Holiday Package Running Late: What to Do Step by Step

It is a few days before the holiday, and the tracking page for a gift has not changed since last week. Or the expected delivery date has quietly slipped past the day you needed it. Holiday delays are common, because carriers handle far more packages than usual and weather can slow entire regions. The good news is that most delayed packages do arrive, and there are clear steps you can take to find out what is happening and what to do next.

This guide walks you through exactly what to do when a holiday package is running late, whether you are the sender or the person waiting for it. It covers how to read the tracking, when to contact the carrier or the seller, how to get help from USPS, and how to save the occasion if the package will not make it in time.

Step 1: Read the tracking carefully

Before you contact anyone, look closely at the tracking history, not just the latest status. It tells you where the package is and whether it is moving.

• Is it moving at all? Look at the dates of the last few scans. A package scanned at several facilities over a few days is moving, even if slowly.
• Has the expected date changed? An updated date is usually a sign the carrier knows about the delay.
• Is there an exception or alert? Messages about weather, address problems or a missed delivery attempt point to a specific cause.
• Was it ever accepted? If tracking shows only “label created” with no acceptance scan, the package may not have been handed to the carrier yet.

Common holiday tracking situations

• “In transit, arriving late”: the carrier knows the package is behind schedule but it is still moving.
• No updates for several days: during peak season, packages sometimes travel between facilities without a new scan. This is frustrating but often resolves on its own.
• Label created, not yet in system: the sender printed a label but the carrier has not received the package. Contact the sender.
• Delivery attempted: no one was available or there was an access problem. Arrange redelivery or pickup right away.

Step 2: Figure out who to contact

Who you should contact depends on your role in the shipment.

If you bought it from a retailer

Contact the retailer first. The retailer is the carrier’s customer, so it can open an investigation, ship a replacement or issue a refund. Many retailers have specific policies for packages delayed or lost during the holidays.

If you sent it yourself

You are the carrier’s customer, so contact the carrier using the tracking number. Have your receipt and the recipient’s full address ready.

If someone sent you a gift

Let the sender know. They have the receipt and the account details, and they are the one who can make a request with the carrier.

Step 3: Get help from the carrier

USPS

For a USPS package that is delayed, the Postal Service’s website offers a Help Request form, which sends your issue to the local post office that handles the delivery. If the package still does not arrive after a waiting period, you can submit a Missing Mail search request with details about the package, its contents and its appearance. You can also call USPS customer service or visit your local post office.

FedEx and UPS

Both carriers offer online help through their tracking pages, plus customer service by phone and chat. For a delayed package, the sender can usually request a trace. The recipient may be able to change delivery options, such as holding the package at a location for pickup, depending on the service.

What information to have ready

• The tracking number.
• Sender and recipient addresses.
• Ship date and service level.
• A description of the box: size, color, any markings.
• A description of the contents and their value.
• Your receipt or order confirmation.

Step 4: Consider redirecting or picking it up

If the package is close to its destination but delivery is the problem, picking it up yourself can save a day or more.

• Hold at a location: many carriers allow packages to be held at a facility or partner location for pickup, depending on the service and stage of delivery.
• USPS Hold for Pickup: for eligible packages, you may be able to have it held at the post office.
• Redelivery: if a delivery was attempted, schedule redelivery for a day someone is home.
• Change of address in transit: some services allow address changes for a fee, but timing and eligibility vary.

Step 5: Save the occasion with a backup plan

If the package is not going to arrive in time, focus on the person, not the box. A simple backup keeps the occasion intact:

• Send a printable note or photo of the gift with a message that it is on the way.
• Arrange a small local gift through a nearby store or delivery service.
• Send an e-gift card as a placeholder or alternative.
• Schedule a video call to open the gift together when it arrives.
• Reship if necessary. If the package appears lost and the gift is essential, send a replacement with a faster service and resolve the original later.

Worked example: is it worth reshipping?

It is December 21 and a gift sent by ground has not moved in four days. The holiday is December 25. If you reship on December 22 with a two-day service, the replacement is expected around December 24, leaving one day of margin. If the first package then arrives, the recipient simply has two, and you can ask them to return one or keep it as a spare. If it is a low-value gift, a printed note and patience may be the better choice.

Step 6: Follow up after the holiday

• Guaranteed services: if you paid for a service with a money-back guarantee and it was late, check whether the guarantee applied and request a refund within the carrier’s time limit.
• Lost packages: if the package never arrives, file a claim with the carrier or ask the retailer for a refund or replacement. Insurance or declared value claims need proof of value.
• Damaged on arrival: photograph the box and contents before unpacking further, and keep all packaging for the claim.

If the package arrives after the holiday

A late gift is still a gift. Let the recipient know it is on the way so they watch for it and do not leave it sitting on a porch. If you are the recipient and the sender is waiting to hear, send a quick photo once it arrives so they can close any open request with the carrier or retailer. If you filed a help request or missing mail search and the package turns up, update or close the request so the carrier stops searching.

How to avoid holiday delays next year

• Ship earlier than the carrier’s published holiday deadlines, not on them.
• Use complete addresses with apartment and unit numbers.
• Get a drop-off receipt so you know the package was accepted.
• Choose services with tracking for anything important.
• Track every package daily during the last week before the holiday.

Frequently asked questions

Why do holiday packages stop updating?

During peak season, packages may move between facilities without a new scan. A lack of updates for a few days is common and does not always mean the package is lost.

Should I contact the carrier or the retailer?

If you bought from a retailer, contact the retailer first, since it is the carrier’s customer. If you shipped it yourself, contact the carrier.

Can I get a refund for a late holiday package?

Only for services with a delivery guarantee, and only if no exception applies. Many carriers limit or suspend guarantees during the holidays.

When should I reship instead of waiting?

Reship when the gift is important, the original has stopped moving, and a faster service can still arrive in time. Otherwise, a backup plan is often enough.