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What Does "Awaiting Shipment" Mean?
31.08.2025

What Does "Awaiting Shipment" Mean?

When you place an order online, you can easily notice the "Awaiting Shipment" status in the tracking system. It makes you wonder what "awaiting shipment" means for your purchase.

Many buyers immediately start worrying: "Why is my order sitting around? Why has the parcel still not been sent?" However, there is no need to worry, because this status is not a harbinger of something bad.

This status indicates an intermediate phase. It occurs after the purchase is placed and before it is shipped. It means that your product has been approved, but it is still in stock. For companies like Meest, which deal with international logistics and shipping, this phase is standard practice. You can coordinate all the steps and send each package carefully and safely.

In addition to confidence, understanding what this point means helps the customer to optimally plan their time and be ready for the next step — transportation. Let's figure out what exactly is hidden behind this phrase and how Meest manages each order at this stage.

What Does "Awaiting Shipment" Mean?

The "Awaiting Shipment" status appears in the system when your box has been checked and payment confirmed. All that remains is to hand the box over to the courier. Thus, this phase indicates that the parcel is in the depot of the logistics company and will soon begin its journey.

At this time, the warehouse employees carefully check all the details:

  • delivery address;
  • customer details;
  • payment method;
  • availability of the goods in the invoice.

And only after all this, the goods begin to be carefully packed so that they are delivered to the address in value and safety.

The integrity of the packaging does not go unnoticed by the employees. They also add all the necessary stickers and documents. After this, the process of preparing to hand over the box to the courier begins.

The warehouse employees check that each item corresponds to the order and then make the appropriate notes in the system. Finally, the box is ready for the next step — the actual cargo.

This time can be called a point between the purchase registration and its actual transportation. It is simply necessary for the box to be delivered without incident from one point to another.

Sometimes at this stage, employees can also contact the customer if they have questions about the order or need clarification about the delivery. Thus, awaiting freight is not just waiting but active preparation and control of each purchase so that the client receives their goods on time and intact.

Why Does the "Awaiting Shipment" Status Occur?

Sometimes customers wonder why this phase delays their order. Different factors can cause the delay. As a rule, they come into contact with such vital points as the organization of logistics and internal depot processes.

In this case, the delay of the parcel may be accompanied by the following reasons:

  • payment verification — sometimes the payment can be delayed, and you need to wait for it;
  • inventory of goods — the warehouse will check each product for availability;
  • preparation for cargo — packing, labeling, and processing all the necessary documents;
  • coordination with the courier — Meest plans the collection of the parcel and optimizes delivery routes;
  • additional checks — customs documents are sometimes required for international orders.

When the logistics company employees successfully pass all stages of checking your parcel, you can move on to the next point — transportation. You should understand that awaiting freight does not mean a problem. On the contrary, it is a standard part of the fulfillment process.

How Long Will It Stay in This Status?

One of the most popular questions from customers is how long does awaiting shipment take. The duration of this phase depends on several factors. They are related to logistics and the processing of your purchase.

Firstly, the type of product is of great importance. Rare or custom items require more time to prepare and pack. Warehouse employees carefully check every detail and ensure the reliability of the cargo. Therefore, such a procedure takes longer than usual.

It is also worth noting that the depot workload affects the speed of the order procedure. During peak periods, such as sales or the holiday season, processing can take more days. At such times, employees work with a large number of parcels simultaneously.

The specifics of the courier service also play a role. The waiting time for parcel collection or optimization of delivery routes can increase the shipment's waiting period.

For international purchases, customs and documentary procedures are an essential factor. Sometimes, additional verification of all papers or approval with customs authorities is required. All this extends the time the purchase stays in the warehouse.

It is important to remember that delays may be related to payment confirmation. If you don’t make the payment on time, it postpones the start of the shipping stage and keeps your order at the awaiting cargo point longer than usual.

In most cases, Meest holds orders at the awaiting freight phase for one to three days. However, there are products where the sender has to wait up to one week. This happens most often when sending unique products. It also happens when making a purchase abroad.

Is "Awaiting Shipment" the Same as "In Transit"?

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Don't confuse waiting for cargo with the fact that the box is already on its way. These are slightly different concepts that can give you the wrong idea about the delivery time. This is just a preparatory stage, during which the order is checked and prepared for shipment.

Before the purchase leaves the depot, it goes through several essential and mandatory steps. Below is the sequence of statuses that each parcel goes through:

  1. Awaiting Shipment. The order is confirmed, the item is in the warehouse, and it is being prepared for cargo.
  2. Picked up. The parcel is with the courier and is being sent to the specified address.
  3. On the way. The purchase is moving along the developed route.
  4. For delivery. The box is ready for delivery to the recipient.
  5. Picked up. The process is completed upon delivery of the box.

Thus, "waiting for delivery" is neither a delay nor transportation. This term refers to the preparatory phase. It is responsible for carefully checking, packaging, and other organizational matters.

What Should You Do If It’s Stuck on "Awaiting Shipment"?

Don't panic if your order stays in this status for too long. This is usually due to logistics or purchase processing. Often, such situations are quickly resolved.

Before you start doing anything, you need to prepare. Get the tracking number, payment date, and product dates. Updates on the site may be delayed due to internal processes.

Contact the seller if the status does not change. Confirm the product's availability and that the payment was successful. If necessary, contact Meest support. The order's location will be determined by the specialists. 

Check the address and contact information several times — there should be no mistakes. Monitor updates — this way, you will be able to understand the situation's true nature and whether it is worth worrying about.

How Meest Handles Shipments at This Stage

Meest has developed a logistics system that makes the awaiting cargo point transparent and controllable. Before shipping, the company performs the following actions:

  1. Checks payments and order confirmation.
  2. Conducts inventory and records of each item in the warehouse.
  3. Prepares for shipping, including packaging and paperwork.
  4. Coordinates with courier services for timely collection.
  5. Updates information for clients — all steps are reflected in the personal account.

Each of these processes allows the client to be confident that the order will be delivered safely and on time.

Conclusion

The awaiting shipment status is an essential phase of purchase fulfillment, which ensures security and control at all points of the process. Understanding what it means and why it sometimes takes several days will help you stay calm and informed.

Meest closely tracks each item, ensures proper packaging, and coordinates with the carrier to ensure that the customer receives the goods on time and in one piece. If your order takes longer than expected, check the status, reach out to support, and confirm the details. In most cases, logistics create the delay, and the team usually solves it fast.

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