Articles on: Tracking & Status

Frequently Asked Questions About Shipment Tracking and Statuses

1. When does a shipment expire in AfterShip?


A shipment expires after remaining in the Pending status for 30 consecutive days. Once expired, it will no longer receive tracking updates.


2. What are the possible reasons for a shipment being in Pending status?


A shipment may appear in Pending status for the following reasons:


  • No tracking information is yet available on the carrier's website.
  • The tracking number has not been activated for tracking yet.
  • A label has been generated but the shipment has not been picked up by the carrier.
  • The carrier account is not connected in AfterShip Carriers settings.
  • An incorrect carrier has been selected for the tracking number.
  • The carrier is not recognized/supported by AfterShip.
  • The shipment was previously in-transit but has stopped receiving updates for an extended period.


3. The carrier is correct but the shipment is still in Pending status. What could be the cause?


If the carrier is confirmed to be correct, the shipment is still in Pending status because of one of the following reasons:


  • No tracking information is yet available on the carrier's website.
  • A label has been created but the carrier has not yet scanned or picked up the shipment.
  • The carrier account is not connected in AfterShip (applicable for carriers that require account connection).
  • The carrier is not recognized/supported by AfterShip.
  • The shipment was previously in-transit but has stopped receiving updates.


4. What is the shipment status shown in the branded tracking page when the carrier's website shows 'Incorrect Address'?


When the carrier's website shows an 'Incorrect Address' update, AfterShip will reflect this as an Exception status on the Branded Tracking Page.






Everything You Need to Know About Exception Shipments in AfterShip


5. Does AfterShip consume tracking quota for shipments in Expired, Inactive, or Pending status?


Yes. Quota is consumed as soon as a tracking number is imported into the AfterShip shipment dashboard, regardless of the shipment's current status including, Expired, Inactive, and Pending.


Understanding AfterShip Pricing Models and Plan Selection

Updated on: 12/03/2026