Have you ever tracked a USPS package to see that it’s traveling in the wrong direction and going farther away from you? Do you need to worry about it? Is there something wrong with your package? These are some of the questions that might be arising in your mind related to your package.
If you are facing something like this then there is nothing to worry about there may be some logistic issue which is why it is happening with your package. In this article we have tried to cover and explain everything related to this status so continue to read on if you want to know more about it.
What’s the Meaning of “USPS package go farther away from destination”?
It means that your USPS package is going further away than reaching the required destination. It usually happens when a particular facility where the package was supposed to get scanned is facing some issue and the upcoming and remaining packages are transferred to another facility so they can get scanned and reach their destination in the required timeframe.
Mostly all packages arrive at their desired location within the given time frame but there have been many cases where the package gets delayed and arrives after waiting for a week. Keep in mind, that the arrival time of your package also depends upon how far your package has gone.
Why does a USPS package go far away from its destination?
Heading to Another Mail Sorting Facility
Whenever a package enters the USB system they first routed to reach the correct sorting facility where it gets scanned and processed and then they are finally released to reach the recipient address. If the particular sorting facility where the packages are supposed to get scanned faces some type of issue then the existing and upcoming packages are diverted to another facility until the issue is resolved.
Equipment malfunctioning, power outages, and shortage of working staff are a few of the examples where the packages are diverted from one sorting facility to another.
Reached the Wrong Facility
During the sorting process, a few of the packages may end up getting grouped with the wrong bin and going to another location. Being such a big shipping carrier, USPS processes millions of packages every single day and if a few of them get delivered to the wrong distribution facility is really not a big thing at all.
These issues generally get fixed when some worker or staff from the sorting facility notice the error and reroute the packages to reach the correct destination facility.
Wrong Delivery Address
If you have put the wrong delivery address or there is some error with the barcode routing number then your package may end up getting sent to thousands of miles away from the actual delivery address. To avoid this issue make sure you have put in the correct delivery address along with the correct zip code so that your package doesn’t get routed to another similar destination.
Stuck in Transit
Packages sometimes get stuck during transit because of temporary issues like bad weather conditions, equipment malfunctions, shortage of working staff, logistical issues, and a lot more. If your package seems to be stuck then there may be some temporary issue behind it in such scenarios you are requested to wait at least for few days before contacting the shipping carrier.
Optimized Routing
Almost all these shipping carriers use optimized shipping routes to ensure efficiency and reduce the cost of handling a package which sometimes leads to a package being routed through distribution centers that are not closely located to the destination area.
It doesn’t mean that something is wrong with your package it just means that the shipping carrier is rerouting the package so that it can reach the recipient’s address without any delay.
What to do if your USPS package is going further away from the required destination?
These are the few things that you can do if your USPS package is going further away rather than reaching the required destination.
Wait for Sometime
Sometimes these types of issues are caused by some temporary problems like a shortage of working staff, or bad weather conditions. If that’s the scenario with your package then you need to wait at least for few working days and your package will get moving again within their tracking system.
Check Frequently with the Tracking Details
If your package seems to be stuck and going further away from the destination then you are required to check the tracking status of your package as it may show you what’s wrong with your package.
If you notice that you have somehow provided the wrong delivery address then you need to contact the shipping carrier and provide them the correct details so they can deliver your package without getting it delayed.
Contact USPS Customer Care
If weeks have passed and you haven’t noticed any sign of progression then you need to contact the USPS Customer care and ask them what’s going on with your package. They can investigate the issue and let you know why your package has been delayed, if possible they can also help your package to reroute to reach the correct address.
Visit the Post Office
If you have got this notification then chances are there that your package might be going through your local post office. If that’s the case then you can reach out to them as they have more visibility into the routes going to the regional distribution facility. Don’t forget to bring your tracking number and ID proof to verify that you are the actual recipient of the package.
Open a Missing Mail Claim
If your package seems to be lost in transit and you haven’t received any response from their customer care service then you can open up a missing mail claim for your package. It usually initiates the process where shipping carriers try to relocate your package to recover its content but if they fail to do so then they will provide you the compensation up to the value of the package.
You can also request a full refund on the package cost as USPS has failed to deliver your package within the expected delivery time. But make sure your package has insurance and the express delivery service to get the refund benefits.