What does "Electronic Shipping Info Received" mean?

I recently ordered a Halloween costume from eBay, from a seller that has very positive reviews (and is a "power seller"). I see this message from USPS every time I check on the status of my order:





Service(s): International Letter

Status: Electronic Shipping Info Received



The U.S. Postal Service was electronically notified by the shipper on October 12, 2010 to expect your package for mailing. This does not indicate receipt by the USPS or the actual mailing date. Delivery status information will be provided if / when available. Information, if available, is updated periodically throughout the day. Please check again later.



What does this mean?? I'm using USPS Priority International mail because I'm in Canada and I want my order to arrive before Halloween weekend. I'm fairly sure this seller isn't a scammer, so is something going on with the post office or at customs, and how do I find out?What does "Electronic Shipping Info Received" mean?
That message is pretty self-explanatory. I don't get why so many people can't understand it. Impatience has to be the reason, as each sentence is quite clear in what it is telling you.





'The U.S. Postal Service was electronically notified by the shipper on October 12, 2010 to expect your package for mailing.'



The seller told us to expect a package addressed to you.



'This does not indicate receipt by the USPS or the actual mailing date.'



This does not mean we actually have it yet, or that we received it the same day the seller notified us to expect it.



'Delivery status information will be provided if / when available.'



When we actually do get it, and we start to move it through the system, we will provide this information.



'Information, if available, is updated periodically throughout the day.'



We update tracking information throughout the day. Not necessarily exactly when you want it, though. Be patient.



'Please check again later.'



Please check again later. And be patient.What does "Electronic Shipping Info Received" mean?
They were notified by the shipper of the intent to ship the item but it hasn't gotten to the post office yet.



Be patient. This is a standard message that I have gotten hundreds of times.What does "Electronic Shipping Info Received" mean?
That just means we got the information about your package and we will pick it up from the company sending it, but we don't have it yet.