In Transit Arriving Late: What Does It Mean?
In Transit Arriving Late: How to Ensure On-Time Delivery?
With 31,247 retail offices across the country, the United States Postal Service (USPS) is one of the largest postal organizations in the world! Also, it is known to have delivered 425.3 million mail items every day in 2021.
Such flabbergasting statistics make it evident that the USPS is a busy firm. Though it does an excellent job transporting mail speedily and efficiently, there might be some issues sometimes.
For instance, your package may get delayed, or you may be unable to track it online. Luckily, it does not happen frequently, but you can expect it to happen at some point.
You may see an ‘in transit arriving late’ status for your mailpiece, which indicates that your item is running late. Often, there is no need to worry about it as your mail will get moving again in a couple of hours or days. But, if you need to know more, you have come to the right place.
This blog will help you understand the meaning of the USPS ‘in transit arriving late’ update. We shall also discuss the steps you can take in such situations to get your mailpiece moving faster.
Let’s get started!
What Does ‘In Transit, Arriving Late’ Mean?
Imagine getting a call from one of your customers complaining about their delayed order. Without knowing how to track a mail item on the USPS website, you may not know how to handle such calls.
Typically, tracking mail is a short and quick process. You can enter the tracking number on the USPS website and click on ‘Track.’
It helps you track up to 35 mail items simultaneously by entering their tracking numbers, separated by commas.
If you see the status ‘in transit, arriving late’, your package will arrive later than scheduled. So, the estimated delivery date is no longer valid. And, there could be delays ranging from a few days to over a week. It depends on several factors, like the item not being scanned, rough weather conditions, etc.
In the end, the USPS arriving late tracking update implies that:
- Something went wrong
- There have been some slowdowns, or
- Some processes are delayed because of uncontrollable reasons
We will cover the potential reasons in detail in the next section. But, you should know that these factors are minor, and your mail is still within the USPS system and can start moving again at any second.
Why Is My USPS Package Delayed In Transit?
There are numerous reasons for the USPS changing your mail tracking status to ‘in transit arriving late.’ Below, we have covered them to help you stay updated and know what to do next.
Item Not Scanned
One of the most common reasons your mail gets delayed is not getting scanned at a USPS outlet or postal facility. The Post Office employees might forget to do so or miss out on your package because of large mail volumes.
Thus, the USPS online infrastructure may lose your item details even when it is still moving ahead. So, the ‘in transit arriving late’ USPS update may mean that the postal employees are yet to scan your item.
You need not worry about it as most of these items arrive on time. The details are updated whenever they are next scanned—at another sorting facility or when it is out for delivery.
Item Lost or Misplaced
Sometimes, if your item’s tracking update says ‘in transit arriving late for a week’ or more, it may be physically lost.
The USPS sorting facilities process hundreds and thousands of mail items daily, including envelopes and packages. They are scanned and sorted on huge conveyor belts now and then. Hence, your parcel may tumble off and get lost in transit. It doesn’t happen frequently, but you cannot eliminate this possibility.
Fortunately, the USPS helps track down such missing mailpieces proactively. It uses the last known details to find the item’s location and initiates an in-person search.
If the postal workers succeed in finding the item, it is rerouted back with expedited or overnight delivery. Then, the status changes from ‘in transit arriving late’ to something else, like ‘out for delivery or in transit, arriving on time.’
Item Damaged
There can also be a delay if your mail item gets damaged somewhere along the transit lines. Perhaps, your envelope tore, a box popped open, or an accident crushed your item. It is why most mailers opt for insurance while mailing.
So, if anything damages the packaging or the mailpiece, the USPS starts an investigation to figure out what happened. This process also involves recovering the item and drafting reports to be sent to the recipient to help them make claims.
Until then, your item status is updated to USPS ‘in transit arriving late.’ Mostly, the item is packaged again and delivered as soon as possible. But, if it is damaged a lot, there is not much left to do.
Hence, it is advisable to use sturdy packaging materials that help the postal workers transport your items safely.
Bad Weather Circumstances
Some factors that cause your item’s tracking update to show ‘in transit arriving late’ are uncontrollable. They are also unpredictable, but you can take a hint depending on your mailing address.
For example, you can always expect delivery delays while mailing to coastal Georgia because of the snowfall. Also, it rains often in Miami and New Orleans, slowing down the USPS deliveries sometimes. You can consider these things and mail your items a few days in advance. Or, you can wait for the USPS to schedule your delivery as the weather permits.
Roadblocks and Traffic Accidents
Another potential reason for your USPS package being delayed in transit is roadblocks. If you choose Priority Mail Express and there is a massive roadblock the same day, the USPS cannot deliver your item on time.
There is a money-back guarantee. Hence, you can get your postage back, but the item will be delivered late. It is better to watch out for the current news and mail accordingly to avoid such situations.
However, some road accidents or traffic jams also lead to lost mail or delays. In such cases, you can expect your items to get delayed for several days or weeks.
