Yay! You just got a notification that your package is out for delivery, but what does that actually mean? Before you refresh that shipping page again, check out this article—we’ve put together everything you need to know about mailing and shipping lingo, along with delivery timetables for well-known shipping companies. Although this article won’t make your package come any sooner, you'll feel more confident about when it’s arriving on your doorstep.

Section 2 of 7:

When will my "out for delivery" package arrive?

Section 5 of 7:

USPS Shipping Statuses

  1. 1
    Delivery Status Not UpdatedThis means that your package is at your local post office, but it isn’t processed or out for delivery yet. If at least a day passes without any update on the status of your package, feel free to email a service request to get an update.
  2. 2
    Receptacle BlockedThe mail truck driver arrived at your home with the package, but your mailbox or front porch was completely blocked off. Don’t worry, though—if you see this memo attached to your delivery, you can either schedule a redelivery online or stop by your local post office to grab your package.
  3. 3
    Notice LeftThe mail truck driver tried to drop off your package but wasn’t able to, so they left an official notice at your home. On the following business day, simply bring the notice along with an official form of ID to the post office so you can claim your package.
  4. 4
    No Access
    The mail truck driver wasn’t able to drive to your address or get to your home for one reason or another. USPS will automatically try to redeliver your package the next day, but you can also schedule a redelivery over email if the “No Access” status doesn’t update after a day.[9]
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Section 6 of 7:

UPS Shipping Statuses

  1. 1
    ExceptionThe “Exception” status shows up when your package’s delivery gets delayed for some reason. UPS will update your tracking page as soon as possible so you can get a better idea of when your package is arriving.
  2. 2
    Transferred to Post Office for Delivery
    You’ll only see this memo if the sender submitted a request for your package to be transferred to your local post office. This status update means that your former UPS package has arrived at the post office—it just might take an extra day or 2 before it lands on your doorstep or in your mailbox.[10]
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Section 7 of 7:

FedEx Shipping Statuses

  1. 1
    No Scheduled Delivery Date at This TimeThis status means that your local FedEx facility may not have gotten your package yet, so they don’t have an accurate delivery date at the ready.
  2. 2
    Scheduled Delivery Is Now PendingThis update means that your package ran into some sort of delay, but that FedEx is working really hard to get it delivered as soon as possible. FedEx officially recommends keeping tabs on your package with the original tracking number when you see this status update.
  3. 3
    Delivery Exception
    This update means that a random delay has unfortunately popped up, preventing your package from being delivered on its expected date. Issues at customs and holidays can lead to delivery exceptions.[11]
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About This Article

Janice Tieperman
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman. Janice is a professional and creative writer who has worked at wikiHow since 2019. With both a B.A. and M.A. in English from East Stroudsburg University, she has a passion for writing a wide variety of content for anyone and everyone. In her free time, you can find her working on a new crochet pattern, listening to true crime podcasts, or tackling a new creative writing project. This article has been viewed 51,136 times.
13 votes - 75%
Co-authors: 3
Updated: February 11, 2023
Views: 51,136
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