"Package Transferred to Another Carrier for Delivery" What Does This Mean?

So I can't speak for anyone else, but I've noticed that packages from Amazon for the last couple of months have used this terminology a lot in regards to shipments - usually from overseas orders.

It's not the longest chain, but the most recent package I've ordered from Amazon UK arrived in Australia on Thursday. The tracking history looks like this:

Monday, 16 January
9:59 PM
Package transferred to another carrier for delivery
AU
8:35 AM
Package transferred to another carrier for delivery
AU
4:22 AM
Package transferred to another carrier for delivery
AU

Sunday, 15 January
2:49 AM
Package transferred to another carrier for delivery
AU

Saturday, 14 January
8:45 PM
Package transferred to another carrier for delivery
AU
6:28 AM
Package arrived at a carrier facility
AU

Friday, 13 January
7:28 PM
Package transferred to another carrier for delivery
AU

Thursday, 12 January
10:36 AM
Initiated customs clearance process
AU
10:36 AM
Package is in transit. Flight containing package has arrived.
AU

Why has it needed to be transferred 6 times despite being in the country since Thursday?

Also side question:
Has mail been super slow for everyone lately since late November from eBay, etc? I know people say it always slows down around Christmas, but I've been waiting for certain eBay packages for 6 and 3+ weeks respectively now. Previous orders from the same companies have arrived typically in 2 weeks.

Related Stores

Amazon AU
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Comments

  • +2

    Lucky's dads rule??

    • I'd like to think different carriers aren't playing pass the parcel and peeling layers off my Blu Ray until it gets to me 🤔

  • I would guess they are loading the tracking details from the third party but haven't mapped the description the third party uses to their own, so it just keeps logging as the same default description. Does it have a tracking number?

    • As someone who knows little about how the mail delivery system works, what does that mean? Is it getting moved around and scanned by different delivery drivers?

      • Things like that

        I'm thinking about it from an IT point of view

        Other carrier
        "Moved to warehouse"
        Amazon gets that… doesn't know what it means in their own statuses
        "Package transferred to another carrier for delivery".

        Entirely a guess though.

        • Yeah, weird.

          Also I think it does have a tracking number. I'll compare what Auspost's description says

  • +3

    It means exactly what it sounds like it means, Auspost/Aramex/FedEx etc has been given the parcel by another company to do the final delivery.

    If you buy something from Germany do you expect a German National from Deutsche Post to personally drop it at your door?

    • I think you've missed the part where, since arriving in Australia, it has been passed around 6 times including three times yesterday

      • It will just be an internal error. It has certainly not been passed to six different carriers. It’s just getting stuck somewhere and the next carrier hasn’t updated or a system glitch. Very common on a lot of things I’ve purchased from overseas.

        • According to auspost tracking, it landed in Sydney, went to Sydney West, then Brisbane airport, then back to Sydney, then another location in Queensland and is now at my local sorting facility. Would that be accurate?

          • @Ninternet: That's not terribly uncommon and as illogical as it may seem, it could well be the most efficient logistics process for it oddly. Either that or literally an issue or error with it.

            Still getting regular Amazon deliveries within 2 days in Sydney CBD just fine.

            • @Hybroid: The postal system is fascinating. Wish I learnt about it in primary school tbh

              • +1

                @Ninternet: Definitely. Logistics massively fascinates me, it's brilliantly complex.

                Amazon actually do tours if you're interested. Mostly virtual video ones nowadays but it explains a lot on how they sort products in their warehouse (100% not what you think), how items are packaged (and why sometimes ridiculous sized boxes for small items) and the actual delivery routes/bundling etc.

                May be worth a watch when you have a spare hour or so: https://amazontours.com/au

                • @Hybroid: I'm guessing it won't show any footage of staff being used as serfs, being given crazy KPIs, toilet break restrictions etc?

                • +1

                  @Hybroid:

                  Logistics massively fascinates me, it's brilliantly complex.

                  May I interest you in spending large sections of your life some interesting games to play?? Satisfactory, Autonauts, all Zachlikes, Factorio

                  These style of games are excellent. I hesitate to call them 'digital cocaine' as that would imply I have a habit.

                  • +1

                    @Switchblade88: Love them all! Builderment on iOS is pretty great too, give it a try!

              • @Ninternet: Why would they teach that in primary school?

                • @John Kimble: Same reason they teach voting and creative writing and maths and reading and politics and the rain cycle and geography.

                  So that kids have a better understanding about how the world in which they live - and will enter into as adults - works.

  • If it helps, I'm tracking one of my deliveries…From closest store …
    Your item

    From Anaconda Box Hill (Victoria)

    Your item may take longer to arrive. We're experiencing delivery delays in your area due to extreme weather conditions.

    Most recent update

    Incorrectly sorted and forwarded to correct location

    LAVINGTON NSW

    (Personally, I don't think the weather is the biggest issue here)

    • +1

      I've been to Lavington. You ain't ever seeing that package again.

      • I am still waiting on your package, if you know what I mean…

        If you don't, then let me take you back to the Alienware screen I ordered a few months back, before you cancelled it!

  • OP : atleast your item is getting scanned … that's a bonus - I'd rather that than the other alternative.

    Some freight logistics companies - the workers have to scan an item - even if they pick it up and move it to other side of warehouse - which generates multiple scan records in a short timespan.

  • What did Amazon customer support say when you contacted them?

    • I ended up doing a previous suggestion and crossing it with the auspost tracking page which revealed what was seemingly happening

      But thanks for the snarky comment 🤗

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