{"id":7904,"date":"2025-06-06T16:06:12","date_gmt":"2025-06-06T16:06:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/uk\/blog\/usps-tracking-status-meanings\/"},"modified":"2025-06-06T16:06:20","modified_gmt":"2025-06-06T16:06:20","slug":"usps-tracking-status-meanings","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/uk\/blog\/usps-tracking-status-meanings\/","title":{"rendered":"9 USPS Tracking Statuses: What They Mean For Your Packages"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Table of Contents<\/p>

** Minutes<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n

9 most common USPS tracking statuses (+ what they mean)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to correctly track a USPS package?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Streamline your shipping and tracking with ShipBob<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

USPS tracking status meanings FAQs<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve all done it \u2014 hit refresh on a USPS tracking page over and over, trying to figure out what a vague status update actually means. Whether you\u2019re a business trying to keep customers informed or a shopper eagerly awaiting a package, understanding USPS tracking updates is key to knowing where your shipment really stands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But here\u2019s the thing, USPS tracking statuses go far beyond the basics of \u201cShipped\u201d and \u201cDelivered.\u201d From status updates like \u201c<\/em>Label created, not yet in system\u201d to \u201cAwaiting Delivery Scan,\u201d each update tells a part of the story, but only if you know how to read it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this guide, we\u2019ll break down the most common USPS tracking statuses, explain what each one actually means, and show you how to get the most accurate tracking updates, whether you\u2019re the sender or the recipient.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9 most common USPS tracking statuses (+ what they mean)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Beginning when you first create your label to when the recipient receives the package, USPS assigns a tracking status update for every step of a package\u2019s journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are quick explanations for the most commonly searched USPS tracking statuses you might see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does this USPS status mean?<\/strong><\/td>Explanation<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
What does \u201cAccepted\u201d mean?<\/td>USPS has physically received the package at one of its facilities or post offices.<\/td><\/tr>
What does \u201cAwaiting Delivery Scan\u201d mean?<\/td>USPS marked the package as Out for Delivery, but hasn\u2019t yet scanned it as delivered \u2014 this can happen if a scan was missed or delayed.<\/td><\/tr>
What does \u201cIn Transit to Next Facility\u201d mean?<\/td>Your package is moving through the USPS network and is on its way to the next USPS location.<\/td><\/tr>
What does \u201cUSPS Awaiting Item\u201d mean?<\/td>USPS is waiting to receive the package from the sender or shipping partner.<\/td><\/tr>
What does \u201cLabel Created, Not Yet in System\u201d mean?<\/td>A shipping label has been created, but USPS hasn\u2019t scanned the package into its system yet. This usually means it hasn\u2019t been dropped off yet.<\/td><\/tr>
What does \u201cReturn to Sender\u201d mean?<\/td>USPS is sending the package back to the original sender because delivery could not be completed.<\/td><\/tr>
What does \u201cDelivery Attempted\u201d mean?<\/td>USPS tried to deliver the package but couldn\u2019t complete the delivery due to reasons like blocked access, no one available, or a full mailbox.<\/td><\/tr>
What does \u201cCustoms Clearance\u201d mean?<\/td>The package has been cleared by US Customs and will continue on to its final destination.<\/td><\/tr>
What does \u201cForwarded\u201d mean?<\/td>USPS has re-routed your package to a new delivery address provided by the recipient through a change-of-address or mail forwarding request.<\/td><\/tr>
What does \u201cMisshipped\u201d mean?<\/td>USPS accidentally sent your package to the wrong location or facility. It should be re-routed to the correct destination, but this may cause delays.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re just looking for a quick reference, the table above covers the top statuses people ask about the most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if you\u2019d like to dive deeper, you\u2019ll find the full breakdown of tracking statuses we see for USPS\u2019s shipping services<\/a> below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each status also contains different \u201csub-statuses\u201d that you\u2019ll come across whenever you follow along with your package on the USPS website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Pre-shipment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

USPS assigns the \u201cPre-Shipment\u201d tracking status to labels that have been created but not yet scanned into the USPS network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is the most common pre-shipment status you can expect:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Label created, not yet in system<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This status is assigned to a newly created label. When you see it, it means that USPS has registered a new label, but it hasn\u2019t been scanned into their system yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

USPS can sometimes take up to 24 hours to scan a label into their system once it has been created.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. In transit <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn Transit\u201d status updates are the type of tracking statuses you will see once USPS has scanned in the package and is transporting it within its network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the \u2018in-transit\u2019 statuses you can expect: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In transit to next facility<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The package is moving through the USPS network and is on its way to the next USPS sorting or destination facility, where it will be scanned in upon arrival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arrival at unit<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The package arrived at the sorting destination (the post office) on the day indicated and is scheduled for delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Departed USPS facility<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The package left the sorting facility indicated by the city, state, and postcode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arrived at USPS facility<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The package arrived at the sorting facility indicated by the city, state, and postcode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Processed at destination facility<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

