Parcelforce tracking status

Parcelforce “Due to be delivered today”: what it means

The short answer

Normal

Your parcel has reached your delivery depot and is planned for delivery. Parcelforce aims to deliver by 6pm on working days, and any time window shown is an aim, not a guarantee.

When to act: If it has not come by the end of the next working day, or Due to be delivered today keeps repeating, file a complaint and we send it to Parcelforce.

Also shown as: “Received at Delivery Depot” · “We have your item at [depot] for delivery. We'll provide you with a further update when it's out for delivery.” · “Ready for delivery” · “Out for delivery” · “Your parcel from [sender] is due to be delivered today” · “We normally expect to deliver to your address between [time] and [time]” · “If a delivery timeframe is shown, please be aware this is our delivery aim, not a guarantee.”

What to do now

Check the date and place on the last line, and whether the window at the top is for today.
Make sure someone can take it in, or set a Safeplace or preferred neighbour in the Royal Mail app, unless the parcel needs a signature.
If today does not suit, use Change delivery options on the tracking page or in the Royal Mail app, where offered, to change the day or send it to your local depot or a Post Office.
If you were out, check your Safeplace and your neighbours, and look for a Something for you card.
If it passes 6pm with no new line, keep a screenshot of the tracking with the date.
Still not sorted? File your complaint here. We write it with you and send it to Parcelforce, so you do not have to chase it yourself.

Start my complaint

What does “Due to be delivered today” mean?

Received at Delivery Depot means the parcel is at the depot that serves your address, shown with a name such as London South East PFW Depot. The top of the page may say We have your item at that depot for delivery. Due to be delivered today means it is planned for today, often with a window such as between 12:35pm and 6:15pm.

The window is an estimate, and the tracking itself calls it a delivery aim, not a guarantee. The services sold to the public are for Monday to Friday delivery, so a parcel that misses Friday can come on Monday. In histories people share, the due line has also repeated for days, and Item Retention can follow it on the same morning.

Why does Parcelforce show it?

The parcel reached the depot for your address
It is planned for today's round
Traffic or bad weather, which can push it later
It missed Friday and the service does not deliver at the weekend

How long does it last?

The next line should be Delivered, or Delivery Attempted if nobody could take it. Parcelforce aims to deliver by 6pm in UK zones 1 to 3, with exceptions for remote areas. If the sender gave your details, a text or email on the day says it is due. If Item Retention follows, the parcel may still come that day, but plan on the next working day.

Other Parcelforce statuses

Held as Customs fee to payTake action
Item ReceivedNormal
Delivery AttemptedTake action
Available for Redelivery or CollectionTake action
Item RetentionKeep an eye on it
Tracking not updating or parcel lateKeep an eye on it
Returned to senderTake action
We're expecting itKeep an eye on it
Delivered but not receivedTake action

All Parcelforce statuses →

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

Buy online from a business and the seller usually has to sort it out until the parcel reaches you. Under UK consumer law (the Consumer Rights Act, section 29) the goods stay at the seller's risk until they are in your hands, or with someone you named to take them, unless you booked the courier yourself and the seller did not offer it as an option. Parcelforce's own help also says the retailer has a legal responsibility to make sure you get what you paid for.

If you sent the parcel yourself, your contract is under the joint Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide terms for the service you bought. UK express services include cover of up to £150 per item for loss or damage, and you can add more, up to £2,500 per item. A refund for late delivery depends on the service: 100% of the delivery cost for express10 and expressAM, 50% for express24 and nothing for express48 or express48large.

Questions about “Due to be delivered today”

What time does Parcelforce stop delivering?

Parcelforce aims to deliver by 6pm on working days in UK zones 1 to 3, with exceptions for remote areas. Traffic or bad weather can make it later. Timed services are earlier: express10 by 10am and expressAM by the afternoon.

Does Parcelforce deliver on Saturday or Sunday?

Mostly only if the sender paid for it. The services sold to the public are Monday to Friday, and business senders can buy a weekend service. Parcelforce aims to deliver by 6pm on a Saturday and does not usually deliver on bank or public holidays.

How accurate is the Parcelforce delivery window?

The tracking calls it a delivery aim, not a guarantee. Parcelforce also says its speed guarantee is not broken if the parcel misses the window but still comes on the due day.

Parcelforce says due today but nothing came. Why?

Parcelforce names traffic and bad weather as causes of delay. People also share cases where the line repeated for days, or where Item Retention followed. Check for a new line the next morning. If nothing changes, file a complaint on Complain.biz and we send it to Parcelforce.

Based on

Parcelforce: Delivery times
Parcelforce: UK parcel delivery services (delivery aims and cover)
Parcelforce Worldwide: UK parcel services user guide (journey, notifications, Safeplace, photo on delivery)
Parcelforce: Delivery options and speed exceptions
Royal Mail: What does my tracking message mean? (glossary for the tracker Parcelforce parcels now use)
Reddit r/royalmail (shared tracking history): Received at Delivery Depot, with the delivery aim wording (screenshots)
Reddit r/royalmail (shared tracking history): window, Ready for delivery and Item Retention on one morning; parcel came that day
Reddit r/royalmail (shared tracking history): Due to be delivered today, then an attempt (screenshot)
Reddit r/royalmail (shared tracking history): Due to be delivered today at a PFW depot (screenshot)
Reddit r/royalmail (shared tracking history): We normally expect to deliver, with a time window (screenshot)
Reddit r/royalmail (shared account): expected delivery repeating for six days
legislation.gov.uk: Consumer Rights Act, section 29 (goods stay at the seller's risk until they reach you)
Parcelforce: Buying items online, who you should contact
Parcelforce: Enhanced and inclusive compensation
Parcelforce: Refunds for late delivery
Royal Mail: Terms and conditions (Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide)