USPS Package Not Moving

Receiving regular updates when tracking your USPS packages is a sign that your package is on the move and might drop by your doorstep anytime soon. But what if you simply stop receiving any further updates? Or what if your tracking status is still the same since the last time you checked it? If you have even been in a situation where you do not receive any tracking updates since the last time you checked your status, then it simply means that your package is stuck in transit. So, what does USPS package not moving mean, and why is it stuck in transit? What can you do if your package is stuck in transit? Read on to find the answers…

USPS Package Not Moving

Oftentimes, we come across issues where our packages remain in transit for way too long, and we cannot do anything about it except keep waiting. When a package is stuck in transit, it means that the package has not been moved yet and is stuck in the facility awaiting processing or loading. In simpler terms, the package is neither moving towards the destination nor it is moving away from the destination. It is simply stuck in a single place, as no further action has been taken yet. It is uncertain as to how long will you keep receiving this status and when will the status be updated.

Learn how to return to sender at USPS from here.

Sometimes, there isn’t any change in the status for weeks and suddenly your packages are ready for delivery the next day. So, what could be the possible reasons for a package to be stuck in transit? Well, there are many reasons why you might face the USPS Package Not Moving issue.

Reasons for Usps Package Not Moving

When your package is stuck in transit, then it is safe to assume that it is due to any of the following reasons:

Customs Clearance: 

The items that are shipped within certain countries do not necessarily need further documentation and authorization to be loaded unless it does not contain any prohibited or restricted items. If the items are sent to any other country besides Europe or Australia, then an international customs form is required to carry the shipment further. Without this document, your shipment cannot be carried further and will be stuck in transit.

Weather Conditions

Sometimes, your package does not arrive on time because of the weather conditions such as snowstorms, heavy rains, extreme traffic, construction projects, federal holidays, etc. This is one of the primary reasons why you might face the USPS package not moving problem.

International Shipping

If you are shipping a package internationally, then the package is bound to take time to reach the destination. Most international packages take approx 11-14 days to reach the destination.

Losing the Packages

Unfortunately, USPS might have lost your package during transit which is why your status might not be updated. If you have lost your package, then you can file a claim and also request an inquiry to help find your missing package. 

Mistakes in Address

When shipping a package, you need to have the right address along with the zip codes. Any mistake in the zip code will have your package shipped to an entirely different destination. USPS only checks if the address mentioned on the packages is deliverable or not. If you have entered the wrong address and that address is mailable, then your package is delivered to that destination. This is why you must double-check every address you write on a package to avoid the USPS package not moving situation.

Packaging Is Not Properly Done:

If any package is not packed properly, then the courier service will mostly hold back the package to ensure the safety of the letter carriers. Sometimes, the letter carriers deliver the package to the destination even if the packaging is not proper and the contents are missing. To avoid this, you need to pack your mails properly. You can also file a claim if the items are damaged.

Oversized/Overweight/Restricted and Prohibited Packages: 

If the packages are oversized or overweight, then they are either returned to the sender or the recipients must pay for the extra surcharges on the oversized/overweight package. Also note that if the items are restricted, then you must have the proper documentation which proves that you are permitted to ship the items. 

Why Are There No Updates on Your Domestic and International Shipping?

The tracking statuses for domestic shipping are updated quite often unlike international packages. When you drop the package at the post office, you immediately start receiving updates from the next days onwards. It is better to contact the shipper when you stop receiving updates after 3 days.

For international shipping, the updates are not as frequent as domestic shipping. As the packages travel overseas, they have to pass through customs and undergo processing in both countries, which takes a lot of time. In some countries, the tracking information is not available online due to which you might not receive constant updates. If you are not receiving any updates on the tracking information, then try waiting for 30 days before you contact the shipper or the carrier service to ask for updates. 

USPS Package Not Moving : What to Do if My Usps Package Is Late and I Have No Tracking Information?

If you have stopped receiving any updates when you are tracking your mails, then it is clear that you are facing the USPS package not moving situation where the package is stuck somewhere. Here are a few things that you can do to solve this problem.

How to send certified mail at USPS? Learn about it from here.