Customs Delays
Mailing to international locations requires the USPS to fulfill several customs formalities. There can be delays at the customs office as the items are held back for inspection.
The USPS cannot always guarantee the number of days it takes to clear customs and deliver your international mail. Thus, you may get an ‘in transit, arriving late’ message for mailpieces sent globally.
Unexpected Demand Surges
Understaffing, sudden demand surges, etc., are other factors that lead to late deliveries. The USPS faces unexpected increases in mail volume from Thanksgiving up to New Year’s Day. Hence, you must either choose an Express service or mail several weeks in advance during the holidays as there are a lot of backlogs.
Since 2019, the Covid outbreak has also led to several backlogs and slowdowns. Hence, an ‘in transit, arriving late’ tracking update could mean that the Post Office cannot adhere to the delivery standards.
Missing Details or Incorrect Delivery Addresses
Out of all the above reasons- some are uncontrollable, whereas the USPS is accountable for the others. But, there is one reason that is on you—writing incorrect mailing addresses!
An incorrect address causes a load of misinterpretation and confusion, causing your item status to show ‘in transit arriving late.’ If the address is totally wrong or invalid, the item gets returned to you. Sometimes, there is an address forwarding service if the recipient has moved to another address.
But, you cannot expect on-time and accurate deliveries after shipping off an item without a precise delivery address. Thus, the best thing is to validate your mailing lists beforehand using a USPS Address Validation API like PostGrid. It can help you cross-confirm, standardize, and verify your mailing addresses to avoid such problems.
Please note: A USPS ‘in transit arriving late’ message does not always mean your item will not arrive on time. Keep checking the extended delivery date at the end of the tracking page. If it is not available, you can wait for the USPS to update it.
What Steps Can You Take If Your Status Shows ‘In Transit Arriving Late?’
There are several things you can do to help speed up your mail delivery. The USPS may not notice a delivery delay in the system at first, but you can always contact them and ask them to provide you with the exact details.
Calling Up the USPS Office
Calling up your local USPS office is the first and easiest thing you can do. It is better to call the office where you originally posted your item. If you dropped it in a mailbox, you should contact the nearest Post Office.
Try dialing 1800-275-8777 and talking to a representative. Provide them your tracking number and inquire why your tracking update says USPS ‘in transit arriving late’ for a month. Please provide them with the exact details so they can track down your mailpiece speedily.
Another option is calling 1800-222-1811 and getting in touch with the Delivery Tracking Department of the USPS. They may or may not be able to give any more details than the customer service, but it’s worth a try.
You may need to call the Post Office several times before finally getting a proper update. Please try being patient as the USPS is overloaded with several such requests. Your customer service representative may check your mail status and update the online update from ‘in transit arriving late’ to something else. Or, they might ask you for a few hours or days to get back to you.
Visiting the Post Office
If you aren’t satisfied with the phone call, you can instead visit a nearby Post Office. Inquire why your item’s tracking update says ‘in transit arriving late.’ The USPS employees working there might locate your item and give you more precise details.
It is also a viable option if you have a Post Office nearby your residence or office. Having a face-to-face conversation with a postal worker is always better than talking to them on call.
They might ask you for some details related to your item and its packaging. Hence, remember to carry your mailing receipt with you.
If the USPS tells you that your item is lost, you can provide all possible information, like:
- What did your package consist of
- How did the packaging look
- What was the value of your mailpiece? etc.
It allows you to initiate a claims process and get the compensation at the earliest if your item never arrives.
File a Missing Mail Search Request
If your item status says ‘in transit arriving late’ for seven business days, you should file a missing mail search request. Here’s what you need:
- Recipient’s delivery address
- Sender’s address or return address
- Size of the envelope or box you used
- Type of the envelope or box you used
- Mailing date, Click-N-Ship label receipt, mailing receipt, or USPS tracking number to identify your item
- Description of your mail contents, like the model, brand, color, and size (if applicable)
- Images to help the postal workers recognize your mailpiece
You can then wait for the Post Office to reply or call on the number given for a follow-up.
When Is My ‘In Transit Arriving Late’ USPS Item Going to Arrive?
Now, let’s discuss what happens after you get the ‘in transit arriving late’ message. There are a few possibilities regarding when your item will finally arrive, including:
Your Mailpiece Arrives On the Extended Delivery Date
It is the most common scenario after getting a USPS package delayed in transit notification. The USPS informs you that your initial delivery date will be missed and puts up an extension delivery window. Then, all you need to do is relax and wait for the item to arrive during that period.
If you chose the Priority Mail Express option and paid for expedited shipping, remember to contact the USPS and get a refund. The Post Office might not give you a full refund if the delaying factor was outside their control.
Remember, most of your items that have an ‘in transit arriving late’ status will arrive soon. Therefore, wait for a couple of days and check the website before going to the Post Office or calling. The extended delivery window is not always too late. Often, it is only extended by two or three business days.
