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What does my USPS tracking status mean?

See a list of the most common USPS tracking statuses and a quick description of what each one means

Updated over a week ago

When you track your package on the USPS website, you'll see a wide variety of tracking statuses at different times. Here's a list of the most common ones, and what they mean.

The most common USPS tracking statuses

PRE-SHIPMENT

  • LABEL CREATED, NOT YET IN SYSTEM: The label has been created, but USPS hasn't scanned it into their system yet

  • USPS AWAITING ITEM: No tracking information is available because USPS hasn't scanned the label into their system yet

IN TRANSIT

  • ARRIVAL AT UNIT: The package has arrived at the destination Post Office on the day indicated and is scheduled for delivery

  • DEPARTED USPS FACILITY: The package departed from the sorting facility indicated by the city, state, and ZIP Code

  • ARRIVED AT USPS FACILITY: The package arrived at the sorting facility indicated by the city, state, and ZIP Code

  • PROCESSED AT USPS DESTINATION FACILITY: USPS processed the package at the destination facility indicated by the city, state, and ZIP Code

  • ARRIVING LATE: The package is arriving later than USPS originally expected (if this status hasn't been updated for at least 7 business days, we suggest proceeding as though your package is missing)

  • OUTBOUND - OUT OF US CUSTOMS: US Customs has released the package to USPS, and it is now ready to be shipped internationally

OUT FOR DELIVERY

  • OUT FOR DELIVERY: USPS has the package out for delivery, and it is intended to be delivered on the designated date specified

DELIVERED

  • DELIVERED: USPS delivered your package without any problems, and a delivery scan recorded the time and date of the delivery

  • PICKED UP: Your recipient picked up the package at their local Post Office

  • DELIVERED TO AGENT: USPS delivered the package to an agent of the residence or institution it was addressed to (college, hospital, condominium, etc.)

ACCEPTED

  • ACCEPTANCE AT DESTINATION: The item arrived at the destination USPS processing facility or Post Office

  • ORIGIN ACCEPTANCE: USPS accepted the package at the sorting facility designated to the ZIP Code you're shipping from

  • ACCEPTED AT USPS FACILITY: USPS accepted the package into their system at the USPS facility in the designated ZIP Code

  • USPS IN POSSESSION OF ITEM: USPS picked up the package as part of a pickup scheduled by the shipper

AVAILABLE FOR PICKUP

  • AVAILABLE FOR PICKUP: Your recipient may pick up the package at the Post Office or otherwise specified USPS facility

DELIVERY ATTEMPT

  • HELD AT POST OFFICE CUSTOMER REQUEST: USPS is holding the package at the destination Post Office because the recipient has requested it

  • RECEPTACLE BLOCKED: The path to the delivery receptacle was blocked by some physical condition

  • RECEPTACLE FULL/ITEM OVERSIZED: There wasn't any room in the delivery receptacle, or the package was too big to fit

  • NO SECURE LOCATION AVAILABLE: There was no location deemed safe enough to deliver the item, and there was no endorsement to 'leave if no response'

  • NO AUTHORIZED RECIPIENT AVAILABLE: No one was available to accept the package (typically for packages with Signature Confirmation service)

  • NO ACCESS: The USPS worker couldn't access the delivery location (e.g., a gated community that requires an access code, etc)

ALERT

  • AWAITING DELIVERY SCAN: An acceptable delivery event (Delivery, notice left, etc.) hasn't occurred within 14 hours of the package being marked as "Out for Delivery"

  • REFUSED: The recipient refused the item at the time of delivery

  • UNABLE TO DELIVER PROBLEM WITH ADDRESS: USPS couldn't deliver the package because one more of the address elements was incorrect

  • FORWARDED: The recipient has an active forwarding order on file and USPS sent the package to the new address

  • DEAD MAIL/SENT TO RECOVERY CENTER: USPS can't deliver, forward, or return the package, so it has been sent to the Mail Recovery Center in Atlanta, GA

RETURN TO SENDER

  • NO SUCH NUMBER: Some component of the address was missing or invalid, like an incorrect apartment number

  • INSUFFICIENT ADDRESS: There isn't enough information in the provided address for USPS to deliver the package

  • MOVED, LEFT NO ADDRESS: The recipient moved recently and hasn't set up a forwarding address

  • FORWARD EXPIRED: The recipient's forwarding order has expired and is no longer valid

  • ADDRESSEE UNKNOWN: The recipient isn't known at the address on the package

  • VACANT: The residence or business is vacant, with no recipient

  • UNCLAIMED/UNSPECIFIED: The package is being returned to the sender for a reason not specified (this is typically the case for a deceased recipient)

Let us know how we can help!

Have any questions about tracking your USPS package, Matey? Feel free to chat with ARRrrr Support Crew - click the blue chat icon and we'll help you get sailing 😃

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