What Is a Tracking Number?

Tracking numbers - They are now an indispensable tool for consumers, businesses, and courier companies. As per package delivery statistics by Capital One Shopping, around 356 billion packages were shipped on the planet (in 2023). They further project that this number might reach around 498 billion packages by 2028.

The numbers mentioned above are making it a necessity to monitor shipments in real time. Why so? Maintaining transparency and efficiency is simple. A particular number is needed for monitoring/tracking shipment, usually called a tracking number. 

In this post, you will learn all the essential information related to tracking numbers, i.e., what they are, how to spot and track them.

What is Tracking Number?

A tracking number is a particular but unique set of numbers (sometimes with alphabets) with or without barcodes assigned to packages by courier services. These numbers are used to track the status of shipments once a courier company's collection point processes them.

Tracking numbers often vary in amount and type. Some among them only involve digits, and some involve a mix of alphabets and digits. Arrangements can vary with the courier company.

There is also an international standard S10 for assigning tracking numbers to shipments. This standard was introduced by the Universal Postal Union (UPU) on April 18th, 1996. As per the standard, 13 readable characters were assigned to every international shipment. 

However, not all carriers abide by this standard. Some have developed their parameters for assigning tracking numbers to packages. 

Examples of Tracking Number Formats by Top Carrier

Below are some examples of tracking numbers used by different multinational courier companies.

• USPS (United States Postal Service): Involves numeric codes consisting of 20-22 digits, e.g., “9400 1000 0000 0000 0000 00”
• UPS (United Parcel Service): Usually starts with “1Z” followed by 16 characters (both alphabets & numbers), e.g., “1Z999AA10123456784”. 
• FedEx: Typically involves 12 to 14 numeric characters, e.g., “9234 5678 9012”. It usually starts with “9” but it's not necessary.
• DHL Express: Follow two different formats. One involves 10 10-digit numeric code, and the other involves a 16-digit ID starting with two letters, “JD,” followed by 16 numeric digits. Examples include “1234567890” or “JD0146000038283232”
• Canada Post: Include 16 digits (numeric or alphanumeric), sometimes end with “CA”, e.g., “AB123456789CA” or “1234 5678 9012 3456”.
• Australia Post: Involves 13 characters in the sequence “2 letters + 9 digits + AU”
• China Post: Also 13 characters, “2 letters + 9 digits + CN”

There is no need to worry if you have a tracking ID and are unsure which company it belongs to. Using our platform Trackmypackage.net, you can track the shipment status and determine the carrier to which it belongs. You only need to enter the tracking ID inside our Universal Parcel Tracking tool, and within seconds, the result will be on your screen.

Where to Find a Tracking Number?

The courier company provides the tracking number through which the shipment is being made. This number is placed outside the shipment packaging and is provided to both the sender and the receiver by various means, such as:

• Printed Receipt
• SMS
• Email

If you have lost the receipt and want to find your shipment tracking ID, it’s better to check your email and SMS. Some courier companies also send time-to-time updates related to shipments in transit to both the receiver and the sender. 

How Tracking Numbers Work?

Tracking numbers are created against shipments (unique for each one). Once assigned to a shipment, they are a reference point throughout the journey for updating the shipment status till delivered. Below is a simple breakdown of how these numbers work.

1. Carrier company assigns a number to a package upon collection.
2. Assigned number is added to the carrier delivery & tracking portal.
3. As the package moves from one destination to another, its status is updated in the portal against the assigned number. 
4. Every new entry made at a destination updates the shipment status and location inside the portal. 
5. Both the sender and the receiver can check the status of their shipment using this tracking ID.

How to Track a Package Using a Tracking Number?

You can track a package's status in many ways if you have a tracking number. These include:

1. Universal Parcel Tracking Tool by Trackmypackage.net
2. Carriers Official Website
3. Carriers Mobile App

Let us take you through the process, all one by one.

1. Universal Parcel Tracking Tool by Trackmypackage.net

Using our universal parcel tracking tool - Trackmypackage.net, you can instantly get the shipment status for 200+ national and international carriers. You only need to enter the tracking ID inside the tool and click on Track Now to track one.

As an example, let’s say your shipment tracking ID is “1593033**0”. Enter the number inside our tracking tool and click “Track Now”

If you know the carrier name, choose it by clicking the “Auto Detect” button in the bottom right corner. If the carrier name is not to your knowledge, leave it to auto-detect.

Once you click on “Track Now”, the tool will present the updated status of the shipment along with the history in front of you. As it did for the above-provided tracking ID, shared in the image below.

Benefits of Tracking Via Tool

When you can track the shipment using the carrier's official website, why use a tracking tool? This might be the question in your mind. Below are the reasons you should use a tool, which is why we also kept this method at the top.

1. You can trace multiple shipments (up to 10) at a time using a tracking tool. On the other hand, from the carrier’s official website, you can only check one at a time.
2. If you are a receiver and don’t know what carrier the tracking ID belongs to, the only seamless solution is to use the universal tracking tool.
3. Along with the shipment, the tool also provides you with various contact information related to the carrier so you can get in touch with them in case of any queries.

2. Carrier Official Website

Almost all the international carriers have an online tracking system for their customers. This tracking system is often integrated onto their official website. Using them, you can also check the status of a shipment against a tracking number (only one at a time). But for this, you must know which carrier that number belongs to.

Let’s take the example of the tracking ID mentioned in the previous section. We know that ID belongs to the Carrier company “Skyking”

To track ID, one can simply visit their official website, enter the tracking number in the relevant field, and search for their shipment, like we did for demonstration purposes in the image below.

3. Carrier Mobile App

Not all the shipment carriers own a mobile app, but many multinational ones have provided the facility to their customers. One can also track the shipment status using these apps, but the process can be hectic, sometimes. One might have to create an account on the app to check the status of their shipment.

Wrapping Up

Tracking numbers are digits and numerics assigned to shipments by courier companies. Using them, one can track the status of shipments from the time they are sent to when they get delivered. These numbers can be tracked using various means, including a universal shipment tracking tool, a carrier website, and a mobile app.

FAQs

Can I track a package without a tracking number?

You can track a package without a tracking number, but the process can be hectic. You might have to call the helpline or visit the carrier branch along with the following details:

• Sender/Receiver name
• Sender/Receiver address
• Proof of identity
• Date and time of booking
• Contact information

Why isn’t my tracking number working?

Various reasons can be behind when a tracking number is not working. Common ones include inactive tracking number, typo or formatting issues, wrong carrier website, or carrier tracking system errors. Whatever the case, if your tracking ID is not working, consider contacting the carrier helpline.

How long does it take for tracking info to appear?

Tracking information typically appears within 2 to 48 hours of creating the shipping label. However, the exact time can vary depending on the courier company.

Are tracking numbers reused by carriers?

Yes, carriers can reuse tracking numbers, but it is not a common practice and typically happens after a longer period. For example, USPS recycles tracking numbers every 6 to 12 months.