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Other Stuff => General Wargames and Hobby Discussion => Topic started by: zemjw on January 13, 2023, 09:51:52 AM

Title: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: zemjw on January 13, 2023, 09:51:52 AM
There were reports of a cyberattack (likely ransomware) on the Royal Mail a couple of days ago, and the problems are ongoing

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-64244121

I'm not sure if they're shipping anything abroad just now, but their advice is not to post anything.

Stuff is still coming into the UK, but anyone waiting on something from here may have to wait a bit longer than usual :(
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: modelwarrior on January 13, 2023, 11:18:22 AM
To be honest my local Royal Mail delivery is now so random I would not notice :o
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: Fighting15s on January 13, 2023, 12:59:02 PM
Last night at 7pm, Royal Mail removed the ability to buy international postage using its Click and Drop service. There is no indication of when international services will resume.
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: Harry Faversham on January 13, 2023, 06:34:49 PM
Cripes, I've just sent a 'Bazaar' parcel, off to Canada. Hope it got off before this happened!
 :'(
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: Inkpaduta on January 13, 2023, 07:08:59 PM
I had just placed an order to the UK.
The company informed me this might take
a while before my stuff gets shipped.
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: Wirelizard on January 13, 2023, 08:44:54 PM
Well, I've been telling myself I had enough stuff to paint and didn't need to make any miniatures orders anytime soon, and given that my next intended orders would have both been to UK companies I feel like this is the universe telling me I really should put those orders off...

Hopefully everything gets sorted out as quickly as possible and the small UK firms that depend on mail order (and are so damn good at it!) don't take too much of a hit.
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: zemjw on January 14, 2023, 04:19:34 PM
Cripes, I've just sent a 'Bazaar' parcel, off to Canada. Hope it got off before this happened!
 :'(

I posted a package to The Netherlands on Tuesday. I've just checked the tracking information and it doesn't say anything more than "we've got it". If it went out after Monday (and even then...) I'd err on the side of it still being in the UK :(
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: CapnJim on January 14, 2023, 04:53:25 PM
I have an order from Empress that posted on Monday the 9th.  Tracking has it leaving the UK, but it hasn't showed up in the US yet.  I suppose I'm now in "wait and see" mode...
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: Westfalia Chris on January 14, 2023, 05:08:26 PM
I just collected a package which I ordered on New Year's Eve (posted 2 or 3 January by airmail, German customs had their ungodly mittens on it since then, I assume), so I guess I can count myself lucky.

But that is worrisome news. Here's hoping they sort it out and learn from it for the future.
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: Daeothar on January 16, 2023, 02:09:41 PM
I posted a package to The Netherlands on Tuesday. I've just checked the tracking information and it doesn't say anything more than "we've got it". If it went out after Monday (and even then...) I'd err on the side of it still being in the UK :(

Yeah; I won't be holding my breath on that one, but I'll let you know once I get any updates on this side  ::)
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: zemjw on January 16, 2023, 02:30:16 PM
Yeah; I won't be holding my breath on that one, but I'll let you know once I get any updates on this side  ::)

My fingers were crossed that it might have snuck through, but it would appear not. I haven't seen anything to suggest the problem has been fixed, although they've not exactly been keen to provide updates :?
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: Inkpaduta on January 16, 2023, 05:32:07 PM
Any idea on when they will resume oveseas shipping?
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: Norm on January 16, 2023, 06:52:38 PM
Uk media have reported this in the last few hours;

In a statement, Royal Mail said: "To support faster recovery when our service is restored and to prevent a build-up of export items in our network, we're asking customers not to post international items until further notice.

"Items that have already been dispatched may be subject to delays."

The National Cyber Security Centre has said it's aware of the incident.

So I guess the answer is nobody knows.
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: Grumpy Gnome on January 17, 2023, 08:01:03 AM
Postal security is something too easily taken for granted. Yet it is quite dismaying to see that this has not been resolved yet.
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: zemjw on January 17, 2023, 09:05:05 AM
Not just our hobby that it's affecting :(

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-64291272

Still no hint at when things may start to recover
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: AndrewBeasley on January 17, 2023, 09:11:00 PM
[/size]...Still no hint at when things may start to recover
You begin to question their disaster recovery capability - I would have expected some idea of service plans rather than the lack of news!


For those folk waiting for shipping you may be desperate to consider Parcel Force (not cheap) - their notice states:

Quote
Parcelforce Worldwide export services are still operating to all international destinations though customers should expect minor delays.


Letter services are being questioned as well https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-64306928 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-64306928) - cannot remember when I got a letter (even first class) in three days - pre-C19 at least...

Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: AndrewBeasley on January 17, 2023, 09:12:39 PM
I know the above post is odd - I've reported it to the mods to see if they can work out why Safari does odd things...



...
Still no hint at when things may start to recover


You begin to question their disaster recovery capability - I would have expected some idea of service plans rather than the lack of news!




For those folk waiting for shipping you may be desperate to consider Parcel Force (not cheap) - their notice states:


Quote
Parcelforce Worldwide export services are still operating to all international destinations though customers should expect minor delays.


