Tracking USPS international Package
Date: January 25th, 2022
Tracking USPS international Package
The United States Postal Services is a standalone agency of the United States that is tasked with offering postal service to American citizens. It is one of the federal agencies that is directly authorized by the U.S Constitution.
The service has progressively advanced its operations to offer better service to its customers. One of these processes is known as the USPS tracking services that cover domestic to international packages.
Throughout this post, we are going to outline every detail about the USPS tracking services, including tracking USPS international packages or shipment and domestic mails. Read on to discover more.
Understanding the USPS tracking services.
Whenever a person posts a package, the postal service employee assigns an order number to that package, known as the USPS Tracking Number or article or label number. This USPS tracking number is usually a 22 digit number, but the digits number may vary based on the service you are using. Different services possess different order numbers. Tracking a USPS international package or domestic mails is not difficult as many would think; just enter your package reference number sent in the shipment confirmation email or the online store order page into the tracking field provided within the tracking software. If you enter the number and the services' reply shows no tracking information available, it indicates that there is no available status, or it has not been updated from the last time you checked the status.
Confirm regularly since this information is updated constantly throughout the day. Whether you've had your package dropped off or the shipment picked, you can still use the tool to trace the status of your parcel. All the USPS collected mails are sorted across over 250 processing and distribution centers available across the United States. Independent centers are tasked with sorting the mails of a particular region, mainly within a range of 200miles or 320 kilometers radius. Each individual center is connected to the USPS national networks.
Typically, the mails are sorted through automated systems; however, physical sorting and inspections may be required, especially when the system cannot identify the address. All correspondences are sorted and printed with a barcode used to determine every destination as the parcel moves through the USPS tracking services system. USPS tracking services give the status of every parcel and other items having a receipt or label number. Mail items and packages having Priority Mail Express will show point-by-point tracking information, while parcels and mails sent alongside other services will only show details when they are out of delivery.
Service that has mail numbers are,
- Certified Mail.
- Global Express Guaranteed.
- Collect on Delivery.
- Priority Mail Express International.
- Priority Mail Express.
- Signature Confirmation.
- Registered Mail.
USPS Status Meanings While Tracking.
When using the USPS tracking services, there will be a variety of statuses in each stage, and place your package will be moved by the postal service or their partner channels. Let's have a look at the different meanings of status report you will get when the packages are in various stages.
In transit, arriving late.
This status report means that your shipment was planned to arrive on a specific date, but due to unavoidable reasons, the package was rescheduled for a different date and wouldn't arrive on the previously assigned date during the dispatch time. The best thing to do in such an event is to remain calm and request a new date or wait because the date will be sent to your email within 1 or 2 days.
Arrived the USPS facility.
This status can sometimes show as "arrived at USPS Regional Origin Facility." Both means that the package has reached the sorting facility where the parcels will be connected to the final local USPS facility near you for delivery.
Departed from the USPS Regional Facility.
This also can show as "Departed Post Office" or On Transit to the Next Facility," meaning that the package is along the way to the facility nearer to you.
USPS in possession of the item.
This means that the package was processed by a third-party agent, shipping company, or distribution channel partner. The possession status shows that the third-party entity has handed over the package to the Postal Service.
Arrived at shipping partner, USPS awaiting them.
It means that the parcel has arrived at your shipping company apart from USPS, and the service is waiting to receive them for delivery. Once it is handed over to the agency, a new status will show-"Departed Shipping Partner, USPS to receive them.Customs clearance.
This status shows that your parcel is in the Customs department of the United States for stuff like duty checking. This feedback is only applicable for the USPS international packages. However, when the parcel comes from America, you will see "In-bound into Customs" status. Regardless of the destination or origin, this process takes time and can range from 24 hours to a week, depending on the country involved in transit and the types of items shipped.
The delays can be experienced in customs when;
- The package is unspecified or wrongly indicated.
- When there are administrative delays at the customs.
- Custom’s fees outstanding.
- Restricted items.
- Over-valued packages beyond the allowed limits.
- Problem contacting the recipient.
Out of delivery and delivered.
“Out of delivery” status means that it is the exact date that the parcel should reach the recipient, and the delivery agent will contact you or come to the premises in person. On the other hand, "delivered" means that the package has been delivered to you or your post office box.
