Amazon Says "Arriving Today But Not Out For Delivery" in 2023 – What It Really Means

As an experienced Amazon seller, I know it can be confusing and worrying when your Amazon order says "Arriving today but not out for delivery."

You placed your order expecting timely delivery, but now you‘re not sure if you‘ll actually get it today.

Not to worry! In this detailed guide, I‘ll explain exactly what this status means on Amazon and when you can expect your package.

First, let‘s quickly summarize:

• "Arriving today but not out for delivery" means your order is still at Amazon‘s warehouse but is scheduled for delivery today.

• It has NOT yet been loaded on the truck for delivery, unlike "Out for delivery."

• You should still receive the order today in most cases, typically by 9pm.

Let‘s dive into the details…

Why "Out For Delivery" and "Arriving Today" Have Different Meanings

As an experienced Amazon seller and expert in fulfillment, I know Amazon‘s delivery language can be confusing.

What does it really mean when Amazon says:

• "Out for delivery"

• "Arriving today"

There is an important difference between these statuses:

"Out For Delivery" Means It‘s On the Truck

When Amazon says your package is "Out for delivery," this means:

• Your order has been loaded onto the delivery truck.

• The truck is on its way and will arrive at your address that same day.

• You should receive your order later that day.

So "Out for delivery" indicates your package is already on the move and in transit.

"Arriving Today" Means It‘s Still at the Warehouse

Whereas when Amazon says "Arriving today but not out for delivery", this means:

• Your order is still sitting at Amazon‘s warehouse/fulfillment center.

• It has NOT YET been loaded onto a truck for delivery.

• But Amazon intends to get it on a truck and to your address before the end of the day.

So your package is still at the starting line but plans to cross the finish line by day‘s end!

Bottom line: "Out for delivery" is further along than "Arriving today." But in both cases, you should still receive your order that same day.

Next let‘s look at why you might see "Arriving today" instead of "Out for delivery"…

4 Common Reasons Your Order Hasn‘t Left the Warehouse Yet

In my experience as an Amazon seller, there are a few common reasons you may see your order is "Arriving today" instead of "Out for delivery":

1. High Order Volumes

During peak sales times like Prime Day or the holidays, Amazon warehouses get slammed with orders. It takes longer to get each package prepped and onto its delivery route.

Mine may not make it out by the usual morning truck dispatch if the warehouse team is inundated.

2. Bad Weather/Traffic Delays

Severe storms, snow or dense fog can delay Amazon‘s delivery trucks from leaving on time. Especially in remote rural areas.

Unusually heavy traffic jams in big cities also slow trucks down significantly.

This causes orders to pile up waiting for dispatch as the day goes on.

3. Inventory Issues

If I sell out of an item as a merchant, it can take time to get Amazon stocked again from my next shipment.

My inventory may arrive at Amazon late morning and not be scanned into their system until afternoon.

Any orders for that item placed earlier in the day will show as "Arriving today" while waiting for my stock to arrive.

4. New Third Party Sellers

As a longtime Amazon seller, I know new third party merchants can face inventory delays.

If they underestimate demand, stock may sell out sooner than expected. It can take weeks to replenish.

Their Amazon shipments may arrive late in the facility each day, with yours missing the morning trucks.

The bottom line: Amazon wants you to get your order ASAP. "Arriving today" just means a little delay at the starting line – but still on track for delivery.

Now let‘s look at what to expect with this status…

What to Expect if Amazon Says "Arriving Today But Not Out for Delivery"

So your order hasn‘t left the building yet. But Amazon still believes they can get it to your doorstep today. What delivery window can you expect?

Orders Should Arrive By 9PM

For most Amazon Prime orders and standard shipping items, I see delivery windows between 3PM and 9PM if an order is still "Arriving today" earlier in the day.

As long as there are no major weather events or traffic jams slowing Amazon‘s trucks, your order should arrive by 9PM.

Late Same-Day Orders May Arrive Between 6PM-10PM

However, if you pay for same-day delivery, Amazon may promise delivery by 10PM instead of 9PM.

For example, if you place a same-day order at 2PM, the delivery window moves to 6PM-10PM instead of standard business hours.

This allows Amazon more leeway to meet the same-day promise for late afternoon orders.

The key is that you should receive your package the same day it switched to "Arriving today" status, unless exceptional circumstances arise. Amazon is usually good about setting accurate expectations.

But what if your order doesn‘t arrive on time…

Troubleshooting Tips if You Don‘t Get Your Package

Despite Amazon‘s best efforts, it‘s possible for an "Arriving today" order to encounter delays or exceptions:

Scenario 1: No Delivery Attempt Made

First, check your doorstep and mailbox to confirm no delivery attempt was made. Some packages can arrive but not trigger an update.

If no sign of a delivery attempt, proceed to step 2:

Scenario 2: Contact Amazon Customer Service

Reach out to Amazon customer service by phone or chat and explain your order has not arrived.

Provide the order details and current tracking status showing it never went "Out for delivery."

An Amazon agent can investigate and provide specifics on where the package is located and what went wrong. Their team has the best insight.

Scenario 3: Request a Refund or Replacement

If Amazon confirms your package is indeed lost or delayed beyond reasonable timelines, request either:

• A refund for a missing or unreasonably late order.

• A replacement item to be shipped quickly at no additional cost.

Amazon‘s A-to-Z guarantee protects customers for late or undelivered orders. You are entitled to the above resolutions.

Being proactive with customer service is key to getting quick help and resolution from Amazon when things go wrong.

Why "Arriving Today" Orders Run Late: 4 Common Causes

As an experienced Amazon seller and fulfillment expert, I‘ve seen a few general reasons why an "Arriving today" order may still come the following day instead:

1. Warehouse or Delivery Disruptions

Unexpected problems at Amazon‘s warehouse like conveyor belt malfunctions or truck accidents can cause major delays.

Severe weather can also shutdown delivery operations temporarily.

2. Inventory Issues

Damaged, lost or missing inventory happens even with Amazon‘s advanced systems. Your order may have fallen victim.

3. Routing Errors

Misrouted packages that go to the wrong facility or delivery area lose critical time getting back on track.

4. Third Party Seller Errors

New sellers may commit inventory management mistakes that Amazon can‘t adjust for on short notice.

System glitches can also cause incorrect in-stock statuses until fixed.

Key Takeaway: Amazon has an exceptional on-time delivery record overall. But when exceptions happen, act quickly to get answers and resolution.

I‘ll wrap up with some common FAQs about this topic…

FAQs – "Arriving Today But Not Out For Delivery" on Amazon

Q: Why would Amazon say arriving today even late in the day?

Amazon deliveries can run as late as 10PM in many regions. Large fulfillment centers and delivery networks allow Amazon to dispatch orders very late for same-day arrival.

Q: Does this status mean I‘ll get my order late in the evening?

Possibly yes. Amazon gains flexibility by keeping "Arriving today" as the status into the afternoon before switching it to "Out for delivery." But most packages should still come by 9pm.

Q: Is there a chance I won‘t get my order today?

A small chance exists due to warehouse issues, delivery disruptions or third party seller errors. But over 90% of the time, Amazon makes good on the "Arriving today" promise.

Q: What do I do if my order doesn‘t arrive today as promised?

First check for delivery notices or attempts. If none, contact Amazon customer service immediately for help investigating and resolving the issue (refund or replacement item).

Q: How late does Amazon deliver packages?

Amazon primarily delivers until 9pm but may go as late as 10pm for same-day orders. Night deliveries allow Amazon to meet tight promises.

As you can see, the "Arriving today but not out for delivery" status sounds concerning but is usually nothing to worry about. Now you know exactly what it means and what to expect from Amazon.

In Closing

I hope this detailed guide has decoded the meaning behind Amazon‘s "Arriving today" status, and given you increased confidence in what to expect delivery-wise.

As an experienced ecommerce seller, my goal was to provide more insightful research and expertise to help you understand Amazon‘s delivery language and process.

While hiccups can happen, Amazon has incredible competence at orchestrating millions of packages each day. The odds are strongly in your favor that "Arriving today" means just that.

Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions!