If Evri Says on Its Way, Will It Be Delivered Today?

In the world of modern logistics, parcel tracking has become a vital part of the delivery experience. One phrase that often causes confusion among UK customers is Evri’s status update: “On its way.” But what exactly does this mean, and can customers expect their parcels to arrive the same day this status appears?

This article unpacks the meaning behind Evri’s tracking terminology, explains what happens behind the scenes, and explores the circumstances that can delay or guarantee same-day delivery.

What Does “On Its Way” Mean in Evri Tracking?

The phrase “On its way” is part of Evri’s parcel tracking system and typically appears after a parcel has left the sender and is en route to the final local depot or courier. It’s an indication that the parcel is in transit, but not yet out for final delivery.

This status causes confusion because it suggests motion but doesn’t confirm delivery timing. In Evri’s system, “On its way” generally means the item has been dispatched from a national or regional depot and is on its journey to the customer’s nearest delivery hub. However, the lack of a specific time frame associated with this status can make it difficult for customers to plan accordingly.

Understanding the core purpose of each tracking status helps demystify what stage the parcel is actually in. The key distinction lies between “On its way” and “Out for delivery”. The former implies transit between hubs, while the latter indicates courier assignment and delivery scheduling.

Common Tracking Statuses in Evri System

Tracking Status	Description
Order collected	Parcel collected from sender
Received at hub	Arrived at a regional/national processing centre
At local depot	Reached the delivery depot closest to recipient
On its way	Parcel is being transferred to final location
Out for delivery	Assigned to courier and en route to customer
Delivered	Delivered to recipient’s address

Understanding this timeline helps clarify what the customer can expect. While “On its way” may feel like the final leg of the journey, it’s not always the case.

Does “On Its Way” Mean Same-Day Delivery?

The timing of when the “On its way” status appears plays a critical role in determining whether same-day delivery is likely.

If this update occurs early in the morning, especially between 6 AM and 9 AM, it generally means the parcel has reached the local depot and is about to be scheduled for delivery. Most deliveries that fit this pattern are completed later that same day.

However, if this status is updated in the afternoon or evening, chances of receiving the parcel the same day diminish. Couriers tend to finalise their delivery routes in the early morning, and parcels scanned too late often miss this window.

Several other elements influence whether a parcel marked “On its way” will arrive today:

When the parcel was scanned at the depot
Whether it has been assigned to a delivery route
Regional courier availability and route planning
Number of parcels on the courier’s list
Local weather or traffic conditions

These factors mean that “On its way” is best interpreted as “in queue” for delivery, rather than a guarantee of delivery itself.

What Happens After the Parcel Reaches the Local Depot?

Once a parcel reaches the local depot, it undergoes internal scanning and sorting. Evri’s depots operate on tight schedules to process and assign parcels to couriers quickly. The sorting process typically involves placing parcels into specific delivery zones based on postal codes.

From there, a delivery manifest is created. Couriers are assigned parcels according to route efficiency and delivery volume. If the parcel is sorted and matched with a courier early enough, it will be dispatched for same-day delivery.

One key feature at this stage is the provision of a two-hour delivery window. This update is sent via SMS or email once the parcel has been officially allocated to a courier’s route. The appearance of this time slot is a strong indicator that the parcel will be delivered within the next few hours.

Parcel Movement After Reaching the Local Depot

Action	Description
Sorting	Parcel is scanned and grouped based on delivery area
Route assignment	Courier is assigned based on location and number of deliveries
Manifest generation	Courier receives their route manifest for the day
Time slot allocation	Customer receives a two-hour delivery window via SMS or email
Out for delivery	Parcel is dispatched with courier for final delivery to recipient’s address

Why Might Your Parcel Not Arrive Today Even If It’s “On Its Way”?

While the “On its way” status is often a positive sign, there are legitimate reasons why delivery may not occur on the same day.

One common issue is missed routing windows. Parcels that reach the local depot after couriers have begun their daily routes typically remain in storage until the following day. This is especially true during peak periods like Christmas or during flash sales where courier workloads spike dramatically.

Errors in sorting or allocation can also prevent a parcel from going out for delivery. In some cases, items are incorrectly placed into the wrong bin or routed to an incorrect area. These mistakes are usually caught during secondary scans, but they can delay delivery by a day or more.

Another issue relates to courier limitations. If the number of parcels exceeds what a courier can reasonably deliver within a day, the excess is pushed to the next shift.

Limited courier availability in rural areas can also impact delivery times, especially when routes cover larger geographic areas.

A few reasons for potential delays:

Parcel arrived too late to be included in today’s route
Human error in depot sorting
Technical issues preventing route assignment
Sudden courier absence or rescheduling
Traffic congestion or adverse weather conditions

Understanding these challenges offers realistic expectations and prevents misinterpretation of tracking information.

How Long Should You Wait Before Contacting Evri or the Retailer?

The recommended waiting period before taking action is typically 48 hours from the moment the parcel is marked “On its way”. This timeframe allows for internal processing and any minor delays to resolve naturally.

If there is no update beyond this period, the next step is to contact the retailer who arranged the delivery. Retailers have direct access to Evri’s commercial support teams and can escalate the issue faster than individual consumers.

If you purchased via an online platform such as Amazon, ASOS, or eBay, customer service can also provide additional tracking updates or initiate replacement procedures.

Tools like Courier Checker can be used to gain more insight or to verify delivery status from third-party tracking databases.

A few steps you can take after 48 hours of inactivity:

Check if the tracking status has changed to “Out for delivery”
Contact the seller or retailer’s customer service team
Submit a tracking inquiry on Evri’s website
Start a claim process if the parcel is confirmed lost or delayed

How Can You Track Your Parcel More Accurately with Evri?

Evri offers detailed tracking tools via its official website and mobile application. These tools provide real-time updates on parcel movement, including timestamps for when parcels enter and exit depots.

Customers can receive automatic notifications, including SMS alerts and email updates, once the delivery time slot has been confirmed.

If a parcel remains stuck on “On its way” for longer than expected, it’s important to understand that not all internal movements are reflected in the tracking updates. In many cases, the parcel continues moving, but the system does not display intermediate scans.

Evri’s tracking features allow users to:

Enter a reference number to view parcel history
Sign up for real-time delivery updates
View live estimated delivery windows
Access support chat for delivery issues

Is Evri Reliable for Timely Parcel Deliveries in the UK?

Evri has become one of the UK’s largest courier services, handling millions of deliveries monthly. While it has received criticism for past delivery issues, particularly under its former name Hermes, the company has made substantial investments in improving its logistics network and tracking systems.

Most parcels marked “On its way” are delivered within 24 to 48 hours, assuming no disruptions. However, reliability can vary depending on the sender, delivery location, and time of year.

Evri’s tracking is generally considered reliable for predicting final delivery, especially when the parcel reaches the “Out for delivery” stage.

Points supporting Evri’s reliability:

Improved real-time tracking and SMS notifications
Expanded weekend delivery coverage
Investment in depot automation and route optimisation
Dedicated customer service channels via app and website

Conclusion

In summary, when Evri marks a parcel as “On its way,” it often signals that delivery is near, especially if the update occurs early in the day. However, it’s not a guaranteed indication of same-day arrival, as various operational factors can cause delays.

Monitoring the tracking closely and waiting at least 48 hours before escalating is advisable. For a more accurate timeline, watch for the “Out for delivery” status, which confirms courier assignment and a likely delivery within hours.