GLS is one of Europe's largest parcel networks, shipping across dozens of countries, and its tracking statuses are mostly clear, with a couple that send shoppers to support. This guide explains each GLS status in the order a parcel normally moves through them, and flags the few that need action.
Short answer: "Data received / The parcel data was entered into the GLS IT system" means a label exists but GLS has not scanned the parcel yet. "The parcel has been handed over to GLS," "In transit," and "Inbound to delivery depot" are the parcel moving normally. "In delivery" means it is out for delivery today. "Delivered" is done. Only "Delivery not possible," "Handed over to a ParcelShop" (if unexpected), and "Returned to sender" need attention.
GLS statuses at a glance
| Status | What it means | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Data received / entered into GLS system | Label exists, not scanned yet | Wait |
| Parcel handed over to GLS | First scan, in the network | None |
| In transit / Inbound to depot | Moving between depots | None |
| In delivery | Out for delivery today | None |
| Delivered | Done | Check if not received |
| Delivered to a neighbour / ParcelShop | Left with neighbour or pickup point | Check note or collect |
| Delivery not possible | Attempt failed | Check next step |
| Returned to sender | Undeliverable | Contact the store |
The normal GLS sequence
Data received / entered into the GLS system. The store created the shipment and GLS received the data, but has not physically scanned the parcel. A label exists, nothing is moving yet. If it lasts more than a business day, the parcel has not been handed over.
The parcel has been handed over to GLS. First physical scan. The parcel is in the GLS network and the delivery estimate begins.
In transit / Inbound to the delivery depot. Moving between GLS depots, including across borders on European lanes, where it repeats at each hub. Repeats are normal.
In delivery. GLS's term for out for delivery: on the vehicle, expected today. See what "out for delivery" means.
Delivered / Delivered to a neighbour. Done, sometimes recorded as left with a neighbour or in a safe place. If the customer does not have it, see package says delivered but not received.
The statuses that need action
Delivery not possible. A failed attempt or an obstacle: address issue, no one available, or access problem. The follow-up says whether GLS reattempts, redirects to a ParcelShop, or holds the parcel. Reading this scan in real time lets you tell the customer their options first, the routine work AI agents handle.
Handed over to a GLS ParcelShop. The parcel is waiting at a pickup point, with a limited collection window. Surface it clearly on your tracking page, because "delivered" without "to a ParcelShop" reads like a lost parcel.
Returned to sender. Unclaimed, refused, or undeliverable. This should open your returns flow automatically so the refund or reship decision happens while the parcel is still moving.
GLS across Europe: same network, different words (the merchant view)
GLS operates national businesses across Europe, so the same milestone can carry slightly different wording and detail by country, and none of it matches DPD, DHL, or the Nordic carriers you also ship. A brand shipping GLS across three countries is parsing three status vocabularies, and carriers emit anywhere from 10 to 115 distinct statuses each.
Pango normalizes GLS's statuses, along with DPD, DHL, Colissimo and 100+ other carriers, into one clean set of milestones, so your branded tracking page, notifications, and support view speak one language regardless of who carries the parcel, and a genuine problem triggers a proactive message before the customer opens a WISMO ticket.
The bottom line
Most GLS statuses are normal European parcel movement; watch only for delivery not possible, unexpected ParcelShop drops, and returns. For merchants shipping GLS across borders, the fix is normalizing its per-country wording into one clean set of milestones automatically. See how it works on the post-purchase operations platform and book a demo.
