Understanding Shipment Tracking Events: What Each Status Means

Why Tracking Events Are Confusing

Every carrier has its own status vocabulary. "Item accepted by agent" on one carrier is "Shipment received at origin facility" on another. Customers — and many merchants — don't know what any of it means.

TrackLogy normalises events from 900+ carriers into a consistent set of statuses.

The Standard Shipment Lifecycle

Info Received / Label Created

The merchant has created a shipping label but the carrier hasn't scanned the package yet. The shipment isn't moving. If this status persists for more than 24–48 hours, the package may not have been handed to the carrier.

In Transit

The package is moving through the carrier network. This is the longest phase and may include multiple "In Transit" events at different facilities.

Out for Delivery

The package is on the delivery vehicle and will be delivered today (barring exceptions). This is the trigger for your "Arriving Today" notification.

Delivered

The package has been delivered. Trigger your post-delivery review request sequence.

Delivery Attempt Failed

The carrier tried to deliver but couldn't. Common reasons: no one home, no safe drop location, building access issue. Action required: contact the customer to arrange redelivery or a pickup at the local depot.

Exception

A catch-all for anything unexpected: weather hold, address issue, damaged package, customs hold, lost package. These need investigation.

Return to Sender

The package is being returned. Investigate with the carrier why (refused by recipient, bad address, uncollected from depot).

When to Escalate

TrackLogy can alert you automatically when any shipment exceeds these thresholds.