When you’ve ordered something online, waiting for your shipment to be delivered is always the hardest part. If you’re looking into an upcoming delivery, it is best to stay in contact with your seller if you need to ask any questions or are concerned about delays, damage or lost shipments. You should also keep the following in mind:
Check the estimated transit time
Some shipping services can take longer than others. Check the estimated transit time for your shipment to know when to expect a delivery. Please note that these estimates are calculated using the number of business days (excluding weekends) and are not guaranteed. You can find the delivery estimate on the shipment tracking page.
Check your tracking status
Learn how to track your shipments here.
Shipment Created
The sender has created postage for your shipment, however they have not shipped it. Your shipment is still with them and Chit Chats is awaiting the item to receive it. If your shipment has yet to show a 'Received by Chit Chats' status several days after placing your order, we recommend reaching out to the seller or referring to their fulfilment policy to get more information on the status of your order.
Received
Shipments that show the ‘Received’ status, are shipments that Chit Chats is processing to hand over to one of our partner carriers. Our partner carrier will handle the delivery to you.
In Transit
Once your shipment has been processed by one of our partner carriers it will be marked as ‘In Transit’. You will start to see tracking updates from the carrier as the shipment is processed at their sorting facilities on its way to you. If your shipment does not have this status, it is still awaiting a physical acceptance scan from the partner carrier.
If your shipment is in this state but has exceeded its estimated transit time, there may be delays beyond the carrier's control. It is best to check the carrier’s tracking page for any processing alerts and shipping exceptions like missing shipment information (e.g. postal or zip code, apartment number). Please contact the carrier or your seller directly if you notice any missing or inaccurate information.
If the service selected for your shipment does not include delivery confirmation, you will not see any tracking updates beyond the 'In Transit' status.
Delivered
Shipments that are confirmed as delivered by the partner carrier will display the ‘Delivered’ status.
Shipments with partial tracking will not display this status.
If your shipment shows this status but you have yet to receive it, it may be out for delivery or the delivery may be scheduled.
If no one is available when the carrier attempts delivery or it is unsafe to leave at the doorstep, you may receive a notice to collect your shipment from a local post office or pickup point. If you do not receive a notice from the carrier, you may want to inquire directly with your local post office or the carrier.
Other reasons for a delayed shipment
Customs Issues
If your shipment requires further investigation at a Customs checkpoint (U.S. or internationally), you may expect a later delivery estimate. Each destination country conducts customs checks according to their laws and regulations. Customs clearance is beyond Chit Chats' control. Detailed inspections or the paying of taxes and duties may delay your shipment and can vary from country to country.
Returns
In most cases where a delivery cannot be completed as planned, the carrier may decide to return the shipment to the sender. These shipments are often referred to as undeliverable. Some reasons for undeliverable shipments include:
- Incorrect postage
- Incomplete, illegible, or incorrect address
- Addressee not at address (unknown, moved, or deceased)
- Mail unclaimed by recipient
- Mail refused by the addressee at the time of delivery
- Mail refused by the addressee after delivery (when permitted by the carrier)
If your shipment is being returned, you may see updates with the original tracking number as the shipment makes its way back to the sender. However, this is dependent on the carrier and service. You will need to contact the seller or carrier of your shipment for more information as Chit Chats is unable to provide further updates on undeliverable shipments.
Lost in transit
Although rare, if your shipment has exceeded the estimated delivery time, it may be lost in transit. You will need to contact the seller directly for next steps. For lost shipments, the seller may need to contact you to submit a statement of non-receipt in order to file an insurance claim.
Next Steps
If your shipment has greatly exceeded the estimated delivery date and has yet to arrive, please contact your seller for next steps. Your seller will be able to provide our Client Support team the details necessary to begin an investigation into the whereabouts of the shipment. Due to privacy, we can only provide the details of investigations to our clients.