Package Lost In Transit? Why It Happens & What to Do
When a package disappears mid-transit, your customer’s trust does too. Every year, businesses across the globe lose hundreds of millions of packages. One logistics study estimated over 620 million missing or stolen parcels annually in the U.S. alone. At UNIVAL Logistics, we specialize in secure global shipping and offer full-value shipping insurance because we know exactly how vulnerable goods are when moving overseas or via multimodal means.
Unfortunately, even with all the safeguards in place, a “lost shipment” can happen — and when it does, it’s important to understand your options and act quickly. We’ll walk you through the most common causes of lost shipments, the immediate solutions to recover or mitigate damage, and prevention tips you can implement right away to minimize the risk of a package being lost in transit, whether you’re shipping across town or halfway around the world.
How Do Packages Get Lost in Transit? Most Common Reasons for A Missing Package
While a package can be lost in transit for any number of reasons, the leading and most common causes of missing packages boil down to:
- Theft
- Delivery Errors
- Damage
1.Theft
Unfortunately, theft remains one of the leading causes of lost shipments. Packages that have already travelled across the world can still go missing once they arrive while sitting on the recipient’s front porch. Known as “porch-pirates,” thieves stole an estimated 104 million packages in the U.S. last year, with each incident costing an average of around $143 in value.
The risk spikes during the holidays: when delivery volume surges, recipients are often away, and delivery signatures are rarely required. That’s why one of the smartest moves you (or your customers) can make to prevent missing mail is choosing a secure drop-off site, requiring a signature on delivery, or opting for a monitored location rather than leaving your parcel exposed on the front porch.
Theft can also occur at warehouses, not just from delivery vehicles or doorsteps, but it's not as common or easy.
2.Delivery Errors
Sometimes, a lost shipment isn’t the result of theft or damage, but simply a delivery error. Small mistakes in the mailing address or incomplete customs documents can easily send a package to the wrong destination or delay it indefinitely. A single typo in the shipping address, a missing apartment number, or an address label that peels off mid-transit can all cause chaos in the delivery process.
International shipments sometimes get held at customs if paperwork is incomplete, duties aren’t paid, or items are restricted or prohibited. Human error can also play a role in cargo loss. A rushed warehouse worker might mis-scan a barcode or place the wrong label on the wrong parcel. In some cases, automated sorting machines can misread damaged labels, sending a perfectly packed order to a completely different city.
To prevent this, it’s crucial to choose a trusted, reputable, and experienced shipping company such as UNIVAL Logistics, and double-check every detail before shipping: verify the address, use clear and durable labels, and securely attach all shipping documents to ensure your package reaches the right hands.
3.Damage
Packages don’t always go missing because they vanish; sometimes they’re simply too damaged to deliver. When a parcel is crushed by heavier items, torn open, or soaked during transit, carriers may mark it as undeliverable and remove it from the active shipping system. In busy sorting centers, a severely damaged box can lose its address label or shipping documents, making it impossible to identify the recipient.
Even small punctures or exposure to moisture can compromise a barcode, preventing automated systems from scanning it. To avoid this, every shipment should be packaged properly to withstand the full journey using reinforced materials, proper weight distribution, and labeling that can survive handling across trucks, planes, and ships.
Damage prevention isn’t just about protecting what’s inside; it’s one of the best ways to stop your goods from becoming another “package lost in transit” case.
1.Other Events
An accident or inclement weather could cause delivery issues and affect shipping time, e.g., the estimated delivery date. It is rare, but carriers' trucks do sometimes get in accidents, and in inclement weather, containers have been known to fall off cargo ships. Beyond typical bad weather, extreme events like floods, earthquakes, or fires can destroy or displace packages in transit hubs.
What Happens When a Package Is Lost In Transit?
When you report a package as lost, the carrier will usually initiate a mail search from the last location where your package was scanned. Carriers handle thousands of packages every day, so finding a single item often means carefully checking size, weight, and other identifying details.
Because of this, the search can take weeks, leaving you waiting and wondering where your package went. If the carrier isn't able to locate the package within a set period, it will be officially declared lost or missing. In such cases, a mail recovery request may be the next step to try to track down or reclaim your package (more on this below).
Specific Warehouses for Undelivered Packages
Some carriers maintain special warehouses for undelivered packages that are still in their possession. These are not packages that have been destroyed, stolen, or otherwise lost, but simply undelivered. If the carrier operates such a warehouse, finding a mislabeled package can be done much more quickly in such facilities.
What Happens to Packages that Can Not Be Identified?
Not every package can be traced or identified. Packages without labels, damaged beyond recognition, or missing key identifying information do not stay in warehouses or depots indefinitely. Depending on the carrier, these items may be auctioned off, destroyed, or, in some cases, even distributed among staff. Each carrier has strict rules about unclaimed packages.
What Can You Do If Your Package Is Lost in Transit?
Few things are more frustrating than tracking a delivery only to see it stuck—or worse—marked as “lost.” As we've explained, lost-in-transit orders can happen for many reasons, but the good news is, you’re not powerless.
Whether you’re waiting on a personal purchase or a customer shipment, you have options to try and locate the missing package, start an insurance claim procedure, or get compensated under a store’s Return Policy. Here’s what you can do if you're package is lost in transit:
1.Contact the Carrier’s Customer Service
Reach out to the carrier’s customer support team or fill out their contact form, if available, to report the issue and send an inquiry. Sometimes, lost-in-transit orders are simply delayed or misrouted during the delivery stream.
2.File an Insurance Claim Procedure
If you purchased shipping insurance, you can file a claim for reimbursement. The process usually requires documentation, such as your mailing receipt, proof of value, and any communication with the carrier.
