There is a natural lag time between when DCL creates a label for a package and when the shipping carrier scans it as on their truck. Here is a bit more information about how the shipping process works at DCL and how to know where your package is in transit.
My Tracking Information Says “Label Created”
If you see “label created” on a tracking number, it can be unsettling not knowing if the package has been placed on a carrier truck yet or not.
Units that show “label created” on the tracking information have assuredly left the DCL docks by the end of that day. Here are DCL’s shipping processes that lead up to the hand-off to the carrier:
After the order is processed, the last thing that happens is creating the label.
The package is then put on a pallet or gaylord with all the other boxes being shipped for the same carrier.
The pallet is shrink-wrapped and moved directly onto the UPS trailer.
Here are the steps that DCL takes to ensure all packages are on the carrier trucks:
When each carrier comes for pickups, they hook up to the trailer, close the doors and drive away.
They do not scan any items. They pick up the truck and take the items to their carrier hub.
Every night, DCL walks the entire dock and the distribution lines to ensure no packages were left behind.
We review all shipments left on the dock each morning. The only thing that has ever been left on the dock is full truckloads of items that the carrier has not picked up.
How to Rectify a “Label Created” Status
Once a package has left the DCL dock the tracking is technically out of DCL’s hands. It is the carrier’s issue if the package does not get scanned after it is placed on the truck.
Sometimes it takes a few days for the carrier to update the tracking with a scan code. Here are the actions you can take if you see “label created”
Wait a few days and check back to see if the scan code has been updated.
If it has been five days with no scan updates, reach out to your account manager who can alert the operations staff to do a sweep and see if any packages were left on the docks.
You should not go directly to the carrier to submit a claim.
It does happen occasionally that the carrier doesn’t scan a package, but it will still make it to its final destination. If you see “label created” there is always a chance that it will then be delivered without ever showing an “on the truck” scan.
You can always go to the carrier's website to view the latest information, as eFactory may not always have the latest scan. For UPS, you can log in or sign up to view more scanning events. It's free and may be the most updated information you can seek out.
While it can be very frustrating to not know when a package will be delivered, once it’s in the hand’s of the carrier, there really isn’t much DCL or you can do to move it along faster.