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Shipment Status Terms Explained: Complete Courier Tracking Guide

June 08, 2026
Manas
 International courier tracking showing shipment status updates from pickup to delivery

Whether you are sending that critical paper or sending off that birthday present or bundle to another land, the right information on delivery updates will remove much of your tension! Every day, thousands of clients make use of consignment following and worldwide courier tracking solutions to track down bundles that have been dispatched anywhere in the globe.

But often most customers are utterly confused when attempting to figure out their tracking details for the next terms; to illustrate, in transit meaning, to be out for delivery meaning, or at the hold-up of custom-made, held at the customs meaning.

This easy guidebook gives an explanation of the major international courier tracking phrases, so that you know exactly what to do.


How Do You Understand If a Package Deal Comes Under 'In Transit'?

The consignment number is only for a unique supply from the courier organization, and is provided to the package deal by it, allowing them to determine and monitor the provision in the method of logistics.

It implies that the supply or a box of things has been shipped to a specific client of the courier enterprise.

With your consignment tracking number, it is possible to monitor the progress of your package until it reaches its location.


How Do You Know If Your Consignment or Parcel Has an AWB Number?

Many buyers inquire about what the AWB is, which could also be referred to as an air waybill number. It applies to your cargo or to worldwide courier products and solutions.

This acts as your journey document and helps courier corporations take care of and monitor it while it travels from one location to another.

By tracking your AWB, you could trace your courier with an AWB number, on the web at the courier's website, to find out the updates on your shipment.


How to Track Your Courier

For those wondering how to track a courier or how to track an international courier, simply go to the courier’s tracking web page. Insert the courier tracking number or the AWB number to get a real-time update on the shipment status, progress, customs issues, or anticipated delivery.

Whether you are trying to track my parcel domestically or need to track an international parcel from overseas, your consignment number/awb number is the only reference you need.


Shipment Picked Up Meaning

The " shipment picked up " status signifies that the courier company has successfully retrieved your parcel from the sender. Following pickup, your parcel will undergo a sorting procedure before it begins its transit towards its final destination.


Dispatched Meaning

Many people search for the dispatched meaning after booking their consignment.

Dispatched simply means that the parcel has left the first sorting location and is now en route to the next hub, airport or transit centre. It has commenced its transit towards its ultimate destination, but has not quite yet arrived there. Often, various courier companies will use the term 'shipped' similarly.


What Does In Transit Mean?

The most commonly seen tracking update is in transit. A package in transit implies that the shipment is moving between the courier’s facilities, whether by road, air or any other approved transportation method, towards the delivery region.

In most scenarios, In Transit just indicates that the shipment is moving normally between couriers and has yet to enter the local delivery stage.


In Transit to Next Facility

In Transit to the next facility, meaning that the parcel has left one courier hub or sort centre and is travelling to the next one on the route before heading towards your city.

This is completely normal, especially if the consignment is an overseas one.


Out for Pickup Meaning

The status out for pickup means a courier agent has been designated to go and pick up your parcel from the sender’s address.


Out for Delivery Meaning

The status out for delivery indicates that your parcel has arrived at the final delivery station and is assigned to the delivery courier who will deliver it to the recipient’s address. Customers looking up their delivery are commonly wondering if the delivery is to be made today.

In most cases, it should be; however, various external factors, such as traffic, the weather, or the recipient being unable to receive the parcel, may result in it being scheduled for delivery on the next working day.


Delivery Attempted Meaning

The status delivery attempted meaning refers to a scenario whereby the delivery courier successfully reached the customer’s address but was unable to make the delivery.

The common reasons for this include:

  • Customer unavailable
  • Inaccurate address
  • Unattended location
  • The delivery executive is unable to reach the customer
  • Typically, the courier company will re-attempt the delivery.