Letter services are being questioned as well https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-64306928 - cannot remember when I got a letter (even first class) in three days - pre-C19 at least...
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: Mammoth miniatures on January 17, 2023, 10:57:04 PM
If this goes on till the weekend I'll be suspending international shipping for the foreseeable. I'm glad miniatures aren't my only job, because this is going to be absolute murder for alot of small businesses. I've already got customers waiting for orders from October and November that are still sat in sorting offices somewhere and now this.
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: RSDean on January 19, 2023, 10:36:40 AM
I had a note from Irregular Miniatures yesterday to tell me that my latest order would be going by some sort of carrier other than the Royal Mail…hoping this all clears soon; I think I’ve got a parcel from Baccus caught up in it as well.
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: CapnJim on January 19, 2023, 05:13:24 PM
Well, the Royal Mail says my Empress order made it to the US.  It isn't on the US tracking site yet as arrived, but that might take a couple days...sounds like the Royal Mail might be making progress with their issue.
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: black hat miniatures on January 19, 2023, 05:27:01 PM
Royal Mail have announced (on Click and Drop) that they are testing work arounds with a limited number of parcels.

Mike
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: Inkpaduta on January 19, 2023, 06:45:19 PM
Got my ships from NavWar. I think they were mailed before all the problems hit.
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: Grumpy Gnome on January 19, 2023, 06:55:23 PM
Saw this over on Dakka Dakka…

https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/808535.page

Royal Mail bulletin.

Service update: 19th of January 2023
Following the recent cyber incident, we are trialling operational workarounds and have started moving limited volumes of export parcels. While we trial these operational workarounds, we continue to ask customers not to submit any new export parcels into the network. Our initial focus will be to clear mail that has already been processed and is waiting to be despatched.

We are pleased to announce that we have resumed the export of International Standard and International Economy letters which do not require a customs declaration (i.e. these letters do not contain goods); International Business Standard (untracked) and International Business Economy personal correspondence letters (which do not require a customs declaration) to all international destinations. From 1900 on 18 January, customers will be able to start sending International Standard and International Economy letters which do not require a customs declaration (i.e. these letters do not contain goods); International Business Standard (untracked) and International Business Economy personal correspondence letters (which do not require a customs declaration) into the Royal Mail network through all channels including Royal Mail post boxes and Post Office branches.

Royal Mail continues to work with external experts, the security authorities and regulators to mitigate the impact of this cyber incident, with a focus on restoring export services. Our import operations continue to perform a full service, with some minor delays. Parcelforce Worldwide export services are still operating to all international destinations though customers should expect minor delays. Royal Mail’s UK services are still operational.

Our teams are continuing to work around the clock to resolve this disruption and we will update you as soon as we have more information. An investigation into the incident is ongoing and we are working with external experts. We have reported the incident to our regulators and the relevant security authorities.

Link page https://personal.help.royalmail.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5317/~/international-incident-bulletin
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: CapnJim on January 21, 2023, 12:12:42 AM
Well, my Empress Miniatures order arrived today (in Michigan in the US.  It was posted on 09 Jan).  That's good news!
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: Grumpy Gnome on January 21, 2023, 08:54:24 AM
Some companies are being more open about how this cyberattack is affecting their business than others are being. I saw this notice on Only Games, the physical print side of My Mini Factory. I have to be honest, I am really surprised there is not more talk about this issue, both in the media as well as online.

https://only-games.co/en-de/pages/shipping-production-information

 

Shipping & Production Information
ALL THE INTERNATIONAL SHIPMENTS (WORLDWISE EXCEPT UK) ARE CURRENTLY DELAYED DUE TO ROYAL MAIL EXPORT SUSPENSION

PLEASE MONITOR THE STATUS HERE.
THANK YOU FOR THE PATIENCE AND UNDERSTANDING
____________________________________
 
PLEASE BE ADVICED PRODUCTION AND DISPATCH TIME ARE CURRENTLY LONGER THAN NORMAL AND MAY TAKE UP TO 10 WORKING DAYS 
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: AndrewBeasley on January 22, 2023, 12:05:26 AM
Latest update (22nd):