How to track USPS packages.
There are different ways to trace the USPS packages on transit. It can be through the phone, email, visiting usps.com, by text, or through external tracking portals. However, people mostly prefer to use usps.com for domestic mail items or leverage other tracking portals like parcelsapp.com for international packages. Immediately you entered the order number on the USPS tracking services, you can view the status of that parcel. Depending on the status, class, and services of the package, and the origin and destination of the parcel, you can choose a number of different services if available.
- You can check the parcel’s tracking history and determine what kind of features and services are associated with it.
- You can also ask for text messages or emails concerning your item or the evidence of delivery.
- Also, you can leave instructions for the mail carriers on the location to leave your item if there is no one to pick it for you.
If you find it hard to type the long USPS tracking services number manually, you can choose to track your item using your phone. All you need in this case is to call this number 1-800-222-1811. Call this number for the customer service team to help you locate your parcel. All you have to do is provide them with your order number, and they will give you the latest update about the status of your item.
Tracking USPS by number.
To track the delivery status of your item, you need to enter your confirmation or tracking number on the space provided within the USPS tracking services website. And when you present the parcel to a local USPS counter, they will provide you with a 16 digit receipt that you need to keep safe until you get the item delivered to you. In the meantime, you can track the status of the parcel via mail or text. Also, you can check the delivery status by sending a text message to 28777 indicating your tracking number.
Understanding USPS Priority Mail International standard and Express Services.
Priority Mail International is relatively cheaper when sending parcels and letters to more than 180 countries globally. Delivery time is always within six to ten working days, depending on the destination and origin. However, transportation in remote and rural areas may be longer. This service may also feature USPS tracking and free package pick-up where necessary. There is also a provision to purchase insurance for packages above $5000 based on the destination. Usually, the rates begin at $29.25 from the post office location. The actual costs will depend on the weight, dimensions, and destination the parcel is going to. The maximum weight allowed for sending a package by Priority Mail International is 70 pounds. Additionally, this service also has a Flat Rate Service, with free shipping items such as envelopes and boxes that may be picked from the post office or ordered online.
However, this Flat Rate Priority Mail International is limited to medium and large boxes weighing 20 pounds and below. Small flat rate boxes and envelopes are also available for packages weighing a maximum of four pounds. Usually, there is no static delivery time for the Priority Mail Express package, but the agency guarantees users that items will be delivered on the proposed dates.
USPS Global Express Guaranteed
This is the fastest USPS international package delivery service. Depending on the destination, it takes around one to three working days to get items delivered with this service. Items sent through Global Express Guaranteed are delivered alongside FedEx Express, with rates starting from $51.50, depending on the destination and size of the consignment. The Global Express Guaranteed offers free package pick up where necessary and includes USPS tracking and an insurance fee summing up to $100. However, there might be hidden or additional charges depending on the weight and type of the consignment.
USPS Business Solutions
The agency offers a range of services to businesses, ranging from bespoke business solutions to cost-effective shipping services. Companies can buy essential mail materials like stamps and delivery services using free USPS Tracking at a reduced price from USPS.com. When necessary, Saturday delivery, free package pick up, and free shipping supplies can be delivered directly to businesses. Also, the agency provides direct mail services targeted and customized for individual enterprises. Most international and domestic services are available for businesses at discounted prices. The agency offers three stages of services to businesses with the Negotiated Service Agreement giving the highest discounts and is ideal for companies shipping more than $1million every year.
On the other hand, Commercial Base and Commercial Plus Pricing are tailored for high-volume senders of lightweight parcels. It offers businesses discounts minus the qualifying amount. Businesses are simply required to register with the USPS. Commercial Plus Pricing is created for shippers sending over 5000 first-class parcels or up to 50,000 Priority packages every year.
Conclusion
Keep track of your shipments with the USPS tracking services. The agency offers a wide range of package tracking depending on the mail class and destination. For Priority Mail Express and Global Express guarantee, you get delivery status alert via the Track and Confirm tool. On the other hand, in Priority Mails, you can get delivery status details for all items with two reservations: tracking information is optionally provided for chosen destinations when using Flat Rate Envelopes or Flat Rate Boxes. You can also take advantage of Free USPS Tracking available for chosen destinations for First-Class Package International.