Have you ever tracked an Amazon order and seen the status say “Held for pickup at carrier location”? This cryptic message can be confusing if you don’t know what it means. This article will explain what this status indicates and what you need to do when you see it.
What Does “Held for Pickup at Carrier Location” Mean on Amazon?
The “held for pickup at carrier location” status means that the carrier service (like USPS, FedEx, UPS, etc) was unable to deliver your Amazon package and is holding it at their facility for you to pick up.
There are a few common reasons why you might see this status:
- The delivery required a signature but no one was available to sign for the package
- There were access issues at your delivery address (e.g. locked gate, no secure location to leave package)
- The carrier tried to deliver but no one was home to receive the package
Essentially, it means the delivery was attempted at your address but the carrier was unable to complete the delivery. So now your Amazon order is waiting at the local carrier facility for you to go pick it up.
What To Do When You See “Held for Pickup at Carrier Location”
If your Amazon order shows this status, here are the steps to take:
1. Identify which carrier has your package
Look at the tracking details to see if it specifies USPS, UPS, FedEx or another carrier. This will tell you which facility has your package waiting.
2. Find the pickup location
Use the carrier’s website to find the nearest pickup location. For USPS, you can find nearby Post Office branches. For UPS and FedEx, look for nearby staffed facilities.
3. Call ahead to confirm
Before heading to the facility, call to confirm they have your package and it is available for pickup. Provide them with the tracking number.
4. Bring your ID and tracking number
You’ll likely need to show a government ID to claim your package. Also have the tracking number handy to help them locate your item.
5. Pick up your package
With ID and tracking number in hand, you can now collect your Amazon order. Make sure to check it before leaving the facility.
6. Allow time for pickup
Most carriers will hold packages for a certain number of days before returning to sender. So don’t delay too long in picking it up.
What If I Can’t Pick Up the Package?
If you are unable to get to the carrier facility to retrieve your package, you have a couple options:
- Schedule redelivery – Use the carrier’s website to schedule another delivery attempt
- Redirect to an alternate address – Have the package delivered to a different address that can accept delivery
- Request hold for pickup – Ask the carrier to continue holding your item at their facility for longer
Conclusion: Don’t Stress an Amazon “Held for Pickup” Status
Tracking a long-awaited online purchase only to see it’s held with the carrier can be annoying for any consumer. But it’s usually just a minor hiccup in the delivery process. Now that you understand why it occurs and what to do next, you can easily get your package delivered or go pick it up. Just be sure to act quickly before the carrier returns it to the sender. With a few simple steps, you’ll have your Amazon order safely in your hands.
Key Takeaways:
- “Held for pickup at carrier location” means delivery was attempted but unsuccessful
- Check tracking details to see which carrier has your package
- Find the nearest carrier facility that has your item
- Call ahead to confirm they have your package for pickup
- Bring ID and tracking number to retrieve your package
- Pick up quickly before carrier returns to sender
