Package Tracking Statuses Explained
Find the plain-English meaning of common parcel tracking updates, how long they may last, and the right next step when delivery stops moving.
Find your tracking status
In Transit
Your parcel is moving through the carrier network between facilities or countries.
Out for Delivery
The parcel has left the local delivery facility and is scheduled for delivery today.
Delivered
The carrier recorded the shipment as delivered at the destination.
Shipment Information Received
The sender created a shipping label, but the carrier may not yet have the physical parcel.
Arrived at Sorting Center
The parcel reached a facility where it will be scanned, sorted, and routed onward.
Customs Clearance
The shipment is being reviewed by customs before entering or leaving a country.
Delivery Attempted
The courier tried to deliver the parcel but could not complete the handoff.
Returned to Sender
The carrier is sending the parcel back to the original sender.
Exception
An unexpected event is affecting the normal delivery process.
Held at Customs
Customs has paused the shipment for review, documentation, inspection, or payment.
Picked Up by Carrier
The carrier has collected the parcel from the sender and accepted it into the network.
Departed Facility
The parcel left a carrier facility and is travelling to the next hub or destination area.
Arrived at Destination Country
The international shipment reached the destination country and is awaiting import processing or local handover.
Handed to Local Carrier
The international carrier transferred the parcel to a domestic postal or courier service for final delivery.
Awaiting Customs Clearance
The parcel is queued for customs processing but may not yet be under active examination.
Released from Customs
Customs completed its review and authorized the shipment to continue.
Available for Pickup
The parcel is ready to collect from a post office, parcel shop, locker, or carrier facility.
Delivery Rescheduled
The expected delivery date or attempt has been moved to another time.
Address Problem
The carrier cannot confidently route or deliver the parcel using the supplied address.
Recipient Unavailable
Delivery could not be completed because nobody was available or a required signature was missing.
Parcel Damaged
The carrier recorded visible or suspected damage to the shipment or packaging.
Parcel Lost
The carrier considers the shipment missing after searches or an extended lack of scans.
Shipment Cancelled
The shipping label or delivery request was cancelled before completion.
Label Created
A shipping label and tracking number exist, but the parcel may still be with the sender.
Pre-Transit
The shipment is registered electronically but has not yet entered active carrier movement.
Transit Delay
The carrier expects the parcel to arrive later than originally planned.
Weather Delay
Severe weather is slowing or pausing transport and delivery operations.
Import Duty Payment Required
Customs charges, taxes, or carrier fees must be paid before delivery can continue.
Delivery to Safe Place
The courier left the parcel in an approved or judged-safe location without a direct handoff.
How to read tracking updates
Tracking events are scans recorded by carriers, hubs, customs authorities, and final-mile partners. A gap between scans does not automatically mean a parcel is lost: shipments are often moving inside sealed containers or waiting for the next scheduled transfer. Compare the latest event with the estimated delivery window before contacting support.
Tracking status FAQ
Why has my tracking status not changed?
The parcel may be travelling between facilities, waiting for customs, or awaiting the next physical scan. Allow the carrier’s stated delivery window before escalating.
Can two carriers show different statuses?
Yes. International shipments can pass to a local delivery partner, and data synchronisation between systems is not always immediate.
When should I contact the carrier?
Contact the carrier when the expected delivery date has passed, the update explicitly requests action, or the parcel shows damage, loss, an address problem, or an unresolved delivery attempt.