In transit: The carrier has your parcel and it is travelling between depots, sorting centres or countries. Parcels are only scanned when they arrive at or leave a building, so between scans tracking can look still even though the parcel is moving on a truck or plane.
Words carriers use for this status
- In transit / On its way
- In transit, arriving late (USPS)
- On the way (UPS)
- Departed facility / Arrived at facility
- Processed through facility
- It's on its way (Royal Mail)
How long it normally lasts
Domestic parcels usually spend 1 to 4 days in transit. International parcels can show "in transit" for 1 to 3 weeks, including time in customs.
What to do
- Nothing is needed while scans keep appearing every few days.
- Domestic parcel with no new scan for 3 working days: contact the sender.
- International parcel with no new scan for 7 to 10 days: check the destination country's post with the same number, then contact the sender.
Other tracking statuses
- Label created / Shipment information received
- Out for delivery
- Exception / Delayed
- Held at customs / Customs clearance
- Delivered (but not received)
- Returned to sender
- Arrived at / departed from facility
See every status in one place on our tracking status meanings page, or paste your number in the tracker above for the live status.
Frequently asked questions
What does "In transit" mean?
The carrier has your parcel and it is travelling between depots, sorting centres or countries. Parcels are only scanned when they arrive at or leave a building, so between scans tracking can look still even though the parcel is moving on a truck or plane.
Why has my parcel been in transit for days with no update?
Long road or air legs have no scans until the next building. Gaps of 2 to 3 days domestically and over a week internationally are common.
What does "in transit, arriving late" mean?
The parcel is still moving but has missed its original delivery date. It usually arrives within a few days.