What Does “Acceptance Pending” on a USPS Tracking Page Mean?

PDF download Download Article
Learn what this status means and when you'll get your mail
PDF download Download Article

You just shipped out a package with USPS and go to check the tracking status. Huh, that’s weird. It says “Package Acceptance Pending”—what does that mean? “Package Acceptance Pending” is a common USPS tracking status that means the package is in a USPS truck or facility but hasn’t been sorted yet. Read on to learn more about this tracking status and what you can do about it.

Things You Should Know

  • “Package Acceptance Pending” means that USPS received your package, but it hasn't been scanned or sorted yet.
  • A “package acceptance pending” status is a good sign because it means that USPS has your package. Your mail will most likely still arrive on time.
  • If a package has a “Package Acceptance Pending” status for over 2 days, contact USPS Customer Service for assistance.
Section 1 of 5:

What does “Package Acceptance Pending” mean?

PDF download Download Article
  1. This is a common occurrence when shipping packages with USPS. If you check your package’s shipping status and it says “Package Acceptance Pending,” it means that the package was taken by USPS but is waiting to be shipped out. This status update is typically the first one you’ll get after sending out a package as the sender. The status will change to “Accepted” once the package is sorted and scanned by a USPS facility and shipped out. [1]
    • You may see this status if your package arrived in a larger bundle of mail, but hasn't been scanned or entered into the tracking system individually yet.
    2. Advertisement
Section 2 of 5:

Will your package be delayed if the acceptance is pending?

PDF download Download Article
  1. It's not uncommon for a package or piece of mail to get physically distributed, even if it hasn't been scanned individually by USPS yet. This means it may be well on its way to delivery, even with the "package acceptance pending" status. Monitor your package's tracking status for updates and contact USPS Customer Service if the status hasn't updated after 2 days.
    • If you're worried about valuable or important outgoing mail going missing or getting damaged, consider purchasing shipping insurance. [2]
Section 3 of 5:

What to Do If the Package Acceptance Is Pending

PDF download Download Article
  1. The best thing you can do when dealing with a “Package Acceptance Pending” status is to keep a watchful eye on the tracking. [3] If the status doesn’t change within 48 hours, contact USPS at 1 (800) 275-8777 . [4]
    • Find your package’s tracking number on your shipping receipt or email confirmation. Then, enter the number into the USPS Tracking Page .
  2. USPS receives thousands of packages a day, and things can unexpectedly get delayed. So, if you see a “Package Acceptance Pending” status on your package, don’t panic. Take a deep breath and know it’ll likely update within 48 hours.
    3. Advertisement
Section 4 of 5:

When will you get a tracking status?

PDF download Download Article
  1. It’s not abnormal for it to take around 2 days for a status to pop up on your package’s tracking. USPS gets a lot of packages, so patience is key. If it takes more than 15 days to receive any status update, contact USPS for personalized assistance at 1 (800) 275-8777 . [5]
    • Ultimately, “Package Acceptance Pending” is a good status. If your package doesn’t have any status even after a few days of shipping it out, it may be lost or stolen.
    • The best way to stay on top of your package’s status is to apply for USPS’s shipping insurance. This way, you’ll be covered if your package is stolen or lost. [6]
Section 5 of 5:

How long does it take USPS to accept a package?

PDF download Download Article
  1. Most of the time, packages sent through USPS are received and processed within the first 24 hours of mailing. However, in rare cases, it can take as long as 14 days. [7] This is typically due to unforeseen circumstances, such as severe weather conditions, vehicle breakdowns, or company strikes. [8]
    2. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Address a Letter
      How to
      Know How Many Stamps to Use
      How to
      Address to a PO Box
      How to
      Get a Tracking Number
      Can I Pick Up My USPS Package Before Delivery? Your Questions Answered!
      How to
      Stop Mail for Previous Residents
      How to
      Send Certified Mail (USA)
      How to
      Reactivate a Disabled USPS Account & Why It Was Disabled
      How to
      Contact the United States Postal Service: Customer Support & More
      How to
      Contact FedEx
      A Simple Guide to Getting a Free USPS PO Box
      How to
      Pick a Mailbox Lock
      How to
      Mail a Postcard
      What if USPS Says Your Package Was Delivered but You Never Got It?
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://faq.usps.com/articles/FAQ/Where-is-my-package?r=6&ui-force-components-controllers-recordGlobalValueProvider.RecordGvp.getRecord=1#SHIPMENT_RECEIVED_ACCEPTANCE_PENDING
      2. ↑ https://faq.usps.com/s/article/What-is-Insurance
      3. ↑ https://faq.usps.com/articles/FAQ/Where-is-my-package?r=6&ui-force-components-controllers-recordGlobalValueProvider.RecordGvp.getRecord=1#SHIPMENT_RECEIVED_ACCEPTANCE_PENDING
      4. ↑ https://faq.usps.com/s/article/How-to-find-your-tracking-number#where_find_tracking_number
      5. ↑ https://www.usps.com/help/contact-us.htm
      6. ↑ https://www.usps.com/ship/insurance-extra-services.htm
      7. ↑ https://faq.usps.com/s/article/Delayed-Mail-and-Packages#check_mail_delivery_standards
      8. ↑ https://www.hollingsworthllc.com/common-reasons-for-delayed-deliveries/

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 17,951 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement