{"id":3080,"date":"2025-08-20T09:30:07","date_gmt":"2025-08-20T09:30:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shippingchimp.com\/blog\/?p=3080"},"modified":"2025-08-20T09:30:12","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T09:30:12","slug":"shipped-vs-on-the-way","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shippingchimp.com\/blog\/shipped-vs-on-the-way\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s the difference between \u201cShipped\u201d and \u201cOn the Way\u201d in package tracking?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2><strong>Understanding shipment statuses and how to read them<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When you run an online store in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shippingchimp.com\/canada-shipping\">Canada<\/a>, understanding shipping statuses is absolutely crucial for communication and reducing delivery-related disputes. A few shipping mishaps will tell you why.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Reddit will second this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https:\/\/lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com\/docsz\/AD_4nXdZuEuhTyCDM60ULnL5bLpFKkq3ix7yvOLY9NIaGvTDJSL3SttmpxVlB6zTbn7qb4gOprm-5kfTIvYwXaHBcZstcnXWg43tD3y9N7VOAUOZBVLEmbV9hfQwXKwGi2X3Do4AE_jz-A?key=cd0ZhQtYAECQ8JDT-9UIgA\" alt=\"reddit on shipping statusses\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Every carrier, be it Canada Post, ShippingChimp, FedEx, UPS, DHL uses specific status updates to track where a package is in its journey. Misinterpreting them can lead to unhappy customers and extra support tickets. Nobody wants that.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong>Why shipment statuses matter?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Helps manage buyer expectations<\/strong> &#8211; Customers can estimate timelines better.<br><\/li><li><strong>Reduces WISMO (\u201cWhere is my order?\u201d) calls and emails<\/strong> &#8211; Every \u201cShipped but not moving\u201d panic is prevented with this. Additionally, saves you time.<br><\/li><li><strong>Builds trust with proactive updates<\/strong> &#8211; Letting customers know about delays <em>before they ask<\/em> reassures is reassuring.<br><\/li><li><strong>Protects against negative reviews <\/strong>&#8211; Clear communication means fewer disputes. Period.<br><\/li><li><strong>Improves customer psychology<\/strong> &#8211; Seeing \u201cOn the Way\u201d feels like progress, even if delivery takes days.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong>Common shipping statuses explained<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Processing<\/strong> \u2013 The order is being prepared but hasn\u2019t been handed to the carrier.<br><\/li><li><strong>Shipped<\/strong> \u2013 The seller has handed the package over to the carrier.<br><\/li><li><strong>In Transit\/On the Way<\/strong> \u2013 The carrier is actively moving the package toward the destination.<br><\/li><li><strong>Out for Delivery<\/strong> \u2013 The package is with the local driver for same-day delivery.<br><\/li><li><strong>Delivered<\/strong> \u2013 The package has reached the customer.<br><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>What does \u201cShipped\u201d mean in tracking updates?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In Canadian eCommerce, <strong>\u201cShipped\u201d<\/strong> means the seller has handed the package to the shipping carrier, and the carrier has created a tracking record.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong>Key points&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>It doesn\u2019t mean the package is moving yet.<\/strong> Sometimes carriers mark \u201cShipped\u201d while the parcel is still in their facility.<br><\/li><li><strong>Tracking may take a few hours to update.<\/strong> This is common with Canada Post, especially if the package has been shipped on weekends.<br><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>What does \u201cOn the Way\u201d mean in package tracking?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u201cOn the Way\u201d<\/strong> (also shown as <em>In Transit<\/em>) means the carrier has scanned the package and it is actively moving toward the delivery address.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong>What sellers should know<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>It\u2019s the stage <strong>after<\/strong> \u201cShipped\u201d in most systems.<br><\/li><li>It can last several days depending on distance (e.g. Toronto to Yukon).<br><\/li><li>Customers feel reassured when they see this update.<br><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>Shipped vs. On the Way: Key Differences<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Feature<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Shipped<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>On the Way<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Meaning<\/strong><\/td><td>The package has been handed to the carrier.<\/td><td>The package is moving toward its destination.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>When It Happens<\/strong><\/td><td>First scan after handoff.<\/td><td>After departure from the initial facility.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><\/td><td><\/td><td><\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Tracking Update Speed<\/strong><\/td><td>It may take hours to show movement.<\/td><td>Updates more frequently as it moves.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>How to track your package and estimate delivery time<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Use the shipping carrier\u2019s website or app for real-time updates. Not all carriers offer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shippingchimp.com\/shipment-tracking\">real-time tracking<\/a> on all of their packages.<br><\/li><li>Combine tracking with proactive emails to your customers.<br><\/li><li>For long-distance Canadian deliveries (e.g., Ontario to BC), buffer in extra days to manage expectations. This reduces the customers\u2019 anxiety.<br><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>How different carriers in Canada use these terms<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Canada Post<\/strong> \u2013 \u201cShipped\u201d means acceptance at origin; \u201cIn Transit\u201d means moving.<br><\/li><li><strong>FedEx Canada<\/strong> \u2013 \u201cShipped\u201d appears after label creation; \u201cIn Transit\u201d after pickup.<br><\/li><li><strong>UPS<\/strong> \u2013 Uses \u201cShipped\u201d sparingly, prefers \u201cLabel Created\u201d and \u201cIn Transit.\u201d<br><\/li><li><strong>DHL Express<\/strong> \u2013 Uses \u201cShipment picked up\u201d and \u201cIn Transit\u201d terminology.<br><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>Best practices for Canadian sellers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Explain tracking terms<\/strong> on your FAQ page to reduce confusion. A small section explaining your terms would go a long way.<br><\/li><li><strong>Automate tracking notifications<\/strong> through your eCommerce platform.<br><\/li><li><strong>Use plain language<\/strong> when talking to customers:<br><ul><li>Instead of \u201cShipped,\u201d say \u201cyour package is with ShippingChimp and will be on its way shortly.\u201d<br><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are a Logistics Manager, get started on <a href=\"https:\/\/shippingchimp.com\/blog\/ecommerce-shipping-terms\/\">understanding shipping terms<\/a> that would help you.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>FAQs: Shipped vs. On the Way<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q1: Does \u201cShipped\u201d mean my customer will get the package tomorrow?<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong> No. \u201cShipped\u201d means the package is with the carrier and transit times vary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q2: Why is my package stuck on \u201cShipped\u201d for two days?<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong> It\u2019s possible the carrier hasn\u2019t updated tracking yet, or the package hasn\u2019t left the origin facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q3: Is \u201cOn the Way\u201d faster than \u201cShipped\u201d?<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong> \u201cOn the Way\u201d indicates active transit, so yes, it\u2019s faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q4: How can I explain these terms to customers to avoid complaints?<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong> Use a visual delivery timeline and plain language in your order update emails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q5: Do all carriers in Canada use the same tracking words?<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong> No. Canada Post, FedEx, UPS, and DHL have slightly different status names, but the meaning is similar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><strong>Final takeaway<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For Canadian sellers, <strong>\u201cShipped\u201d<\/strong> means the parcel has left your hands, while <strong>\u201cOn the Way\u201d<\/strong> means it\u2019s actively traveling to your buyer.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Understanding and explaining these terms to customers can prevent confusion, improve satisfaction, and reduce unnecessary support tickets.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Understanding shipment statuses and how to read them When you run an online store in Canada, understanding shipping&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":3081,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[3,30],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v15.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What\u2019s the difference between \u201cShipped\u201d and \u201cOn the Way\u201d in package tracking? - ShippingChimp | Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Confused between \u201cShipped\u201d and \u201cOn the Way\u201d in package tracking? 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