Contact the USPS Customer Support Team

Getting in touch with the USPS customer support team is the first thing that you can do if the status of your package is not updating. You can contact customer support in the following ways:

• Call them on their phone by dialing 1-800-275-8777. Wait for the automated voice assistant to greet you. Keep saying “Agent” to talk to a real representative. 
• You can also visit the local post office and let them know about your issues. They might help you find out more about the missing package.

Call the Local Post Office Supervisor to Inquire About USPS Package Not Moving

If calling customer support does not work in your favor, then you can have a word with the local post office supervisor. You can ask them to email the USPS sorting facility and ask them to check for your package. Make sure to mention the name of the city and also say that you want the NDC Package Inquiry. 

NDC is an abbreviation for Network Distribution Center. The NDCs are responsible for scanning and sorting the packages which are loaded onto the freights for transportation. The freights carry them to the NDCs in the destination country and then these packages are routed to the recipients. When you are calling the supervisor, you are asking for the status of the package at the NDC. Make sure to speak confidently and politely, and you will have information about your package in less than a day. This trick has worked for many people so it’s safe to assume that it might work for you too.

Send a USPS Customer Service Inquiry Form

Many customers also suggest that you fill and submit the USPS customer support inquiry form for shipment issues. With this form, you can find information about your package in a single day and have it shipped to the destination in no time.

Contact the Shipping Service or the Shipper

Another way to find the contact information about your package if you have encountered the USPS package not moving problem is to get in touch with the shipping service or the seller to find information about your package. Not only can they help you track the status of your package, but they can also estimate the date of delivery. Staying in contact with the seller or the shipping service is great if you don’t have the tracking number of your package. 

What Can You Do to Avoid the Usps Package Not Moving Situation in the Future?

If you have lost tracking information of your package before or if your package has been stuck in transit many times before, then you can follow the steps below to avoid facing the USPS package not moving problem any further:

• Make sure to label your packages accurately
• Opt for premium shipping to avoid any hassles
• Check the customs declaration forms beforehand
• Note down the tracking number, shipping service, and the name of the seller

How Accurate Is Usps Tracking?

According to many customers, the USPS tracking information works fine if the items are shipped within the USA itself. For international shipping, as the packages travel outside the country, the tracking information is not as accurate as it is for domestic shipping. The USPS officials cannot control the package information once it leaves the country. Some countries provide tracking information, but it is not as quick as you might want it to be, whereas some countries do not have tracking information at all. 

The tracking information also depends on the amount of distance needed to reach the destination. If the destination is farther, then sorting, processing, and scanning the shipments take time and so does the delivery of the package. 

Other customers claim that the USPS tracking mechanism wrecked really well and kept them updated no matter how long the package took to arrive. According to their statements, if the package was arriving late, they would receive status claiming that the “Package is taking longer than expected”. People have also said that the estimated delivery day is also accurate most of the time unless there is a federal holiday or any other issue which causes a delay in delivery.

Check out the Cost of postage to Canada from US from here.

How to File a Claim for a Damaged or Lost Package?

When you have lost or damaged your package during transit, you have the option to file for an insurance claim if the package was covered by insurance. When an insurance claim is filed, the costs of the damaged or the lost package are covered by the insurance. A domestic claim can be filed by the sender or the recipient whereas the international claim can be filed by only the sender. You can file a claim in the following way:

File Domestic Claim/International Claim Online

• You can file a domestic claim either online through the official Domestic Claim portal or the mail. For filing an international claim, you need to click on this link. 
• To file a claim, you need to check the filing period of the mailing service
• Collect all the necessary documents such as the damaged package, tracking information, receipts, etc
• Fill up the File a Claim form on the page and finally submit it

File a Domestic Claim Through the Mail

If you cannot file a domestic claim online, then you can try to file a domestic claim through the mail. Simply call National Materials Customer Service on the number 1-800-332-0317 during working hours and ask for the Domestic Claim Form. The form will be mailed to you. Fill it up and mail it to the address given at the back of the form. 

Conclusion

USPS Package not moving status means that your package is stuck somewhere in transit and there are many reasons for it. If your package has been stuck in transit for quite some time now, then it is better to contact the local post office supervisors and request updates on your package. Just remember that it might be difficult to find the tracking information of your package if it is shipped internationally, as USPS has no control over how things work in other countries. 

You can always file a claim if the package turns out to be damaged, missing, or lost. For more information on how to file a claim on domestic and international packages, you can check one of our previous articles…

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