About ShipBob
ShipBob is a technology-enabled third-party logistics and fulfillment provider. ShipBob stores inventory, processes orders, and arranges parcel delivery through transportation and last-mile carrier partners. ShipBob is therefore not one universal parcel carrier: the carrier shown on a shipment label or tracking page is the party that physically accepts and transports that parcel.
| Field | Confirmed description |
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| Official website | https://www.shipbob.com/ |
| Carrier type | Fulfillment and logistics platform using parcel-carrier partners rather than a single branded delivery network. |
| Tracking responsibility | The physical transportation events normally come from the selected parcel carrier; ShipBob or the merchant may expose those events in an order experience. |
Carrier Entity Relationships
| Entity | Entity type |
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| ShipBob | ShipBob is the fulfillment orchestrator for inventory, order processing, and shipping operations. |
View all details for ShipBob relationships
| Operated fulfillment services | ShipBob fulfillment centers process orders and prepare parcels for handoff to a transportation provider. |
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| Tracking products | Shipment tracking is associated with the tracking identifier supplied by the transportation provider selected for the order. |
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| International or last-mile partners | A destination postal operator, express carrier, or other delivery partner may create the observable last-mile scans. |
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| 17TRACK relationship | 17TRACK independently aggregates available events from supported transportation providers; 17TRACK does not operate ShipBob fulfillment or approve refunds. |
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Quick Answer
Use the parcel tracking number from the merchant’s shipping email, order page, label, or shipment notification. Enter that number in the actual carrier’s official tracker or in 17TRACK. If there is no result, first check whether the number is an order ID, whether the label was only created, and which carrier name appears beside the shipment.
Pro Tip: ShipBob may fulfill the order, while a separate carrier owns the physical tracking record. 17TRACK is independent and cannot change an address, release customs, issue a refund, or decide a claim.
How to Track ShipBob Packages
- Open the merchant’s order or dispatch email and copy the tracking number, not the order number.
- Identify the named parcel carrier. Use that carrier’s official tracking page when available.
- Paste the number into 17TRACK for an independent multi-carrier view.
- If the number is not active, ask the merchant to confirm the carrier, label status, and physical handoff.
An order number or merchant reference identifies a purchase; a tracking number identifies a transport record. A label number can exist before a parcel receives its first acceptance scan. A delivery notice number may refer to a local attempt and is not necessarily the original shipment identifier.
Tracking Statuses and Meanings
| Status | Lifecycle stage |
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| Label created / pre-shipment | Order prepared; physical acceptance may not have occurred. |
View all details for label-created status| Current responsible party | ShipBob or the merchant workflow before carrier acceptance. |
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| What happens next | The parcel should receive a carrier acceptance or origin scan. |
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| Customer action | Allow processing time, then ask the merchant to verify handoff if the status remains unchanged. |
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| Accepted / in transit | The carrier has recorded movement through its network. |
View all details for in-transit status| Current responsible party | The named transportation carrier or an authorized network partner. |
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| Visibility gap | Line-haul travel, weekends, facility batching, and partner transfers can delay the next scan. |
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| Customer action | Compare the latest scan location with the delivery address and contact the merchant for service-specific escalation. |
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| Customs or handoff | The parcel is being reviewed, exchanged, or transferred; arrival does not equal customs release. |
View all details for customs or handoff status| Current responsible party | Customs, the origin or destination postal operator, or the receiving delivery carrier. |
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| What happens next | Release, data request, assessment, or a first-mile/last-mile acceptance scan may follow. |
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| Customer action | Provide requested import information through the carrier or merchant; do not assume ShipBob can release customs. |
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| Out for delivery / delivered | The local carrier has scheduled delivery or recorded a delivery scan. |
View all details for delivery status| Current responsible party | The destination delivery carrier. |
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| What happens next | Delivery, pickup, reattempt, investigation, or return may follow. |
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| Customer action | For delivered-but-missing parcels, check safe locations, household members, reception, neighbors, and the carrier’s proof of delivery before contacting the seller. |
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Services and Delivery Times
ShipBob’s fulfillment service can support multiple shipping methods, but the delivery promise belongs to the selected parcel carrier, service level, origin, destination, cutoff, and customs process. A general ShipBob page should not be treated as a carrier-specific delivery guarantee.
