--- title: "USPS Awaiting Delivery Scan: what it means | The Reseller Index" description: "USPS's words: out for delivery, but no delivery or notice scan followed. When USPS posts it, which scans prevent it, and what to do as the seller." canonical: https://resellerindex.com/usps/tracking/awaiting-delivery-scan/ last_updated: 2026-10-19 publisher: "The Reseller Index" --- # “Awaiting Delivery Scan”: what USPS tracking means **“Awaiting Delivery Scan” (USPS.com shows “Awaiting Delivery”) means the package was marked Out for Delivery, but no delivery, notice or other scan that closes out the attempt followed.** USPS's event list says within 18 hours of Out for Delivery; its known-issues list says “In PTR, the DX generates between 9pm and 10pm local time.” USPS.com's text: “We now anticipate delivery of your package the next business day. We apologize for the delay.” Quoted from USPS's own tracking documents and help pages, checked Oct 19, 2026. This page covers: “Awaiting Delivery Scan”, “Awaiting Delivery”, “Out for Delivery”, “Out for Redelivery”, “Arrived at Post Office”. ## What USPS says this status means > “We now anticipate delivery of your package the next business day. We apologize for the delay.” The text USPS.com shows for “Awaiting Delivery”: [USPS PTR2 scan event list](https://postalpro.usps.com/mnt/glusterfs/2026-04/PTR2%20Event%20Descriptions_April%202026_final.pdf), event DX, p. 14. Checked Oct 19, 2026. > “An acceptable delivery event (Delivery, notice left, etc.) has not taken place within 18 hours of the Out for Delivery event” USPS's description of “Awaiting Delivery”: [USPS PTR2 scan event list](https://postalpro.usps.com/mnt/glusterfs/2026-04/PTR2%20Event%20Descriptions_April%202026_final.pdf), event DX, p. 14. Checked Oct 19, 2026. USPS's September 2026 known-issues list puts it another way: “Event Code DX is a generated event that occurs when a package is Out for Delivery and does not receive a stop the clock scan.” ([USPS PTR2 known-issues list (v13)](https://postalpro.usps.com/mnt/glusterfs/2026-09/USPS%20PTR2%20API%20Known%20Issues%20v13.pdf), section 2.4) On timing it adds “In PTR, the DX generates between 9pm and 10pm local time.” “In PTR2, the time on the scan could be slightly different.” Its example from the new system reads “PTR2 Awaiting Delivery January 5, 2026 9:00 PM”. So the line usually shows up the same evening, well before 18 hours have passed. USPS files it under “Alert”. In the scan data USPS sends mailers, the same event is labeled “AWAITING DELIVERY SCAN”, so apps that read USPS's scan data may show that wording instead. ## How a package gets to this status *The last steps before delivery, and the lines when one is missed. Source: [USPS PostalPro: PTR2 Domestic Scan Events and Descriptions (April 2026)](https://postalpro.usps.com/mnt/glusterfs/2026-04/PTR2%20Event%20Descriptions_April%202026_final.pdf), checked Oct 19, 2026. Quotes are verbatim, sometimes in part.* | Status line on USPS.com | What USPS.com says | What USPS's event list says it is | | --- | --- | --- | | Arrived at Post Office Preparing for Delivery · event 07, p. 4 | “Your item arrived at the Post Office at TIME on DATE in LOCATION.” | “The item has arrived at the local Post Office on the day indicated and is scheduled for delivery.” … “Usually, if the item arrives before 9:30 am, it will be delivered that day; if after 9:30 am, on the next business day.” | | Out for Delivery Out for Delivery · event OF, p. 17 | “Your item is out for delivery on DATE at TIME in LOCATION.” … “Final distribution to your PO Box is in progress as of TIME on DATE in LOCATION.” | “the employee indicating that the item will go out that day, next day, Sunday, or holiday.” … “may also include the expected delivery date, an expected delivery time window or an expected delivery by end of day time.” | | Out for Redelivery Out for Delivery · event 59, p. 10 | “Your item is out for redelivery on DATE at TIME in LOCATION.” | “A physical scan event stating that the article has left the delivery office with a carrier, and delivery is intended on that day.” … “This scan is generally used for items that are being redelivered (following a failed first attempt).” | | Awaiting Delivery Alert · event DX, p. 14 | “We now anticipate delivery of your package the next business day. We apologize for the delay.” | “An acceptable