The Non-Existence of a Book.

A professor in the USA sent me an insured parcel, a book. Firstly, an unnamed depot demanded a surcharge, in advance, before I should fetch it. This had me confused at first, but it was a ****, apparently a Post Office inside job. Then, a few days ago, a real depot -- Vlaeberg Post Office 8018 -- required a surcharge, to be paid at the depot. I went to the depot today. A postal official went into the tangled womb of the building -- then produced proof, with official stamp and all, that someone else had claimed the book. I pressed him. Another postal official took the paper from his fingers, and lo! she produced the book. I said how, then, do you hold proof that you don't have this? The first official shouted, "Yes! Sir!" and turned on his heel, and I grabbed my book and counted myself thankful.

The question is of course, what is going on? In this case, a valuable book would have been rerouted ... where? What measures would ideally have been in place to prevent this? My parcel was: Certificate of Posting of an Insured Parcel No. 2867. Vlaeberg 8018, Received by UH***US.