Why does USPS Show My Package as Delivered When It Was Just Shipped?

There are a couple of reasons that a USPS tracking number might display a Delivered status, even though the label was just generated a label or shipped. It could be either the USPS assigned a repeated tracking number to that shipment or USPS scanned the shipment incorrectly.

Because of the high volume of shipments sent through USPS, tracking numbers are regularly recycled, typically several months after being used. However, sometimes tracking numbers are recycled much sooner than normal.

Repeated Tracking Numbers

To check if this is the case, please look up the details of the tracking number directly on USPS. Usually, you will see a different destination and delivery time when compared to your label details. There may also be a note in the tracking information stating the label is "Archived."

Any packages shipped with these labels should be delivered with no issue, and will simply be flagged as having duplicate tracking numbers. The tracking information for these packages should be updated in the USPS system within the next couple of days and it is expected to make it to the destination as planned.

The solution to this issue is to wait until the Post Office scans the label, then the tracking information will update accordingly.

USPS Incorrect Scanning

If the tracking information has the correct address, then it is likely a clerical error on the part of the Post Office. If their scanner was set to "Delivered" instead of "Accepted" during the scan, it will update the tracking information with the Delivered status. Unfortunately, this does mean that the tracking number will not update in subsequent scans of the label.

Please understand that this is outside Cahoot’s control. However, a local USPS customer service representative should be able to provide you with updates via their internal tracking database.