Royal Mail tracking status

Royal Mail “We're expecting it”: what it means

The short answer

Keep an eye on it

The sender has told Royal Mail your parcel is coming, but Royal Mail has not received or scanned it yet. Until then, the parcel may still be with the sender or on its way to Royal Mail.

When to act: If there is still no scan more than a day after the sender says it was posted, file a complaint and we send it to Royal Mail.

Also shown as: “Item despatched to Royal Mail” · “Sender despatching item” · “The sender has advised they've despatched your item to us.” · “Pending”

What to do now

Check the date the seller says it was posted, in your order or dispatch email.
Check the tracking number matches the one in that email exactly.
If you saw Pending after a missed delivery, look for a Something for you card, including under the doormat.
Keep a screenshot of the tracking and the dispatch email, so your complaint shows how long it has waited.
Still not sorted? File your complaint here. We write it with you and send it to Royal Mail, so you do not have to chase it yourself.

Start my complaint

What does “We're expecting it” mean?

This is the first stage of tracking. A seller creates a label and tells Royal Mail the item is on its way. Royal Mail has the details, but it has not received or scanned the parcel. Pending is similar: Royal Mail recognises the tracking number but has no scan for it yet.

At this stage the parcel may still be with the sender, on its way to Royal Mail, or waiting to be scanned at a Royal Mail site. Pending can also appear after a missed delivery while the item waits at your delivery office, and parcels from abroad can stay on Pending longer while they enter Royal Mail's system.

Why does Royal Mail show it?

The sender printed a label but has not posted the parcel yet
It was posted but has not been scanned yet
Tracking is slow to update at busy times or because of a technical issue
A damaged or unreadable label
An incomplete or wrong address
A parcel from abroad taking longer to enter Royal Mail's system

How long does it last?

The status should change to We've got it once Royal Mail scans the item. If you see Pending after a missed delivery, the item is usually waiting at your local delivery office for redelivery or collection, for up to 18 days.

Other Royal Mail statuses

Fee to payTake action
DelayedKeep an eye on it
Delivery attemptedTake action
Tracking not workingNormal
In transit or We've got itKeep an eye on it
Delivered but not receivedTake action
Item retentionKeep an eye on it
Ready for deliveryNormal
Returned to senderTake action

All Royal Mail statuses →

Who is responsible for a late or missing parcel from Royal Mail?

If you bought it 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 they are in your hands, or with someone you named to take them, unless you chose and booked the courier yourself. The Act does not mention safe places, so if you asked for a Safeplace, the seller may say the parcel was delivered.

If you sent the parcel yourself, your contract is with Royal Mail, under its terms for the service you bought. Standard cover for loss or damage is up to £20 for 1st Class, 2nd Class and Signed For, up to £75 for Tracked 24 and Tracked 48, and up to £750 for Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm.

Questions about “We're expecting it”

What does We're expecting it mean on Royal Mail tracking?

The sender has told Royal Mail they have despatched the item, but Royal Mail has not processed it yet. The tracking updates once it has.

Why is my Royal Mail tracking stuck on We're expecting it?

Usually because the parcel has not been handed over or scanned yet. A damaged or unreadable label, or a parcel from abroad entering Royal Mail's system, can also keep it there longer.

What does Pending mean on Royal Mail tracking?

Royal Mail recognises the tracking number but has no scan for it yet. It often appears early in the journey, and it can also show while an item waits at the delivery office after a missed delivery.

How long can Royal Mail tracking say We're expecting it?

Royal Mail sets no limit, because it depends on when the sender hands the parcel over. If there is still no scan more than a day after the sender says it was posted, file a complaint on Complain.biz and we send it to Royal Mail.

Based on

Royal Mail: What does my tracking message mean? (postage tracking terms explained)
Royal Mail: Pending notification
Royal Mail: My tracking message looks wrong
royal-mail-tracking library README: Royal Mail tracking event codes and messages (secondary)
legislation.gov.uk: Consumer Rights Act, section 29 (goods stay at the seller's risk until delivered)
Royal Mail: Non-account terms and conditions (holding periods, tracked product terms)
Royal Mail: UK delivery services and compensation cover