Expecting a Package from UPS, before the final delivery the tracking status seems to be stuck at the “Package on the Way”. Do you know what “UPS Package on the way” really means?
To answer all those queries we have written this detailed article that covers everything related to the Package on its way to update. After reading it you don’t have to visit here and there for any doubt.
What’s the Meaning of “UPS Package On the Way”?
‘UPS Package On the Way’ means that your package has left the origin country and is in transit to reach the next UPS facility, where it will be sorted and sent for final delivery.
In simple words, the ‘UPS on the way’ update means that your package is moving exactly as it has to be through the UPS facility and will arrive at the recipient’s address in the required timeframe.
When your package gets the ‘On the Way’ Update it usually means that it has to go through a lot of different processes in different facilities which in turn takes several days while your tracking status remains stuck on the same update.
After that, the “On the Way” update changes to ‘Out for Delivery’ which means that the package has been loaded up in the final truck and will be delivered on the very same day when you have got the notification.
Also Read – Processing at Destination USPS
How Long Do I Have to Wait After the UPS “On the Way” update?
To be true, no one can tell you the exact time when your package will be delivered after the UPS “On the Way” update. But we can provide you with an estimated timeframe during which your package can be delivered.
- If the Package is Delivered in Same City: 1-2 Days
- If the Package is Delivered in a different State: 3-4 Days
- If the Package is Delivered in another Country: 4-6 Days (may be more)
Several factors like distance, location, and severe weather conditions can also cause delays in the package delivery so in those cases you might have to wait for a bit longer.
Why is My Tracking Status Stuck “On the Way” Update?
Missed a Scan
If your package is small in size then it can easily miss a scan during transportation from one UPS facility to another one.
In most cases, it has been observed that the UPS package makes its way to the recipient’s address when even the Tracking Status is stuck on the same “On the Way” update. After the package is delivered, the status directly changes to the ‘delivered’ without showing any update in between those.
If you are lucky enough then your package will still make its way to you even after missing multiple scans during the transit. I know it’s frustrating to see your tracking status stuck on the same notification and then suddenly you get your package as a surprise without any single update.
It’s purely UPS’s fault, they need to be more careful when they are processing and scanning the package, especially for the small-sized parcels. If you are stuck in this scenario then it totally depends upon luck whether you are going to receive the package on the scheduled date or not.
Severe Weather Condition
Bad Weather Conditions are also one of the main reasons why Packages remain stuck on the same On the Way Update. Conditions like floods, hurricanes, and snow storms make it nearly impossible for the packages to get delivered to the affected areas on time.
Working in these severe conditions can be dangerous so all the shipping agents/partners usually wait till the weather clears up and the movement of goods resumes.
High Volumes
If the UPS facility is experiencing a high volume of packages then it can cause a backlog of long queues where thousands of packages will be waiting to get scanned and processed so that they can move on to the next facility.
This happens usually at the time of some grand sale where everyone seems to order something and thousands of packages are piled up at the UPS facility. To get the whole process going, UPS moves the upcoming package to another facility where they can easily get scanned and processed, and then after they all again rerouted to their original route.
Public Holiday/Weekends
During the weekend or public holidays, UPS barely updates any information which also causes the tracking status to remain stuck on the “Package On the Way” update.
For those who don’t know UPS has limited weekend service which means it operates in very limited areas on weekends. So, if you are not residing in these areas then just wait for the next working day, the package will automatically be delivered to the recipient’s address.
Also Read – DHL “Close Bag” Meaning
What Should I Do When My Package is Stuck “On the Way?”
Be Patient
If you are facing such a situation then you need to wait for at least 2 working days. Sometimes it is caused by a temporary delay which gets fixed automatically, so be patient.
Contact the Sender
Like most courier companies, UPS prioritizes inquiries from shippers over recipients when it comes to checking the tracking status of lost packages. If your package has already passed its delivery date and there are no signs of any movement, then you should contact the shipper first. Technically, they are responsible for the package to reach the final recipient on time.
If you let them know they can start an investigation claim with UPS and track down where your package is. For online purchases paid by credit card, if the shipper is uncooperative about getting your package delivered on time, consider a chargeback by contacting your bank.
Reach Out to UPS
If you don’t want to contact the shipper then you can also contact the UPS directly. You can either write them an email describing that something is wrong with the package or you can call them on their toll-free number(for more information visit here).
The easiest way to get the issue resolved is to call and insist on speaking to a human representative and ask them for the status of your stuck package. Luckily this used to work for me every time I got stuck with the stalled tracking status.