USPS Tracking Status

What "Alert" Means on USPS Tracking

Typical duration
Usually 1 business day for 'Awaiting Delivery Scan'
Normal range
Delivered the next business day, or tracking moves to a new status
When to worry
More than 1 full postal business day passes with no delivery and no new scan

What It Means

USPS tracking sometimes shows a status with the word "Alert" in front of it. Alert does not mean your package is lost. It flags a status that changes the normal delivery plan. What matters is the words after it, such as "Awaiting Delivery Scan", "Forwarded" or "Notice Left".

The most common one is "Alert: Awaiting Delivery Scan". USPS says it means a Delivered scan was not recorded by 9 p.m. local time on the day the package was out for delivery. USPS now expects to deliver it on the next business day. Most packages with this alert arrive the next day.

What To Do Next

  • 1Read the words after 'Alert'. They tell you what happened and what to do.
  • 2Awaiting Delivery Scan: wait one business day. USPS expects to deliver it then.
  • 3If more than 1 full postal business day passes with no delivery, submit a service request to your local Post Office with your tracking number.
  • 4Notice Left or No Access: see the missed delivery steps. Some need you to book a redelivery.
  • 5Sign up for text or email tracking updates, so you see the next scan right away.

Every common USPS alert, and what to do

  • Awaiting Delivery Scan (also 'Delivery Status Not Updated'): no Delivered scan by 9 p.m. on the out-for-delivery day. Expect it the next business day. After 1 full postal business day with no delivery, submit a service request.
  • Forwarded / Forward Processed: going to a new address because of a change of address, or because it was at the wrong Post Office. No action needed.
  • No Access to Delivery Location: the carrier couldn't reach your mailbox or door. USPS tries again the next business day by itself.
  • Notice Left: there was no safe place, or nobody to sign. No automatic retry. Book a redelivery, pick it up, or ask for a return.
  • Insufficient Address / No Such Number: the address is wrong or incomplete. The package goes back to the sender, who must reship with new postage.
  • Reminder to Schedule Redelivery: the package is waiting at the Post Office. Book a redelivery or pick it up before it goes back.

💡 The word after 'Alert' decides your next step. Only 'Notice Left' and 'Reminder to Schedule Redelivery' need you to act. The others need waiting, or a service request after a full business day.

Why 'Awaiting Delivery Scan' happens

USPS checks each package that went out for delivery. If no Delivered scan is recorded by 9 p.m. local time, tracking switches to this alert. Two common causes: The carrier ran out of time and brought the package back. Or the package was delivered but the final scan was missed.

So check your mailbox, porch and parcel locker before you worry. If nothing has arrived after a full postal business day, that is the point to contact USPS.

How to submit a USPS service request

  1. Wait until more than 1 full postal business day has passed since the alert, with no delivery.
  2. Go to the Email Us page on usps.com and start a service request.
  3. Enter your tracking number, your address and what tracking shows.
  4. USPS sends the request to your local Post Office, which follows up.

If you sent the package

An 'Insufficient Address' or 'No Such Number' alert is the one a sender can prevent. USPS returns the package and you pay new postage to send it again. Check the street number, the apartment or unit number and the ZIP Code before you print. A clear, complete address label is the cheapest fix there is.

Frequently asked questions

What does 'Alert' mean on USPS tracking?
It marks a status that changes the normal delivery plan. It is not a problem by itself. Read the words after it: 'Awaiting Delivery Scan', 'Forwarded', 'Notice Left' and 'No Access to Delivery Location' each mean something different.
What does 'Alert: Awaiting Delivery Scan' mean?
USPS says a Delivered status was not recorded by 9 p.m. local time on the day the package was out for delivery. USPS now expects to deliver it the next business day. The carrier may have run out of time, or the final scan may simply be missing.
Is 'Awaiting Delivery' the last step?
Not quite. It means the package was out for delivery but no Delivered scan was recorded that day. The next step should be a delivery attempt or a Delivered scan, usually the next business day.
What does 'Alert: Forwarded' mean?
The package is going to a different address. USPS says this happens because of a change-of-address request, or because the package reached the wrong Post Office. No action is needed; it is on its way.
When should I contact USPS?
For 'Awaiting Delivery Scan', wait until more than 1 full postal business day has passed with no delivery. Then submit a service request to your local Post Office with your tracking number.
My package says Alert: Notice Left. What do I do?
USPS will not try again by itself for 'Notice Left'. Book a free redelivery with your tracking number, pick it up at the Post Office on the notice, or ask for it to go back to the sender.

Related Tracking Statuses

USPS
Delivery Attempted / Notice Left
USPS
Out for Delivery
USPS
Available for Pickup

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