What Shipping Updates Mean - Part 1: From "In Transit" to "Delivered"

Tracking a package should be straightforward, but some of the updates you see can feel unclear. While terms like In Transit or Out for Delivery sound simple enough, they can cause confusion if they remain unchanged for days. Others, such as Processed Through Facility, Exception, or Expired, are less intuitive from the start. Despite all the high-tech tools carriers use, from GPS to automated scanning, it is not always clear what a status really means or what is actually happening behind the scenes.

Part 1 of the glossary begins with the nine standard updates used by common third-party tracking aggregators such as 17TRACK, AfterShip, ParcelPanel, and ParcelApps.

Part 2 then expands to cover other carrier statuses you may see with major services including DHL, FedEx, UPS, USPS, Australia Post, and Royal Mail etc.

For each status, you will find a plain-English explanation, the most likely reasons why it appears, and a practical tip on what to do next. In the vast majority of cases, parcels move smoothly through each stage, and only rarely do exceptions occur.

This status appears when the system cannot locate your package yet. It usually shows up just after a label is created. Common causes include:

• The parcel has not yet been handed over to the carrier.
• The carrier has not uploaded the first scan.
• The tracking number was entered incorrectly.
• The shipment is old and the data has expired.

Tip: Keep in mind that tracking information may not be available immediately upon receiving the tracking number, and it can take anywhere between 1-5 business days before parcel movement can be seen, depending on carrier volume.

This means a shipping label has been created and the carrier has received the shipment details. However, the parcel itself may still be with the seller, or in some cases, the carrier already has the item but hasn’t scanned it into the system yet. Common scenarios for this include:

• Carrier picked up a bulk batch:
When a courier collects hundreds of parcels from a warehouse, they may not scan each one at pickup. The first scan often happens later at the depot.

• Delayed scanning:
Parcels can be in the truck or sorting centre but not scanned until processing starts. This can make it look like the seller still has the item.

• Missed initial scan:
If the driver or depot misses the first scan, the system won’t update until the next checkpoint.

• System lag:
Sometimes the data upload from the depot is delayed, so tracking appears stuck at “info received” even though the parcel is moving.

Tip: Some carriers allow you to set up SMS or email alerts when the first scan is made.

This broad status covers most of the journey. It means the parcel is moving within the carrier’s network, either domestically or internationally. It does not always mean the package is moving at that exact moment. The parcel may be waiting for the next handover or transport leg. Long pauses, especially on international routes, are common.

Instead of being delivered to your door, the parcel has been redirected to a post office, parcel locker, or retail outlet for collection. This is a standard process and is usually for convenience or security reasons, not because something has gone wrong.

Common reasons include:
• Nobody available: If nobody was present to receive the parcel, it may be redirected to the nearest collection point.
• Signature required: High-value or sensitive shipments often require a verified signature, so they are held securely until collected.
• Address restrictions: Some addresses, such as PO boxes, rural routes, or businesses outside the courier’s delivery zone, cannot receive door-to-door service.
• Customer preference: In some regions customers can choose a parcel locker or collection point as their delivery option.
• Operational limits: During busy periods, carriers sometimes redirect parcels to pickup locations to reduce failed delivery attempts.

What to do if you see this status:
• Check your tracking for the exact pickup location and deadline.
• Bring ID and your tracking number when collecting.
• Monitor your tracking updates closely, as uncollected parcels are usually returned to sender after the holding period expires.

Tip: If you know you cannot collect within the stated timeframe, contact the carrier to request an extension or alternative delivery option.

Your package is on the local courier’s vehicle and is scheduled for delivery that day. Deliveries can take place at any point during the courier’s normal working hours, which for many carriers extends into the evening. Some services now provide delivery windows or live driver tracking, but if you do not see the parcel by night, it usually means it will be attempted the next business day.

A few things to keep in mind:

• No guaranteed time:
“Out for Delivery” does not mean the driver is close by. It only confirms the parcel is loaded on the route.

• Unexpected delays:
Heavy traffic, weather issues, or a large route can push deliveries later in the day, the next day or held for Pick-Up.

• Delivery instructions:
If you left special instructions or authorised a safe-drop, this is the stage where they are applied.

