Want to try to track your paperwork from NVC to the Embassy?

[Jason-Sasha 1]

This little formula really works well. it only took me about 3 minutes to locate the package sent from NVC to Moscow. Its in Moscow now. Arrived on 12-08-07. Though it only says its at the Moscow facility for DHL. Perhaps they dont deliver to that embassy on Sundays. but I also noticed that DHL actually made a delivery to Bangkok, Thailand's embassy today, Sunday. So, who knows...The good news is that my petition is in a package that weighs only a few pounds. My petition alone weighed nearly 4 pounds! I would imagine this could mean a good chance for a quick interview. fewer petitions competing for dates.

Anyway, a very cool find!!

Edited December 9, 2007 by Jason-Sasha

[Jason-Sasha 1]

Holy cow! The package sent to The Philippines is 51 lbs!

[rouguewave 7]

Holy cow! The package sent to The Philippines is 51 lbs!

Yep,

That's because we who want to bring in filipina's have to do a lot of convincing to get them to part with their Philippine Treasures (filipinas).

[Jason-Sasha 1]

Sweet. Using your little DHL trick I have learned that my package is being delivered to the embassy as I write this...

[rouguewave 7]

Sweet. Using your little DHL trick I have learned that my package is being delivered to the embassy as I write this...

Congratulations!!! Don't tell Byron you called it "my little DHL trick" or he'll come back here and start screaming again.

[BYRON-LEIDY 0]

...AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

[Mike&Luda 0]

Keep trying and expand the search dates! It does seem to work but I had to try 25 times probably!

[G&A 1]

I tracked the package to the consulate in Canada and today it says "Recipient refused delivery" Is this normal?

[G&A 1]

I tracked the package to the consulate in Canada and today it says "Recipient refused delivery" Is this normal?

Just for the benefit of others, our case was delivered a few hours after it was shown as refused. Apparently this is normal practice at some of the consulates where DHL shows delivery refused and then delivered.

[Derrel & Lai 0]

<snip> Being good beaurcrats, NVC seems to usually code the reference with some form of the following: 'EXP 26 NOV 2007A' where the date is somewhere near (on or before by a day or two) the actual date of shipment. If you KNOW the date they shipped to the embassy (NVC told me and others) then you can adjust the date accordingly and search on reference. You'll see a list of shipments to each of the embassys they shipped to with that reference. For example, if you access the website and enter 'EXP 26 NOV 2007A' into the search by reference area, you'll see 3 pages of shipments. Make sure that the date range includes Nov 26 & 27, but it can be much wider.

<snip>

I have also discovered their use of different references. I'm sure one shipping person has their standard, and another has theirs. Instead of EXP 14 DEC 2007 A, I've found 14 DEC 2007A and other various schemes.

Search away... all I know is mine left NVC 17 DEC. By the time I find it, Manila will have it, I'm sure.

[Derrel & Lai 0]

<snip> Being good beaurcrats, NVC seems to usually code the reference with some form of the following: 'EXP 26 NOV 2007A' where the date is somewhere near (on or before by a day or two) the actual date of shipment. If you KNOW the date they shipped to the embassy (NVC told me and others) then you can adjust the date accordingly and search on reference. You'll see a list of shipments to each of the embassys they shipped to with that reference. For example, if you access the website and enter 'EXP 26 NOV 2007A' into the search by reference area, you'll see 3 pages of shipments. Make sure that the date range includes Nov 26 & 27, but it can be much wider.

<snip>

I have also discovered their use of different references. I'm sure one shipping person has their standard, and another has theirs. Instead of EXP 14 DEC 2007 A, I've found 14 DEC 2007A and other various schemes.

Search away... all I know is mine left NVC 17 DEC. By the time I find it, Manila will have it, I'm sure.

Sorry I didn't add this to the original reply. Also have seen reference: JAN 2008A and JAN 2008B.

[heartbroken 0]

you can also enter a B and sometmes C after the year i.e. 2007B, 2007C

[Derrel & Lai 0]

Please read with the understanding that there are No guarentees here, but just to give you all some information.

