What Does My Tracking Status Mean?
Paste the exact status from your tracking page and get a plain-English explanation plus what to do next. Covers USPS, FedEx, UPS, DHL, Canada Post, Royal Mail, and more.
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Browse all 34 statuses
The 6 tracking status categories explained
Every shipping status from every carrier falls into one of these six categories. Knowing which category your status belongs to tells you immediately whether to act or just wait.
📦 Pre-Transit
Label created but carrier has not yet physically scanned the package.
Label Created Shipment Picked Up Package Received
🚚 In Transit
Package is actively moving through the carrier network toward its destination.
In Transit Departed Facility Arrived at Facility Customs Clearance
🏠 Out for Delivery
Package is loaded on a delivery vehicle. Expect it today.
Out for Delivery At Local Delivery Facility
✅ Delivered
Carrier has marked the package as delivered. Check door, mailbox, and with neighbors.
Delivered Delivered to Agent Delivered to Parcel Locker
⚠️ Exception / Delay
An issue has interrupted normal delivery. May or may not require action from you.
Delivery Attempted Delivery Exception Weather Delay Address Problem Shipment on Hold
↩️ Returned
Package could not be delivered and is heading back to the sender.
Return to Sender Return in Transit Returned to Sender
Tracking status quick reference Last checked: April 2026
The most searched shipping statuses, what they mean, and whether you need to act.
| Status | Category | What to do | Action? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Label Created | Pre-Transit | Wait 24–48 h for first scan | Wait |
| In Transit | In Transit | No action — check back in 12–24 h | Wait |
| Customs Clearance | In Transit | Wait up to 10 biz days; provide docs if asked | Wait |
| Clearance Event | In Transit | Usually self-resolves in 1–3 biz days | Wait |
| Out for Delivery | Out for Delivery | Be available or leave delivery instructions | Wait |
| Delivered | Delivered | Check door, mailbox, neighbors | Wait |
| Delivered to Agent | Delivered | Check front desk / building manager | Wait |
| Delivery Attempted | Exception | Check door tag — schedule redelivery | Yes |
| Address Problem | Exception | Contact carrier immediately with corrected address | Yes |
| Delivery Exception | Exception | Contact carrier with tracking number | Yes |
| Shipment on Hold | Exception | Contact carrier to find specific reason | Yes |
| Held at Customs | Exception | Pay duties / provide paperwork | Yes |
| Weather Delay | Exception | No action — wait 1–3 days | Wait |
| Return to Sender | Returned | Contact sender — arrange reshipment | Yes |
| Available for Pickup | Exception | Bring ID + tracking to carrier facility | Wait |
| Signature Required | In Transit | Ensure adult is present for delivery | Wait |
| Tracking Not Updating | Unknown | Wait 5 biz days; then call carrier | Wait |
Use the decoder above to get the full explanation and next steps for any status not in this table.
When to wait — and when to contact your carrier
Most tracking delays are temporary and resolve without any action. Here is how to tell the difference.
⏳ Usually safe to wait
- – No scan for 24–48 h after "Label Created" — seller may not have dropped it off yet.
- – "In Transit" with no update for 1–2 days — normal between distant hubs.
- – "Customs Clearance" under 10 business days — routine for international.
- – "Weather Delay" — wait until the carrier clears the backlog (1–3 days typical).
- – "Delivered" but package not yet visible — scan sometimes precedes physical arrival by hours.
📞 Contact the carrier
- ! No scan for 5+ business days from the last event (domestic ground).
- ! "Address Problem" or "Insufficient Address" — provide the correct address immediately.
- ! "Delivery Attempted" and you missed the pickup window — reschedule before the hold expires.
- ! "Held at Customs" with a request for documents or duties — respond promptly.
- ! "Delivered" but the package is genuinely missing after 24 h and checking all locations.
Carrier-specific status notes
Each carrier uses slightly different language for the same events. Here are the nuances that cause the most confusion.
- • Scans can be 12–24 h behind — "Label Created" sitting for a day is normal.
- • "Awaiting Delivery Scan" means it was put out for delivery but not yet scanned as delivered.
- • "Forwarded" means a change-of-address request rerouted your package.
- • USPS only delivers Mon–Sat; no Sunday delivery on most services.
- • "Door Tag Left" — use the tag number to schedule redelivery online (no call needed).
- • FedEx Ground counts Mon–Sat; FedEx Express counts Mon–Fri for transit days.
- • "Tendered to Authorized Agent" = handed to USPS for final-mile delivery (FedEx Ground Economy).
- • "Clearance in Progress" is normal for international; usually 1–3 business days.
- • "Origin Scan" is the first real carrier scan — before this, the label exists but UPS has not touched the box.
- • UPS My Choice lets you redirect a package to a UPS Access Point before it is delivered.
- • "Destination Scan" means the package is at the local hub — delivery is usually next business day.
- • UPS Ground delivers Mon–Sat in most areas.