USPS processed the package at the destination facility indicated by the city, state, and postcode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arriving late<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The package is delayed and arriving later than initially anticipated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outbound \u2013 out of US Customs<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The US Customs Department has released the package back to USPS, which has sent the package overseas from the domestic departure facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Customs clearance<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The package has cleared US Customs and will be given to USPS for final delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Received by US Postal Service from US Customs<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The US Customs Department has released the package back to USPS, and it is now ready to be shipped overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

3. Out for delivery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The \u201cOut of Delivery\u201d status indicates that USPS has the package out for delivery, and it is intended to be delivered on the designated date and\/or time specified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

4. Delivered<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The \u201cDelivered\u201d status means USPS has made the delivery of your shipment to its end destination, and that they consider the job done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the two different \u2018Delivered\u2019 statuses you can expect: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Picked-up<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Your recipient picked up the parcel at their local post office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delivered to agent<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

USPS delivered the package to an agent of the residence or institution it was addressed to (e.g., a college dormitory, condo building, etc.).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

5. Delivery attempt<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll see a \u201cDelivery Attempt\u201d status when USPS tries to deliver your package to its final destination but can\u2019t carry out the final delivery for whatever reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the \u2018Delivery Attempt\u2019 statuses you can expect: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Held at the post office customer request<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Your recipient requested USPS to hold the package at the destination post office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Receptacle blocked<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The path to the delivery receptacle was physically blocked somehow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Receptacle full\/item oversized<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

There wasn\u2019t any room in the mailbox\/delivery box, or the parcel was too big to fit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No secure location available<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The location wasn\u2019t deemed safe enough to deliver the item, and there was no endorsement or messaging at the delivery location to leave the package anywhere else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This sometimes happens if there is a pet, such as a dog, blocking the mailbox. Believe it or not, guard dogs are actually a bit of an issue for USPS workers sometimes. Nearly 5,800 USPS workers<\/a> reported being attacked by dogs in 2023!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No authorized recipient available<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This status indicates that no one was available to accept the package. This typically happens for packages that have \u201cSignature Confirmation\u201d service attached to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No access to delivery location<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The USPS worker couldn\u2019t access the delivery location (e.g., a gated community with an access code).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

6. Accepted <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you see an \u201cAccepted\u201d tracking status update, you\u2019ll know that USPS is in possession of your package either at a facility in your origin postcode or in your destination postcode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the \u2018Accepted\u2019 statuses you can expect: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accepted at destination<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The item arrived at the destination USPS processing facility or post office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Origin acceptance<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

USPS accepted the package at the sorting facility designated to the postcode you\u2019re shipping from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accepted at USPS facility<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

USPS accepted the package into their system at the USPS facility in the designated postcode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

USPS in possession of Item<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

USPS picked up the package as part of a pickup scheduled by the shipper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

7. Available for pickup<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The recipient can pick up the package at the post office or at any other specified USPS facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

8. Alert<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAlert\u201d statuses show up when USPS experiences an uncommon issue during the delivery stages, such as a recipient\u2019s refusal or a problem with the destination address.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the \u2018Alert\u2019 statuses you can expect: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Awaiting delivery scan<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

An acceptable delivery event (Delivery, notice left, etc.) hasn\u2019t occurred within 14 hours of the package\u2019s tracking status being updated to \u201cOut for Delivery.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Refused<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

USPS tried delivering the parcel, but the recipient refused it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unable to deliver problem with address<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

One or more of the address elements was incorrect, so USPS couldn\u2019t make the delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Forwarded<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

USPS forwarded the package to the recipient\u2019s new address that they have on file.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dead mail\/sent to recovery mail<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

USPS can\u2019t deliver, forward, or return the package for whatever reason. As a result, the package has been sent to the Postal Service\u2019s Mail Recovery Centre<\/a> in Atlanta, Georgia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

9. Return to sender<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes USPS delivers packages back to the sender for a variety of reasons. When this happens, you\u2019ll see \u201cReturn to Sender\u201d status updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the \u2018Return to Sender\u2019 statuses you can expect: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

No such number<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Some part of the address was missing or invalid, like an incorrect suite number or a typo in the street address.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Insufficient address<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

USPS can\u2019t deliver the package because there isn\u2019t enough information in the provided address.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moved, left no address<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The recipient moved and failed to set up a forwarding address.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Forward expired<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The recipient\u2019s order to forward mail and packages to their new address has expired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Addressee unknown<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

No one knows the recipient at the address provided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vacant<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The delivery point is unoccupied or empty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unclaimed\/Unspecified<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

USPS is returning the package to the sender for an unspecified reason (this typically occurs in the case of a recipient who is deceased).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to correctly track a USPS package?<\/h2><\/div>
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Checking the tracking status<\/a> of your USPS package can be done in several ways. You can track by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n