Customs Clearance Meaning

For an international consignment, customs clearance is one of the most significant tracking updates. For a parcel to pass across international borders, customs officials in the country of destination must inspect and screen it. During this process, customs agents check shipping documentation, declarations of value, parcel contents, and import regulations to confirm their eligibility for onward delivery.


Shipment On Hold Meaning

On occasion, customers will see an update shipment on hold or shipment on hold, meaning. This means the package has been placed on hold momentarily while something is sorted out or investigated.

This can happen for several reasons:

  • Pending customs check or payment
  • Delay with airline operations
  • Operational or process checks
  • Bad weather
  • Additional verification or clarification needed

Held at Customs Meaning

Being told you're being held at customs does not always mean there’s an issue. This status signifies that customs officers need to further examine the consignment, request more documentation, assess any taxes, or review certain regulations prior to the package can proceed. Once the process with customs has been completed. The shipment will resume towards its destination.


Arrived at Destination Meaning

Arriving at the destination means confirming your shipment has entered the country of its final destination and/or the final delivery facility. After this, the package may proceed to customs (if not cleared already) or enter the local delivery infrastructure to await final delivery.


Delivery Exception Meaning

A delivery exception occurs when something unexpected happens during transit that delays or diverts your package from the normal delivery schedule. It includes common issues such as a missed customs inspection, address errors, inclement weather, or unexpected delivery vehicle delays.

Most of these exceptions are resolved once the cause has been addressed.


Undelivered Meaning and Return to Origin

If your parcel is reported as undelivered, it means the courier attempted to deliver it but was unsuccessful. Should the delivery of your parcel not be successful after several attempts, your package could be returned to the sender and have an RTO meaning in courier, or, in simple words, “return to origin”.


Proof of Delivery

The ‘delivered’ meaning indicates that your parcel has been handed to the recipient. The proof of delivery, or POD, meaning in courier, is usually provided once the shipment has been completed; this could be in the form of a digital document or even a physical paper, with the recipient's signature and full name.


Atlantic International Express

Being one of the leading providers of international express delivery, Atlantic International Express offers the best international courier tracking available in the industry.

No matter if you need to send international documents, medicines, gifts, or commercial items/personal belongings overseas, we will assign a dedicated courier tracking number or AWB number for each of your shipments.

With our advanced technology, you can now:

  • Use our courier tracking portal easily at any time after your order is booked.
  • Conveniently track my parcel with either your AWB or consignment number.
  • Gain real-time visibility of your international parcel tracking from pick-up until delivery.
  • Receive up-to-date and on-time delivery status.
  • Count on efficient assistance with customs clearance meaning processes and paperwork.
  • View the proof of delivery for each delivered item.

Our skilled logistics specialists are committed to ensuring maximum visibility and security for your package, as well as providing complete assistance for all of your shipment needs.


In Summary

It's very reassuring to understand your domestic and international shipping courier tracking updates. For example, shipment picked up meaning, dispatched meaning, shipment on hold meaning, package in transit, shipment on hold meaning, held at customs meaning, out for delivery and delivered meaning, each signifies a natural part of your shipment's journey. 

Track your package with the shipment, AWB, or courier tracking number. Choose a reliable international courier company such as Atlantic International Express for shipment tracking, customs clearances, and fast, global shipping.


Frequently Asked Questions

On the website, enter the courier tracking number or AWB number into the international courier tracking portal to get the latest update about your shipment.

It means that the shipment is going from one sorting centre to another, be it an airport or transit hub, and is now moving to its destination. In transit meaning.

Usually, yes. It means your parcel is with the delivery executive and will reach its destination on the same day. Out for delivery means.

When the customs department is checking shipment papers or doing necessary verification, in these situations we often see the “held at customs” held at customs meaning or customs hold.

AWB number is typically used for air consignments, whereas a consignment number is the unique identity given for all sorts of consignment tracking.

When the courier is unable to deliver the parcel due to a certain reason, it gets the status to, meaning in courier or “Return to Origin,” and is sent back to the shipper.