Service Comparison
| Service | Service type |
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| Partner-carrier ground or economy | Domestic parcel delivery arranged through a selected carrier. |
View all details for ground or economy delivery| Best for | Cost-sensitive domestic orders where the carrier’s published standard is acceptable. |
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| Coverage | Depends on the selected carrier and destination address. |
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| Tracking level | Carrier-dependent event visibility. |
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| Main limitation | Transit estimates can change with distance, network conditions, and handoff timing. |
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| Partner-carrier expedited | Faster domestic or international transportation selected for an order. |
View all details for expedited delivery| Best for | Orders with a merchant-selected expedited service. |
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| Guarantee | Only the named carrier’s terms determine whether a service guarantee applies. |
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| Delay factors | Cutoff time, address quality, weather, service alerts, customs, and remote-area routing. |
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Delivery Time
| Timing item | How to interpret it |
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| Carrier published standard | Use the named carrier and service’s current standard for the origin and destination. |
| Estimated delivery date | A forecast, not automatically a money-back guarantee. |
| Counting start | Usually begins after the carrier accepts the parcel, subject to the carrier’s terms. |
Destination Country Delivery Times
| Destination country or region | Published lane timing |
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| United States, Canada, United Kingdom, European Union, Asia-Pacific, or other destinations | There is no single ShipBob international carrier timetable; obtain the shipment-specific estimate from the merchant and named carrier. |
View all details for international destination timing| Primary service | Selected by the merchant according to destination, inventory location, cost, and service level. |
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| Last-mile handoff | The destination postal operator or parcel carrier named in the tracking record may perform final delivery. |
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| Customs tip | Prepare accurate product descriptions, value, importer information, and any tax or duty documentation requested by the destination authority. |
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| Practical interpretation | Customs processing, weekends, peak periods, remote delivery, and missing handoff scans can extend the estimate. |
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Common Tracking Problems and Solutions
| Problem or status shown | Check first and immediate action |
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| Invalid number | Remove spaces, compare it with the dispatch email, and ask the merchant to confirm the carrier-issued number. |
View all details for an invalid number| Likely cause | Order ID, typo, old label, or wrong carrier selection. |
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| Escalation | Contact the seller or ShipBob-connected merchant first because the merchant can inspect the fulfillment record. |
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| Do not assume | A tracking tool’s failure to recognize a number does not prove the parcel is lost. |
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| No update or label created | The parcel may be awaiting physical handoff; ask the merchant to verify acceptance rather than only label creation. |
| Stuck in transit | Review the last facility and service alert, then escalate through the merchant when the carrier’s inquiry process becomes eligible. |
| Customs hold or handoff gap | Check for a destination-carrier request, duty notice, or missing import information; arrival at customs is not release. |
| Delivered but not received | Check the delivery photo or proof of delivery, safe locations, household members, reception, and neighbors; then contact the local carrier and seller. |
| Address error, failed delivery, or return | Contact the named last-mile carrier immediately where its rules allow redelivery or pickup; the merchant controls replacement or refund decisions. |
| Lost or damaged parcel | Preserve packaging and evidence, notify the seller, and have the eligible claimant use the actual carrier’s investigation or claim process. |
International Shipping, Customs and Carrier Handoffs
For an international ShipBob order, the fulfillment center prepares the parcel, an origin or transportation carrier moves it internationally, customs authorities review import data, and a destination carrier completes delivery. A partner scan can represent electronic pre-advice rather than physical acceptance.
