As an online business owner, it’s important to share regular updates with your customer regarding the status of an order. When consumers buy a product, they want to know when a package will ship and when they will receive it. USPS Tracking helps you and your customers to track packages easily every step of the way. Here's everything you need to know about the USPS tracking number.
About USPS Tracking Number
Whenever you send a package, the post office workers assign a number to that order, that number is called the USPS Tracking number. It's also known as an article number or a label. A 22-digit US Mail Service tracking number is typical. Depending on the service you're using, the number of digits may differ.
What does a USPS tracking number look like?
A USPS tracking number is a shipment tracking number or a unique ID that is given to every USPS package sent through the courier. Only USPS will use this number.
Every USPS package has a unique tracking number that is 20 to 22 digits long and has no letters in it or has two letters at the end. Here are some examples of USPS tracking numbers that you can use. See some examples of tracking numbers below.
Please remember that USPS Express Mail tracking numbers have 13 characters, start with two letters, and end with "US."
USPS Tracking Number Format
USPS Tracking: 9400 1000 473859400 0000 00
Priority Mail: 9205 5000 04938495069000 00
Certified Mail: 9407 3000 00374859489500 00
Collect On Delivery Hold For Pickup: 9303 3000 00047380795310 00
Global Express Guaranteed: 82 0005748300
Priority Mail Express International: EC 000 4839600 US
Priority Mail Express: 9270 1000 00030291869580 00
EA 000 000 000 US
Priority Mail International: CP 000 000 000 US
Registered Mail: 9208 8000 20194859430000 00
Signature Confirmation: 9202 1000 0059438271300 00
Why is my USPS tracking number not updating?
When the tracking doesn't change, it could be because the package has been registered for a tracking number but USPS hasn't received it yet. Another possibility is that USPS got the package but hasn't scanned it yet. Don't try to track the package again for a few hours.
Also, make sure the tracking number you put in is correct. Sometimes, if you miss a letter or number or type it wrong, it could change the results of the package you're tracking.
If you still can't track your package after a few days, there might be a problem with the delivery. In that case, you should call the USPS customer service team for help.
How to use the USPS Tracking?
You can check the latest status of an item(s) by entering the tracking number into the USPS Tracking® website. If accessible, you may be able to execute a variety of actions depending on the item's condition, origin, and destination, as well as the item's class and services. You can look into the item's tracking history as well as the services and features that come with it. You can ask for emails or texts about your goods, as well as a Proof of Delivery email. If no one is available to accept your mail, you can also leave directions for the carrier on where to leave it.
What is the USPS Status Meaning while Tracking
PRE-SHIPMENT
This status indicates that USPS tracking number has created your package's label but has not yet scanned it into the system.
IN TRANSIT
Arrival at Unit: indicates that the parcel arrived at the Post Office near your destination on the scheduled delivery date. In addition, USPS has set a delivery date.
Departed USPS Facility: indicates that the package has left the sorting hub. The package's ZIP code, city, and state would also be mentioned by USPS.
Arrived at USPS Facility: indicates that the parcel has arrived at the sorting center. The package's ZIP code, city, and state would also be mentioned by USPS.
Processed at USPS Destination Facility: this means that the parcel has been shipped to the destination hub by USPS. USPS would also specify the package's ZIP code, city, and state in this section.
Arriving Late: this means that your package will be delivered later than planned by USPS.
Furthermore, if USPS hasn't updated your package's status in at least seven business days, you should file a missing mail claim for your parcel.
Outbound Out of US Customs: The shipment has been delivered to USPS by US Customs. As a result, the box is ready to be shipped worldwide.
Out for delivery
It means that the box has been released for delivery by the USPS. As a result, it would arrive at its destination on the specified and anticipated arrival date. The delivery agent will contact you or come to your location.
Delivered
Your tracking status may say "DELIVERED," indicating that your shipment was delivered successfully.
Accepted
If the tracking status indicates "Acceptance at Destination," the parcel has arrived at the destination Post Office/USPS facility.
"Origin Acceptance": The shipment has been accepted by USPS at the sorting hub. This hub corresponds to the ZIP code of your package, according to USPS. This ZIP code identifies the origin of the package.
"Accepted at USPS facility": The shipment has been accepted by USPS at the USPS Processing hub. This hub corresponds to the ZIP code of your package, according to USPS. This ZIP code identifies the origin of the package.
"USPS in Possession of Item": The package has been collected by USPS. It's part of a pick-up program that the sender had planned ahead of time.
Available for pickup
It means your recipient can pick up the parcel at the designated USPS facility or Post Office.
Delivery attempt
"Held at the post office customer request": Due to the receiver's request, USPS is keeping the package at the post office at your specified destination.
"Receptacle Blocked" refers to a physical circumstance or issue that prevents a delivery from reaching its intended location.
"No Secure Location Available": USPS discovered that your shipment could not be delivered to a secure location. Furthermore, the sender made no indication that the item should be left without a response from the recipient.
"No permitted recipient available": it was unaware of any of the recipients who would be receiving the shipments. It's mostly applicable to services that require signature confirmations.
"No Entry" means that USPS employees were unable to get access to a certain delivery location. Location access to gated neighborhoods, for example, is frequently challenging because it requires an access code.
Return to sender
There are some situations like No Such Number. The package will be returned to the sender if the delivery address is incomplete or wrong, such as omitting a door number or apartment number, or if the recipient is unavailable or on a long vacation.