3.Reach Out to the Seller or Retailer
If the package still doesn’t turn up, and you're the one expecting it to arrive at your doorstep, contact the seller’s support team. Most reputable retailers have a return policy that covers lost shipments, offering replacements or refunds once they confirm the loss.
4.Know When to Move On
Sometimes packages don’t resurface. In that case, completing the insurance claim process or following the retailer’s return policy is your best way to at least recover your costs, if you can't recover your missing package.
How Can You Protect Your Packages & Minimize Risk?
Even when you do everything right, things can still go wrong. There’s no foolproof way to 100% guarantee a package won’t get lost or missing. But whether you’re a business shipping daily orders or just sending a gift to a friend, you can take smart steps to minimize the risk and protect yourself from loss.
Here’s how to make sure your shipments have the best chance of arriving safely and stay protected in case the worst happens:
1.Keep Your Mailing Receipt and Shipment Details Handy
Your mailing receipt is more than just proof of payment – it’s proof of shipment. It contains key information such as tracking numbers, shipping dates, and carrier details that can help locate a lost package. If a problem arises, this receipt is essential for any insurance claim or refund request. Keep it (and any related shipping documentation) until your package is safely delivered and confirmed.
2.Get Full-Value Shipping Insurance
Accidents happen, and when they do, shipping insurance is your safety net. Always insure your packages for their full value, especially when sending high-value goods. Most carriers only provide limited coverage by default, which might not come close to your shipment’s actual worth.
With UNIVAL’s full-value shipping insurance, you can protect up to $150,000 for domestic shipments and $100,000 for international shipments, whether you’re shipping with us, FedEx, or another carrier. It’s the only way to guarantee you’ll get a full refund, e.g., be reimbursed for the item’s full value if something goes wrong.
3.Invest in High-Quality Packaging Materials
Good packaging isn’t just about looks but about protection. Use sturdy boxes, quality tape, bubble wrap, and filler materials to cushion your items from shocks and drops, and avoid the package getting damaged in a way that will affect its delivery. For fragile or high-value goods, consider double-boxing and tamper-evident seals. The right packaging materials can mean the difference between a safe delivery and a missing package.
4.Double-Check All Shipping Information and Documentation
Typos and missing details can derail a delivery fast and result in a package lost in transit. Before sending anything out, verify that the recipient’s name, address, postal code, and contact information are 100% accurate. For international shipments, ensure all customs forms and declarations are complete and correct. Small errors here can cause major delays or even seizures of goods.
5.Use Reliable Shipping Companies and Track Your Shipments
Choose carriers with solid reputations for reliability and transparency, and secure shipping practices and methods in place, such as UNIVAL. Make sure that the carrier you're working with provides real-time tracking options so you can monitor your package’s journey in real time. At UNIVAL Logistics, we believe transparency is critical for ensuring safe parcel delivery.
Our advanced tracking systems give you 24/7 visibility into your shipment’s exact location, not just vague estimates. Every vehicle in our fleet is equipped with electronic monitoring and tracking tools, enabling real-time oversight of your shipment at all times. You can also use our API to integrate our shipping functionality into your website and streamline the entire shipping process.
Proactively check tracking status, instead of just waiting for alerts, and promptly report any unusual status updates, like extended delays or no scans, to the carrier’s customer service.
6.Require a Signature Upon Delivery (or Other Delivery Confirmation)
For valuable or sensitive packages, require a signature upon delivery. This ensures shipped items aren’t left unattended or delivered to the wrong person. You can also opt for adult signature required, photo confirmation, or pickup at a secure location - extra layers of accountability that reduce the risk of theft or misplaced deliveries.
Additional Tips for Package Recipients
If you’re on the receiving end, you’re also not completely at the mercy of the delivery process. There are a few practical steps you can take to minimize risk and make sure your packages don’t disappear between “out for delivery” and your doorstep:
- Alternative Delivery Locations: Use delivery lockers or designated pick-up points if offered by carriers and retailers. These allow you to collect your package safely and on your own schedule.
- Workplace Delivery: If your employer allows it, have packages sent to your workplace if you don't know if you'll be home during the estimated delivery time. Someone is almost always there to receive them, eliminating the risk of packages being left unattended on your porch. For frequent deliveries, you can also coordinate with a trusted neighbor, building concierge, or front desk to accept packages on your behalf when you’re away.
- Smart Lockboxes: Install a smart lockbox at home. These tamper-resistant containers let couriers deposit packages securely, even when you’re not around, protecting your deliveries from theft and bad weather.
- Delivery Alerts and Apps: Enable delivery notifications and use carrier apps to track shipments in real time. This helps you plan to be home or arrange an alternate pick-up if necessary.
If your business ships high volumes of valuable products every day, and your reputation rides on every delivery, our eCommerce shipping checklist will help you stay organized, avoid costly mistakes, and minimize the risk of missing packages.
Making Sure Your Package Arrives Safely
No one wants to deal with a missing package lost in transit, but choosing the right logistics partner can make all the difference. The truth is, while no delivery process is completely risk-free, working with a company that prioritizes security, transparency, and accountability dramatically lowers your chances of something going wrong.
At UNIVAL Logistics, we’re built around that promise. From pickup to delivery, we handle and monitor every shipment with care and precision, offering end-to-end global shipping solutions designed to protect what matters most to you. And with our full-value shipping insurance, even if the unexpected happens, your investment is safe.
Whether you’re a business shipping high-value goods daily or an individual sending something special, UNIVAL gives you confidence that your package is in the right hands, every step of the way.
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