. I've spoke to customer services numerous times but they're absolutely useless. I just want to know what everyone else's situation is. If you've had packages stuck recently, what's your outcome or are you still waiting?...

Ups is normally fine but if i ever have anything international go through Germany it just gets delayed. It’s always koeln Germany for some reason. Does anyone have any explanation for why?