Have you ever tracked your shipment status and seen the “Shipment Received Package Acceptance Pending” status but didn’t know what it meant?
You’ve come to the right place for answers.
“Shipment Received, Package Acceptance Pending” indicates your parcel has arrived at the sorting center and is pending manual acceptance.
This answer is the basic version, and there’s much more you need to know.
I wrote this guide to explain in more detail what this status means and what you can do if you see it.
Let’s begin.
What Does “Shipment Received, Package Acceptance Pending” Mean?
Shipping companies are crucial to ecommerce, especially the USPS (United States Postal Service). This federal institution provides one of the cheapest ways to ship packages in the US.
People who use the USPS or other couriers often track their orders to keep tabs on their deliveries. In a survey, 96% of respondents said they regularly track their order status updates.
If you also like tracking your shipments, you might have seen the “Shipment Received, Package Acceptance Pending” tracking status in the USPS system.
What does package acceptance pending mean? It means the package arrived in bulk with other items at a USPS facility.
The USPS knows your item is likely inside a larger shipment. After receiving a bulk shipment, the Postal Service must scan each item individually.
When a large shipment arrives and someone manually scans your parcel, you’ll see the “Shipment Received, Package Acceptance Pending” notification.
How Long Should I Expect To See the “Shipment Received Package Acceptance Pending” Alert?
How long does package acceptance pending take? How long should you wait for this status to change?
The answer depends on the shipping origin, location, and other factors.
However, it generally takes one to two business days.
Some packages might have the notification “Shipment Received, Package Acceptance Pending” for 9 days or longer. I’ll explain later what to do if you see this status for an abnormally long period.
How Long Does It Take for USPS to Accept the Package?
Is your shipment acceptance at post office stuck? Don’t panic. It can take the USPS up to four days to accept a package.
Sit tight if it’s only been less than four days. If you see the USPS package acceptance pending for 5 days or longer, the Postal Service may not have updated the status yet. The USPS tracking system doesn’t always provide real-time updates.
If the status is “USPS package acceptance pending” for a week, contact a USPS representative.
What Happens After the “Shipment Received Package Acceptance Pending” Alert?
When you see the “Shipment Received, Package Acceptance Pending” notification, your shipment has arrived at the USPS sorting facility but hasn’t been individually scanned yet.
Manual scanning is essential to USPS’s delivery process, so you must wait for it. Once the USPS has scanned your item, you’ll see this tracking status: Accepted at USPS Origin Facility.
What Should I Do if My Package Is Stuck on “Shipment Received, Package Acceptance Pending?”
If the status of item acceptance has been stuck for longer than usual, contact USPS Customer Care for more details on your shipment status. Ensure your tracking number is ready when you call the USPS.
Package Acceptance Pending for Several Days
Why is the acceptance of my package pending? If your parcel has had the “Package Acceptance Pending” status for longer than usual, feeling anxious is normal.
However, unexpected delays are part of shipping and are often nothing to worry about.
If you’ve been waiting several days after the normal two-business-day timeframe for manual scanning, contact USPS.
Understanding the USPS Tracking Process
The USPS system works via unique shipping labels for every package. Throughout the process, USPS personnel and partners will scan your package.
Shipping labels have a unique bar code the Postal Service uses to identify and inform the system (and you) of the status and location of your package.
Other USPS Tracking Statuses and What They Mean
USPS customers will likely see other tracking statuses when checking their parcels’ whereabouts.
Here are some common statuses and what they mean.
Electronic Information Received by USPS
The shipper has received your order online and will prepare it for pickup.
Shipping Info Received
The “Shipping Info Received by Post Office” status means the shipper already sent the information, but the parcel is still on its way to the origin facility.
USPS Awaiting Item
The USPS is waiting for your package or hasn’t entered it into their system yet.
Pre-Shipment
The USPS has received information about your package but hasn’t received or scanned the item. This status means the sender is preparing the item for shipment.
Accepted at USPS Origin Facility
The USPS “Shipment Accepted status” means that the Postal Service or an international courier has received your shipment.
In-Transit
Your package is moving through the USPS network and is on its way to its destination.
Arrived at USPS Regional Facility
Your parcel has arrived at a regional sorting facility, where personnel will process and forward it to the next leg of its journey.
Departed USPS Regional Facility
Your package has left the regional sorting facility and is heading to its next destination.
Arrived at Post Office
This status means your package is at the local post office responsible for delivering it.
Out for Delivery
Your parcel is at a postal carrier and is out for delivery. It should reach its destination soon.
Delivered
Someone has already delivered the package to the destination.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I Track A Package If It’s Moving?
Yes. Couriers often give you a “Package in Transit” status if you track it while it moves.
Remember, there may be tracking delays since updates aren’t always in real-time.
What Do I Do if My Package Was Never Delivered?
If your package never reached you, contact the courier because they could have lost track of the package or the package itself.
In such cases, you should ask for a re-delivery. Under circumstances where the courier is at fault, you can also get a full refund.
Why Is My Package Acceptance Pending Status Taking Too Long?
Have you been seeing the USPS package acceptance pending for 2 weeks? Maybe the status has been USPS package acceptance pending for a month.
There may be something wrong with the shipment.
For example, a USPS window clerk may have received your package, but it didn’t reach the primary sorting facility.
Contact the USPS for more information.
What Does Pending Delivery Mean at UPS?
If you have a UPS package acceptance pending for days, it could be Pending Delivery.
UPS Mail Innovations’ “Package Acceptance Pending” status means they cannot deliver your package on time and are working on a new delivery date.
Does Pending Mean the Courier Lost My Package?
Not necessarily. It can mean there were unexpected delays and that the courier is working on delivering it later.
Can I Pick Up a Package From the United States Postal Service Before the Delivery Date?
Yes. You can head to the USPS location and pick up the package before the delivery date.
However, you can only do so after confirming your package is already available at your local sorting facility.
Do I Have To Accept a Package?
No. You can refuse mail delivered to you when someone delivers it. The addressee should mark the item as “Refused.”
The Bottom Line
I hope my guide gave you the info you need on the “Shipment Received, Package Acceptance Pending” status.
Remember not to panic if you see this status, especially if it’s only been one or two days.
If you often ship high-value items and want to protect your goods, I suggest you purchase USPS shipping insurance.
