Get a Tracking Number

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The majority of shipping companies offer package tracking. When you purchase postage that includes tracking, you will get a unique number that you can use to track your package online, by text or by phone. You can request a tracking number from an online retailer if they are using any major shipping companies.

Steps

Tracking an Online Purchase

  1. Keep a copy of all emails and communication made with the sender. As soon as you buy something online, make sure you get an email confirmation and a receipt. These are essential for finding packages, dealing with disputes, and tracking your order. If you have not received an email within 24 hours, email the seller requesting confirmation of payment and shipment.
    • Check your spam and trash folders as well, as most confirmation messages are sent automatically the second you place your order.
  2. Read any emails from the seller for a tracking number. Most sites will send you a tracking number as soon as they ship the package. If they do, you can use this number on the carrier's website (USPS, FedEx, etc.) to keep up to date with your order. Note, however, that you can not get a tracking number until the order is actually shipped. If there is a handling period or your order still needs to be made, you will not see a tracking number until it is shipped.
  3. Check the online store you bought from for tracking information. Under "My Orders" on Amazon, for example, you can see a detailed breakdown of your order status, including if it has shipped, where it is now, and what the tracking number is.
  4. Contact customer service for your order if you don't have a tracking number within a day of shipment. If you are sure your package is in the mail, but still don't have a tracking number, call or email the company you purchased the product from requesting. Be sure to have any customer ID or receipt numbers handy so that they representative can quickly bring up your order.
    • If you've lost a tracking number, the customer service team for the company you ordered from should have one on file.
  5. Plug the tracking number into the appropriate delivery system to see where your package is. If you have a FedEx tracking number, go online to FedEx and type it in under "Track Package.' This will help you see your package's current location and when it should arrive.
    • If you lose a tracking number, and can't get in touch with the company, call your local post office. They may have records of the package if it is delivered by the USPS. Otherwise, call your local UPS, FedEx, or DHL branch and see if they can help you, though it is a long shot.[1]

Getting a USPS Tracking Number

  1. Know in advance which US Postal Service packages include tracking information. If you are purchasing a product online, make sure that one of these postage types is included in your shipping information. For USPS, the following postage types include a tracking number:
    • Certified Mail
    • Collect on Delivery
    • Global Express Guaranteed
    • Priority Mail
    • Registered Mail
    • Signature Confirmation
    • UPS Tracking
    • USPS First Class Mail, Media Mail or Parcel Post do not include tracking. In some cases, you can add USPS Tracking to the products at the time of your postage purchase.[2]
  2. Save your receipt from the post office. It will include the tracking number. Ask the postal clerk to highlight the tracking number on the slip if you are concerned. They length of the numbers changes based on the package, but it will be a long string of numbers, occasional prefixed by two letters.
    • Ex. 9208 8000 0000 0000 0000 00
    • Ex. CP 123 456 789 US
  3. Check the status of your package online. Go to USPS and type in the tracking number on your email or receipt. Press the “Find” button to track your package.
    • You can also text your tracking number to “28777” to get a text update of your package status.[3]
    • It may take 24 hours after dropping off the package for it to show up in the system, so don't fear if it is not there.

Getting a FedEx Tracking Number

  1. Purchase any FedEx postage to receive a tracking number. FedEx includes tracking numbers on Express, Ground, Home Delivery, Freight, office orders and Custom Critical shipments. This means that track almost all of their packages, and should provide a number right when you send the package.[4]
  2. Find the tracking number on your receipt or in an email confirmation. You can also track using reference numbers related to your package that can be obtained on the receipt, door tag or email confirmation. If you know the date the package was shipped, the destination and return address, and the names of the sender and receiver, you should be able to get a new tracking number through FedEx customer service if yours is lost.
    • Wait approximately one day for the tracking information to show up. It usually needs 24 hours to get in the system.
  3. Track the package online. [www.fedex.com/fedextrack Go to FedEx's tracking center] to track the package by tracking number or by reference number. This lets you see where the package is and when it should arrive.
  4. Call into customer service if you still have trouble. Call 1.800.GoFedEx to track a package by phone or to get the tracking number using the reference information. If you are able to provide essential reference information, the operator may still be able to give you the tracking number as long as you are polite.[5]

Getting a UPS Tracking Number

  1. Keep the receipt or confirmation email to get the tracking number. If you have purchased an item that is shipped via UPS, you will usually receive a shipment confirmation with a tracking email immediately. All UPS packages come with tracking, so if you keep your receipt you should be good to go.
  2. Consider creating a reference number for easy tracking if you are purchasing services from UPS. You can create a 35-character reference number that can be used for tracking. Simply write or request a tracking number when you are putting your order together in the store, or go online and request one using the information on your receipt.[6]
  3. Call the UPS store you used to get tracking information you've lost. They should be able to pull it up easily. If you don't know what store the package was shipped from or are having trouble, call the UPS customer service team at (800) 742-5877 and give them the shipping information (addresses, date shipped, sender name, etc).[7]
  4. Visit the UPS page to track your package. You can track the package online with ease one day after your package. Simply go online, input the tracking number and see where the order is.
    • You can email totaltrack@ups.com with your tracking number to track the package by email.

Getting a DHL Tracking Number

  1. Purchase any DHL shipping product. All DHL shipments come with tracking information, so you should be able to watch your package no matter what. Though famous for their overseas shipments, note that DHL only offers international shipments in the US.
  2. Save the waybill number. This is the copy of the original shipping slip that you used when shipping the product. If you have to, take a picture of the waybill with your phone for safe keeping. If you have purchased a product online, ask the company for the waybill number.
  3. Send your waybill number to DHL over email to get your tracking information. Email the waybill number to track@dhl.com to get tracking information on your shipment. You'll learn where the package is and when it should arrive
    • You can also send a text message to “+44 7720 33 44 55” with your waybill number to get SMS tracking updates. International text message rates will apply.[8]

Tips

  • Try and get a confirmation number within 24 hours of ordering or shipping. The longer you wait, the harder it may be to find.

Warnings

  • All sites are different, and not all tracking information is exact.

Things You'll Need

  • Postage receipt/waybill
  • Smart phone/computer

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Sources and Citations