If you are the type that uses USPS often for shipping packages, chances are that you must have at one time come across the notification stating ‘Shipment received, package acceptance pending.’
While this is not a new thing to regular USPS users, it can be a thing of concern for someone using the company for the first time. One of USPS’ innovations is to double up on the amount of tracking information they give their customers about their shipments.
They want their customers to have every detail they need about the delivery process. That is why you will likely see many different notifications on your tracking status just to keep you updated about your parcel. While some of them are pretty straight forward, some like ‘Shipment received, package acceptance pending’ can give users a hard time understanding. We will tell you what that means in this post.
What Is the Meaning of ‘Shipment Received, Package Acceptance Pending’ When Shipping with USPS?
When shipping with USPS and notice the notification, ‘Shipment received, package acceptance pending’ on your tracking status, it is not really something you should be worried about.
It actually means the USPS clerk or the post office has physically received your package but is yet to arrive at the USPS sorting facility. Immediately the parcel gets to the sorting facility, the tracking status will be updated.
What Is the Reason for This Notification?
Remember, we said receiving the ‘Shipment received, package acceptance pending’ notification is not a big problem. However, it is worth knowing why you get the notification in the first place. So the next time you see it, you won’t have to lose your head trying to figure out what’s happening.
When the USPS clerk or the post office postmaster physically received the parcels you want to ship, they input the information of the parcel into the USPS system to begin the delivery process journey.
USPS gets different types of packages for shipment – both small unit and batch of shipments. When scanning these packages, the large bulk is scanned first into the system before the smaller individual units.
However, immediately the individual packages get scanned, the tracking status will change to ‘Accepted at USPS Origin Facility,’ showing that the package has been moved to the sorting center where it begins its journey to the receiver of the package. And as the parcel travels, you will be kept updated about its movement with different typed of notifications.
What Should You Do When You Get This Notification?
When you receive the “Shipment received, package acceptance pending” notification, the first thing we will recommend you do is to keep calm – yes, you need to be patient.
Since packages usually take time to be processed at the sorting facility, it’s not uncommon for the status to remain unchanged for even up to 48 hours. During this time, USPS clerks are diligently working to accept and scan the package into the system.
And if at the time, they are being faced with high parcel volumes or some other unforeseen circumstances, this may cause a delay, which could make the delivery status unchanged for a longer time.
However, if the notification remains the same for more than 48 hours or if you have any concerns, reaching out to USPS customer care can provide you with valuable information about the package’s whereabouts. They can assist in tracking the package and provide updates on its progress within the USPS network.
How Long Does It Take for USPS to Accept the Package?
Again, this is not something that usually takes long. Within 1 to 4 days, your package would be scanned and sent to the sorting facility. That means you may not need to wait too long before the status will change. It typically takes 24 hours.
What could cause your package acceptance pending status to take longer?
The status can occasionally take longer than expected due to various reasons. So, let’s quickly see some factors that may contribute to a prolonged acceptance pending status.
- High volume of packages: During peak seasons or periods of increased shipping activity, USPS may experience a surge in package volumes. This influx can lead to delays in processing and cause the acceptance pending status to take longer.
- Sorting facility delays: Delays within the sorting facility, such as technical issues or staffing shortages, can impact the timely acceptance and scanning of packages. These unforeseen circumstances can result in an extended acceptance pending status.
- Uncommon situations: Unusual situations, such as misrouted packages or manual errors, can also contribute to longer acceptance pending periods. These instances may require additional investigation and resolution, causing delays in updating the status.
- Insufficient information: In some cases, the shipment received package acceptance pending status may be prolonged due to inadequate or incomplete information provided on the package. This can hinder the smooth processing and scanning of the package at the sorting facility.
Other Tracking Notifications You May Receive from the USPS
Electronic Shipping Info Received: This notification indicates that the USPS has received electronic information about the shipment from the sender or shipping carrier. It means that the USPS is aware of the package and is awaiting its physical arrival.
Acceptance: The acceptance notification confirms that the USPS has officially received and accepted the package into its system. At this stage, the package is scanned and registered as being in USPS’s possession.
USPS Awaiting Item: This status signifies that the USPS is waiting for the package to be handed over to them by the sender or shipping carrier. It indicates that the package has not yet been physically received by USPS.
Departed from the USPS Facility: This usually means that the package has left a specific USPS facility, such as a sorting center or distribution center. It indicates that the package is en route to its next destination.
In Transit: This is quite straight forward. It means the package is currently in transit between USPS facilities or on its way to the final delivery destination. It simply shows that the package is moving through the USPS network.
Arrival at Unit: This notification indicates that the package has arrived at the local post office or delivery unit responsible for its final delivery. It is an intermediate step before the package goes out for delivery.
Out-for-Delivery: This status means that the package is out for delivery and is en route to the recipient’s address. Here, the package is in the final stages of the delivery process and will soon be delivered to the recipient.
Delivered: The delivered status confirms that the package has been successfully delivered to the recipient’s address. That means the package has reached its destination and is no longer in the possession of USPS.
FAQs
Can I track a package if it’s moving?
Yes, this is very possible. You can track a package while it is in transit. The USPS tracking system allows you to monitor the progress and location of your package as it moves through the USPS network.
Can I pick up a package from the USPS before the delivery date?
Yes, you can pick up a package even before the scheduled delivery date. However, this is possible only if you confirm that the package is already available at your local sorting facility. So, you may need to first visit the USPS location and inquire about the package for pickup.
What to do if my package was never delivered?
Call the USPS customer service hotline to file a claim and request an investigation if your package did not arrive on time or was not delivered at all.
What does ‘Pending Delivery’ mean at UPS?
When you see this notification on your tracking status, it indicates the package is in transit and is scheduled for delivery. It means your parcel is currently on its way to the recipient’s designated delivery address but has not been delivered yet.
However, the notification shows that the parcel is in the final stages of the delivery process and will be delivered soon.
Do I have to accept a package?
Accepting a package is not mandatory. If you are the intended recipient and you are available to receive the package, it is generally recommended to accept it. However, there may be situations where you choose not to accept a package.
For example, if the package is addressed to you but you don’t recognize the sender or if the package appears suspicious or contains items you did not order, you may decide not to accept it and instead contact the carrier or local authorities.
Does USPS deliver on Saturdays and Sundays?
Yes, USPS does deliver on Saturdays. USPS has a service called USPS Saturday Delivery, which enables packages and certain mail classes to be delivered on Saturdays. However, not all types of mail or packages are eligible for Saturday delivery.
As for Sundays, USPS primarily delivers Priority Mail Express items and Amazon packages through their Sunday Delivery service in select locations.
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