What Does Exception Mean at UPS? (2023 Facts)

What does exception mean at UPS? UPS, also known as "United Parcel Service", is a global package delivery and logistics company. UPS delivers more than 19 million packages per day to 8.9 million customers in 220 countries and territories around the world.

It was founded in 1907 by 19-year-old Jim Casey in Seattle, Washington. The company started out as a messenger service with just a handful of employees. Today, UPS has more than 434,000 employees worldwide. In 1971, UPS began offering air delivery services and has since become one of the largest cargo airlines in the world. In 1999, UPS went public and is now traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "UPS".

UPS is widely known for its brown trucks and uniforms. The company’s iconic brown truck has been featured in many movies and TV shows over the years, including the popular “Transformers” franchise.

What does exception mean at UPS?

An "exception" is a UPS tracking notification that your package's delivery date has been changed. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including if the address is unreadable or missing information, the shipment is damaged, the label is altered or missing, etc.

If you received an "action required" notification along with your exception message, reach out to UPS as they may require more information from you in order to proceed with delivery.

In any case, an exception notification is nothing to worry about too much - it simply means that your package's delivery timetable has been adjusted and you should expect it to arrive a bit later than originally planned.

What is a delivery exception at UPS?

A delivery exception is a tracking notification that notifies the recipient of a UPS package that their package has been delayed. The reason for the delay will be listed in the “Shipment Progress” section on the UPS website. UPS will also automatically update the delivery date based on the current status of the package.

Delivery exceptions can be caused by many different things, such as weather conditions, an incorrectly entered address, or a package being misplaced within the UPS network. If you have questions about a specific delivery exception, you can contact UPS customer service for more information.

What are the different kinds of Delivery Exceptions at UPS?

The first type of exception is an Address Exception. This occurs when the package is undeliverable to the address given. In some cases, you may be able to update the address information and have the package delivered. However, if the package was sent using UPS SurePost, UPS Mail Innovations, or UPS Freight Collect, you will need to contact the shipper to make changes to the delivery. The second type of exception is a clearance exception.

This means that UPS was unable to clear the package for import/export or there are incorrect or missing customs forms. You will need to contact UPS International Customer Care at +1-877-569-6755 to resolve this issue. The third type of exception is a customer exception. This can happen for a number of reasons, such as inclement weather preventing delivery, someone not being available to accept the package, or the recipient refusing the package.

If you are the shipper, you will need to contact the UPS Customer Center for help resolving this issue. Finally, there is what is called a system exception. These occur when there is an issue with UPS systems or equipment and are out of your control as either the shipper or recipient.

Exception action required at UPS what does it mean?

If you receive a UPS exception notification that says “action required,” it means that UPS is requesting you to reach out so that the exception can be resolved. Typically, exceptions that require action on your part have to do with missing or incorrect address information or if the courier is having a hard time locating you. 

If you have a UPS My Choice account, you can typically provide any necessary information through your account. However, if you prefer to speak to someone on the phone, you can call UPS customer service at 1 (800) 742-5877.

When you call, be sure to have your tracking number handy so that the customer service representative can pull up your shipment information. By taking action to resolve the exception, you can help ensure that your package is delivered without any further delays.

How do I get rid of a UPS problem?

If you receive an exception notification from UPS, don't panic! Most delivery exceptions tend to resolve themselves within a day or two. The only time you need to worry about resolving an exception yourself is if UPS gives you an action-required notification or your exception has to do with incorrect, missing, or illegible address information.

If your issue is with the latter, try contacting the sender for clarification on the address. If that doesn't work, reach out to UPS customer service for help. In most cases, they'll be able to either deliver your package or return it to the sender without issue.

Loss and Damage Exceptions

Loss and damage exceptions are, unfortunately, a reality of package delivery. Though they are not common, they can and do happen from time to time. If you have the misfortune of having a package lost or damaged while in transit, it is important to be patient with your courier.

These accidents happen, and there is usually nothing that could have been done to prevent them. The best thing to do is to contact your courier as soon as possible so they can begin working on a resolution.

In most cases, your courier will be able to either locate your package or send you a replacement. Though it isn’t ideal, this process usually does result in a positive outcome for the customer.

Pick up/Delivery Exceptions

Pick-up exceptions are one of the most frustrating things that can happen when shipping a package- especially if you're on a tight deadline. A pickup exception occurs when a courier is having a hard time finding the address listed as the pickup location. This can be avoided by scheduling pick-ups from a clear, easily accessible address.

Delivery exceptions are relatively common and happen for a wide variety of reasons such as inclement weather, bad traffic conditions, or the recipient is unavailable to sign for the package.

Unfortunately, there is not much that you can do to avoid delivery exceptions. However, you can stay updated on the status of your package by tracking it online or calling the customer service hotline.

Conclusion

A delivery exception can be a frustrating event, especially if you are expecting an important package. However, by understanding the different types of exceptions and what UPS needs from you, you can help to ensure that your package is delivered as soon as possible.

If you receive a notification that action is required, reach out to UPS and provide any requested information. With a little effort, you can help to ensure that your package is delivered without any further delays.

Common FAQ's

Questions from shoppers and shippers.

How does UPS handle delivery exceptions?

Typically, they'll notify you through your tracking information.

Can a FedEx delivery exception occur?

Yes. They can. A consumer should contact FedEx customer support for help.

When does a UPS delivery exception occur?

Typically, during the delivery process.