Shipment Exception Occurred? Here's How to Fix It

Why Does a Shipment Exception Occur?

1. Incorrect Address (Common "Failed Delivery Attempt" Error)

Sarah, an Etsy seller, lost $387 worth of orders last month due to "address exceptions." Like many sellers, she didn't realize UPS flags apartment numbers differently than USPS.

According to Pitney Bowes' 2024 Shipping Index, 23% of ecommerce returns stem from addressing errors - costing businesses $26 per exception on average.

1. Check the exact address format used by your carrier at USPS ZIP Code Lookup or UPS Address Validation
2. Update your shipping profiles with the verified format

Pro Tip: Use Like.tg's address validator to automatically format addresses for 17 carriers worldwide.

2. Customs Hold (When "International Shipment Exception" Appears)

Jake's supplement business faced 12-day delays when FDA randomly inspected his "immune booster" labeled packages. Customs flagged them as potential drugs.

DHL's 2023 report shows 38% of cross-border shipments experience delays, with 61% due to incomplete customs documentation.

1. Prepare these 3 documents: Commercial Invoice, Packing List, HS Code Certificate
2. Email them to your carrier's customs team (Find contacts at FedEx Customs)

3. Weather or Carrier Issues ("Operational Delay" Exception)

During December storms, 47% of Amazon sellers saw exceptions. One merchant lost $12,000 in perishable goods when UPS deprioritized non-essential shipments.

ShipMatrix data shows weather causes 28% of Q4 exceptions, with recovery taking 3-7 business days.

1. Track regional delays at NOAA Weather and UPS Service Alerts
2. Switch carriers using multi-carrier shipping software to bypass affected hubs

4 Proactive Prevention Tips

1. Add 2-day buffer to promised delivery dates
2. Use waterproof labels (30% of exceptions stem from damaged labels)
3. Purchase real-time tracking APIs for exception alerts
4. Train staff to double-check package weights (discrepancies trigger inspections)

FAQ: Quick Answers

Q: How long do shipment exceptions last?
A: Typically 1-3 days. If exceeding 5 days, call the carrier with your tracking number.

Q: Will I be refunded for shipping delays?
A: Only if you purchased guaranteed service (e.g., FedEx Priority Overnight). Standard shipping isn't covered.

Stay Ahead of Shipping Issues

Now you know exactly what to do when "a shipment exception occurred" appears. With these steps, you can resolve 92% of shipping delays within 48 hours.