delivery event (Delivery, notice left, etc.) has not taken place within 18 hours of the Out for Delivery event” | | Rescheduled to Next Delivery Day Alert · event 71, p. 11 | “We apologize we are unable to attempt delivery of your item on DATE in LOCATION due to an unforeseen operational issue.” … “Your item will go out for delivery on the next delivery day.” | “The local post office has indicated that there is a delay impacting the delivery of the item.” | Words in capitals (TIME, DATE, LOCATION and so on) are USPS's placeholders; the real tracking page fills them in. - **Arrived at Post Office:** “Usually, if the item arrives before 9:30 am, it will be delivered that day; if after 9:30 am, on the next business day.” - **Out for Delivery** is usually set by “the employee indicating that the item will go out that day, next day, Sunday, or holiday.” The line “may also include the expected delivery date, an expected delivery time window or an expected delivery by end of day time.” - **Out for Redelivery** is a physical scan: “A physical scan event stating that the article has left the delivery office with a carrier, and delivery is intended on that day.” “This scan is generally used for items that are being redelivered (following a failed first attempt).” ## Which scans prevent it USPS's known-issues list says Awaiting Delivery is generated when an out-for-delivery package “does not receive a stop the clock scan”, and USPS's PTR2 list marks every event “Stop the Clock” yes or no. So a “yes” line after Out for Delivery heads off Awaiting Delivery; a “no” line doesn't. *The “Stop the Clock Event?” column of USPS's PTR2 list for the lines a package can get on its delivery day. Source: [USPS PostalPro: PTR2 Domestic Scan Events and Descriptions (April 2026)](https://postalpro.usps.com/mnt/glusterfs/2026-04/PTR2%20Event%20Descriptions_April%202026_final.pdf), checked Oct 19, 2026.* | Status line | Category | Stop the Clock? | | --- | --- | --- | | Out for Delivery event OF, p. 17 | Out for Delivery | No | | Out for Redelivery event 59, p. 10 | Out for Delivery | No | | Delivered event 01, p. 1 | Delivered | Yes | | Delivered, In/At Mailbox event 01, p. 1 | Delivered | Yes | | Delivered, Front Door/Porch event 01, p. 1 | Delivered | Yes | | Delivered, Parcel Locker event 01, p. 1 | Delivered | Yes | | Delivered, Left with Individual event 01, p. 1 | Delivered | Yes | | Delivered, Front Desk/Reception/Mail Room event 01, p. 1 | Delivered | Yes | | Delivered to Agent for Final Delivery event 60, p. 10 | Delivered to Agent | Yes | | Notice Left event 02, p. 2 | Delivery Attempt: Action Needed | Yes | | Notice Left (Receptacle Full/Item Oversized) event 54, p. 2 | Delivery Attempt: Action Needed or Delivery Attempt | Yes | | Notice Left (No Secure Location Available) event 55, p. 3 | Delivery Attempt: Action Needed or Delivery Attempt | Yes | | Notice Left (No Authorized Recipient Available) event 56, p. 3 | Delivery Attempt: Action Needed or Delivery Attempt | Yes | | No Access to Delivery Location event 30, p. 7 | Alert | Yes | | Redelivery Scheduled for Next Business Day event 51, p. 9 | Delivery Attempt | Yes | | Held at Post Office, At Customer Request event 52, p. 9 | Delivery Attempt | Yes | | Delivery Delay, Local Weather Issue event 57, p. 9 | Alert | Yes | | Delivery Delay, Animal Interference event 72, p. 11 | Alert | Yes | | Rescheduled to Next Delivery Day event 70, p. 11 | Alert | Yes | | Refused event 04, p. 3 | Alert | Yes | | Rescheduled to Next Delivery Day event 71, p. 11 | Alert | No | | Awaiting Delivery event DX, p. 14 | Alert | No | Two rows share the line “Rescheduled to Next Delivery Day”, and the sentence under it tells them apart. When it says the item was “returned to the Post Office for address verification”, that is event 70, marked “Yes”; when it cites “an unforeseen operational issue”, that is event 71, marked “No”. The weather (event 57) and animal (event 72) delays are both marked “Yes”. More on those lines: [Delivery Attempted](https://resellerindex.com/usps/tracking/delivery-attempted/). ## Worked example Tracking shows “Out for Delivery” at 7:42 AM on Tuesday, Nov 17, 2026. By evening there is no delivery, notice or other “Stop the Clock” scan. By USPS's known-issues list, “Awaiting Delivery” posts that night, between 9 and 10 PM local time in USPS's older system (around 9:00 PM in its PTR2 example), not 18 hours later. USPS's text then says it expects delivery the next business day: Wednesday, Nov 18, 2026. - If it still hasn't come by the end of Wednesday, Nov 18, 2026, call USPS's tracking line or the Post Office; if you mailed it on Monday, Nov 2, 2026, a Missing Mail search has been open to you since Nov 9, 2026. - If it shows “Delivered” the next day but the buyer can't find it, see [Delivered](https://resellerindex.com/usps/tracking/delivered/). ## Edge cases - **It may already be there.