With USPS tracking, you can see where your mail is in the delivery process, including its transit time. You can also view its expected delivery window (ExDW) or the International First Class Mail delivery time frame. If you want to track your package in the most accurate way, you should consider purchasing litigation tracking. The costs of this service vary according to the amount of risk your package may encounter. In some cases, you might want to send a package only to discover later that it has been filed for litigation.
In Transit to Next Facility
When your mail is “In Transit to Next Facility,” USPS will mark it as such, unless there’s been scanning activity within the past 24 hours. This can happen since trains and trucks can travel a long distance, taking days to cross the country. In such cases, USPS may mark your mail as being “In Transit to Next Facility” without providing you with the exact location. But, don’t panic, as there are steps you can take to track your mail.
First, you’ll need to know where your package is. You can track it by using the USPS tracking system. You can check this status whenever you’d like. Once it reaches a USPS distribution center, it will update the status, so that you can track its progress. Hopefully, you’ll receive your package well before the scheduled time. If not, you’ll have to wait several days to see a new update.
Then, if you receive an update that says “The item is in transit to the next facility”, the status is likely still the same. USPS automatically updates this status when your mail arrives at the next facility, but if it hasn’t, contact customer service to find out what happened. There’s a good chance that they’ll state the obvious. In this case, you can always request that a real human being check the status of your package.
Expected Delivery Window (ExDW)
You can track your package at any time by using the Expected Delivery Window (ExDW) feature of USPS tracking. It’s important to note that the ExDW isn’t the date of delivery, but the day when it’s expected to arrive. For example, if a package is expected to arrive on April 17, it will not be delivered until the next day. However, you can track your package as long as the USPS updates its system to reflect this.
If your package is shipped through USPS, you can see the estimated delivery date on the tracking page of the USPS website. However, this window isn’t guaranteed to be met, and it’s important to check the ExDW before making a decision. Even if your package is on track to arrive on the expected delivery date, it may not reach its destination before then. You can always check the Expected Delivery Window again later to make sure that your package has arrived safely.
You can find the ExDW of your package on the product information page. You can also check the shipping status of your package by comparing the USPS tracking number to the Mail Delivery Standards chart to see when it will arrive. USPS tracking will update you with new information on your package’s status as often as possible. However, expect your package to be delayed by some weather events, natural disasters, and other issues.
International First Class Mail delivery time frame
The USPS is announcing a change to the delivery time of First Class Mail. Most first-class mail will maintain its current delivery time. The remaining 30% will see a change of one or two days, but mail traveling the longest distances may be impacted. USPS will shift its delivery methods to more efficient methods, including air, sea, and ground transportation. USPS is not guaranteeing any specific time for delivery, but the change should be minimal and have little effect on the delivery of your package.
The delivery time of USPS International First Class Mail depends on the destination country. First-class mail delivery time frames vary, but are generally seven to 21 days. Priority mail is a much better choice for international packages. USPS guarantees delivery to more than 180 countries, although delivery times are not always exact. Therefore, you should check the specific delivery time of your package to avoid disappointment. If the package contains a periodical, expect it to take a week or more to arrive.
You should also consider the origin country when calculating the time for your package’s delivery. While USPS aims to deliver your parcel within a week or two, some destinations may be more difficult to reach. Shipping to South Korea, Japan, and the Middle East may take longer than two weeks. And when shipping to Mexico or South America, you may need to use Priority mail or Express mail. If you don’t mind these delays, you’re better off using Priority mail or Express mail international.
