Are delays with mail sometimes normal? (USPS?

USPS tracking not updated for 8 days?

• Last updated processed through sort facility jamaica ny 11430 on 2nd December 2.17am.package going to VIC Australia. neither Auspost show updates. sent via first class international mail. Questions is Jamaica ny 11430 a usps ISC affiliated to JFK? does "processed through" means its in a plane to Aussy?(cz no mention about left the facility) Are there any backlogging/major delays at jamaica ny? Usually how long does it take to go to Australia? Those having/had the same issue and anyone who can answer feel free to help me.

• Answer:

  Processed through means it came into and then left the Jamaica sort facility. The Jamaica sort facility is part of USPS, it is not affiliated with JFK, which is an airport run by the Port Authority of NY & NJ. However, it is the nearest USPS sort facility to JFK. After it is put on a plane and lands in Australia (transit time is less than 1 day), it leaves the jurisdiction of the USPS. Since it is a package, it probably has to go through Australian Customs. It can stay there for 1 day, 1 week, 1 month -- however the Customs people decide to handle it. After it clears Customs, it will enter into the Australian postal system. They may or may not scan it. If they don't scan it, you will not get updated scan information. That doesn't mean your parcel hasn't moved. It just means they haven't scanned it. I suspect that in most parts of the world right now, there are delays to some extent. It's getting close to Xmas and that means more mail and slower deliveries.