What "Label Created, Not Yet in System" Means for Your USPS Package

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Learn what this status means for your USPS, UPS, or FedEx packages

Co-authored by Fahim and Seema Mojawalla and Mason Martinez, BA

Last Updated: June 10, 2024 Fact Checked

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“Label Created Not Yet in System” Meaning

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Shipping Process for Packages

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Should you worry?

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Actions to Take

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Will the package be delayed?

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When you're eagerly awaiting a new online order, seeing an unfamiliar tracking update like “Label Created Not Yet in System” can be worrisome. This status is crucial to your order's journey and indicates that the label for your order has been created and is ready to be affixed to your package. Your package will start moving once the label is scanned into the carrier's network. In this article, we'll cover everything you need to know about this status and when to expect your package to start moving.

Explaining the "Label Created Not Yet in System" Status

The "Label create not yet in system" status is assigned to newly-created shipping labels that haven't been scanned into USPS, UPS, or FedEx's networks. It is the first stage of a package's journey. It usually takes 24-48 hours for a label to scan into a carrier’s system. Generally, this status does not mean your package will be delayed.

Section 1 of 5:

What does "label created not yet in system" mean?

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"Label created not yet in system" means the retailer has created a label. One of the first steps of a package's journey is its unique label creation. A shipping label provides customers with up-to-date tracking and estimated delivery dates. When a label is created but not yet scanned by the carrier, it's not traveling through their network yet. It can take a couple of hours to days for it to be processed.^{[1]
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- USPS may say "Shipping Label Created, USPS Awaiting Item" or "Pre-Shipment, USPS Awaiting Item," which means the retailer or seller still has the package.
- UPS will say "Label Created" to let customers know they've received the shipment details and billing information.^{[2]
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- FedEx will say “In transit” or “At a local FedEx facility.”^{[3]
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Section 2 of 5:

Shipping Process for Packages

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Shipping labels are created, affixed, and scanned before going on a truck. A package passes through many hands before landing on your doorstep. When you make a purchase, the retailer will create a shipping label with a unique tracking number provided by their carrier. Then, the label is attached to your package and handed over to the carrier. From there, the carrier scans the package into their system to provide real-time updates.^{[4]
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- Once the package is scanned into the network, this will trigger the next status, which is often "In-Transit," "En-Route," or "Shipped/On the Way." ^{[5]
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- You can manually insert the tracking number into the retailer or carrier's site for real-time updates and estimated delivery dates.

Section 3 of 5:

Should you be worried if your package is not in the system?

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No—it can take 24-48 hours for a label to be scanned into the network. If you've received this worrisome status update, don't fret! This means your order is being prepared, and the label is ready to be attached to your package. Generally, USPS, UPS, and FedEx should scan their labels within 24 to 48 hours. It's important to remember that your package is at the beginning of its journey.^{[6]
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- Delivery may be delayed during high-volume seasons, like national holidays, when postal services are overwhelmed.

Section 4 of 5:

What to Do if You See the “Label Created, Not Yet in System” Status

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Use the item's unique tracking code to monitor its journey. You can sign up for email or text updates through your carrier or retailer's site to make tracking easier.^{[7]
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Research source} That way, when it switches to "In Transit," you'll be the first to know.
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Contact the carrier for an updated tracking status. If the tracking number doesn't update within 48 hours or 5 days, contact your retailer or carrier for more information.^{[8]
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- USPS Customer Service Phone Number: 1-800-275-8777 or your local post office.
- UPS Customer Service Phone Number: 1-800-742-5877
- FedEx Customer Service Phone Number: 1-800-463-3339

Section 5 of 5:

Will your package be delayed?

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Label creation is accounted for in your estimated delivery date provided by the retailer. It should not cause your package to be delayed. However, during inclement weather, unexpected high volume, or the holidays, your package may be delayed by a few days. Continue to check your tracking number for the latest updates.^{[9]
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