Frequently Asked Questions

A tracking number is a unique alphanumeric identifier assigned to your package when it enters the shipping system. This number allows you to monitor your package’s journey from sender to recipient. Every carrier uses their own format for tracking numbers, but they all serve the same purpose: to identify and trace your specific package throughout the delivery process.

Tracking numbers typically appear on your shipping receipt, order confirmation email, or package label. Most carriers place tracking numbers in easily identifiable locations on shipping labels and receipts.

Your tracking number can typically be found in several places:

• Order confirmation email – Most retailers send an email with tracking information once your order ships
• Shipping receipt – The receipt provided when you ship a package contains the tracking number
• Package label – The tracking number is printed directly on the shipping label
• Online order history – Check your account on the retailer’s website where you placed your order
• Text message notifications – If you’ve signed up for SMS alerts from the carrier or retailer

If you’re the recipient and don’t have the tracking number, you may need to request it from the sender.

Package tracking works through a series of scans that record your package’s journey:

1. Initial scan – When the carrier first accepts your package and enters it into their system
2. Transit scans – As your package moves through various sorting facilities and transportation networks
3. Arrival scans – When your package reaches facilities along its route
4. Departure scans – When your package leaves facilities to continue its journey
5. Delivery scan – The final scan when your package is delivered to its destination

Each time your package is scanned, the tracking information is updated in the carrier’s system, allowing you to see its current status and location.

Here’s what common tracking statuses typically mean:

• Pre-Transit/Pending – A shipping label has been created, but the carrier hasn’t received the package yet
• Accepted/Picked Up – The carrier has received your package
• In Transit – Your package is moving through the carrier’s transportation network
• Out for Delivery – Your package is on the delivery vehicle and will be delivered today
• Delivered – Your package has reached its destination
• Exception – There’s an unexpected delay (weather, address issues, etc.)
• Customs – For international shipments, your package is being processed by customs authorities
• Returned to Sender – The package couldn’t be delivered and is being returned

These statuses may vary slightly between carriers, but OnlineTrack standardizes them to provide consistent information across all carriers.

Each carrier uses a distinct format for their tracking numbers. Here are some common formats:

• USPS – 20-22 digits, often starting with 9, 94, or 92 (e.g., 9400 1000 0000 0000 0000 00)
• UPS – 18 characters starting with “1Z” (e.g., 1Z 999 AA9 99 9999 999 9)
• FedEx – 12 or 15 digits, all numeric (e.g., 9999 9999 9999)
• DHL Express – 10 digits, all numeric (e.g., 9999 9999 99)
• Amazon Logistics – Typically starts with “TBA” followed by 12 digits (e.g., TBA 999 999 999 999)

OnlineTrack’s system automatically identifies the carrier based on the tracking number format, making it easy to track packages without having to specify the carrier.

Using OnlineTrack is simple:

1. Visit the OnlineTrack website at onlinetrack.net
2. Enter your tracking number in the tracking field on our homepage
3. Click “Track Now” or press Enter
4. View your results – we’ll automatically detect the carrier and display your package’s current status and history

There’s no need to create an account or provide any personal information – simply enter your tracking number and get instant results.

OnlineTrack supports over 2,500 carriers worldwide, including:

• Major international carriers – UPS, FedEx, DHL, TNT, Aramex
• National postal services – USPS (United States), Royal Mail (UK), Canada Post, Australia Post, and postal services from over 190 countries
• Regional delivery services – Hermes/Evri, DPD, Purolator, J&T Express, SF Express, and hundreds more
• E-commerce logistics providers – Amazon Logistics, Cainiao (Alibaba), Shopee Logistics, and others

Our carrier database is continuously expanding. Even if a carrier isn’t explicitly listed, our system will attempt to identify the correct carrier based on your tracking number format.

Currently, OnlineTrack processes one tracking number at a time to ensure the most accurate and detailed results for each package. To track multiple packages, simply enter each tracking number separately.

We’re developing a feature that will allow registered users to save and monitor multiple shipments simultaneously. This feature will be available in the near future.

No, OnlineTrack is completely free to use. You can track any package from our supported carriers without any fees, subscriptions, or hidden costs.

We believe package tracking should be accessible to everyone, which is why we offer our service at no cost and without requiring account creation or personal information.

OnlineTrack offers several advantages over tracking directly with carriers:

• Universal tracking – Track packages from 2,500+ carriers in one place, rather than visiting multiple carrier websites
• Automatic carrier detection – No need to know which carrier is handling your package; we’ll identify it automatically from the tracking number
• Simplified information – We translate technical carrier statuses into clear, easy-to-understand updates
• No accounts needed – Track packages without creating accounts or sharing personal information
• Clean, ad-free interface – A straightforward tracking experience without distractions
• Consistent experience – Same familiar interface regardless of which carrier is handling your package

These benefits make OnlineTrack the preferred choice for anyone who wants a simple, efficient way to track packages across multiple carriers.

Several reasons might explain why tracking information isn’t available:

• Recently created tracking number – It can take 24-48 hours after a shipping label is created for tracking to become active
• Incorrect tracking number – Double-check for typos or formatting errors
• Package not yet scanned – The carrier may have received your package but hasn’t scanned it into their system yet
• Technical issues – Occasional delays in carrier data updates can temporarily affect tracking information
• Carrier limitations – Some smaller carriers or postal services have limited tracking capabilities

If you’ve verified the tracking number is correct and it’s been more than 48 hours since the label was created, contact the sender or carrier for assistance.

If your tracking information isn’t updating, consider these common causes:

• Gap between scanning points – Packages may travel for days between scan points, especially for long-distance or international shipments
• Delays in carrier systems – Sometimes carriers experience delays in updating their tracking databases
• Weather or logistical issues – Severe weather or logistical problems can delay both package movement and scanning
• Weekends and holidays – Many carriers have reduced operations during these times, leading to fewer updates
• Lost or misrouted packages – In rare cases, a package may be lost or sent in the wrong direction

For domestic shipments, if there’s no update for 3-5 business days, contact the carrier. For international shipments, it’s normal to see gaps of 7-10 days, particularly during customs processing.

While our system accurately identifies most carriers based on tracking number formats, occasionally there might be confusion when carriers use similar formats. If you believe OnlineTrack has detected the wrong carrier:

1. Try entering the tracking number again to ensure there were no typos
2. Check with the sender to confirm the correct carrier
3. If you know the correct carrier, try tracking directly on their website as a comparison

We’re continuously improving our carrier detection algorithms. If you encounter an incorrect carrier detection, please contact us with details so we can enhance our system.

If your tracking shows “Delivered” but you haven’t received your package, follow these steps:

1. Check all potential delivery locations – Look around your property, including front and back porches, garages, and any other places where packages might be left
2. Review delivery details – Check if the tracking information specifies where the package was left (mailbox, front door, etc.)
3. Ask neighbors – Carriers sometimes deliver to neighbors if you’re not home
4. Check with household members – Someone else might have received the package
5. Wait 24 hours – Sometimes carriers mark packages as delivered shortly before actual delivery
6. Contact the carrier – If you still can’t locate the package, contact the carrier with your tracking number and delivery address
7. Notify the sender – If the carrier can’t resolve the issue, contact the sender or retailer for assistance

Most “missing” delivered packages are found nearby or were received by someone else. True delivery errors are relatively rare but should be reported to the carrier promptly.

A “Delivery Exception” or “Exception” status indicates that something unexpected has occurred that may delay normal delivery. Common reasons for exceptions include:

• Weather-related delays – Severe weather conditions preventing safe delivery
• Address issues – Incorrect or incomplete delivery address
• Failed delivery attempts – No one was available to receive a package requiring signature
• Customs delays – International packages held for additional customs inspection
• Vehicle problems – Delivery vehicle breakdown or accident
• Damaged packaging – Package damage requiring repackaging
• Business closed – Attempted delivery outside business hours

When you see an exception status, check the detailed description, as it often explains the specific issue. Most exceptions are resolved within 1-2 business days, after which delivery attempts resume.

International package tracking works through a coordinated system involving multiple carriers and postal authorities:

1. Origin scanning – Your package receives initial scans in the country of origin
2. Export processing – The package undergoes export procedures and customs clearance in the origin country
3. International transportation – The package travels by air or sea to the destination country
4. Import customs – Upon arrival, the package undergoes customs inspection in the destination country
5. Domestic delivery network – After customs clearance, the package enters the destination country’s delivery system
6. Final delivery – The local carrier delivers the package to the recipient

During this journey, your package may be handled by multiple carriers. OnlineTrack integrates tracking data from all involved carriers to provide complete visibility throughout the international shipping process.

