What Does Attempted Delivery Mean?

VP of Operations, Fulfyld

Justin Holland is VP of Operations at Fulfyld, where he leads 3PL and eCommerce fulfillment operations. He brings Fortune 500 trucking and logistics experience to how Fulfyld picks, packs, and ships for growing DTC and CPG brands.

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Published Jun 9, 2026

Updated Jul 16, 2026

Quick answer: Attempted delivery means a carrier tried to deliver your package but was unable to complete the drop-off, typically because no one was available to receive it, access to the location was restricted, or a signature was required and couldn’t be obtained.

Why Attempted Delivery Happens

A clean, professional image of a delivery driver standing at a front door with a package and a handheld scanner, while a subt

Most attempted delivery notifications aren’t caused by carrier error. There are a few common reasons a delivery doesn’t go through on the first try:

No one was home: the most frequent cause, especially for signature-required shipments
Access issues: gated buildings, locked mailrooms, or incorrect address details
Package size: oversized items that can’t be left unattended or don’t fit available drop points
Carrier policy: some carriers won’t leave high-value items without a confirmed recipient

The carrier will typically leave a notice, physical or digital, with instructions for what happens next.

How Attempted Delivery Differs from a Delivery Failure

Attempted delivery and delivery failure are not the same status. An attempted delivery means the carrier made it to the destination but couldn’t hand off the package, it’s still in their possession and a redelivery is possible.

A delivery failure, by contrast, usually signals a more serious issue: an undeliverable address, a refused package, or a shipment that’s been returned to sender.

If your tracking shows attempted delivery, the package is still on its way to you. If it shows delivery failure, you’ll likely need to contact the retailer or carrier management team directly to resolve it.

What Buyers Should Do After an Attempted Delivery

Once you see this status, you have a few clear options:

Schedule a redelivery: most major carriers (UPS, FedEx, USPS) let you request a new delivery window online using your tracking number
Pick up from a carrier location: the package is usually held at a local facility for several days before being returned
Update delivery instructions: if access was the issue, many carriers allow you to add notes (leave at door, deliver to neighbor, etc.) via their app or website
Check your email or door: the carrier may have left a notice with a specific pickup code or redelivery link

Time matters here. Most carriers hold undelivered packages for 3–7 business days before initiating a return to sender.

Attempted Delivery and eCommerce Order Management

For eCommerce brands, repeated attempted deliveries are more than a customer inconvenience. They drive up redelivery costs, delay order fulfillment cycles, and increase the likelihood of returns. Accurate address capture at checkout, clear delivery instructions, and working with carriers that offer flexible redelivery options can significantly reduce how often this status appears.

How a brand handles the follow-up communication when a delivery doesn’t go through is often what shapes the customer’s overall experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many times will a carrier attempt delivery before sending it back?

UPS and FedEx typically make three attempts on consecutive business days before returning a package to the sender. USPS usually attempts once, leaves a notice, and then holds the parcel at the local Post Office for roughly 15 days. Attempts and hold time are separate clocks, so check the tracking page for the actual return-to-sender date rather than assuming a standard window.

What if my tracking says attempted delivery but I was home all day?

It happens more than carriers like to admit—a driver running behind schedule can scan an attempt without ever knocking. Look for a door tag or notice number first; if there isn't one, contact the carrier and request redelivery, since the scan itself usually can't be reversed.

What happens if the package goes back to the sender?

The carrier returns it to the brand at the brand's cost, where it's inspected and restocked if it's still sellable. You'll typically need to contact the retailer to choose a refund or a reship—most don't reship automatically, since the address issue that caused the first failure hasn't been resolved yet. For the brand, that single parcel now carries return freight, receiving labor, and a second outbound shipment on an order that already spent its margin.

Should I require signature confirmation on my orders?

Only where the theft or fraud risk genuinely outweighs the cost of failed deliveries. Signature confirmation carries a per-package fee, guarantees more attempted-delivery cycles, and generates support tickets—on a $40 order that trade rarely pays off. Set a value threshold, commonly somewhere in the $150–$250 range, apply it above that line, and reserve adult signature for products where it's legally required.

About the author

Justin Holland