Learn what ‘Pre-Shipment Info Sent to USPS, USPS Awaiting Item’ means on the USPS tracking.
Understanding when and how long your package will reach its destination improves customer experience, reduces uncertainty, and assists e-commerce with efficient inventory and returns management.
Later in this article, I’ll help you understand the current location of your package and when you’ll receive it!
What does ‘Pre-shipment info sent to USPS, USPS awaiting item’ mean?
I will tell you when this tracking message appears for your shipment.
When a shipper wants to send a parcel to the recipient via USPS, they will begin the process by creating a shipment label for the parcel on the USPS website.
The shipper will provide details like return address, delivery address, package weight, dimensions, package value (for insurance), and other information to the USPS while creating the shipping label. These details are known as ‘Pre-shipment info.’
When the shipper chooses ‘Send recipient an email notification’ while creating the shipping label, the recipient gets an email with the message ‘Pre-Shipment Info Sent to USPS, USPS Awaiting Item’ or a similar message.
After the seller creates the shipment label by clicking ‘Print Label,’ it generates a label with a tracking ID.
Scanning the tracking ID shows “Pre-Shipment Info Sent to USPS, USPS Awaiting Item” until the shipper hands it to the nearby USPS post office.
After creating the shipment label, the tracking ID activates, but USPS is still waiting for the parcel to be delivered.
So What does the message ‘Pre-shipment info sent to USPS, USPS awaiting item’ really mean?
The message “Pre-shipment info sent to USPS, USPS awaiting item” means the shipper has notified USPS of the package’s arrival by creating a label on the USPS website, but USPS hasn’t received the package at the post office yet. The shipment is currently with the seller.
How long will it take for the USPS to update this tracking status with a new status message?
It will take 3 working days (72 hours) for the USPS to change the ‘Pre-Shipment Info Sent to USPS, USPS Awaiting Item’ status message with a new status message.
If you see this message for longer than that then it might indicate one of the rare scenarios given below (from #2 to #6).
Rare Scenarios: The status message is not always what it means!
The status message may not always reflect the actual shipment status. Here’s why.
- Rare Scenario #1: The message can appear randomly on the tracking due to gitch.
- Rare Scenario #2: The USPS window clerk has the package but hasn’t scanned it yet; it’s at the post office.
- Rare Scenario #3: The USPS window clerk received the package but hasn’t scanned it but they’ve sent it to the next sorting facility.
- Rare Scenario #4: The seller never shipped your shipment.
- Rare Scenario #5: The package got stolen after arriving at the USPS post office (though rare, it has occurred).
- Rare Scenario #6: The post office doesn’t have your package yet; it’s with shipping partners (the seller has given it to the shipping partner). They collect packages and deliver them to your local post office’s dock, which may slightly delay delivery but is cost-effective. The post office then takes care of delivering your package to your address.
The message ‘Pre-shipment info sent, USPS awaiting item’ can appear on the tracking status because of a glitch.
Wait a moment! Didn’t you say ‘Pre-Shipment Info Sent to USPS, USPS Awaiting Item’ is supposed to appear after the shipper creates the label when the package is still in their possession? Why does it show up after being accepted and processed at the USPS facility?
It’s a glitch, I promise! Sometimes, ‘Pre-Shipment Info Sent to USPS, USPS Awaiting Item’ pops up like a surprise party thrown by the tracking system – completely unexpected and totally uninvited.
Like a magician’s disappearing act – it will clear up at the next USPS scan, just like magic!
The USPS clerk has the package but hasn’t scanned it
Sometimes, USPS clerks may take time to scan received shipments from sellers, causing delays in the new tracking status.
Your shipment is in transit to the next sorting facility without scanning at the PO
In rare cases, the shipment may travel to its destination without being scanned at the post office.
The seller never shipped your shipment
If the seller never shipped your item even after several days then this message will just stay there!
Ask your seller whether he actually shipped your package or not. And ask for the necessary proofs and details.
Your package got stolen or lost
This is a rare one but it does happen. Someone at the post office might have stolen the package.
If this is the case then the seller has to bear the cost.
Won’t the shipping insurance cover the cost? It won’t in this scenario!
Why? Since the status message is ‘Pre-Shipment Info Sent to USPS, USPS Awaiting Item’, which means that the package is with the seller and USPS hasn’t received it yet (even though the seller had delivered it to the USPS), the insurance will not be applicable to the item.
Key Takeaways:
The message “Pre-Shipment Info Sent, USPS Awaiting Item” indicates the seller is yet to hand over the package to the USPS post office.
But the actual condition of the package may be different.