India Post Tracking Status Meanings Explained
Confused by what your India Post tracking status means? This guide explains every status — from booking to final delivery — in plain language.
Booking & Origin
Item Booked
The first scan. Your parcel has been accepted at the post office counter and your tracking number is now active. This is the starting point of the tracking journey.
Item Bagged
Your parcel has been placed inside a sealed mail bag at the post office, ready for the next dispatch. This is routine and means your parcel is being sorted for onward movement.
Despatch from
The mail bag containing your parcel has been loaded and physically departed the facility. A location name follows this status (e.g., "Despatch from Bengaluru NSH").
In Transit & Sorting
Arrival at
The mail bag has been received at a transit sorting hub or post office. Your parcel is being sorted and queued for the next leg of its journey.
Item Redirected
Your parcel has been rerouted to a different facility. This happens when the delivery address requires correction, or when a PIN code was reassigned to a new sorting office. It does not mean your parcel is lost.
Arrived in Delivery Office
Your parcel has reached the local post office serving your delivery PIN code. It will now be sorted for the postman's delivery run — delivery is imminent (usually within 1–2 working days).
Final Mile Delivery
Out for Delivery
The postman has collected your parcel for the morning delivery run and is on the way. Expect delivery the same day. If no one is home, the postman may leave a delivery notice and return the parcel to the post office.
Item Delivered
Your parcel has been successfully delivered. The postman physically handed the article to the recipient. This is the final positive status in the tracking journey.
Attempted Delivery / Addressee Absent
The postman visited but no one was available to receive the parcel. The article has been returned to the local post office. You can collect it within 7–14 days with valid photo ID, or wait for the next delivery attempt.
Exception & Hold Statuses
These statuses require your attention or action.
Retention Reason
Your parcel is being held at the delivery post office because delivery could not be completed. You must collect it within 7–14 days. Bring valid photo ID and your tracking number to the delivery post office.
Held at Post Office
The parcel is available for counter collection at the local post office. This may be because it requires a signature, payment, or the recipient was not available for home delivery.
Returned to Sender
The parcel has been sent back to the original sender after the maximum retention period expired or delivery was not possible. The sender should receive it within the standard transit window for the return journey.
Addressee Refused
The recipient declined to accept the parcel at the time of delivery. The item is being returned to the sender.
COD Refused
For Cash on Delivery (Value Payable Post) shipments, the recipient declined to pay the COD amount. The item is being returned to the sender.
Undelivered — Insufficient Address
The address on the parcel is incomplete or incorrect, and the postman could not locate the recipient. Contact the sender to update the address or visit the delivery post office.
Item Damaged in Transit
The parcel was found damaged during transit. File a complaint at the booking post office with your receipt within 90 days of booking.
International Mail Statuses
OTB (Over The Board)
Your parcel has been placed in an outbound international mail bag, awaiting the next available flight departure. A delay of 3–10 days with no scan after OTB is completely normal.
Despatch from Outward Foreign Office
The parcel has departed India on an international flight. No further Indian scans will appear — destination country tracking will now take over.
Arrival at Inward Foreign Office
The parcel has arrived at the destination country's international mail facility and customs processing has begun.
Despatch from Inward Foreign Office
Customs clearance is complete and the parcel has been dispatched to the local delivery office in the destination country.
When Is a Delay Normal?
| Service | Normal gap between scans | When to escalate |
|---|---|---|
| Speed Post | Up to 24 hours | No update for more than 5 days |
| Registered Post | 48–72 hours | No update for more than 10 days |
| EMS International | 3–10 days | No update for more than 21 days |
| Express Parcel | Up to 48 hours | No update for more than 7 days |
If your parcel has exceeded the escalation threshold, contact the booking post office or call India Post helpline: 1800-266-6868 (Mon–Sat, 9 AM–6 PM).
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