Introduction: Tracking Statuses Shouldn’t Feel Like Guesswork
“In transit” can mean a dozen different things depending on where a parcel actually is in its journey — which is why tracking statuses sometimes feel vaguer than they should. This guide breaks down exactly what each status on a live tracking page actually means, so you know what’s happening with your shipment at every stage.
Booking Confirmed
This is the first status you’ll see, and it simply means your shipment request has been received and logged into our system. Collection hasn’t happened yet — this status confirms the booking is in our schedule, not that the parcel is physically moving yet.
Collected
This status confirms that a driver has physically picked up the parcel from the sender’s address. This timestamp becomes the reference point for delivery time estimates, and is the moment the shipment officially enters transit.
In Transit
This is the broadest status, and can mean the parcel is on a vehicle moving between locations, temporarily at a sorting hub, or being transferred between different stages of its route. Depending on the distance and route involved, this status can last anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days.
Out for Delivery
This status means the parcel has left its final hub and is on a vehicle heading directly to the delivery address. In most cases, “out for delivery” means the shipment will be delivered within the same day this status appears.
Delivered
This confirms the parcel has been dropped off at the destination address, typically accompanied by a timestamp and, depending on the service, a signature or photo confirmation of delivery.
Customs Hold (International Shipments Only)
This status appears specifically for international shipments and means the parcel is currently with customs authorities awaiting clearance. This is a normal part of the international shipping process and usually resolves within a day or two. Extended holds are most commonly caused by documentation issues, which is why accurate paperwork matters so much for international shipments.
Exception or Delay Noted
This status indicates something has affected the shipment’s normal schedule — commonly a routing issue, an access problem at the delivery address, or weather-related disruption. If this status persists for more than a day without update, it’s worth contacting our support team directly for clarification.
Why Tracking Doesn’t Update Continuously
A common source of confusion is assuming tracking should update in real time, minute by minute. In practice, updates happen at each physical handling point — collection, hub arrival, hub departure, out-for-delivery, and delivered — rather than continuously throughout transit. A gap of several hours between updates during the “In Transit” phase is completely normal and doesn’t indicate a problem.
When to Actually Be Concerned
As a general guide: if tracking hasn’t updated for more than 24 hours during a domestic UK shipment, or shows no movement for an extended period on an international shipment outside of a customs hold, it’s worth reaching out to our support team. We can check the shipment’s status directly with the handling team rather than relying solely on the tracking page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my tracking still show “In Transit” after a full day? For longer distances or shipments passing through multiple hubs, “In Transit” can reasonably last more than 24 hours. This isn’t necessarily a sign of a problem.
What should I do if my tracking status hasn’t changed in over 24 hours? Contact our support team with your consignment number, and we’ll check the shipment’s current status directly with the handling team.
Does “Out for Delivery” guarantee delivery that same day? In the large majority of cases, yes — though unforeseen circumstances like access issues or route disruptions can occasionally push delivery to the following day.
Why did my international shipment show “Customs Hold” for several days? Extended customs holds are most often related to documentation issues. If you’re the sender, checking that your commercial invoice and HS codes were accurate can help identify the cause, and our team can assist in resolving the hold directly with customs.
Final Thoughts
Understanding what each tracking status actually represents takes the guesswork out of following your shipment’s journey. Most delays that look concerning on paper — “In Transit” for a day, or a customs hold for international shipments — are a normal part of how deliveries move through the network. If something genuinely looks off, our support team is available 24/7 to check directly and give you a clear answer.