If you’ve ever ordered something online and eagerly tracked your package only to be met with a frustrating message from Royal Mail, you’re not alone. One of the most common tracking updates that leaves customers scratching their heads is:
“Sorry, we’re unable to confirm the status of your item with reference *******GB. Please try again tomorrow.”
But what does this actually mean? Is your package lost in the postal void? Has it been stolen by mischievous postbox elves? Let’s decode this cryptic message and explain what’s really happening with your delivery.
Why Royal Mail Shows “We’re Unable to Confirm the Status of Your Item” When Tracking Your Package
Despite how it sounds, this message usually isn’t cause for alarm. In most cases, it simply means your tracking number has been generated by the sender, but the package hasn’t physically entered Royal Mail’s network yet.
This status typically appears when:
- The seller has purchased postage and created a shipping label
- The tracking number exists in Royal Mail’s system
- The package hasn’t yet been handed over to Royal Mail or scanned at a drop-off point
This is particularly common when ordering from businesses like Moonpig, Funky Pigeon, Etsy sellers, and other small retailers who may prepare orders and generate shipping labels in advance but drop packages off in batches.
Royal Mail Tracked 24/48: Limited Tracking Updates Until Delivery Day
If you’re seeing this message, chances are your item is being sent via one of Royal Mail’s more economical services, such as Tracked 24 or Tracked 48.
Unlike premium services like Special Delivery Guaranteed, these budget-friendly options offer more limited tracking visibility.
With Tracked 24/48 services:
- Initial tracking may only show the “unable to confirm status” message
- Meaningful updates often only appear on the day of delivery
- You’ll typically receive an email when Royal Mail takes possession of your item
- A delivery slot notification (usually a 3-hour window) is sent when out for delivery
The system is designed this way to keep costs down for senders, which ultimately means cheaper shipping for you – but at the cost of detailed tracking information along the journey.
Next Steps After Seeing “We’re Unable to Confirm the Status of Your Item” on Royal Mail Tracking
When you encounter this status, here’s what you can generally expect to happen next:
- Within 24-48 hours: The status should update once Royal Mail receives and scans your package
- Email notification: You’ll typically receive an email confirming your item is in the Royal Mail network
- Day before delivery: Limited tracking updates may appear
- Day of delivery: You should receive a delivery window notification
- Delivery complete: Final tracking update when delivered
If you’ve just placed your order or the tracking number was recently generated, give it at least 24 hours (if not much longer, especially if you know the seller or retailer has sent the item Traced 48) before becoming concerned. Many sellers prepare shipping labels at the end of their working day but don’t drop packages off until the following day.
How to Fix Royal Mail Tracking That’s Stuck on “Unable to Confirm Status”
If your tracking has been showing this message for more than 48 hours, here’s what to do:
- Contact the seller, not Royal Mail – This is crucial! Royal Mail can’t help with a package they haven’t received, while the seller can confirm when it was actually dispatched.
- Provide the seller with:
- Your order number
- The tracking number
- How long it’s been showing this status
- What the seller should do:
- Confirm whether the package was actually handed over to Royal Mail
- Check their proof of postage receipt
- Contact Royal Mail directly if they have confirmation the package was posted
Remember that only the sender can open an investigation with Royal Mail for items showing this status, as technically the delivery contract is between Royal Mail and the sender, not you.
Royal Mail Tracking Comparison: How Basic Tracking Compares to Premium Services
Royal Mail’s tracking system varies significantly depending on the service paid for:
| Service | Tracking Detail | Updates | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tracked 24/48 | Limited | Mainly on delivery day | Lower |
| Signed For | Basic | Collection and delivery only | Medium |
| Special Delivery | Comprehensive | Throughout journey | Higher |
Even Royal Mail’s basic tracking is generally reliable, but it does lag behind some competitors. For instance, Evri (formerly Hermes) provides more granular tracking updates, including “out for delivery” statuses with map tracking in many areas, despite their well-documented delivery issues.
The tradeoff is clear: Royal Mail’s economy tracking services offer reliable delivery with minimal tracking information, while their premium services offer both reliability and detailed tracking.
What To Do When Royal Mail Can’t Find Your Tracking Number
If the “unable to confirm status” message persists for several days, don’t panic. In the vast majority of cases, your item is either:
- Still with the seller awaiting dispatch
- In transit but not yet scanned into the system
- Moving through the Royal Mail network with delayed scanning
The best approach is always to contact the seller first. They can confirm whether your item has actually been dispatched and provide the actual posting date, which may be different from when your order was processed or when the tracking number was generated.
Royal Mail typically delivers over 99% of items eventually, even when tracking information is limited. Their reliability is generally very good, even if their tracking system isn’t as transparent as some might like for economy services.
Have you experienced this Royal Mail tracking message before? If so, the best advice really is to do exactly what it says – check back tomorrow! In most cases, your package is just in that limbo between being labelled and actually entering Royal Mail’s system.
A little patience usually pays off, and you’ll see that tracking update soon enough.
