The Rise of Delivery Delays: Why It’s Happening and How to Stay One Step Ahead

In the age of one-click purchases and next-day shipping promises, the expectation is clear: when you buy something online, it should arrive quickly and reliably. But over the past few years, more and more shoppers have faced a frustrating reality—unexpected delivery delays. Whether it’s a birthday gift arriving late or an essential item stuck in transit, the inconvenience is real and increasingly common.

Why are deliveries being delayed more often? And more importantly, what can you do about it? This article breaks down the key reasons behind modern delivery hiccups—and offers practical parcel tracking tools and tips to help you stay ahead of the chaos.

Why Are Delivery Delays Becoming More Common?

1. Strained Global Supply Chains

Global trade has been under immense pressure since the COVID-19 pandemic. Factory shutdowns, raw material shortages, and labor constraints have disrupted supply chains around the world. Even as production has resumed in most areas, the ripple effects are still being felt in logistics and transportation.

For example, a product made in Asia may face delays due to port congestion or lack of available shipping containers. These upstream problems eventually trickle down to the customer, often without warning.

2. Increased Demand from Online Shopping

E-commerce has boomed over the last few years. More people are shopping online than ever before, and that means more packages on the road. This surge in volume has put added pressure on postal services and private carriers alike.

During peak seasons like Black Friday or the December holidays, the strain intensifies. Even well-staffed couriers struggle to meet deadlines when they’re handling record-breaking numbers of parcels.

3. Weather Events and Unpredictable Disruptions

Severe weather—flooding, snowstorms, hurricanes—can delay deliveries for days or even weeks. On top of that, strikes, political unrest, and even cyberattacks on logistics companies have caused unexpected slowdowns.

Unfortunately, these events are often out of anyone’s control, and tracking updates may lag or become inaccurate during these periods.

How You Can Take Control of Your Deliveries

While you can’t control the global economy or the weather, there are ways to be more proactive about your deliveries. Here are some tips to help ensure you’re not left in the dark.

1. Use a Universal Tracking Tool

Many retailers provide basic tracking links, but these often only show information from the seller’s preferred courier. If your parcel changes hands—say, from DHL to the local postal service—you might lose sight of it.

This is where tools like Ordertracker, 17track or Parcelsapp come in. They allow you to input a single tracking number and automatically pull data from over 1,200 carriers worldwide. That means you can follow your parcel across borders, couriers, and time zones with a single dashboard.

2. Read the Shipping Fine Print

Before placing an order, take a close look at the estimated delivery time and shipping terms. Is it standard, expedited, or economy? Is the item shipping from abroad? Products from overseas may have longer transit times or go through customs, which can add days or weeks.

Avoid assuming fast delivery unless it’s clearly guaranteed—and even then, expect potential delays during peak times.

3. Track Early and Often

Once you get a tracking number, don’t just wait for updates to hit your inbox. Actively check your tracking details—especially a few days before your expected delivery date.

If something seems off—like your package hasn’t moved in five days—it might be worth contacting the seller or courier. In some cases, parcels can be held at sorting centers due to missing documentation or incorrect addresses.

4. Consider Using an Alternate Delivery Address

If your home isn’t a reliable delivery location (e.g., apartment building with a non-secure entrance), consider sending your package to a trusted neighbor, office, or a parcel locker when available. Missed deliveries can cause delays of several days.

Even one failed delivery attempt can push your package to the bottom of the route queue—especially during busy periods.

5. Know When to Escalate

If your package has been stuck for more than 7 business days without movement, it’s time to escalate. Start by contacting the seller or the retailer’s customer service. If you purchased through a marketplace like Amazon or Etsy, use their resolution center.

Most platforms have a buyer protection policy, but it typically requires you to act within a specific timeframe.

The Bottom Line

Delivery delays are frustrating—but not always avoidable. They can result from anything from overloaded systems to global disruptions outside anyone’s control. The key is staying informed and taking a few proactive steps.

Tools like Ordertracker can offer better visibility into where your package is and when it might arrive, regardless of the courier involved. Pair that with good communication, early tracking, and realistic expectations, and you’ll be better prepared to manage any delivery hiccups that come your way.