International shipments typically take longer than domestic ones for several reasons:

• Customs processing – Packages must clear customs in both the origin and destination countries, which can take anywhere from 1 day to 2 weeks
• Greater distances – International shipments travel much farther, often requiring multiple transportation modes
• Carrier handoffs – Packages are transferred between different carriers, which can cause delays and tracking gaps
• Different tracking systems – Not all countries have equally advanced tracking infrastructures
• Language and time zone differences – These can impact communication and coordination between shipping partners
• Import regulations – Some countries have strict import rules requiring additional documentation or inspection

For international shipments, it’s normal to experience tracking gaps of several days, especially when the package is in transit between countries or during customs processing.

“Held by Customs” or “Customs Clearance” statuses indicate that your package is being processed by customs authorities in the destination country. During this process:

• Customs officials verify the contents and value of your package
• They determine whether import duties or taxes apply
• They check for prohibited or restricted items
• They may inspect the package physically if they have concerns

Standard customs clearance typically takes 1-5 business days, but can take longer depending on:

• The country’s specific customs procedures
• Current workload and staffing at customs facilities
• Whether additional documentation is required
• If there are questions about the package contents or value
• During peak seasons (holidays) when volume is high

Once customs clearance is complete, your package will continue to its final destination through the local delivery network.

Whether you’ll need to pay customs duties or taxes depends on several factors:

• Destination country’s regulations – Each country has different thresholds for duty-free imports
• Value of the items – Higher-value items are more likely to incur duties
• Type of goods – Some categories (like alcohol, tobacco, or luxury items) have higher duty rates
• Purpose of shipment – Commercial shipments are treated differently than personal gifts
• Trade agreements – Special arrangements between countries may reduce or eliminate duties

If customs duties or taxes are assessed:

• The carrier will typically collect these fees before delivery
• You may receive a notification about pending charges
• In some cases, you might need to pay online or in person before the package can be released
• Some carriers add a handling fee for processing customs payments

OnlineTrack doesn’t have information about specific duties or taxes that may apply to your shipment, as these are determined by customs authorities.

OnlineTrack is designed with privacy in mind. When you track a package, we collect:

• Tracking number – The number you enter to track your package
• Basic device information – Browser type, device type, and IP address for security and service improvement

We do not collect:

• Your name, email, or other personal details
• Your physical address
• Credit card or payment information
• Contents of your packages

We do not require account creation or login to use our tracking service, making it possible to track packages anonymously.

For complete details about our data practices, please review our Privacy Policy.

OnlineTrack implements several security measures to protect your tracking information:

• HTTPS encryption – All data transmitted between your browser and our servers is encrypted
• Limited data retention – We don’t permanently store tracking numbers or tracking results
• No account requirement – We don’t collect or store user account information
• Regular security audits – We conduct periodic security reviews of our systems
• Limited access – Only authorized personnel can access our systems

It’s important to note that tracking numbers themselves are not considered highly sensitive information by most carriers, as they typically cannot be used to redirect packages or access personal details.

OnlineTrack is committed to protecting your privacy. We do not sell, rent, or trade your tracking information to third parties for marketing purposes.

We only share tracking information in these limited circumstances:

• Carrier APIs – We must submit tracking numbers to carrier systems to retrieve tracking information
• Service providers – We work with select partners who help us operate our website and provide tracking services
• Legal requirements – We may share information if required by law or to protect our rights

All service providers we work with are bound by strict confidentiality and data protection requirements.

For more details about how we handle your information, please see our Privacy Policy.

Yes, OnlineTrack uses a limited set of cookies and similar technologies for essential functions and service improvement:

• Essential cookies – These are necessary for the website to function properly
• Analytics cookies – Help us understand how visitors use our site, allowing us to improve the user experience

We do not use cookies for:

• Targeted advertising or marketing purposes
• Tracking your browsing activity on other websites
• Building personal profiles for marketing

You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings. For more information about the cookies we use, please see our Cookie Policy.