While expecting Royal Mail to deliver your package, one of the most common general tracking statuses is, “We’ve got it.”
Upon seeing such an update, it’s easy for us to conclude that Royal Mail is in possession of your package, and it should be with you in a short while.
However, that’s not usually the case.
We have had multiple incidents where the tracking page stayed stuck on this update, which is why we are going to dig deeper and look into it.
What Does “We’ve Got It” On Royal Mail Mean?
When Royal Mail says, “We’ve got it,” it means that they have received the package from the sender and are preparing it to be in transit for delivery.
Why Is My Package Stuck On “We’ve Got It” For Several Days? 5 KEY Reasons
Inclement Weather
For the safety of the packages and the posties, items don’t move as seamlessly as expected when faced with bad weather conditions.
Severe weather conditions such as prolonged localised flooding, icy conditions, or snowstorms are some of the leading reasons why packages don’t move past the “We’ve got it” status for days.
Insufficient Space To Go Through Customs Clearance
If yours is an international package going from the UK to another country, it has to undergo the due customs clearance process.
Depending on how backed up the customs offices are, it might take longer than expected before such a package can be handed over for clearance.
The problem is even worse during the peak shopping times such as Black Fridays, Christmas, and New Year, where there are tons pf backlogs in customs.
The time it takes before your package can be handled for clearance majorly depends on the number of packages before yours in the queue and the available staff to handle that.
The Package Got Lost
While Royal Mail isn’t notorious for losing packages in transit, items still get missing due to issues such as misplacement or damaged shipping labels.
We have had instances where smaller-sized packages ended up getting lost on conveyor machines for days. Before Royal Mail retrieves such packages, it could have taken several days or weeks.
When a package is lost, Royal Mail won’t update the tracking page from “We’ve got it” as there is no relevant scan at that point.
From there, the sender can get in touch with them about the lost package, and Royal Mail will work with them to find a solution.
Afterward, you will agree with the sender to send you a replacement package or a refund.
In case they retrieve the missing package, Royal Mail will most likely send it to you regardless of whether the sender sent you a refund or a replacement.
Rarely do we see Royal Mail sending back packages to senders unless there are issues with the recipient refusing it or when there is only the return address label.
Backlogs
When there are tons of packages in the queue before yours gets attended to, it might be the reason why the tracking status doesn’t change.
Let’s take an example where the nearest sorting facility is backed up and several vehicles are waiting to be emptied.
If the vehicle with your package is among the last in the queue, you will have to wait longer for the staff to sort and route your package, and that might take longer than expected.
It’s always great to be aware of the time of the year it is before you shop for a time-sensitive package.
Yours Is A Tracked Return
If your package falls under Tracked Return for whatever reason, it might be taken to a distribution centre awaiting the relevant “Returned” scan.
Depending on how many packages are awaiting to be scanned for return before yours, it might take several days before there is any update from the stuck “We’ve Got It.”
What Do I Do If My Package Is Stuck On, “We’ve Got It” For Days?
If your package doesn’t move past “We’ve got it” for several days, we recommend that you contact the sender and let them know.
From then, they can keep Royal Mail on its toes to provide more details about such a package or work with the sender to have you get a replacement package or a refund, especially if they lost the item.