** USPS's description says only that “An acceptable delivery event (Delivery, notice left, etc.) has not taken place within 18 hours of the Out for Delivery event”; it doesn't say whether the package was delivered. - **The time on the line isn't when anything happened.** DX is generated by USPS's system ([USPS PTR2 known-issues list (v13)](https://postalpro.usps.com/mnt/glusterfs/2026-09/USPS%20PTR2%20API%20Known%20Issues%20v13.pdf), section 2.4), so its time is when the system posted it, not a scan by the carrier. - **USPS lists this event among its open PTR2 issues.** Its September 2026 known-issues list includes “Multiple issues with DX events generating correctly” for event DX ([USPS PTR2 known-issues list (v13)](https://postalpro.usps.com/mnt/glusterfs/2026-09/USPS%20PTR2%20API%20Known%20Issues%20v13.pdf), section 2.1, "Event Code Discrepancies"). Treat “Awaiting Delivery” as a reason to check, not as proof: look for a later scan and ask the buyer before you act. - **Operational delays look similar:** “Rescheduled to Next Delivery Day” reads “We apologize we are unable to attempt delivery of your item on DATE in LOCATION due to an unforeseen operational issue.” - **PO Box deliveries** show “Final distribution to your PO Box is in progress as of TIME on DATE in LOCATION.” in place of out for delivery. ## What to do as the seller 1. **Give it the next business day.** That is when USPS's own text says it now expects delivery. 2. **Ask the buyer to check** the mailbox, porch and mail room before you open anything with USPS. 3. **If it still hasn't come:** To ask USPS about a tracking number, call **1-800-222-1811** (the number in [DMM 503.1.8](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/503.htm)); the Customer Care Center is **1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777)**, Monday to Friday 8 AM to 8:30 PM ET; Saturday 8 AM to 6 PM ET ([USPS, Contact Us](https://www.usps.com/help/contact-us.htm)). Before you call: “The tracking information available to customer service representatives is the same information you will see on USPS Tracking.” 4. **From 7 days after mailing:** “Missing Mail search requests can be submitted starting 7 days from mailing.” ([USPS, Find Missing Mail](https://www.usps.com/help/missing-mail.htm), "How to Start Your Search", step 2) Start it on [USPS's Missing Mail form](https://missingmail.usps.com/). ## On selling platforms Mercari's help page on delayed packages lists these first steps for buyers: “Look for an attempted delivery notice.” “Wait up to 48 hours, since some packages may show as delivered while still in transit.” ([Mercari, delayed, missing or returned packages](https://www.mercari.com/us/help_center/article/6001/), "Package hasn't updated or appears delayed") For orders shipped without a Mercari label: “If you shipped on your own, contact the carrier to check the delivery status. Mercari may not be able to assist without proof of tracking or delivery.” ([Mercari, delayed, missing or returned packages](https://www.mercari.com/us/help_center/article/6001/), "Package hasn't updated or appears delayed") From each platform's own help pages, checked Oct 19, 2026. Rules differ by platform and change; check the platform's page before you act. ## Questions ### Does “Awaiting Delivery Scan” mean it was delivered? Not necessarily. USPS's description: “An acceptable delivery event (Delivery, notice left, etc.) has not taken place within 18 hours of the Out for Delivery event”. It doesn't say whether the package was delivered. ### Will it come tomorrow? USPS's text says “We now anticipate delivery of your package the next business day.” ### When does “Awaiting Delivery” show up? Usually the evening of the delivery day. USPS's known-issues list says “In PTR, the DX generates between 9pm and 10pm local time.” and “In