Your Mailpiece Arrives Beyond the Extended Delivery Date
If your mail status shows ‘in transit arriving late’ for a month or even a week, it is when the problem begins. It isn’t common, but you cannot rule out this outcome. Weather conditions, backlogs, and other similar reasons can cause such long delays every once in a while.
The USPS has enough experience handling such scenarios and sees that mailpieces reach their destinations at the earliest. Again, it is best if you can wait for a day or two for your tracking status to get updated.
Your Mailpiece is Delayed Indefinitely
The worst thing that can happen after seeing the ‘in transit arriving late’ update on your screen is that there is no extended delivery date. It means that your package is delayed indefinitely; the USPS cannot give you any dates at the moment.
If this happens, you need to contact the USPS immediately via all channels possible. They must take note of your item and initiate a search instantly. In such situations, you can hold the USPS accountable and ask them how they plan to remedy this delay. Also, inquire why your mail got delayed in the first place.
Mostly, the USPS is going to find your item and expedite delivery. Perhaps, you may also get a refund, depending on the mailing service on filing a claims request. It is possible to submit claim requests online, but you can also work with a local Post Office employee to speed up the process.
If that seems like a lot of work, you can instead send your items via one of the best direct mail APIs like PostGrid. It helps you print and ship your items speedily and allows you to track them effortlessly.
You no longer need to call the USPS after seeing the ‘in transit arriving late’ status. Also, you need not run to the Post Office and wait in queues to get more information. With PostGrid, you can do everything with the click of a button and ensure smooth deliveries.
Other USPS Tracking Updates You Should Be Aware Of
Apart from ‘in transit arriving late,’ there are many tracking updates you may get. Some of the most common tracking updates are:
Acceptance
It is the first update you will receive after posting an item or dropping it in a mailbox. This update means that the Post Office has received and accepted the item for delivery. You may need to wait a couple of hours before seeing this message, as it is updated only after the first scan.
Processed Through Post Office
This scanning update means that your item is processed by a postal outlet and sent to another facility. It shows that your mailpiece is moving ahead of the USPS delivery network. You can also see the dates and times when your items arrive at specific facilities.
In Transit
There are several variations of the ‘in transit tracking status, like:
- In transit arriving on time
- In transit, arriving late, etc.
‘In transit arriving on time’ denotes that everything is on track and you will get the item on the estimated delivery date. You may see this update for a few days because it stays the same every time the item is scanned. However, you can still see the dates and times of your item’s arrivals and departures from several postal outlets.
Arrival at Unit
This USPS tracking update means that your item has reached the annual postal unit. It is the last stop in the USPS system, and the final delivery occurs from this facility.
Out for Delivery
It refers to items that are scanned and released for their final delivery. If you see this update, you may receive your item the same day. However, if there is a delay, your item status is changed to ‘in transit arriving late.’
Delivered
Your tracking status will show ‘delivered’ only when the carrier drops off the item at its last destination. If you didn’t receive the mailpiece yet, you might get the same in a few minutes or hours.
Forwarded
It is not always that your item is delivered accurately. The update ‘forwarded’ tells you that the Post Office forwarded your item to another location. It can happen when:
- The receiver instructed the postal workers to deliver the package elsewhere, or
- There was an outdated or invalid address on the mailpiece.
You may also get an ‘in transit arriving late’ message first, which is later updated to ‘forwarded.’
Notice Left
This scanning status denotes that the mail item is ready for pickup. The carrier usually leaves a notice if the item needs a signature confirmation. Then, the recipient can visit the Post Office, sign, and collect the item. Otherwise, the package is sent back to the sender after a few days.
How Can PostGrid’s Direct Mail Services Help You Send Timely Mail Items?
If seeing the ‘in transit arriving late’ constantly annoys you, it is now time to take another approach to offline mailing. How about using an automated tool that can help you speed up deliveries?
PostGrid’s automated direct mail software can help you:
- Design your marketing and transactional items through our HTML templates
- Compile a mailing list of verified, deliverable addresses
- Print mailpieces in high quality via our extensive printing network
- Add Intelligent Mail Barcodes (IMBs) to help track your items
- Presort envelopes and packages to allow the USPS employees to deliver them faster
- Make your items mail-ready in only two working days
- Track campaign performance and access analytics
Hence, you can skip worrying about the USPS tracking updates, like ‘in transit arriving late.’ Plus, you can automate all related tasks and give a digital twist to your offline mailing activities. Just integrate our API into your CRM, and you are good to go!
One of our clients in the financial services industry wanted to automate their direct mailing efforts. They planned on sending invoices, thank you postcards, etc., regularly to their prospects in bulk. Today, they are able to send thousands of mailings every month using our Restful direct mail API. In return, they saw an incredible jump in their response and retention rates through customer appreciation.
You can also achieve such excellent results by transforming the face of your direct mail activities. Sign up now to see how PostGrid helps solve problems of USPS package delayed in transit and allows you to mail smoothly!
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