It appears that NVC uses DHL as their shipper for embassy packages bound for beneficiary's country embassy's. I know this is nothing new, but on the DHL website (www.dhl.com), you can search for packages based on reference and package number. The first thing you have to do is determine the package number that MIGHT contain your beneficiary's paperwork. As of this posting, this might help or this might drive you crazy. If NVC or DHL changes how they do things, this could all fall apart, but here goes....

The only anomoly I found was there were packages shipped with 'EXPEDITE IV SECTION' as a reference. You can see an example by looking up shipment #8177298920. I found this one by doing a search by number and feeding in blocks of 25 shipment numbers, starting with the highest from the most recent day of shipment, based on the reference sequence. It appears that the shipment numbers are in order, but NOT sequential. This is probably due to the fact that they use pre-printed forms for shipping, with the numbers printed on them. However, there are gaps in the sequence so don't expect to get 25 returns for 25 numbers requested. There was a place where the number sequence made a HUGE change, but I attribute that to them running out of forms on one pre-printed pack of labels and some shipping guy just started with another set.

Rougue, you've inspired a MONSTER.....

Working in Information Technology for a DHL competitor (dang I wish they used us for shipping packages, I could track EVERYONE's package), I have found a methodology for tracking anyone with Excel can use.

STEP 1) Determine a tracking number for the date NVC says your package left their facility. A call to NVC and a nice lady (Rose) told me my package left their building Dec 17. Using rougewave's modified method, I found some tracking numbers to begin my search.

STEP 2) Create a range of tracking numbers, so you can track by NUMBER instead of reference. I didn't want to hit and miss guessing tracking numbers, so, you need to generate numbers with the correct 'check digit'. This is where Excel comes in. I made 3 columns, 1 for the "seed" number, one for the check digit, and one for the tracking number which is the "seed" and the check digit combined (CONCATENATE is the Excel function.) I know, very techy stuff, but it works.

STEP 3) Copy 25 of the generated track numbers into the "Track By Number" at www.dhl.com. Repeat until you find your package. This method allows you to see more than just the ones with a certain reference.

If you need any clarification, I'd be happy to answer questions directly.

I'm dreaming of a wonderful St. Valentine's Day.

[Derrel & Lai 0]

Dang... why don't I use PREVIEW instead of POST?????

Here is a modified, and more accurate STEP 2:

STEP 2) Create a range of tracking numbers, so you can track by NUMBER instead of reference. I didn't want to hit and miss guessing tracking numbers, so, you need to generate numbers with the correct 'check digit'. This is where Excel comes in. I made 3 columns, 1 for the "seed" number, one for the check digit, and one for the tracking number which is the "seed" and the check digit combined (CONCATENATE is the Excel function.) I know, very techy stuff, but it works. The check digit is created by taking the seed number, which is the tracking number you found in STEP 1, with the last digit removed, i.e. 9341421994 becomes 934142199. In the check digit column, put the formula MOD(934142199,7), which result in this case is 4. This generates the check digit. In the tracking column, concatenate the SEED and the CHECK DIGIT. Now you have a valid tracking number. Copy this formula for as many times as you'd like tracking numbers generated. For DEC 17, I have generated over 250 tracking numbers.

I'm going to blame this on LACK OF SLEEP FROM TRACKING SO MUCH!!!!

[Aussiewoife 0]

Can you explain how to track the packages by reference then? I am having no luck following the instructions given. And, would you know whether they send things regularly or only on an intermittent basis?

Thanks for your help.

The only anomoly I found was there were packages shipped with 'EXPEDITE IV SECTION' as a reference. You can see an example by looking up shipment #8177298920. I found this one by doing a search by number and feeding in blocks of 25 shipment numbers, starting with the highest from the most recent day of shipment, based on the reference sequence. It appears that the shipment numbers are in order, but NOT sequential.

Actually... (I'm an IT professional from a competitor of DHL)... tracking numbers ARE sequential... You just have to remember NOT to look at the last number since it is a check digit. That means, 9329627075, 9329627086, and 9329627090 ARE sequential (see the last 4 numbers? 7075, 7086, 7090 would be 707 708 709.... )

And of course this has LITTLE to do with the discussion of the topic, but thought I would let you know that they are NOT using handwritten airway bills, they are using an automated device to ship the items...