Amazon tracking status

Amazon “Arriving today”: what it means

The short answer

Normal

Amazon still expects to deliver your package today, even if it has not shipped or is not out for delivery yet. Amazon says this is normal: items can ship the same day they are delivered, and its drivers deliver until 10 pm local time.

When to act: If nothing has arrived 48 hours after the estimated delivery date, file a complaint and we send it to Amazon.

Also shown as: “Arriving today by 9 PM” · “Arriving today by 10 PM”

What to do now

Keep checking Track package during the day; same-day shipments often update late.
Make sure your delivery instructions and any gate or building access code are saved in Your Addresses.
Check the porch, mailbox and your usual delivery spot in the evening: after 8 pm drivers leave packages without knocking or ringing the bell.
If it has not arrived by 10 pm, look for a new date in Your Orders the next morning.
Take a screenshot of the Arriving today promise with your order number, in case the delivery slips.
Still not sorted? File your complaint here. We write it with you and send it to Amazon, so you do not have to chase it yourself.

Start my complaint

What does “Arriving today” mean?

Arriving today is a delivery promise, not a tracking scan. An order can move from not yet shipped to delivered on the same day, so a quiet tracking page in the morning is not a warning sign. Amazon's help says that if you expect a package today and there is no status update, that is normal.

Amazon Logistics delivers between 6 am and 10 pm local time. Drivers only knock, ring or contact you between 8 am and 8 pm, so an evening delivery can arrive without a knock. Deliveries that need a signature or are scheduled are only attempted outside those hours if the driver reaches you by phone.

Why does Amazon show it?

The order ships and is delivered on the same day
Your stop is late on the driver's route
The package is still being sorted at the delivery station
Tracking updates lag behind the package
Heavy volume pushes deliveries into the evening

How long does it last?

The status should change to Shipped or Out for delivery during the day, then Delivered. If the driver cannot finish the route, it changes to Running late or a new date.

Other Amazon statuses

Delayed, not yet shippedKeep an eye on it
Shipped, no tracking updatesKeep an eye on it
Package delayed in transitKeep an eye on it
Out for deliveryNormal
Delivery attemptedTake action
UndeliverableTake action
Delivered, but not receivedTake action

All Amazon statuses →

Who is responsible for a late or missing package from Amazon?

Bought it on Amazon? Then Amazon or the seller is usually responsible until the package is delivered. Amazon handles late, missing and undeliverable packages for orders it ships, including Amazon Logistics deliveries and Prime items from other sellers. For items sold and shipped by a third-party seller, the seller is responsible first, and Amazon backs those orders with its A-to-z Guarantee.

When USPS, UPS or FedEx delivers an Amazon order, the carrier's customer is Amazon or the seller, not you, so a refund or replacement still comes from Amazon or the seller. Amazon does not publish a cover limit; for items it sold, it refunds an undeliverable package automatically once the package is back at Amazon.

Questions about “Arriving today”

Why does Amazon say arriving today but not shipped?

Amazon says this is normal: depending on the carrier, items can ship the same day they are delivered. The status usually changes to Shipped or Out for delivery later in the day.

Why does Amazon say arriving today but not out for delivery?

The package may still be at the delivery station or on its way there, and many routes run into the evening. Wait until 10 pm local time before treating it as late.

What time does Amazon stop delivering?

Amazon Logistics deliveries can happen between 6 am and 10 pm local time. USPS, UPS and FedEx keep their own hours.

What happens if my Amazon package does not arrive today?

The tracking usually changes to Running late or a new date. Amazon says most late packages arrive within 48 hours of the estimated delivery date.

Based on

Amazon Help: Tracking your package
Amazon Help: About Deliveries Shipped with Amazon (Amazon Logistics)
Amazon Help: Late Deliveries
Amazon Help: A-to-z Guarantee
Amazon Help: Undeliverable Packages
Amazon Help: Contact a Carrier