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This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Mason Martinez, BA. Mason Martinez earned their BA in Creative Writing and Literature from Purchase College. Their work has been published and awarded in various literary magazines and writing residencies. At wikiHow, Mason writes for the content team to help people from all walks of life to tackle anything they set their mind to. They are a firm believer in knowledge and growth, and they hope to spread that passion through engaging content and storytelling.
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Packages experience a long journey before landing on your doorstep or mailbox. Sometimes, a package may wind up with a "Moving Through Network" update due to a lack of scanners, unexpected weather, or delivery delays. But what does this ambiguous status mean? The good news is your package is slowly making its way to you. This guide will teach you everything you need about this USPS status.
The Meaning of "Moving Through Network" via USPS
The "Moving Through Network" status indicates that your package has been scanned and processed at the initial drop-off location and is now slowly navigating the expansive USPS system to its final destination. Generally, it can take anywhere from 1 to 8 business days for your package to arrive.
Steps
What to Do if Your Package is Delayed
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Regularly check the tracking number. USPS offers free tracking on a majority of their packages. Visit https://www.usps.com/ and enter the 22-digit tracking number in the search bar to receive the latest updates.[4] Locate your tracking number on a USPS receipt or an order confirmation email from the sender.
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Wait at least a week for your package to arrive. Unexpected delays happen, so give your package adequate time to arrive. Similarly, it's not uncommon for packages to be scanned early by accident.
- If your package hasn’t arrived after this time frame, contact USPS or the sender for support.
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Contact USPS customer service after 5 to 14 days. For Priority Mail Express, call or email at 6 pm local time on the guaranteed delivery date if your package has yet to arrive. However, for other packages, like Priority Mail, First-Class Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage, you can contact support after 5 or more days from the mailing date. However, you should still give your package at least a week to arrive before reaching out.[5]
- Parcel Select, Media Mail, Bound Printed Matter, Library Mail, Periodicals, and USPS Marketing should be contacted after 14 or more days from the date of mailing.
- USPS Ground Advantage should be contacted 14 or more days after mailing if it contains hazardous materials or live animals.
- Call your local post office if your mail is late or call 1-800-275-8777 for further assistance.[6]
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Notify the sender and ask for a refund. Contact the retailer or sender to inquire about any shipment updates. They may have additional information on their end. If not, refer to their return or refund policies for next steps.
Common Causes for USPS Delays
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Limited scans along the route When you first mail a package, it gets scanned into the USPS system to activate its unique tracking number. However, sometimes, as it moves through the network, there can be limited scanners along the route, especially if they're being transferred from truck to truck in between facilities.[7]
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Inclement weather Severe weather conditions are a classic way to delay anything. If there's a heavy storm, it can create unsafe driving conditions or even cause damage to USPS facilities. Packages may miss their scheduled delivery date due to these issues, causing limited tracking updates.[8]
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High package volumes During peak holiday seasons, like Christmas, USPS experiences a high volume of packages. While USPS has measures in place—like offering Sunday delivery, pop-up facilities, and extended hours for workers—this may cause packages to sit longer between scans before they make it to their next destination.[9]
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Transportation or mechanical issues Unfortunately, you never know when a conveyor belt or a delivery truck will experience a problem. Transportation or mechanical issues can cause a package to miss its estimated delivery window.[10]
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Long distance USPS packages have a long journey before reaching you. Packages transfer through different hands and locations, from distribution centers, sorting hubs, your local post office, and your doorstep. Occasionally, a misstep in the process can delay your package. But rest assured, it's still arriving.[11]
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Incorrect address A simple typo can derail when your package arrives. In these scenarios, the package may be returned to the sender due to an insufficient address or mailed to the wrong address entirely. Always double-check your address before mailing or ordering a product.[12]
- If possible, contact the sender for insufficient address issues or have the package resent.
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International shipments If you’re expecting a package from overseas, you may experience additional delays if your package is held up due to incorrectly filled-out custom forms. Always ensure your paperwork is accurately filled out and filed.
Expert Q&A
Tips
References
- ↑ https://faq.usps.com/s/article/Where-is-my-package
- ↑ https://faq.usps.com/s/article/Shipping-Products-and-Services
- ↑ https://www.usps.com/international/mail-shipping-services.htm
- ↑ https://tools.usps.com/go/TrackConfirmAction_input?
- ↑ https://faq.usps.com/s/article/Delayed-Mail-and-Packages
- ↑ https://www.usps.com/help/contact-us.htm
- ↑ https://postageguru.com/guides/usps-moving-through-network-meaning-guide/
- ↑ https://postageguru.com/guides/usps-moving-through-network-meaning-guide/
- ↑ https://about.usps.com/news/electronic-press-kits/holidaynews/2014/pdf/hc2014_faqs.pdf
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