Online shopping has created a demand for real-time visibility into the journey of a product. This constant flow of updates, known as order tracking, is designed to reduce customer uncertainty between the moment of purchase and final delivery. Understanding the precise terminology used in these status updates is important for interpreting a package’s location and anticipating its arrival. The various phases of order fulfillment are communicated through a specific vocabulary that makes the entire shipping process clear.
Defining Order Fulfillment Status
Order fulfillment describes the comprehensive workflow that begins the moment a customer submits an online order and concludes when the physical product reaches their hands. The “status” assigned to an order is a communication tool that translates the complex logistics of this process into a concise, easily digestible update for the consumer. This status provides a snapshot of where the product is within the retailer’s supply chain or the carrier’s network at any given time.
The order status bridges the gap between the retailer’s internal inventory and warehouse management systems and the customer’s expectation of transparency. Internally, a retailer tracks the availability, picking, and packing of the item. The customer-facing status confirms these administrative and physical steps are underway or complete, signaling progression toward shipment. Initial statuses are managed entirely by the merchant, while later statuses are controlled by the third-party shipping company.
The Standard Stages of Order Fulfillment
The standard stages detail the administrative and physical actions the merchant takes to prepare the item for handover to the delivery service. These updates confirm the successful completion of internal steps, moving the order closer to the shipping phase before physical movement begins.
Confirmed/Received
The Confirmed or Received status is the first milestone, indicating the retailer’s system has successfully logged the order and verified payment details. The order data is then routed to the warehouse or fulfillment center. The retailer’s system performs an initial check to confirm the product’s availability in stock, formally accepting the customer’s request.
Processing/In Progress
Once confirmed, the order moves to the Processing or In Progress stage, where physical fulfillment begins in the warehouse. This phase involves a staff member locating the ordered items, a step known as picking. Following the pick, the items are packaged, secured, and often assigned a temporary tracking label.
Ready for Shipment
The Ready for Shipment status signifies that the order is completely packed, sealed, and has the final shipping label affixed, including the official carrier tracking number. The package is physically ready to leave the facility but is awaiting pickup by the designated shipping carrier. This means the retailer has completed all administrative and physical obligations for the order.
Shipped/Fulfillment Complete
The Shipped status is activated when the package has been successfully scanned by the carrier and physically departs the retailer’s facility. At this moment, responsibility for the package transfers from the merchant to the logistics provider. The order is marked as Fulfillment Complete by the retailer, and detailed tracking updates transition entirely to the carrier’s network.
Delivered
The Delivered status is the final update, confirming that the package has reached the address and been successfully handed to the recipient or left in a secure location. This status is typically triggered by a final scan from the delivery driver upon completion of the drop-off. The Delivered update marks the conclusion of the entire order journey.
Understanding Carrier and Transit Statuses
Once the retailer hands the package over, the updates shift entirely to the logistics provider. These statuses describe the physical movement of the goods across the transportation network. They are generated by scans at various points within the carrier’s sorting facilities and vehicles, focusing on the geographical progression of the package.
In Transit
The In Transit status indicates that the package is actively moving within the carrier’s system, traveling between regional sorting hubs or distribution centers. The package is generally on a truck, train, or plane, making its way from the origin point toward the destination city. This status may persist for several days, especially during long-distance or international shipping.
Out for Delivery
When the status changes to Out for Delivery, the package has arrived at the final local distribution facility closest to the recipient’s address. It has been loaded onto a local delivery vehicle and will be delivered to the final destination that day. This status is often accompanied by an estimated time window for arrival, signaling the final leg of the journey.
Delivery Exception
A Delivery Exception is an alert that an unforeseen event has temporarily interrupted the package’s planned transit or delivery schedule. Common causes include incorrect or incomplete addresses, missing customs documentation, or severe weather conditions. This status indicates a deviation from the expected route that requires attention or resolution.
Local Facility Scan
A Local Facility Scan update confirms that the package has been processed at a specific sorting location within the carrier’s network. This is often a regional hub where the package is sorted and routed to the next facility. When this scan occurs at the facility nearest the delivery address, it indicates the package is only one step away from being put on a delivery vehicle.
Exception Statuses and What They Mean
Some statuses represent deviations from the standard fulfillment flow, often signaling a problem or temporary delay. Understanding these exceptions helps manage expectations and determine if customer action is required.
Backordered
A Backordered status means the customer purchased an item that is currently out of stock, but the retailer expects a replenishment shipment soon. The order is placed in a queue, and processing cannot begin until the stock arrives. The retailer is usually able to provide an estimated date for when the item is expected to ship.
Canceled/Refunded
An order may receive a Canceled or Refunded status because the customer initiated the cancellation or the retailer was forced to void the order. Retailer-initiated cancellations typically occur due to payment verification failures or an unexpected inventory discrepancy. In either case, the transaction is reversed, and the order is permanently removed from the fulfillment workflow.
Failed Delivery Attempt
A Failed Delivery Attempt status is logged when the carrier’s driver was unable to complete the delivery on the first attempt. This often happens if the recipient was unavailable to sign for the package, the delivery location was inaccessible, or the driver could not find a safe place to leave the item. The status usually prompts the customer to take action, such as scheduling a redelivery or arranging a pickup at a local carrier facility.
Return Initiated
The Return Initiated status appears after the Delivered status and confirms that the customer has started the process of sending the product back to the retailer. This update is logged when the customer creates a return label or when the carrier scans the item for return shipping. This signals the beginning of the reverse logistics process, where the package moves backward for inspection and refund processing.
What to Do When Your Order Status Stalls
If an order status remains unchanged for an unusually long period, such as “Processing” for more than a few days or “In Transit” with no new scans for a week, it is considered a stall. First, check the estimated delivery window provided at the time of purchase, as processing times can be longer during peak seasons. If the status has been static past the expected range, consult the retailer’s frequently asked questions or tracking page for specific carrier advice. If the stall is within the “In Transit” phase, the shipping carrier is the best resource, as they control the physical movement and can clarify a delay or an unlogged scan. Contacting the retailer’s customer service should be reserved for inquiries the carrier cannot resolve, or if the initial “Processing” phase extends significantly beyond the promised timeframe.