DHL “Shipment Information Received” Status Alert – Meaning

You’re expecting a delivery from DHL and you have received a “Shipment Information Received” status alert.

What does this mean exactly? Where is your package when you receive this update and is there anything you need to do?

Let’s take a look…

DHL Shipment Information Received – Guide

The DHL “DHL Shipment Information Received” tracking update is relatively self-explanatory.

In situations where the sender orders a shipment from DHL online, they can enter all the details of the package and also print out a shipping label.

At this point, DHL has received all the shipment information the carrier needs, as well as assigned a tracking number to the package.

However, at this stage, the physical parcel is still in the hands of the sender, (or inside a warehouse or fulfillment center if dealing with a large eCommerce platform).

Normally, the sender will have to drop the package off at a DHL center or have DHL pick it up.

At this point, DHL will take the first physical scan of the item and it will be classed as being within the delivery infrastructure.

From here it will be dispatched to a DHL sort facility for onward distribution toward the delivery location.

• Related Content: What Does “Forwarded for Delivery” Mean When using DHL?

DHL Package Stuck on “Shipment Information Received“

A two-pronged level of frustration can occur when the tracking remains stuck on the “Shipment Information Received” alert.

This is because both the sender and the recipient have reason to be annoyed.

For the sender, it is the case of knowing that the package has been handed over to DHL, yet no evidence scan has been created.

For the recipient, it is the uncertainty of whether the sender has actually posted the shipment or not.

Either way, tracking becoming stuck on “Shipment Information Received” is actually relatively common.

This is because there are a number of ways your package progress can be delayed and therefore not receive an updated scan.

• Related Content: What Does the DHL “Close Bag” Tracking Update Mean?

Reasons the Package Hasn’t Received its First Physical Scan From DHL

• High mail volumes due to a seasonal backlog, short staffing, or technical issues can lead to a package not being scanned in the DHL facility upon arrival. 
• Mistakes such as a mis-scan or the package being placed into the wrong pile will delay a new update.
• Scenarios where a package is handed over to a DHL driver that failed to scan the item.
• Problems with the package or box, (in terms of damaged label or not following best practices) can lead to the item being shipped without being scanned for tracking.

Pro Tip: How to ensure the package is scanned when it enters the DHL delivery infrastructure:

If you are the sender and you are dropping the package off at a DHL center or with a driver, you can insist on receiving a shipping receipt.

This will automatically cause the package to be physically scanned and therefore entered into the DHL system properly.

• Related Content: DHL Tracking Number Not Found – A Complete Guide

What to do if the Package is Stuck on “Shipment Information Received”?

As mentioned, the package being stuck on the “Shipment Information Received” status alert is frustrating for both the sender and the recipient.

If you are the recipient you will naturally want to confirm with the sender that the package has in fact been handed over to  DHL. 

All the same, I would recommend waiting for at least 5 business days before making inquiries, (unless you have specifically ordered expedited delivery).

This not only allows time for the sender to get the package into the DHL delivery infrastructure, but it also gives DHL adequate time to initiate the first physical scan.

If it turns out the package has gone AWOL after being handed to DHL the shipper will be able to make inquiries as to the delay.

The carrier is often more receptive to the person or enterprise that made the delivery order.

• Related Content: Further Consignee Information Needed – DHL Tracking

Contacting DHL

Whether you are the recipient or the shipper, making contact with DHL if the tracking doesn’t update is easy. Head here for full details of your options as a customer in the USA.

Similar Tracking Alerts to “Shipment Information Received”

“Shipment Information Received” is an alert used by DHL. USPS has its own version of this, “Pre-shipment info sent to USPS”, as do many other carriers (“Notification of Shipment Confirmation”).

If you receive wording in status to this effect, you will know that your package information has been sent to the carrier, but the physical item still remains with the sender.

• Related Content: What Does “Shipment is Out With Courier for Delivery” DHL Mean?

Final Words

Essentially, the “Shipment Information Received” alert is a standard update that is triggered at the very beginning of the shipment journey.

It signifies that DHL has received all the shipment information from the sender and that before long the physical item will be entering the carrier delivery infrastructure.

However, if time drags on before an updated alert is sent, (in the region of 5 business days), either sender or recipient should begin to make inquiries with DHL.

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