- • "Shipment Information Received" is a pre-transit status — DHL has been notified but has not yet picked up.
- • "With Delivery Courier" is DHL's equivalent of "Out for Delivery".
- • DHL Express international shipments go through a "Clearance Event" — typically 1–3 days.
- • For DHL eCommerce, tracking may transfer to USPS for US final-mile delivery.
International shipping statuses and customs
International packages generate additional status events that domestic shipments do not. These are the ones most people find confusing.
| Status | What it means | Typical wait |
|---|---|---|
| Clearance Event | Import clearance is being processed. Common with DHL Express and FedEx International. | 1–3 biz days |
| Customs Clearance | Package is under review by customs. May or may not require action. | 1–10 biz days |
| Held at Customs | Customs is requesting payment of duties/taxes or additional documentation. | Act promptly |
| Released by Customs | Customs review is complete; package is back in carrier hands. | Delivery resumes |
| Transferred to Local Post | International carrier handed off to local postal service for final delivery. | 1–5 days after transfer |
| Outbound / Inbound International | Package has left the origin country or entered the destination country. | Transit continues |
Import duties and taxes are the recipient's responsibility in most countries. Check your carrier's customs portal before the hold window expires.
Frequently asked questions
01 What does "In Transit" mean? +
"In Transit" means your package is actively moving through the carrier's network toward its destination — on a truck, plane, or being processed at a sorting facility. No action is needed. Check back in 12–24 hours for the next scan update.
02 What should I do if my tracking says "Delivery Attempted"? +
The carrier tried to deliver but could not complete it — usually because no one was home, access was blocked, or a signature was required. Check your front door for a door tag slip. Use the door tag number to schedule a free redelivery online, or pick up the package from the carrier's local facility within the hold window (typically 5–7 days before it is returned to sender).
03 What does "Clearance Event" mean for DHL or FedEx? +
"Clearance Event" means an import clearance process is underway — the package is being reviewed by customs authorities. For DHL Express and FedEx international shipments this is routine and normally resolves within 1–3 business days without any action from you. If it persists beyond 2 weeks, contact the carrier.
04 Why does my tracking say "Label Created" but nothing is moving? +
The seller has printed a shipping label but the carrier has not yet physically scanned the package. This is extremely common — retailers often create labels 1–2 days before handing packages to the carrier. Wait 24–48 hours. If there is still no carrier scan after 3 business days, contact the seller to confirm the item was actually handed off.
05 What does "Return to Sender" mean? +
The carrier could not deliver and is returning the package to the original shipper. Common reasons: the address was incorrect or incomplete, the package was refused at delivery, or too many delivery attempts failed. Contact the sender as soon as possible to arrange reshipment with a corrected or confirmed address.
06 My tracking has not updated in 5+ days — what should I do? +
For domestic ground shipments, no scan for 3–5 business days between distant hubs is not unusual. Wait the full 5 business days from the last scan. If still nothing, call the carrier directly with your tracking number — they can trace the package internally and open a search request if needed.
07 What does "Available for Pickup" mean? +
The carrier is holding the package at a facility for you to collect. This happens after failed delivery attempts, by shipper request, or when you chose store pickup. Bring a government-issued photo ID and your tracking number. Check the carrier's website for the facility hours and how long they will hold it (USPS: 15 days; FedEx: 5 days; UPS: 7 days).
08 What is the difference between "Delivery Exception" and "Delivery Attempted"? +
"Delivery Attempted" means the driver physically came to your address but could not complete delivery (door tag usually left). "Delivery Exception" is broader — it covers any unexpected event that prevented or delayed delivery, including weather, damaged labels, address issues, or road closures. Both statuses may require action; check your carrier's app or contact them for the specific reason.
09 What does "Held at Customs" mean and what do I need to do? +
Customs authorities are holding the shipment pending inspection, duty payment, or additional documentation. You may need to pay import duties or taxes before release, or provide an invoice, permit, or import declaration. Check the carrier's tracking page for instructions — DHL, FedEx, and UPS often allow you to pay duties online. If you do nothing, the package may be returned to sender after a hold period.
10 Why does tracking show "Delivered" but I have not received my package? +
First check all possible delivery locations: front door, back door, mailbox, porch, garage, with a neighbor, or with your building manager. Carriers sometimes scan packages as "Delivered" before they physically arrive, or leave them at an alternative spot. Wait 24 hours after the delivered scan. If still missing, file a missing package claim with the carrier — do this within the claim window (USPS: 60 days; FedEx: 60 days; UPS: 9 months).
Carrier tracking
Need the full list of status codes for a specific carrier, or want to understand their service lineup in more detail? Each guide covers the complete status dictionary, transit times, and how to resolve common problems.
Not sure when your package will arrive?
Use the Delivery Date Estimator to calculate an expected delivery window based on carrier, service level, and ship date.
Status descriptions are based on published carrier documentation and general industry practice. Exact wording varies by carrier, region, and service level. For authoritative status information always refer to your carrier's official tracking page.