Package Acceptance Pending: What Does It Mean For Your Shipment?

Think about a hypothetical situation: You are just about to close today’s business when you check your phone to get the notification from USPS: Package Acceptance Pending!

If this is something that you have recently faced and want to know the answer to, you are not alone! Many people new to doing business with the help of the United States Postal Service are in the same boat when they get this message.

According to USPS, one of the biggest postal services in the U.S., it handled an astounding 7.6 billion packages in 2021. It has gradually expanded the quantity of tracking data it provides to its clients as it has developed and expanded.

As customer expectations for delivery process transparency continue to rise, USPS is probably acting this way out of necessity.

According to Retaildive, 70% of customers stated that one of the three factors they looked at when purchasing a product from an eCommerce site was the ability to track their orders.

Keeping customers informed about their packages is a top priority for postal services since it fosters trust between buyers and sellers.

While some of the USPS’s messages and tracking statuses are rather simple to understand, others can be more complex. Their “Shipment received, package acceptance pending” notification is one instance.

Understanding the USPS Tracking Process

Before you get to the answer to the “Package Acceptance Pending” question, it is important to learn about the entire shipment tracking process of USPS!

Therefore, let us first go through the fundamentals of USPS tracking. For instance, it includes what it is, how it operates, and what you need to know to utilize it efficiently.

First, USPS tracking is comparable to FedEx, UPS, and other shipping firms tracking. It covers your package’s journey from beginning to end.

All domestic mail large enough for the USPS to scan is eligible for tracking; however, ordinary First Class mail does not have tracking unless you pay an additional fee.

You can only track the shipments that you send to U.S. addresses. This includes those in all 50 states and all U.S. territories, such as military and diplomatic post offices.

When your package enters the USPS system, they generate and allocate a tracking number that is specific to the package.

This combination of letters and numbers is connected to a barcode that the USPS employees or equipment can swiftly scan.

Information about the delivery, including the anticipated date, location, and occasionally even the time, is linked to this barcode.

It’s crucial to remember that a tracking number does not ensure that your product will arrive sooner or that it won’t experience problems like delays or improper treatment.

Although USPS makes every effort to deliver packages on schedule, tracking provides neither extra speed nor security.

Entering the tracking number into an online search bar or on the USPS website will allow you to see the status of your package. This will provide you with real-time information about the whereabouts of your package and when it should arrive.

What Does “Package Acceptance Pending” Mean?

So, you have sent the package to USPS, and suddenly you get the notification that reads: “Shipment received, package acceptance pending.”

If you are new to this, you must feel a little worried. But there’s no need to. This is just another notification from the United States Postal Services to keep you posted about the whereabouts of your package.

The notification “Package Acceptance Pending” indicates that although the postal service has received your shipment as part of a larger cargo, it has not yet been scanned one at a time at a sorting facility.

Regarding larger pickups, the USPS frequently uses a Scan Form to accept all goods.

A single barcode represents all of the packages listed on these scan forms. This enables them to use that one code to scan every package simultaneously.

All parcels listed on the scan sheet enter the “Shipment Received, Package Acceptance Pending” status after receiving and scanning.

They will stay in this state until the USPS officials scan them one at a time at the initial sorting facility. This status should normally change to “Package Acceptance” in 24 to 48 hours.

On certain occasions, though, the “Package Acceptance” scan does not take place.  Yes, you read that right! The USPS employees do not scan the packages until the package reaches the subsequent sorting facility in route to the recipient.

What Should You Do When You Get “Package Acceptance Pending” Notification?

It cannot happen in the blink of an eye. The entire sorting process at the USPS takes time.

Receiving the “Package Acceptance Pending” status for up to 48 hours is common since parcels require processing time at the sorting facility. If it continues after that, you can find out the shipment’s precise location by contacting USPS customer service.

Rarely does the USPS forget to send your package, which could lead to delays. Your package may have been lost or damaged if you haven’t heard anything about it in over 15 days.

Overall, the notification that reads “shipment received package acceptance pending” indicates that the package has completed the initial steps that are necessary for the USPS to deliver them be delivered to the recipient.

Package Acceptance Pending: What Should You Do When You See The Message for a Long Time?

If you get the “Package Acceptance Pending” notification from USPS for your shipment, you do not need to worry. This only means your shipment is in the first stage of moving through the massive USPS network.

However, it is natural for you to be tense if you see the notification for longer than expected!

Don’t become anxious if you see this warning for over 12 hours or even a day.

Depending on when your specific piece of mail is scanned into the USPS infrastructure again, it is not uncommon for this notification to be visible for 48 hours (or even a little bit longer).

It’s time to contact the USPS Customer Care department directly to find out what’s going on if you have seen this message for five days after noticing it and your item hasn’t arrived.

How Long Does It Take for USPS to Accept Package?

The shipment acceptance confirmation often takes two to four days, or roughly twenty-four to ninety-six hours. Rare cases take four days to complete. However, in most cases, they complete the shipment delivery in one day.

Understanding the Cycle: What Might Cause the Delay in Package Acceptance?

Your parcel or shipment of packages is physically accepted by postmasters, who enter the information into the USPS system. The “Package Acceptance Pending” notification is sent to the sender first, and USPS tracking is activated.

The vendor sends USPS a large quantity of packages made up of smaller pieces. It takes time to scan each item. However, they do bulk scanning for the huge cargo. Senders receive the “package acceptance pending” signal for this reason.

The tracking status will change to “Accepted at USPS Origin Facility” once each shipment has been scanned. The shipment will travel between the USPS sorting facilities at this time.

After they resolve the cargo, shippers receive additional updates. The sorting procedure determines the shipment’s schedule and route.

The sender will receive a fresh tracking status after the package arrives at the “Sectional Center Facility,” the processing and distribution center.

In the United States, there are around 195 sectional center facilities. In some geographic locations, indicated by the first three digits of the zip codes of those offices, they act as a processing and distribution hub for post offices.

Read Also:

• USPS Ground Advantage VS Priority Mail: What to Choose for Your Business?
• Shipping Label Created USPS Awaiting Item – What Does It Mean?
• Origin Post Is Preparing Shipment – What Does It Mean?