Discover USPS tracking number definition, format, and all details. Use the USPS tracking number to track USPS packages efficiently.
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A USPS tracking number is a unique code assigned to each USPS shipment for tracking purposes. It serves as a means to monitor the location, status, and expected delivery details of the package as it moves from the sender to the recipient, ensuring transparency and security in the postal service process.
Related: USPS Tracking
There are two typical formats of USPS tracking numbers.
The first four or five digits of the tracking number represent the service code, signifying the specific mail service used, with numerous possible combinations indicating various shipping options.
Service |
Sample |
USPS Tracking® |
9400 1000 0000 0000 0000 00 |
Priority Mail® |
9205 5000 0000 0000 0000 00 |
Certified Mail® |
9407 3000 0000 0000 0000 00 |
Collect On Delivery Hold For Pickup |
9303 3000 0000 0000 0000 00 |
Registered Mail™ |
9208 8000 0000 0000 0000 00 |
Signature Confirmation™ |
9202 1000 0000 0000 0000 00 |
The first two letters specify the shipping service and the final two letters typically stand for the United States.
Service |
Sample |
Priority Mail Express® |
|
Priority Mail Express International® |
EC 000 000 000 US |
Priority Mail International® |
CP 000 000 000 US |
Here are a few methods you can use to locate your USPS tracking number.
The USPS tracking number on the receipt can usually be found in a few different locations depending on the type of receipt.
To track a USPS package, use the USPS tracking tool or a convenient package tracking aggregator for additional carrier tracking requirements.
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In the daily hustle and bustle of life, it is not a rare occurrence to misplace or lose crucial things such as your package’s tracking number.
Although the local post office and USPS customer care agents cannot recover a lost tracking number, there is an alternative method. In such a case, find your tracking number on the dashboard of the USPS Informed Delivery® service. The prerequisite is that you must have subscribed to the service. Otherwise, you can only ask the sender for your USPS tracking number.
USPS Informed Delivery® is a service that allows signed-up customers to get daily digest emails that preview their mail and packages scheduled to arrive soon.
USPS sends these notifications every morning in a daily digest email. This information is also accessible via the Informed Delivery online dashboard from a mobile phone, computer, or the USPS Mobile app.
The main benefit of Informed Delivery® is that it provides a convenient place for subscribers to track and manage packages. This includes checking the progress and current status of packages, viewing the history of previously received or sent packages, as well as rescheduling deliveries or holding them for pickup at the local post office.
Tracking USPS packages using Informed Delivery® requires you to have signed up for the service. To register, follow the process below.
USPS allows you to select all package tracking notifications or choose a specific one. Enter your mobile phone number and email address and you will automatically get text and email alerts. These alerts will contain links that lead back to your Informed Delivery dashboard from where you can rename packages, see package details and tracking history, and leave specific delivery instructions for your carrier, etc.
The standard format for a USPS tracking number contains 22 digits. However, the number of digits may vary: for instance, Global Express Guaranteed® packages use an 8-digit format. There are also longer USPS tracking numbers, such as 26 digit USPS tracking number: 9262 6000 0000 0000 0000 0000 00; 34 digit USPS tracking number: 4209 2000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 00.
Except for purely numerical USPS tracking numbers, those that include characters typically begin with two letters, which correspond to the specific type of mailing service utilized. See the following.
EA - Electronic USPS Tracking
EC - USPS Tracking
CP - Confirmation
LJ - Signature Confirmation
RA - Registered Mail
RR - Return Receipt
You must note that not all USPS items come with a tracking number. So, if you haven't received a tracking number, it means your item may not have one. This applies to items like postcards, First-Class Mail letters and flats, periodicals, and some USPS Marketing Mail parcels.
However, if the item does have a tracking number, here is what you can do to obtain the USPS tracking number.
Senders: Check your receipt, your email, Click-N-Ship, or another service you used to purchase online postage for a tracking number.
Recipients: Ask the sender for the tracking number. But if you're already subscribed to Informed Delivery, use that to get the tracking information.
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