ROYAL MAIL INTERNATIONAL EXPORT SERVICES
[/size]Following the recent cyber incident, Royal Mail has resumed the export of parcels from Northern Ireland to Ireland. This builds on the recent move to resume the export of international letters to all international destinations. Customers in Northern Ireland can now export parcels bound for Ireland into Northern Ireland Post Office branches. Online customers will be able to print labels on Royal Mail shipping systems from 7pm, Friday 20 January. These services are currently only available for customers based in Northern Ireland. They are not available for customers based in Great Britain where export restrictions continue to apply.
[/size]We have now resumed international export despatches for all mail streams including parcels and letters across a growing number of international destinations. We are making good progress in despatching items that are already in our network across all of our services. Please note you may see less tracking information than usual as we continue to restore our services.  At this time, we continue to ask customers not to submit new parcels for export, and we will update further on service resumption as soon as possible.
[/size]Royal Mail continues to work with external experts, the security authorities and regulators to mitigate the impact of this cyber incident, with a focus on restoring all services for export letters and parcels. Our import operations continue to perform a full service with some minor delays. Domestic services remain unaffected.
[/size]We’re sorry for any disruption this incident may be causing. Our teams are continuing to work around the clock to resolve this situation. We will update customers as soon as we have more information.
[/size]https://personal.help.royalmail.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/12556/related/1/session/L2F2LzEvdGltZS8xNjc0MzQ1Nzc1L2dlbi8xNjc0MzQ1Nzc1L3NpZC9mVUpIN19TSzk5ZWNsRTZmRWFWNE02bVRLZWZpQUwzeGFmeDZOOVhWbDlqVnQzZERYZDhhRWRpbmVKenFLV19IczdFX1kyYnpsQVRla2xSa2tzTWJfU0Q2OXZPdnRHNWcyRTZiNEp2Y2RTVmRsSlVUMERFM1RMTVElMjElMjE%3D (https://personal.help.royalmail.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/12556/related/1/session/L2F2LzEvdGltZS8xNjc0MzQ1Nzc1L2dlbi8xNjc0MzQ1Nzc1L3NpZC9mVUpIN19TSzk5ZWNsRTZmRWFWNE02bVRLZWZpQUwzeGFmeDZOOVhWbDlqVnQzZERYZDhhRWRpbmVKenFLV19IczdFX1kyYnpsQVRla2xSa2tzTWJfU0Q2OXZPdnRHNWcyRTZiNEp2Y2RTVmRsSlVUMERFM1RMTVElMjElMjE%3D)
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: FifteensAway on January 22, 2023, 05:30:17 AM
Thanks for the update.

I hope the 3D preprinted trees are ordered can be shipped by the time they are printed and ready.  Luckily I have a long lead time before they are needed.

There needs to be a way to reach through the internet and do untoward things to people who do untoward things on the internet.  Harrumph!
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: Norm on January 25, 2023, 09:21:08 AM
There is a cautionary tale here of how vulnerable our wider lives are becoming to the threat of hack as the internet pervades every aspect of our infrastructure, whether that be mail, water supply, National Health, manufacturing or admin at government level etc.

When this has blown over, it will be interesting to see whether this was something entirely avoidable or whether we are entering a stage that requires a more co-ordinated cohesive defence of systems at all levels.

As a U.K. Citizen, thanks to all those awaiting orders for their patience and understanding and please keep shopping with us.
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: zemjw on January 25, 2023, 10:11:45 AM
Yeah, it's not just our hobby that has been hit by this. Loads of one person businesses are suffering - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-64374342
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: Grumpy Gnome on January 26, 2023, 07:09:39 PM
Spotted this from Ancestral Hamster over on Dakka Dakka…

From Reuters 26 Jan 2023

https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/royal-mail-resumes-more-services-after-cyber-incident-2023-01-26/

International service has restarted but is limited, so it is not a full recovery.
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: Grumpy Gnome on January 31, 2023, 02:52:35 PM
Latest update that I am aware of….

https://www.royalmail.com/international-incident-bulletin
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: OSHIROmodels on February 07, 2023, 12:31:01 PM
For those that are interested  :)

https://www.royalmail.com/international-incident-bulletin (https://www.royalmail.com/international-incident-bulletin)
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: Mammoth miniatures on February 07, 2023, 12:52:10 PM
For those that are interested  :)

https://www.royalmail.com/international-incident-bulletin (https://www.royalmail.com/international-incident-bulletin)

Getting better but still not fully up and running. it's something at least.
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: black hat miniatures on February 07, 2023, 01:13:03 PM
It is pretty much back to normal if you buy your post online.

Mike
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: Grumpy Gnome on February 19, 2023, 06:01:57 AM
Looks like business was announced by Royal Mail as nearly but not quite restored as of 17 Feb.

https://www.royalmail.com/international-incident-bulletin

Edit: Thanks for the correction Oshiro Models.
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: OSHIROmodels on February 19, 2023, 09:24:40 AM
Still online only though so not fully restored to what it was.
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: Grumpy Gnome on February 19, 2023, 12:35:52 PM
Still online only though so not fully restored to what it was.

Ah yes, quite correct. My apologies. Edited to reflect the correction. 🙂
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: OSHIROmodels on February 19, 2023, 12:59:11 PM
No worries. It’s looking like it’ll never be back fully to how it was.
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: Mammoth miniatures on February 19, 2023, 01:07:33 PM
No worries. It’s looking like it’ll never be back fully to how it was.

It is the far future, the year 40,000. For more than a hundred centuries Royal mail international shipping has sat immobile on the Golden Throne of Earth...
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: FramFramson on February 19, 2023, 08:38:40 PM
bwahahahahaha  lol
Title: Re: UK Royal Mail not delivering overseas just now
Post by: zemjw on February 21, 2023, 04:29:02 PM
Looks like it may finally, probably, maybe fixed - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-64718824

Quote
International mail services have finally been reinstated at UK post offices, more than a month after Royal Mail was hit by a cyber attack.