what is package tracking and why is it important
Entrusting your valuable envelope or package to a mail delivery service can be stressful. you pay to have it delivered and you want to know that it arrived safely. Considering the USPS delivers over 140 billion pieces of mail a year, there’s a chance your package could be diverted or even lost.
Choosing a service that includes package tracking can help ease your worries and allow you to track your package. Tracking is available for most mail shipped domestically and for some international mail.
gives you end-to-end item tracking. just enter the tracking number and you will get the latest status of the package. you can also get information about whether the item was delivered or if delivery was attempted. you will get the date and time of the delivery and the location: your mailbox, your company reception desk, etc.
You do not pay more for tracking if the service includes it. once you pay the postage, you can track your mail.
what items can be tracked by usps?
Whether you’re shipping an envelope or a package, not all USPS services include package tracking. some services have an additional cost for tracking, such as the usps marketing mail commercial mail service.
These are the services that include USPS package tracking:
- priority mail
- priority express mail
- first class package service
- usps retail ground (package tracking only)
- multimedia mail (package tracking only)
First Class Mail is an affordable service that does not include end-to-end tracking. however, you can pay for the additional tracking information service. In the case of international mail, tracking is included in many, but not all, international mail services. some destinations have tracking restrictions.
how to find your usps tracking number
To track your package, you will need the USPS tracking number. there are several places you can find your number, depending on how you paid for or sent mail:
- the sales or shipping receipt you received at the post office when you shipped the item, or from an online retailer.
- the sales receipt or electronic receipt from a newsstand usps self service .
- online label registration if you purchased the item via click-and-submit.
- insurance receipt, if you chose to purchase one.
- an email confirmation if you shipped via usps.com.
- the bottom of the usps tracking label, which peels off.
Postcards and items shipped by First Class Mail or USPS Marketing Mail may not have a tracking number. In those cases, if you want to track the package, you must add the additional tracking service or mail it with a different service.
The important thing to remember is that you need the tracking number, so save your information. If you don’t have a receipt, you must have an electronic copy of the number in your USPS account. USPS online service agents and post office agents cannot retrieve lost tracking numbers.
what is your usps tracking number?
Although international tracking numbers are different, most numbers look like this:
if you forgot how you shipped the item or want to see the expected delivery, you can enter the usps tracking number and search for “product information”. this gives you the type of mail class you chose and the progress of your package. If your item has an “alert” status, a delay may have occurred due to weather or another natural disaster or event.
what if you lost your usps tracking number? You won’t have much success tracking your package without a number unless you set up an informed delivery account.
let’s see how to do it.
how to track a usps package without a tracking number
since you need a number to track a package and usps agents can’t help you retrieve a tracking number, you’re out of luck if you lose it. if the package does not arrive, you can submit a missing mail search request. To do this, you need the sender’s address and the recipient’s address, the date of shipment and a description of the package.
The best way to track a package without a tracking number is to set up a USPS Reported Delivery Account. allows you to digitally preview your mail, manage package deliveries and track your packages. Best of all, it costs nothing.
here’s how to do it:
- Set up a usps account.
- Go to the free reported delivery registration section at usps.
- Enter your address to determine if you are eligible for reported delivery . if your address is eligible, sign in to your usps.com account and select “informed delivery” at the top right of your profile page.
- select “sign up” and scroll down to the box reported delivery in “account management”.
- select the appropriate boxes to agree to the terms and conditions and certify your address, then select “enroll in informed delivery” to continue.
- complete the identity verification questions, if don’t when setting up your account.
then you can:
- packet tracking. use informed delivery to check the delivery status of packages, including when they are scheduled to arrive.
- check incoming mail and packages on the secure online dashboard.
- see grayscale images of the exterior, address side of the letter-size mail that is scheduled to arrive.
- Please leave delivery instructions if you will not be home to accept a package.
- schedule a package to be reshipped if you missed a delivery.
- set up email and/or text notifications to track the delivery status of your packages.
If you’re the person waiting for the mail and you don’t have a tracking number, ask the person who sent the mail to provide you with the number. that will allow you to track the package until it reaches your home.
how to send a package from usps
You already know that the United States Postal Service (USPS) is a great way to ship your packages. here are some tips on how they work:
- choose the box, making sure your item fits securely. A standard size helps avoid fees due to packages that can’t run through USPS machines.
- Tape the box closed, making sure it is flat on all sides. reinforce closed flaps with packing tape.
- print shipping label or write addresses with permanent marker. the delivery address is written in the center of the package and your (return) address is in the top left corner.
- if you are not sure about shipping, visit a post office where you can choose which service you want. Be sure to check that you get USPS tracking with your package. You can also use a self-service kiosk.
- Postage will be calculated and applied, and your package will be shipped.
it’s even easier with an online account with usps. then purchase printing services online and print the label for your package as well as the tracking label.
how to track a usps package
It’s easy to track your package once you have your tracking number. just enter the tracking number on the usps tracking page.
will get the current state of an element along with other tracking information:
- delivery information and/or delivery attempt
- date and time of delivery
- place of delivery of the item
or, for the easiest way to track your usps package, download the circuit package tracker app (available for android or ios).
The Circuit Packet Sniffer has a handy map view that shows you exactly where your packet is, or you can trace the packet from start to finish. use it to do a simple search to track packages from anywhere in the world.
usps sends mail to over 190 countries worldwide, so the circuit package tracker will find your package anywhere in the world, including the usa. USA, UK, Europe, Australia, Canada and South America.
Notifications make it easy to get updates about your package. Circuit Packet Sniffer allows you to customize your alerts. Get notified instantly when there are changes to your delivery. you can set it to receive notifications for all updates or choose to receive only important changes.
circuit packet tracker will give you instant usps tracking reports. it also gives you real-time information about your package, such as confirmation that it’s moving on your route. It also works for more than USPS, including UPS, FedEx, DHL, Royal Mail, and Canada Post. it can even automatically detect your shipping provider if needed.
how to make a usps lost package claim
It is important to note that just because you can track your package does not mean it will be delivered faster. neither does it mean that it is guaranteed to arrive. If it doesn’t make it to its destination, you may need to file a USPS Lost Package Claim.
here are some steps to take if you think your package has been lost:
- visit find missing mail at usps.com.
- submit a find missing mail request at missingmail.usps.com.
- file a claim if you have insured the package.
- visit your local post office for help completing a missing mail request.
frequently asked questions about usps tracking
can you track a usps package by address?
Tracking a USPS package must be done by the tracking number, not the address it was shipped to. however, with the informed delivery service added to your usps account, you can track the packages you send, as well as those that are sent to your address.
can you track a package by name?
By setting up a reported delivery service with your USPS account, you can track your packages. Another option is to use the USPS tracking number included when you ship a package. you cannot track a package with a name.
conclusion: how to track a usps package
When you’re mailing a package, it’s an advantage to have the ability to track it and find out when it’s delivered. the usps tracking service allows you to do that.
but if you don’t have a tracking number, it can be tricky. With our helpful tips like setting up a reported delivery account, you can track your package even without a tracking number.
And if you use the Circuit Parcel Tracking app, it’s even easier for you to keep tabs on your valuable mail, anywhere in the world.