The phrase signifies that a carrier tried to deliver a package or item to the intended recipient at their specified address, but the delivery could not be completed. This could be due to various reasons, such as the recipient not being present, the delivery location being inaccessible, or the package requiring a signature. For instance, a postal worker may knock on a door and, receiving no answer, leave a notice indicating an effort to deliver was made.
Understanding that a shipping effort was made is crucial for recipients, enabling them to take necessary actions like rescheduling the delivery, picking up the package at a local facility, or contacting the carrier for further instructions. Historically, this notification process often involved paper notices left at the delivery address. However, with advancements in technology, digital notifications via email or text message have become increasingly common, providing recipients with faster and more convenient updates.