My tracking hasn't updated in several days. Is this normal?Updated 2 months ago

Quick Answer

Yes, tracking gaps of 2-3 days are completely normal, especially between carrier facilities, over weekends, and in rural areas. Your package is likely still moving even without scan updates. However, if tracking shows no updates for 7+ days (or 5+ days stuck on "Label Created"), contact the carrier to investigate.

Why Tracking Updates Stop

Tracking updates depend on packages being scanned at various points during transit. Several normal circumstances can cause gaps in these scans.

Normal Scenarios (Not Concerning)

1. Transit Between Carrier Facilities

Packages travel hundreds of miles between major carrier hubs without intermediate scans. Your package may show "In Transit" from a facility in one state and not update again until it arrives at the next facility 1-3 days later. This is completely normal - the package is moving, just not being scanned.

2. Weekend and Holiday Delays

Most carrier sorting facilities have reduced operations on Saturdays and Sundays. If your package is in transit over a weekend, you may see no updates from Friday evening until Monday morning. Similarly, packages in transit during holidays may not be scanned until regular operations resume.

3. Rural Area Deliveries

Packages heading to rural locations often have fewer scan points between the origin and final delivery. A package might leave a major city facility and not be scanned again until it reaches the local rural delivery depot 2-4 days later. This extended gap is normal for remote destinations.

4. International Customs

If your package is being delivered to Canada or internationally, it may sit in customs for 2-5 days with no tracking updates. Customs processing doesn't generate tracking scans. Once customs clearance completes, tracking will update to show the package in the destination country's postal system.

5. Freight Shipments

Large equipment shipped via freight carriers shows much less frequent tracking updates than standard shipping. Freight packages commonly stay at "Picked Up" status for 3-5 business days without additional scans. This is normal - freight carriers scan less frequently, and the carrier will contact you directly to schedule delivery.

When Normal Becomes Concerning

While gaps of 2-3 days are normal, longer periods without updates may indicate an issue.

Contact the carrier if:

• 7+ days without updates (continental US standard shipping)
• 5+ days stuck on "Label Created" (carrier likely never picked up package)
• 10+ days without updates (international shipments)
• Tracking shows "Exception" or "Delay" status
• Estimated delivery date passed with no delivery or update

What Causes Extended Delays

Carrier never picked up package (most common long delay):

Sometimes a shipping label is created but the carrier doesn't actually pick up the package from our warehouse on schedule. This leaves tracking stuck on "Order Received" or "Label Created" for many days. After 5 business days in this status, contact our support team to investigate with the warehouse.

Package misrouted or missorted:

Rarely, packages get sorted onto the wrong truck or sent to the wrong facility. This can add 3-7 days to delivery time and cause extended periods without tracking updates while the carrier reroutes the package.

Weather events:

Severe weather (hurricanes, blizzards, floods) can halt carrier operations for days. Your tracking may show no updates during these periods. Once weather clears, tracking will resume with possible "Exception - Weather Delay" messages.

Damaged or unreadable barcode:

If your shipping label gets damaged, carriers can't scan it automatically. The package requires manual processing, which delays tracking updates and delivery. The carrier may eventually update tracking with "Exception - Label Issue" or similar.

Lost in carrier system:

In rare cases, packages genuinely get lost in a carrier facility. If tracking shows no movement for 10+ days, the carrier will need to conduct a trace to physically locate the package.

What to Do If Tracking Hasn't Updated

Wait the appropriate timeframe first:

• 2-3 days: Normal, no action needed
• 4-6 days: Still likely normal, monitor daily
• 7+ days: Time to investigate

Check the last tracking status:

• "In Transit": Package is moving but between scan points (normal up to 5 days)
• "Label Created": Stuck at this status for 5+ days means carrier never picked up (contact support)
• "Picked Up": Freight shipment = normal; standard shipping for 5+ days = investigate
• "Departed Facility": Normal for 3-4 days; concerning after 7 days

Contact the carrier first (for standard shipping):

The carrier has the most detailed information about your package location. Contact them to request a package trace:

• UPS: 1-800-742-5877 or ups.com
• FedEx: 1-800-463-3339 or fedex.com
• DHL: 1-800-225-5345 or dhl.com

The carrier will:

• Trace your package through their system
• Identify the last physical scan location
• Investigate delays and provide updated delivery estimates
• Open a lost package claim if necessary

Contact CENTR support if:

• Tracking stuck on "Label Created" for 5+ business days (indicates carrier never picked up from warehouse)
• Order placed 2+ weeks ago and still no tracking at all
• Carrier trace finds no record of package
• Carrier confirms package is lost

Provide this information when contacting us:

• Order number (#XXXX-C)
• Tracking number and carrier name
• Last tracking status and date
• Result of carrier investigation (if you contacted them first)

Freight Shipment Expectations

If you ordered large equipment, tracking behavior is different:

Normal freight tracking pattern:

1. "Label Created" or "Tendered" (day 0)
2. "Picked Up" (day 1-3)
3. Status may not change for 5-10 days
4. "Out for Delivery" appears on scheduled appointment date

Don't worry if: Freight tracking shows no updates for a week. The freight carrier will call you directly to schedule delivery - this phone call is your real indicator that delivery is approaching, not tracking updates.

Do worry if: It's been 2+ weeks since "Picked Up" status and the carrier hasn't called to schedule delivery. Contact the freight carrier directly using the tracking website contact information.

International Tracking Gaps

Shipping to Canada or internationally creates longer normal gaps:

• Package scanned as leaving US facility
• No updates for 3-7 days during international transit and customs
• Next update appears when entering destination country postal system
• Delivery within 2-5 days of that update

Total time without updates can be 5-10 days for international orders. This is normal.

Preventing Anxiety About Tracking Gaps

Focus on the estimated delivery date: This is more reliable than tracking frequency. If the estimated delivery date hasn't passed, your package is progressing normally even with scan gaps.

Understand carrier scanning patterns: Carriers don't scan at every single location. Long-haul trucks and planes between facilities may not have scanners. Your package travels many miles between scans.

Remember that no news is usually good news: Packages that encounter real problems typically generate "Exception" or "Delay" tracking statuses. A package showing "In Transit" with no updates is likely progressing normally.

Still Need Help?

If your tracking hasn't updated in 7+ days, or you're concerned about your package location, we're here to help.

Contact us at [email protected] with:

• Order number (#XXXX-C)
• Tracking number and carrier name
• Last tracking status and the date it showed that status
• Whether you've already contacted the carrier

We'll investigate with our warehouse and carrier partners to locate your package and get you an updated delivery timeline.