“The Parcel Was Handed Over to GLS” – Tracking Guide

You’re expecting a delivery via GLS and have received a “The Parcel Was Handed Over to GLS” status update.

What does this mean exactly? Where is your package when you see this alert and what should you do if the tracking is stuck?

Let’s take a look…

The Parcel Was Handed Over to GLS – Guide

This alert is generally triggered when the package has been handed over to GLS (either at a GLS facility or to a GLS driver), and a physical scan has taken place.

Up until this point, the package will have been with the sender and therefore not inside the GLS delivery network.

The update that generally precedes this is “The parcel data was entered into the GLS IT system – the parcel was not yet handed over to GLS”.

• Related Content: “Handed Over to Carrier” – Tracking Guide

This alert is exactly what it describes itself as. The sender has made an order with GLS, (and details are inside the IT system of the carrier), however, the package has yet to be picked up or dropped off with GLS.

To reiterate, after this picked-up or dropped-off action takes place, and importantly, after the package receives its first scan by GLS, the “The Parcel Was Handed Over to GLS” update will be triggered.

• Related Content: What Does “Parcel Handed to DPD” Mean?

How Long Until Delivery After the Update?

Determining how long it will be until your package is delivered is difficult at this stage.

This is because the item is still very much at the beginning of the shipment journey.

In other words, there are a number of logistical steps the parcel will need to go through, all of which could potentially cause some delay.

That said, your GLS tracking will provide an estimated delivery window based on the service speed ordered and the distance between the origin and the destination.

Assuming the package travels through the network according to the normal schedule, you will receive your item within that time frame.

On average, this is 3 to 5 days on a domestic shipment and 5 to 10 days on an international shipment, (if standard, non-expedited services are used).

• Related Content: The Parcel Data Was Entered into the GLS IT System – Guide

What Updates Occur After a “The Parcel Was Handed Over to GLS” Alert?

If the package was handed over to the GLS driver (and it was they that carried out the first physical scan of the item); the next alert you will receive will be “The Parcel Has Reached the Parcel Center”.

A variation of this that is sometimes used is “The Parcel Has Reached the GLS Location”.

Both updates mean the same thing in that the package has reached a GLS sorting facility where it will be prepared for onward dispatch to a location closer to that of the recipient.

• Related Content: “The Parcel Has Left the Parcel Center” – GLS Tracking

Tracking Stuck on “The Parcel Was Handed Over to GLS”

So what happens if the tracking is stuck on this update?

First, it is important to realize that the although the driver may scan the item as received (or handed over), at the point they receive it, it will not receive another update until it reaches the GLS parcel center and begins sortation for relevant dispatch.

All it takes is a backlog in the facility and you might not see a new update for a day or two, (or more during high-volume times such as Christmas).

This timeline would encourage before making inquiries.

At least you know that the item is inside the delivery network, it has just been delayed in reaching the next step in the delivery chain.

Very often the item will begin moving through the system without any intervention.

However, I recommend that if your package is stuck on “The Parcel Was Handed Over to GLS” for more than 5 days with no new updates you should contact GLS to find out more.

• Related Content: Batch Delivery to Carrier: Tracking Guide

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