When you ship something through USPS or receive something, you may have questions about the status of the package. There are a lot of labels you can see when tracking the item
The dispatched from sorting center label can be unclear. Fortunately, it’s not too hard to learn more about to help you stay on top of your shipment.
What Does Dispatched From Sorting Center Mean for USPS Shipments?
When you see that your package was dispatched from the sorting center, it means that someone has arranged your package based on the shipping address. Someone has also moved the package out of the sorting center, so it’s about to go on a delivery truck.
This step typically happens after your package arrives at the sorting center. Be sure to look at the package history to determine if your package may ship out soon.
How the Sorting Facility Operates
A USPS sorting center starts by processing incoming packages. They may apply labels or scan existing labels to help sort the items.
Someone will then sort the packages based on the delivery ZIP code. That way, they can group the packages with other items going to the same general area.
In some cases, this may mean an entire state or metro area. However, for local sorting centers, it may mean to your specific neighborhood.
To help process and sort items, be sure to use a shipping label or write the address cleanly. That way, the machines and scanners can recognize the address more easily.
What Happens After Dispatch
After you see the dispatched from sorting center tracking status, your package should make it onto a truck. If the sorting center is near you, the package may get on a delivery truck, so you could get the package that day.
However, if the package comes from far away, it may be on a larger truck. That truck will then take your shipment to another sorting center closer to you. In that case, you may not get the item that day, but it’s still progress.
Eventually, your package will get on a truck for delivery. At that point, you can start to wait for it to arrive at your door.
How Long Will a Package Be at a Sorting Center?
Usually, packages won’t stay at a sorting center for more than a day. The sorting center processes things every day that the USPS operates. So if your package arrives between Monday and Friday, it may leave that day or the next.
However, if your package gets to a sorting center late on Saturday, it may stay there until the following Monday. The same is true if your shipment arrives just before a major holiday since the USPS will close the next day.
In most cases, though, your item shouldn’t be at the center for too long. You can use your tracking number to see when the package arrived to estimate when it may leave.
When Does the Tracking Information Update?
If you’re lucky, the tracking information may update as soon as someone scans your package. But it could take up to 24 hours for the USPS to officially update your information.
That means the item status may not always be accurate. You should wait a few hours and check the status again to see if it changes. If not, you can always contact the USPS for more details on where your package is.
Can You Tell Exactly Where the Package Is?
Unfortunately, you can’t always tell exactly where your package is. You’ll be able to see where the package was last scanned, which could be a sorting center.
But it takes time to get from one location to another. If your package is moving, you may see a label that says your item is in transit.
However, you probably won’t be able to tell where it is specifically. Check back in a few hours to see if your package gets to a new sorting center or a similar location.
Will You Get Your Package the Same Day It Leaves the Sorting Center?
You may or may not get your packages the same day it leaves a sorting center. This can depend on the shipping address and the location of the sorting center.
If your package is already nearby, someone may load it straight on a delivery truck. So you could get the package later that day.
However, when your delivery address is in a different state from the sorting center, it will probably take another day or so to get the item. Keep tracking the item once or twice a day to learn of any updates.
What Does the USPS Label “Dispatched From Sorting Center” Mean?
The USPS “dispatched from sorting center” means that your package is ready to get on a truck. Someone labeled and sorted the item with others that are going to nearby addresses. You may get the package later that day or the next day, depending on how close the sorting center is.