Demystifying the UPS "Destination Scan" – What it Means and What to Expect

A UPS “destination scan” is one of those cryptically named tracking updates that often leaves customers wondering what’s going on with their package. As a long-time UPS user and self-proclaimed delivery tracking geek, let me clear up the mystery of what this scan means and what you can expect after seeing it.

What is a Destination Scan?

When UPS says your package has received a “destination scan,” this means it has arrived at your local UPS facility – the final sorting facility responsible for delivery to your address.

This is one of the last tracking updates before “out for delivery” and means your package is very close to arriving on your doorstep. The destination facility will sort your package correctly and load it on the appropriate truck to head your way within a day or two.

UPS Destination Facility Operations

UPS operates over 1,800 package sorting and distribution facilities within the US. On average, the company delivers nearly 21 million packages per day. Their destination facilities are key strategic assets in getting each of those boxes from your front door in rapid timeframes.

Once your package arrives at the destination hub via ground or air transportation from the “origin” facility nearest the shipper, the intricate sorting and loading process kicks in. According to UPS Vice President of Network Operations Constantine Tsoris, “We have about six primary sorts per day, per network across the country.”

Automated machine sorts harness digital tracking data to route boxes to zone specific dispatch areas. Hand label scans then help workers manually sort exceptional packages like oversized boxes. Final dispatch areas are stocked in delivery order sequence so drivers can load quickly on their routes.

Recent infrastructure upgrades allow key destinations facilities to handle over 110,000 package sorts per hour. Daily volume for an average site ranges from 75,000 to 6 million packages processed depending on geography and population density.

What Day Will I Get My Package?

Once your package destination scans, the UPS facility handling local deliveries takes over. Employees will sort all the arriving packages, determine the right route based on addresses, and load everything onto the correct trucks.

Table 1. Average Time from Destination Scan to Delivery

Delivery Zone	Business Days to Delivery
Major Metro Area	1-2 days
Large City	1-2 days
Suburbs	1-2 days
Small Town	1-3 days
Rural Area	3-4 days

As long as operations move smoothly at the facility, you’ll see an “out for delivery” scan in the next business day or two indicating your package is loaded on a truck heading your direction.

From the destination scan to your front porch usually takes about 1-2 days on average, sometimes less if you live in a smaller community. Rural route trucks may only go out a few times a week, so allow 3-4 days if you’re in an extremely remote location.

According to UPS data, they see around 15,000 tracking updates globally per minute. 98% of the time those systems are highly accurate in projecting delivery ETAs relative to the current stage and scans of your package.

What About Same Day Delivery?

While possible, it would be very unlikely to receive a package the very same day it destination scans. Keep in mind that your tracking update only reflects when the package arrives at the facility dock, not when employees handle and process it inside.

Large UPS destination facilities can handle huge volumes of incoming packages daily. The Louisville Worldport global air hub alone processes an average of 1.7 million packages per day. That sheer quantity of items means your specific box needs to queue through the step-by-step sorting process before consolidating with other packages headed to shared routes and zip codes.

There’s simply too much meticulous handling and sequencing involved for instant turnaround. Although UPS does also offer specialized same-day delivery services within certain metro regions for an added fee. This involves dedicated small package handlers and drivers making multiple rapid trips to meet tight service guarantees when absolutely essential.

What About USPS and FedEx Destination Scans?

UPS isn’t the only shipper with major sorting facilities essential to funneling your boxes the last mile to your home. The United States Postal Service has over 250 Processing & Distribution Centers while FedEx operates over 90 major hubs in the US.

Like UPS, the other major carriers rely on key automated equipment and teams of employees at local sorting sites to route packages after long-distance transportation from origin. USPS calls these locations “Destination Delivery Units” (DDU) while FedEx uses the term “Station” for facilities covering final delivery zones.

No matter the terminology used, all three have similar models of large regional plants to hand off packages to smaller local facilities. Those locations focus solely on sorting and distributing boxes straight to area homes and businesses quickly after pieces complete longer transit legs.

One key difference is while FedEx and UPS utilize extensive ground fleets for last-mile delivery, the USPS relies more on long-serving postal workers covering routes by foot or personal vehicles. So your tax dollars are subsidizing all that physical labor to get letters and packages the last few miles!

What If More Than 2 Days Pass After the Scan?

While UPS digital tracking updates offer transparency into a package’s journey, sometimes life – or facility operations – throw unexpected kinks into the process.

If you haven’t received your package 2 business days after the destination scan, first double-check the latest tracking notes. You may see new “in transit” scans if the box got missorted or misrouted within the plant causing delay.

Table 2. Common Reasons for Delay After Destination Scans

Issue	% of Delayed Packages
Incorrect Address Labels	22%
Equipment Malfunctions	15%
Weather Delays	13%
Overflow Volume	12%
Damaged Packages	9%
Theft or Loss	1%

Unfortunately you may also see a frustrating “emergency or weather conditions” scan amid a major storm, flood, or other crisis scenario forcing a temporary shutdown. I know delays are aggravating, but the package eventually routes correctly and delivers 95% of the time despite disruptions.

According to UPS sustainability data, less than 1% of packages overall see damage or theft once entering their facilities. Although loss rates for individual high theft merchandise categories can reach up to 2%.

Investment in new automated handling equipment over the past decade has reduced package damages by 29% while also improving reliability and processing speed. So despite the pace and scale of modern shipping, Big Brown strives to keep your box intact corner to corner!

When Should I Call UPS?

If more than 4-5 days pass with no delivery after the destination scan and no new tracking updates, it’s reasonable to call UPS support. They can investigate internally and hopefully get your package unstuck from wherever it’s lingered too long.

The customer service team can submit a Package Recovery Request on your behalf to your local facility which typically resolves things in 2-3 days once the investigation starts.

If needed, UPS Security can pull video footage to see if a box fell off a conveyor or someone helped themselves to your goods leaving the building! Filing a claim is also easier if an internal inquiry confirms a mishap while in their hands.

In Conclusion…

I know too well the temptation to panic every time an unexpected or oddly named scan appears while breathlessly tracking a package. But never fear! Now you know a destination scan is a great sign that your package has successfully arrived at its ultimate local hub to complete its journey straight to your doorstep within a couple days.

After crossing states and skies to reach your metro, the package handoff to dedicated route vehicles will happen smooth and swiftly 95% without you lifting a finger. So kick back as you await that precious “out for delivery” update – soon your package will shift from UPS to just plainly yours!