USPS Package Delayed
USPS handles enormous volume, and delays are common during peak periods and bad weather. Some USPS statuses are especially confusing — here's what they mean.
Track your USPS package with Package Delay for a plain-English status and a delay risk estimate.
Common confusing USPS statuses
A few you'll see often:
- “In Transit, Arriving Late” — USPS knows it's behind schedule but still moving it.
- “Moving Through Network” — a newer status that simply means it's in transit, often with few detailed scans.
- “In Transit to Next Facility” — between sorting centers; updates can lag.
- “Awaiting Delivery Scan” — it may already be on a truck or even delivered without a scan.
Why USPS packages run late
Weather, holiday volume, staffing at a local post office, and missed scans are the biggest factors. USPS does not deliver on federal holidays, which can add a day or two around those dates.
What you can do
- 1Check the last scan time and location.
- 2See if a federal holiday or weekend falls in the delivery window.
- 3Submit a USPS Missing Mail search if it's been lost for 7+ days.
- 4Call or visit your local Post Office for the most useful help.
When to contact the carrier
Contact USPS (or file a Missing Mail search request) if there's been no movement for several days, or 7+ days for a package that seems lost. Your local Post Office is often more helpful than the national line.
Questions & answers
What does 'USPS In Transit, Arriving Late' mean?
It means USPS expects delivery later than the original estimate but the package is still moving through the network. It usually still arrives within a few days.
Does USPS deliver on Sundays?
Generally no, except for Priority Mail Express and some Amazon packages. USPS also doesn't deliver on federal holidays.