"Handed over to carrier" means the seller or shipper has transferred physical possession of your package to the designated shipping company (the carrier) for delivery.
Essentially, it signifies a change in responsibility; the seller is no longer in control of the package, and the carrier has assumed responsibility for transporting it to you. This is a crucial step in the shipping process.
Here's a breakdown:
-
Seller's Role Completion (Temporarily): The seller has packed, labeled, and prepared the package for shipment and has physically given it to the carrier (e.g., USPS, FedEx, UPS, DHL).
-
Carrier's Responsibility Begins: The carrier now takes ownership of the delivery process. They will scan the package into their system and begin the journey to the final destination.
-
Tracking Information: When a package is "handed over to carrier," tracking information usually becomes available (or becomes more accurate). This allows you to monitor its progress as it moves through the carrier's network.
Example:
Imagine you order a book online. After a few days, the tracking information updates to "Handed over to carrier." This means the bookstore has given your package to the shipping company, and the shipping company is now in charge of getting the book to your doorstep.