USPS tracking status

USPS “No access to delivery location”: what it means

The short answer

Keep an eye on it

The carrier says they could not reach your door, mailbox or building, so the package was not delivered. USPS reattempts automatically on the next delivery day; you do not need to schedule a redelivery.

When to act: If more than 24 hours have passed since the No Access scan without a new attempt, or you were home and nothing blocked access, file a complaint and we send it to USPS.

Also shown as: “Redelivery Scheduled for Next Business Day”

What to do now

Fix the access problem before the next delivery day: move cars away from the mailbox, keep pets inside and unlock gates if you can.
In a gated community or locked building, check with the management office how USPS carriers get in.
Watch the tracking for Out for Delivery on the next delivery day.
If you were home and nothing blocked access, take a screenshot of the scan with its time and save any doorbell camera footage for your complaint.
Still not sorted? File your complaint here. We write it with you and send it to USPS, so you do not have to chase it yourself.

Start my complaint

What does “No access to delivery location” mean?

USPS uses this scan when the carrier could not get to the delivery point: a locked building or gate without an access code, a vehicle blocking the mailbox, a loose dog, utility work, or emergency responders. The tracking text says: we will redeliver on the next delivery day, no action needed. For a business that was closed, USPS shows Redelivery Scheduled for Next Business Day.

Many people see this scan on a day they were home and nothing was in the way. That can happen. Audits of individual post offices have found No Access scans made at the post office or far from the address, and at one office a supervisor had told carriers to use it for packages they could not deliver before the end of the route. So the scan sometimes means the route ran out of time.

Why does USPS show it?

A locked building, gate or lobby without an access code
A vehicle, construction or snow blocking the mailbox or path
A loose dog or other animal
A business that was closed at delivery time
Emergency responders or utility work on your street
The carrier ran out of time and used the scan instead of attempting delivery

How long does it last?

USPS tries again on the next delivery day, so the package usually shows Out for Delivery again the following day. If the access problem is not fixed, the next attempt can fail the same way.

Other USPS statuses

Label created, USPS awaiting itemKeep an eye on it
Moving through networkNormal
Tracking not updatingKeep an eye on it
In transit, arriving lateKeep an eye on it
Alert: delivery exceptionKeep an eye on it
Origin Post is Preparing ShipmentKeep an eye on it
Arrived at Post OfficeNormal
Out for DeliveryNormal
Awaiting delivery scanKeep an eye on it
Notice leftTake action
Held at post officeTake action
Insufficient addressTake action
ForwardedKeep an eye on it
Delivered, but not receivedTake action

All USPS statuses →

Who is responsible for a late or missing package from USPS?

Bought it online from a business? Then the seller is usually responsible until the package is delivered. The seller chose USPS, bought the label and holds the mailing record that USPS needs for a lost package, so a late, lost or damaged order is in most cases the seller's to put right with a replacement or a refund.

Sent it yourself? Then your contract is with USPS, under the mailing rules in its Domestic Mail Manual. Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express and USPS Ground Advantage include insurance of up to $100 for merchandise on most shipments; without insurance USPS pays nothing for loss or damage. Insurance does not cover delay, or a package lost or taken after delivery.

Questions about “No access to delivery location”

Why does USPS say no access to delivery location when I was home?

Sometimes the carrier could not get through a gate or door you did not notice. But audits of individual post offices have found No Access scans made away from the address when carriers ran out of time. Note the scan time, save any camera footage and file a complaint on Complain.biz; we send it to USPS.

Do I need to schedule a redelivery after No Access to Delivery Location?

No. USPS says no action is needed and it will redeliver on the next delivery day.

What happens if USPS cannot get access again?

Another failed attempt usually means another scan and more delay. Fixing the access problem before the next delivery day gives the carrier the best chance to get in.

What does Redelivery Scheduled for Next Business Day mean?

USPS could not deliver to a business address because it was closed. The tracking text says it will redeliver on the next business day and no action is needed.

Based on

USPS FAQ: Where is my package? Tracking Status Help
USPS PostalPro: Domestic Tracking Scan Events (event codes and tracking texts)
USPS OIG audit 22-095-R22: Mail Delivery, Customer Service, and Property Conditions Review, Parkland Branch, Tacoma, WA
USPS OIG audit 22-096-R22: Mail Delivery, Customer Service, and Property Conditions Review, Kent Main Post Office, Kent, WA
USPS Domestic Mail Manual 609: Filing Indemnity Claims for Loss or Damage
USPS FAQ: Domestic Claims, The Basics