What Does “Origin Post Is Preparing Shipment” Mean? (USPS Tracking)

Are you tracking your package with USPS and seeing the message “Origin Post is Preparing Shipment”? You are not alone! Many people become confused when they see this message. What does it mean? What happens next, and how long will it take for your package to arrive at its destination? In this blog post, we will answer all of these questions and more. So read on!
What Does “Origin Post Is Preparing Shipment” Mean?
This is a message that appears when USPS prepares your package for shipment. It can mean that the package is in the process of being picked up from the sender, or it could mean that it is being processed and prepared in the USPS destination facility. To put it simply, it means that your package has not yet been shipped out but is in transition.
Why Am I Seeing the “Origin Post Is Preparing Shipment” Message?
You’re most likely to encounter this message if you’re expecting a package from a foreign country. Since USPS receives updates from overseas postal authorities, they can’t give you an exact timeline on when your package will be delivered. For this reason, USPS created this umbrella term that covers the entire processing period.
You might also receive this message if you’re expecting a package within the US. In that case, it might indicate a delay at the USPS facility. There are multiple reasons why this could happen, so we’ll explain each of them below.
Package Overflow
Depending on the time of year, some USPS facilities may experience a backlog of packages. This is particularly true around the holidays when there are more shipments to process.
In some cases, the facility may be too busy to process your package right away. Some days may be just too hectic for the USPS staff to get everything done. So if you’re experiencing a delay with your package, it might be due to an influx of new shipments.
Missed Arrival Scan
Another possible cause for the “Origin Post Is Preparing Shipment” message is a missed arrival scan. This means that when the package arrived at the facility, it wasn’t scanned in properly. Therefore, the USPS system can’t accurately track its progress and shows this umbrella term instead.
This doesn’t mean, however, that your package is stuck or not moving up the system. On the contrary, it’s likely that your package is still in transit and should arrive soon. It simply means that the USPS system is waiting for an update from the facility before it can assign the package a new status.
Transportation Issues
Lastly, there may be transportation issues that are causing a delay. This could include anything from bad weather to mechanical problems with the truck or plane carrying the package. You can’t predict when these problems will occur, but you can be sure that your package is still on its way.
How Long Do Packages Stay at “Origin Post Is Preparing Shipment”?
It’s really hard to predict how long a package will stay at the “Origin Post Is Preparing Shipment” status. Depending on the package’s origin and destination, it could take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.
In most cases, you can expect your package to arrive within a few days. So, if it’s a delay issue, it shouldn’t take too long and should not cause too much alarm. That said, three to five business days is a fair estimate for most domestic packages.
For international shipments, however, it can take a little longer. Some countries have slower postal services than others, leading to longer shipment times. Nonetheless, packages should arrive within a few weeks at the most.
However, if your package has been stuck at this status for more than a month, you may want to contact the sender or USPS customer service for more information. They should be able to provide you with additional details about your shipment and update you on its progress.
Can I Do Anything About the “Origin Post Is Preparing Shipment” Message?
In general, there’s not much you can do about this message. Since the USPS system is waiting for an update from the facility, all you can do is wait for the package to reach its final destination.
That said, if your package has been stuck at this status for an unusually long time, you may want to contact USPS customer service or the sender for more information. You can call USPS customer service or send them an email. Plus, you can always call your local Post Office for assistance. All these options may help you get the information you need about your package.
Conclusion
So, the “Origin Post Is Preparing Shipment” message indicates that your package is in the process of being prepared at an origin facility. This status is perfectly normal and might not be a reason to worry at all. In most cases, it just means a small delay.
However, if the status hasn’t changed in a long time, it might be best to contact the USPS customer service team. They will be able to provide you with accurate information about the whereabouts of your package and give you an idea of when you can expect your package.