DPD tracking status

DPD “Sorry we missed you”: what it means

The short answer

Take action

The driver could not hand over your parcel, so DPD left a 'Sorry we missed you' card and usually plans another attempt. Use the card number on DPD's website or app to choose a new day, neighbour, safe place or Pickup shop.

When to act: If you were at home when the card was left, or the rebooked delivery fails too, file a complaint and we send it to DPD.

Also shown as: “We were unable to deliver your parcel” · “Unable to Deliver”

What to do now

Find the number on the card, or use your parcel number and postcode on the DPD website or app.
Choose a new delivery date, a safe place, a neighbour or a DPD Pickup shop the same day, before the parcel can be sent back.
For a Pickup shop, bring your DPD pick-up pass and photo ID. DPD also asks for a second ID with your address, such as a utility bill, so bring one to be safe.
If you were in and nobody came, note the time you were home and screenshot the attempt on the tracking page.
Ignore texts asking for a redelivery fee: DPD says it never asks for one through a link.
Still not sorted? File your complaint here. We write it with you and send it to DPD, so you do not have to chase it yourself.

Start my complaint

Missed delivery or a card left with another courier

What does “Sorry we missed you” mean?

If you are out, DPD first tries to leave the parcel with a neighbour, unless the sender asked for a signature or you told DPD otherwise. When that is not possible, the driver logs a failed attempt and leaves a calling card. The card number is printed next to the barcode.

DPD's messages often say the driver will not be back today but will return on a set date, because routes are fixed. If you were in and nobody knocked, the tracking page shows where the card was left, and you can still rebook or collect.

Why does DPD show it?

Nobody was in and no neighbour could take it
The sender required a signature
The driver could not get into the building or find the address
There was no safe place you had approved
The driver did not knock or did not wait long enough

How long does it last?

DPD usually plans the delivery again for the next working day or a date you choose, but its conditions also let it take the parcel to a nearby Pickup shop instead. If the parcel goes to a Pickup shop, DPD says it will be ready there the next day. If delivery keeps failing, the parcel can be sent back to the sender.

Other DPD statuses

At a DPD hubNormal
Delayed due to an unexpected issue in your areaKeep an eye on it
Your parcel has been delayedKeep an eye on it
Out for delivery, but not arrivedKeep an eye on it
Being held at the depotTake action
Your parcel was refusedTake action
Delivered, but you do not have itTake action
On its way back to the senderTake action
Tracking not updatingKeep an eye on it
Hub 1 - BhamNormal
Hub 2 - BhamNormal
Hub 3 - BhamNormal
Hub 4 - HinckleyNormal
Hub 5 - HinckleyNormal

All DPD statuses →

Who is responsible for a late or missing parcel from DPD?

If you bought online from a business, the seller is usually responsible until the parcel reaches you. Under UK consumer law (the Consumer Rights Act), the goods stay at the seller's risk until you or someone you named has them, unless you chose and booked the courier yourself. DPD's contract is with the seller, so a lost, damaged or very late parcel is the seller's to put right.

If you sent the parcel yourself, your contract is with DPD, under its terms. DPD postage bought at a Post Office branch includes cover up to the lower of the item's value or £50, and DPD's standard conditions for business senders cover the lower of the item's value or £100 per parcel, unless extra cover was bought.

Questions about “Sorry we missed you”

How many times will DPD try to deliver?

DPD does not publish a fixed number for home deliveries. It usually tries again on the next working day or takes the parcel to a nearby Pickup shop, and if delivery keeps failing the parcel can go back to the sender, so rebook quickly.

Can DPD come back the same day?

No. DPD says drivers are on a tight schedule and may have left your area, but you can change the date or send the parcel to a neighbour, safe place or Pickup shop.

I was in but DPD says they missed me. What can I do?

Check the tracking page to see where the card was left, then rebook. If you were home, file a complaint on Complain.biz with the time you were in, and we send it to DPD.

Is a DPD text asking me to pay for redelivery real?

No. DPD says it never asks for a redelivery fee through a link. Its genuine alerts come by SMS, not iMessage, usually from DPD UK, DPD Local or DPDgroup UK, but names can be faked, so check your parcel in the DPD app instead of tapping the link.

Based on

DPD UK: How can we help? (missed deliveries, Pickup shops, delivery slot)
DPD UK: Phishing and scam messages
Trustpilot review quoting DPD's 'unexpected issue in your area' and 'Sorry we missed you' messages
DPD UK: Standard Terms and Conditions of Carriage (PDF)
Post Office: collecting DPD parcels in branch (pick-up pass, ID, 7 days to collect)
legislation.gov.uk: Consumer Rights Act, section 29 (goods stay at the seller's risk until they reach you)
DPD standard terms for delivery services bought at a Post Office branch