• Missed deliveries:
If nobody is home and a signature is required, the courier will usually leave a card or update the tracking with a reschedule or pickup option.

• Tracking monitoring:
Keep an eye on tracking for status changes. If it switches back to “Undelivered” or “Attempted Delivery,” follow the instructions promptly.

Tip: If your tracking shows “Out for Delivery” for more than a day without an update, contact the carrier. Sometimes parcels are loaded but not delivered, and they re-enter the delivery cycle the following day.

This status means the courier tried to deliver your parcel but could not complete it. It does not mean the parcel is lost, only that the attempt failed.

Common reasons include:
• Nobody available to receive the package.
• Restricted property access such as locked gates, secure buildings, or closed businesses.
• Incorrect, incomplete, or unclear address details.
• Signature required but no authorised person was present.

What usually happens next:
• Many carriers will attempt delivery again the next business day.
• In some cases the parcel is redirected to a local post office, depot, or parcel locker for collection.
• A delivery notice card or an update in your tracking will often explain the next step.

What to do:
1. Check the shipping address you provided. Make sure it is complete and correct, since errors or missing details can prevent delivery.
2. Review your tracking carefully. Look for notes about whether redelivery is planned or if the parcel is waiting at a pickup point.
3. If you missed the driver, use the carrier’s online tools to reschedule delivery or request a safe-drop option.
4. Monitor your tracking updates. Uncollected parcels are usually held only for a short period before being returned to the sender.

Tip: If you know you will not be home for the next attempt, check whether your carrier offers online tools to reschedule delivery or authorise a safe-drop. Not all carriers provide this, but where available it can prevent your parcel being sent back to a depot or returned to the sender. If online options are not offered, contact the carrier directly to discuss alternative arrangements.

This status signals that something unusual has happened in the delivery process. It does not always mean the parcel is lost, but it does mean extra attention is needed.

Common reasons include:
• The parcel is being returned to the sender after failed delivery attempts.
• Customs has rejected the item or placed it on hold due to restrictions or unpaid duties.
• The parcel was damaged in transit and may not be deliverable.
• Security or compliance checks flagged the shipment.

What to do if you see this status:
• Check the full tracking history to look for a note about the cause.
• Contact the carrier quickly to confirm the reason for the alert and whether any action is required from you.
• Monitor your tracking closely, as parcels under “Alert” often need a resolution (payment, paperwork, redelivery arrangement) before moving again.
• Reach out to the seller if the carrier confirms a return, rejection, or damage, so they can arrange a replacement or refund.

Tip: “Alert” is an exception status, not a final outcome. With quick follow-up, many parcels under alert can still be delivered.

The parcel has been marked as successfully delivered by the carrier. Depending on the service level and delivery instructions, this can mean:

• It was signed for at the address.
• It was left at your front door or porch.
• It was placed in a letterbox.
• It was given to a neighbour, receptionist, or building manager.
• It was delivered to a parcel locker or local collection point.

What to do if you cannot find it:
• Check your property carefully: Look around porches, side entrances, garages, or safe-drop spots.
• Ask neighbours or household members: Carriers sometimes leave parcels with the closest available person.
• Look for a delivery notice: Some drivers leave a card with details about where the parcel was placed.
• Check photo or GPS proof of delivery: Many carriers now provide these in their tracking logs.
• Contact the local post office or depot: In some cases, the driver may have scanned the parcel as delivered while holding it for pickup.

Tip: If tracking shows “Delivered” but you cannot locate the parcel, contact the carrier the same day. The sooner you report it, the easier it is for them to check with the delivery driver and trace where it was left.

The tracking number has been closed due to inactivity. This usually means no updates have been recorded for a long time. It can indicate that the parcel was never scanned correctly, lost in transit, or undeliverable.

Tracking updates can sometimes feel vague or inconsistent, but they are simply checkpoints in the delivery process. In the vast majority of cases, parcels move smoothly through each stage, and only very rarely do exceptions occur. If your package seems stuck, remember that tracking is not always real-time. Wait a day or two, then check again. If there is still no change, the fastest resolution almost always comes from contacting the carrier directly with your tracking number.

Tip: Bookmark this guide so you have it handy the next time you are unsure about a tracking status.