Have you ever wondered what does “in-transit” means when you check for delivery updates on the USPS tracking tools? It isn’t surprising that many people cannot understand what these tracking statuses mean. When you order a package or when you receive mail, you use the tracking system to find out where your package is and how long might it take to deliver. Well, with USPS tracking tools, tracking has become much easier. Not only can you use the online tools to check for updates, but there are many other ways to check the tracking status. Here, we will see what does it mean when “the item is currently in transit to the destination”.
The Item Is Currently in Transit to the Destination
Mail delivery has become easier with USPS thanks to all the innovations in technology. When you use the USPS mailing service, you only need to press a few keys to find the tracking update for your package. Once you’re done, you will receive the tracking updates which show a timeline of the package processing. Along with this, you will also receive information on where the package is right now and how long will it take to arrive.
How long does regular mail take from state to state? Know it from here.
Usps Tracking In Transit Meaning
Moving towards the tracking statuses, those can be hard to understand if you rarely use the USPS services to mail your parcels. One such status is The Item is Currently In Transit to the Destination. It is a common status which describes the movement of your mails. So, what does USPS in transit mean? Well it can mean a lot of things such as:
- In transit refers to the point at which your package is on its way to the destination. This status appears once the packages are scanned, processed, and ready to be departed from the distribution facilities to reach the recipient. When you receive this status, be prepared as you might receive your mails soon within a day or two. In simple words, the item is currently in transit to the destination.
- Other times, in transit, does not mean that your package might arrive at the destination. It could also mean that your package has left the origin facility and is now on its way to reach the destination facility for processing. Or it can also mean that the package will leave one hub and move to the next hub for sorting.
Hence, in simple words, just remember that in transit is used to refer to the movement of the mail.
How Does Usps Keep Track of Your Package When It Is in Transit to the Destination?
USPS allots a tracking number to every package that it mails. This tracking number is punched into the tracking portal to find out the tracking updates. As the USPS services are divided into smaller networks that work collaboratively and independently. Every network makes use of top-notch machines that feed the package data into the USPS database.
Whenever a package is scanned and processed by the automation machines, the information is fed into the USPS database. This information is updated in a serial-wise order along with the date and time. With the help of a tracking number, customers can access a part of the tracking database to view the current status of their package and also find out if the item is currently in transit to the destination.
What Are Some of the Usps Tracking Statuses That You Might Receive While Tracking?
As you already know by now that in transit refers to many aspects of shipping. There are many more tracking updates that you will receive along with this particular status. Here are some of those:
Electronic Shipping Information Received
This status is received by the customers within 2-3 days of delivering the package to the USPS postal offices. During this time, the packages are ready to be shipped from the origin facility. In many cases, large business shippers prepare the tracking labels for the packages in advance and pre-sort them before they are delivered to the post office for shipping.
Not only does this save USPS a lot of time, but shippers also receive huge discounts if the bulk mails are already pre-sorted.
Accepted
This tracking status is received when USPS accepts the package from third-party vendors. In simpler words, the packages are taken into the USPS facility, and it is scanned for shipping. If the customer is dropping the package directly at USPS post offices without the involvement of third-party services, then they will receive the status mentioned above instead of Accepted.
Processed Through the Sort Facility
The package has been processed at a USPS facility and it has also been scanned. From this point, the package might reach the next facility for scanning and processing. All the packages are lined up and are taken to the next local or international facility for the next procedure.
Departed From Usps Facility
As soon as the package leaves the sorting facility, you will receive this status which claims that the package has left the USPS facility. From this point, your parcel may or may not travel to other facilities for sorting and processing.
In Transit
In transit refer to the movement of your package from one location to the next. The item is currently in transit to the destination country via plane or train, or the packages might be traveling to the destination city via trucks or ships.
Arrival at Unit
This status means that the package has just left the last USPS facility and will soon be out for delivery to the street address. All the packages are scanned at the last USPS facility and will finally be out for delivery soon.
Out for Delivery
When your package is out for delivery, it means that the letter carrier is arriving at your street address along with the mail. Your mail will arrive the very day you receive this status. You might also receive the status the Item is Currently In Transit to the Destination.
Arrived at USPS regional destination facility. What does that mean? Learn it from here.
Delivered
After the successful delivery is made and the customer receives the package, this status is received.
USPS Text Tracking
USPS text tracking is a method through which you can find out if the item is currently in transit to the destination. As the name implies, the customers are informed about the tracking statuses through text. To avail yourself of this service, certain carrier charges might apply. Text tracking works in the following ways:
- The customers need to send a text to 28777 along with the tracking number written in the body of the message. USPS will send the current status of the package to your mail
- In this method, you can send a text to the same number along with the tracking number and a keyword as the body. Keywords are used as a way to ask for specific information about the package
Check out the USPS Text Tracking Keywords from the USPS page.
USP Text tracking might include the following details:
- Name of the sender
- Tracking information
- Status of the package
- Date, time, and the location of the package
- Instructions to stop receiving the tracking updates
You can sign up for USPS text tracking by logging into your account on the USPS official website. While signing up, the portal asks if you are willing to pay any extra charges for receiving the tracking updates through the mobile carriers. With text tracking, you can check if the item is currently in transit to the destination.
The only downside of using text tracking is that it is not available to customers who do not have a United States phone number. You can only use this service if your United States phone number has a roaming date coverage, or you are using the phone in the United States.
How Accurate Are the Tracking Updates on the Usps Tracking Tool
There’s a huge debate on this topic as people seem to have mixed reviews based on their experiences with the tracking tool. For some customers, the USPS tracking tool has been a piece of great equipment as it helped them track mails and the delivery was in a timely order. They claim that the tracking statuses were updated at regular intervals and the package delivery was smooth without much delay.
On the other hand, many customers claim that USPS tracking tools are functional but not entirely accurate. It works fine, but it could have been better. Unlike other mail carriers, USPS does not incorporate many details into their tracking system, even the estimated delivery date keeps fluctuating. People have complained that even though the tracking updates are not in line with the actual process. For example; you may receive a tracking status that says that the mail has arrived at the unit, but the mail is still stuck in transit. In some cases, you might receive a tracking status that says delivered, but the package does not arrive on that day.
Tracking statuses are worse with international mails, as USPS does not have control over the international shipping service. At least for domestic mails, USPS can give their best shot in tracking and finding out if the item is currently in transit to the destination, which is not the case for international mails. If you come across any delay or issues in tracking your mails, then you can contact the USPS post office supervisor and ask them for the tracking information.
Why is my FedEx package not moving? Know why from here.
Conclusion
Although the USPS tracking system might not be a great tool to help you track your mails online, it still does help in giving you the information required. Even if you are not using the online tracking tool, you can use the text tracking system to ask for regular updates and check if the item is currently in transit to the destination. Even if the tracking system does not work in your favor, you can always contact the supervisor at the local post office and ask them for regular updates.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ’s)
Text tracking is available to every location in the USA which can be used to check if the item is currently in transit to the destination. You need to have a valid United States phone number with a roaming network. Even if you don’t have a roaming carrier, you should be able to use text tracking in the USA.
If the item is currently in transit to the destination country, then it has to go through the sorting and scanning procedures. Once that’s done, the package will be delivered to the street address.
Yes, you can track the progress of your package even if you do not have a tracking number. Give a call to the local post office or customer support and request the status of your mail.
