You’re expecting a PostNL package from overseas and you receive a “The item is on transport to the country of destination” status alert.
What does this mean? Where is your package when the update is triggered and is there anything you need to do?
Let’s take a look…
What Does “The Item is on Transport to the Country of Destination” Mean?
“The item is on transport to the country of destination” means that the package has been transported from the origin country, landed at an PostNL facility, and has been dispatched to the delivery address country.
“The Item is on Transport to the Country of Destination” – Guide
Unpacking the explanation further, an order from China to Croatia will very be shipped from China to the Netherlands for the first section of the journey.
In the Netherlands, it will be sorted at a PostNL facility and dispatched onwards to Croatia. As the package leaves this PostNL facility, the “The item is on transport to the country of destination” status alert will be triggered.
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Where is my package when I receive this update?
Essentially, the consignment is on the final leg of its journey when the “The item is on transport to the country of destination” update is sent out.
It is on its way to a facility within the destination country. Upon arrival, it will be sorted and sent out for final delivery.
- Related Content: Arrived at Destination Country – Full Guide
My Tracking is Stuck on “The Item is on Transport to the Country of Destination”
It can be frustrating to know that your shipment has traveled all the way from the origin country, (very often China) and seems to be held up on the final leg to the delivery address.
However, there are a number of reasons why your package is stuck on a “The item is on transport to the country of destination” alert.
First, there is the transit distance required to get there. Taking China to Croatia example mentioned above.
The fact the shipment will first arrive from China in the Netherlands, (or maybe Liege, Belgium), before being dispatched and routed to Croatia, will take time.
Then, you need to consider that another customs check could be in store when the package arrives at the destination country.
After these steps, the package will have to be dispatched to the carrier responsible for final delivery. If any scans are missed during this time your tracking will not be updated.
With all this in mind, it is not unusual for a consignment to be held on the “The item is on transport to the country of destination” update for up to two weeks.
This doesn’t mean that your package is not slowly making its way to the delivery address, however.
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What to do if the package is delayed?
If your tracking status remains on “The item is on transport to the country of destination” for more than two weeks you should contact PostNL and the shipper to see if they have any further information.
Also, the consignment may have been handed over to a 3rd party carrier for final delivery in the destination country.
In the China-Croatia shipment we have discussed, this would actually happen as PostNL does not have sort facilities or driver’s within the country.
When the package is passed to a 3rd party carrier, you should check the tracking number on a universal tracking app (17 Track or Parcelsapp) to see if any further details are available on the package location.
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How to Contact PostNL
The PostNL Customer Service area on the website contains answers to common questions and is a good starting point for queries you may have. It is available in various languages too.
However, in situations where you need an answer from a representative you can either:
- Phone: 088-2255555
- Phone: +31 900 0990
- Twitter: @PostNL
The customer service on Twitter is a good option as you will not have to wait while on hold. You can normally expect a response within an hour, (PostNL operators are said to work the Twitter profile 24/7)
If you choose to phone, operator services are available Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 8:00 pm and on Saturday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
- Related Content: What Does “The Item is Pre-Advised” Tracking Update Mean? (PostNL)
Final Words
Essentially, the “The item is on transport to the country of destination” status alert is good news.
A large part of the shipment journey has already taken place and the package is on its way to the destination country.
Hold-ups can occur, however, so it is best to remain patient for the final delivery.
I’m a 25 year veteran of USPS. I’m retired now, but as the editor of Mailbox Master, I can’t quite remove myself from the carrier industry just yet. 🙂
