What Does Shipment Exception Mean?

Shipment delays are always frustrating, as you do not receive your package on time. However, logistics is a complex matter with plenty of challenges that carriers face while delivering packages. Sometimes, the only way you see that your parcel does not arrive on time is by not receiving it on the expected day; in other cases, your order can have a “Shipment Exception” status. But what does shipment exception mean, and how can you deal with it?

In this article, we will take a closer look at what this status really means, when it appears, and what can be done when it is attributed to your parcel. Moreover, you can discover what does shipment exception mean on FedEx, UPS, and Meest.

Why Shipment Exception?

It is an international term showing that an unexpected event happened during shipping, and it disrupted the planned delivery timeline. Still, it is too early to panic when you see such a status update on your order tracking page. It does not necessarily mean that your parcel will not be delivered. This, in fact, depends on the cause that triggered such a status.

The Main Causes: What Can Happen In Transit?

As soon as you know the main reason, you will be able to address the issue efficiently. So, let’s take a look at what can go wrong in the process of delivery.

Weather Delay

Even though they say there is no such thing as bad weather… Well, not for transportation companies. Snow, storms, and hurricanes often impact delivery timelines, as there is little delivery companies can do about adverse weather conditions. Just to keep clients posted about the current status and update it as frequently as possible.

Address Issues

Delivery companies need precision, especially with the recipient’s address. Incorrect or incomplete information for this part can lead to unsuccessful delivery attempts. Thus, clarifications are necessary to ensure a parcel reaches the destination point.

Customs Delays

What is a shipment exception delay at customs, and why does it happen? There are a couple of fair reasons for this, mainly:

• incorrect or incomplete information provided in the customs form;
• missing documents;
• restricted goods;
• unpaid duties or taxes;
• valuation discrepancies;
• security concerns or flagged origin countries.

This list can go on, and it can even include holidays, sales events, or peak shipping seasons that slow down processing.

Delivery Attempt Exceptions

Sometimes, a carrier has done everything to meet the delivery deadline, but the recipient is not available, so the parcel cannot be handed over to them. In such cases, carriers may leave a notice or attempt redelivery.

Operational Delays

Transportation, especially that done overseas, is a complex process. So operational delays in sorting facilities, misrouted packages, or overloaded shipping schedules during peak seasons are not that uncommon.

Mechanical Failures

Vehicles can break down, and equipment malfunctions happen from time to time. Those also can lead to delays and forced shipment exception status.

How to Find Out If There Is a Delay with Your Parcel?

Most reliable carriers like Meest-America, FedEx, or USPS send notifications to keep their clients updated. If, for some reason, you have not received a notification, but your delivery has not arrived on time, you can always use an online tracking platform to see the status of your order or contact customer support for clarification.

Resolving Shipment Exceptions

Knowing what is a shipment exception, and what its causes are, allows you to deal with them effectively. Indeed, the possible actions that you can take to receive your parcel depend on the reasons. They can still be divided into those that depend on the customer and the delivery provider.

How to Ensure Delivery for Customer-Caused Delays

If the cause of the shipment exception is related to address errors, delivery attempts, or certain customs issues, you are the one to ensure that the status changes and the recipient receives a package.

What actions can you take?

1. Contact the customer support of the carrier and provide all the necessary details, including the tracking number of your order. This is the fastest way to discover the reason for the delay.
2. If incorrect details are the reason, then update the carrier with the correct shipping address.
3. If you were not available to pick up the package, request redelivery or pick up the package at the nearest carrier facility.

If those are purchased goods that are shipped, you can also contact a retailer or its fulfillment partner. Businesses rarely provide any help in such a situation, but you can try to receive assistance from them.

What to Do If the Delay Is Caused by Another Reason?

When the cause of the delay is weather-related reasons, issues on the carrier’s side, or clearance at customs, there is not much you can do. Be patient and expect updates from the shipping company.

Package Delivered Damaged: What Is Next?

Damaged packages do not fall under the category of the Package Exception, but most reliable companies deal with it and offer a refund to customers to resolve it. Here is what you might expect:

1. Meest — if no additional insurance has been purchased, the company provides a refund of up to $60. A customer needs to submit a claim and give additional files upon request to receive compensation.
2. USPS — contact USPS customer service immediately to initiate a claim. Be ready to provide additional documentation, like photos of the damaged package and its contents, which is essential for the claim process.
3. FedEx — the process is similar to that in UPS and Meest. File a claim with the required documents and expect the decision of the responsible team.

All three carriers would conduct their own investigation to determine the size of the refund a customer is eligible for.

Conclusion

Understanding shipping exceptions is crucial to not being disturbed and knowing what to do next to ensure you have your package delivered. If some information is incorrect or missing, the parcel will be delivered as soon as the carrier has accurate information. When there are issues on the shipment company side, ensure picking a trustworthy one to make sure that any challenges are met as soon as possible. However, when the weather interferes, just remain patient, as not much can be done.

Still, regardless of the cause, it is rare that a package never reaches the recipient, and most customers get their parcels eventually.

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