GLS tracking
GLS tracking statuses explained
GLS in the US is the former Golden State Overnight (GSO), a carrier set up for California, Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico, which GLS Group bought and later renamed General Logistics Systems US. It delivers across the western US for shippers with a GLS account, including some eBay orders, where the carrier can still show as GSO. A package is scanned in at a GLS depot and then goes out on a local route. Lines are often short and in capitals, such as 'SHIPMENT DATA RECEIVED - PENDING GLS RECEIPT SCAN' and 'DEL ATTEMPTED - RCPNT NOT HOME', and GLS in Europe and Canada has separate sites and other wordings.
Every GLS tracking status explained
| Status | What it means | Should you worry? |
|---|---|---|
| SHIPMENT DATA RECEIVED - PENDING GLS RECEIPT SCAN | GLS has the label details for your package, but no GLS site has scanned the package itself yet. | Keep an eye on it |
| Out for delivery | Your package is with a GLS driver for delivery, and GLS's notice gives an estimated time. | Normal |
| Delivery attempted | A GLS driver logged a delivery attempt without leaving the package, usually with a short reason on the line. | Take action |
| Delivery Rescheduled | GLS has moved your delivery to a later day. | Keep an eye on it |
| Tracking not updating | A silent GLS number can mean a missed scan, a stall between sites or a lost package. | Keep an eye on it |
| Delivered but not received | GLS marked your package delivered, but you do not have it. | Take action |
GLS delays
GLS delivers Monday to Friday, with Saturday delivery only in selected areas when the sender asks for it, and never on Sundays or listed holidays, so a missed Friday can mean Monday. Its terms excuse delays caused by things beyond its reasonable control, such as weather and labor disturbances. It charges a peak season surcharge on home deliveries from about late October to mid January. Some reviewers report delays after a line such as 'UNSAFE LOCATION', 'ROAD CLOSURE' or a delivery attempt.
Is your package from GLS late or missing?
Who is responsible for a late or missing package from GLS?
If you bought online from a business, the seller chose GLS and is its customer, so a late, lost or missing order is in most cases for the seller to put right. GLS's terms and claims page also give the remedy to the shipper, the person or company that sent the package, and GLS says a package in transit can go to another address only with the shipper's authorization.
If you sent the package yourself, you did so on a GLS account and your contract is with GLS under its Terms and Conditions. Liability is limited to the lowest of the contents' full value, your actual damages or $100, unless you paid to declare a higher value, up to $10,000 per package. Ground packages earn no credit for late delivery.
Questions about GLS tracking
What does 'pending GLS receipt scan' mean?
GLS has the shipping details but has not scanned the package in at a depot. It is the wait for the first real scan. Until then you cannot follow the package's movement.
What time does GLS deliver?
GLS sells next-day Ground as delivery by 5 p.m., or 6 p.m. in rural areas, and Priority by 10:30 a.m. to most areas. Your notice gives an estimated time. Reviewers report earlier attempts and arrivals as late as 11:30 p.m.
What does 'DEL ATTEMPTED - RCPNT NOT HOME' mean on GLS?
It reads as a delivery attempt with the recipient not home. GLS does not define the line. One reviewer saw it at 5 p.m. on a Friday, and says the package came a couple of days after posting the review.
Why did GLS reschedule my delivery?
GLS does not give a list of reasons. It can follow a failed attempt, a delay on the route or a change made with the Re-Schedule link. One seller says a buyer saw this line for about 10 days while at home, so it does not always mean a driver came.
Why is my GLS tracking not updating?
Lines appear only when the package is scanned, so a missed scan or a stall between sites looks like silence. Weekends add to it. If it stays silent, file a complaint on Complain.biz and we send it to GLS.
Based on
- GLS US: Terms and Conditions, parcel tariff (liability, declared value, late delivery)
- GLS US: Claims (filed by the shipper)
- GLS US: FAQ (account needed to ship, rerouting needs the shipper's authorization)