System for resolving distressed shipments

A method for resolving a distressed shipment, comprising one or more parcels, rendered undeliverable by an exception event during transport by a carrier from a shipper to a consignee, the method comprising:

• detecting an exception event, wherein detecting the exception event comprises receiving an exception code at a carrier computer system from a wireless handheld device operated by a driver attempting delivery of a shipment and the exception code indicates that said shipment is distressed and undeliverable to a consignee;
• assigning a carrier code from a plurality of carrier codes, said carrier code correlated to said exception code and indicating that said shipment is distressed and undeliverable to the consignee;
• initiating a hold command, wherein said hold command indicates that said distressed shipment should be stored in a trap during a finite intervention time window;
• transmitting (a) said exception code, (b) said carrier code, or (c) both from the carrier computer system to a shipper computer system;
• receiving input identifying said consignee's instructions about the disposition of the distressed shipment;
• assigning, by the shipper computer system, a resolution code from a plurality of resolution codes, said resolution code correlated to said consignee's instructions;
• transmitting said resolution code to said carrier computer system;
• and
• electronically providing, by said carrier computer system, an instruction to complete said transport of said distressed shipment in accordance with said resolution code.