PTR2, the time on the scan could be slightly different.” The event list's own description gives 18 hours from Out for Delivery as the limit. ### Why is it an Alert? USPS files the event under its “Alert” status category. See [Alert](https://resellerindex.com/usps/tracking/alert/) for the other events there. ### What is the difference between “Out for Delivery” and “Out for Redelivery”? Event 59 is a physical scan as the carrier leaves the office with the package. USPS adds: “This scan is generally used for items that are being redelivered (following a failed first attempt).” ## Related tracking statuses - [Delivered](https://resellerindex.com/usps/tracking/delivered/) A delivery scan recorded where and when USPS left it; the words after “Delivered,” say where. - [Delivery Attempted](https://resellerindex.com/usps/tracking/delivery-attempted/) For no access, a closed business, weather or an animal, USPS says it will try again with no action needed. - [Notice Left](https://resellerindex.com/usps/tracking/notice-left/) The carrier tried, couldn’t deliver, and left a notice; the recipient has to schedule redelivery or pick it up. [All 11 tracking statuses](https://resellerindex.com/usps/tracking/) · [Claims, refunds and extra services](https://resellerindex.com/usps/services/) · [USPS delivery times](https://resellerindex.com/usps/delivery-times/) · [Media Mail rates](https://resellerindex.com/rates/media-mail/) ## How we checked this The status lines, the sentences under them and their meanings are quoted from the [PTR2 Domestic Scan Events and Descriptions](https://postalpro.usps.com/mnt/glusterfs/2026-04/PTR2%20Event%20Descriptions_April%202026_final.pdf) list USPS posted on PostalPro on Apr 27, 2026, which gives, for each tracking event, the line and sentence USPS.com shows, its status category and USPS's own description. Renames come from USPS's [PTR Modernization overview](https://postalpro.usps.com/mnt/glusterfs/2026-05/USPS%20PTR%20Modernization%20Overview%20external%20version%2014.pdf); rules and deadlines from usps.com and the Domestic Mail Manual. USPS's tracking FAQ on faq.usps.com loads only with JavaScript, so it isn't quoted. We read every source on Oct 19, 2026 and say nothing about a status that USPS doesn't. ## Sources Each official page below was read on Oct 19, 2026. - [USPS PostalPro: PTR2 Domestic Scan Events and Descriptions (April 2026)](https://postalpro.usps.com/mnt/glusterfs/2026-04/PTR2%20Event%20Descriptions_April%202026_final.pdf) - [USPS PostalPro: Product Tracking & Reporting (PTR) Modernization overview, version 14](https://postalpro.usps.com/mnt/glusterfs/2026-05/USPS%20PTR%20Modernization%20Overview%20external%20version%2014.pdf) - [USPS PostalPro: USPS PTR2 API Known Issues, version 13 (Sept 1, 2026)](https://postalpro.usps.com/mnt/glusterfs/2026-09/USPS%20PTR2%20API%20Known%20Issues%20v13.pdf) - [USPS Domestic Mail Manual 503: Extra Services (USPS Tracking, insurance, Certificate of Mailing)](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/503.htm) - [USPS: Contact Us](https://www.usps.com/help/contact-us.htm) - [USPS: Find Missing Mail](https://www.usps.com/help/missing-mail.htm) - [Mercari Help Center: What to do if your package is delayed, missing, or returned](https://www.mercari.com/us/help_center/article/6001/) - [USPS PostalPro: PTR2 scan event list download page (posted Apr 27, 2026)](https://postalpro.usps.com/product-tracking-and-reporting/PTR2-Domestic-Scan-Events-and-Descriptions) Subscribe: https://resellerindex.com/subscribe/ --- The Reseller Index Researched and drafted with AI assistance from each platform's and carrier's own published pages. A full-time reseller runs The Reseller Index and will edit every newsletter issue once the newsletter starts. Every number links to its source and carries the date we checked it. Spot an error? [Tell us](https://resellerindex.com/corrections/) and we'll fix it in the public corrections log. General information, not tax, legal or financial advice. Not affiliated with or endorsed by eBay, Amazon, Mercari, Poshmark, Depop, Whatnot, Etsy, TikTok Shop, USPS, the IRS or the software companies whose prices we track; their names belong to them. Each page shows the date its own rates were last checked. Sponsored placements are always labeled "Sponsored". © 2026 The Reseller Index. No trackers, no ad cookies.