APC Overnight tracking
APC Overnight tracking statuses explained
APC Overnight, which now calls itself The APC, is a UK network of more than 90 independent delivery depots with hubs at Cannock and Essington. Your parcel is picked up by one depot, sorted through a hub and delivered by the depot near you, most often on the next working day. Tracking runs on APC Choice, usually with a 7 digit consignment number and your postcode, and it shows a 2 hour estimated slot once the parcel is out for delivery.
Every APC Overnight tracking status explained
| Status | What it means | Should you worry? |
|---|---|---|
| Out for delivery | Your parcel is on a van from your local APC depot, and APC estimates a 2 hour slot for it. | Normal |
| Sorry we missed you | APC tried to deliver and left a Sorry we missed you card or email, and you have 3 working days to rearrange. | Take action |
| Tracking not updating | APC's tracking has paused because your parcel has no new scan yet, often while it travels between depots. | Keep an eye on it |
| Your consignment could not be found | APC Choice cannot find a parcel for the number and postcode you entered. | Keep an eye on it |
| Your parcel won't be delivered today | APC has told you the parcel will not come today, or the date has passed with no delivery. | Keep an eye on it |
| Delivered but not received | APC has recorded your parcel as delivered, with a name, a photo and GPS, but you do not have it. | Take action |
APC Overnight delays
APC's terms say delivery times are estimates. It says tracking can pause between depots, before the next scan, while a parcel waits for processing at your local depot, or when a driver's scanner has a problem. In reviews people share, a delay can show up as an email on the day saying the parcel will not be delivered today, with no reason or new date.
Is your parcel from APC Overnight late or missing?
Who is responsible for a late or missing parcel from APC Overnight?
If you bought it online from a business, the seller chose APC and is usually responsible until the parcel reaches you. UK consumer law (Consumer Rights Act, section 29) leaves the goods at the seller's risk until you, or someone you named, have them, unless you booked the courier yourself outside the options the seller offered. APC says its terms apply to the sender of the goods.
If you sent the parcel yourself, through a local depot or APC Direct, your contract is with the carrier under APC's Conditions of Carriage, and the depot you dealt with can be that carrier. Those conditions limit cover to £100 for a parcel and £50 for a mail pack, courier pack or lightweight item, unless more was agreed before it set off.
Questions about APC Overnight tracking
What time does APC deliver?
Most UK deliveries come on the next working day after dispatch. The sender picks the service: by 10:30am, by 12 noon or standard next working day. Business addresses start from 8am. APC Choice shows a 2 hour estimated slot once the parcel is out for delivery.
What should I do if I missed an APC delivery?
Follow the Sorry we missed you card or email and rearrange on APC Choice within 3 working days, using your consignment number and postcode. After that APC may return the parcel to the sender.
Why has my APC tracking stopped updating?
APC says tracking may pause when a parcel is between depots, has not been scanned at the next location, is waiting to be processed at your local depot, or when the driver's scanner has a problem.
What is an APC consignment number?
The tracking reference for your parcel, usually 7 digits, though APC's tracker also accepts 22 digits. With your delivery postcode, it lets you follow the parcel and change delivery options on APC Choice.
Why is my APC parcel late?
APC does not always say. One review describes an email saying the parcel would not be delivered today, with no reason given. Others describe a driver who did not finish the round and a parcel lost at the depot.
Based on
- legislation.gov.uk: Consumer Rights Act, section 29 (goods stay at the seller's risk until delivered)
- The APC: Terms and Conditions of Carriage (carrier, limits of liability)
- The APC: Receiving a Parcel (terms apply to the sender)
- The APC: Sending a Parcel (local depots and APC Direct)