Hell, we waited longer than that for aircraft parts when I was in Iraq.

We can't expect shipping firms to immediately make calls about every international package that crosses their docks. In cases like FedEx and UPS that would take tens of thousands of man-hours per week, if not per day. Most folks just allow for the extra time, which is mostly taken up with the same types of things you mentioned.

Domestic deliveries often take just as long as your shipment. I ordered a textbook from a warehouse in Chicago in August, and it was sent the same day via USPS. I had the tracking number within four hours of placing my order. It finally arrived sixteen days (twelve working days) later. I could have picked it up and returned home four times at a moderate pace in that time. Seven days for international shipment is actually pretty good considering it takes three days to get a bill payment to an office 25 miles from my house.

With all the BS international shipping companies have to deal with, you should be happy you got it within twice the time you did. I've waited much longer than that, to get something shipped INCONUS.