| Stage | Typical event |
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| Fulfillment and origin handoff | Order packed, label created, and parcel presented to the selected carrier. |
View all details for origin handoff| Physical custodian | ShipBob before handoff; the named carrier after its acceptance scan. |
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| Number change | A partner or last-mile identifier may be linked to the original number, but this depends on the transport network. |
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| Customer action | Use the merchant order page and carrier name to avoid confusing a reference ID with a transport ID. |
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| Export and line-haul | Export security or customs processing followed by international movement. |
| Import customs | Destination authorities assess the declaration; duties, taxes, or documents may be requested. |
| Destination last mile | A local postal or parcel carrier receives the shipment and records delivery, pickup, exception, or return events. |
Delivery Management and Post-shipment Options
| Option | Who should request it |
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| Address correction, redirect, or intercept | The merchant or shipper should ask ShipBob and the actual carrier before the parcel reaches final delivery. |
View all details for address changes| Eligibility | Depends on the carrier, destination, shipment stage, identity checks, and whether the parcel has entered final-mile delivery. |
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| Fee | Any carrier or service fee must be confirmed in the specific shipment workflow. |
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| Guarantee | A request is not a guarantee of successful interception or redirection. |
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| Pickup or redelivery | The recipient should follow the notice or local carrier instructions after a delivery attempt. |
| Proof of delivery | The recipient or merchant should request it from the named last-mile carrier when that carrier offers the record. |
Lost, Damaged, Claims, Insurance and Refunds
| Process | Use when |
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| Tracking inquiry | The shipment has an unclear or delayed event; start with the merchant or named carrier. |
View all details for ShipBob claims| Who files | The eligible shipper, merchant, or account holder under the transportation carrier’s terms. |
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| Evidence | Tracking number, purchase or value proof, shipment details, photographs, and original packaging where damage is alleged. |
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| Outcome | Carrier investigation, request for evidence, settlement, denial, or merchant resolution. |
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| Important boundary | 17TRACK cannot approve claims, insurance payments, postage refunds, or ecommerce refunds. |
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| Merchant refund or replacement | The buyer wants a commercial remedy for non-delivery, damage, or cancellation; contact the seller under the order’s terms. |
Shipping Restrictions and Special Handling
Restrictions depend on the actual carrier, origin, destination, product, packaging, and applicable law. Review the selected carrier’s current dangerous-goods and prohibited-items rules before dispatch.
| Category | Operational implication |
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| Batteries, liquids, aerosols, and dangerous goods | May require carrier approval, special packaging, documentation, route limits, or exclusion. |
| Perishable, fragile, or high-value goods | Packaging, insurance, signature, temperature, and liability conditions must be confirmed with the selected carrier. |
| Prohibited imports or exports | Customs or the carrier may seize, return, delay, or refuse the shipment. |
Customer Service
| Channel | Best for |
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| Merchant or store support | Buyer-facing delivery questions, replacement, refund, address correction, and order details. |
View all details for ShipBob customer support| Official website | ShipBob official website |
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| Prepare | Tracking number, order number, shipping address, dispatch date, service name, latest scan, item description, value evidence, and damage photographs. |
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| Carrier support | Use the named parcel carrier’s official support channel for delivery scans, pickup instructions, proof of delivery, and carrier investigations. |
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| Contact limitation | 17TRACK can display supported tracking events but cannot access private order records or make operational changes. |
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Ecommerce and Business Tracking
Merchants should distinguish ShipBob fulfillment data from the selected carrier’s tracking events. A multi-carrier platform can normalize status names and monitor exceptions, while an official carrier integration may provide carrier-specific records and controls.
Developer/API Comparison
| Option | Provider |
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| 17TRACK API | 17TRACK |
View all details for 17TRACK API| Carrier coverage | Supported carriers identified by the current 17TRACK platform. |
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| Primary use | Multi-carrier registration and tracking normalization. |
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| Authentication | 17token header. |
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| Tracking, batch, webhook | Capabilities and account limits depend on the current 17TRACK developer plan and documentation. |
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| Documentation | 17TRACK API documentation |
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| Actual parcel-carrier API | The carrier named on the shipment |
View all details for the actual parcel-carrier API| Carrier coverage | Limited to that carrier’s own shipments and eligible account products. |
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| Primary use | Carrier-specific events, delivery records, and operational workflows. |
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| Authentication | Use the carrier’s current developer requirements. |
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| Migration note | Do not rely on an older endpoint copied from a third-party example; verify the carrier’s current documentation. |
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FAQ
Basic FAQs
1. How do I track my ShipBob package?Enter the carrier-issued tracking number on the named carrier’s official website or in 17TRACK.
2. Where can I find my ShipBob tracking number?Look in the merchant’s dispatch email, order page, shipment notification, or shipping label.
3. What does a ShipBob tracking number look like?The format depends on the parcel carrier and may be numeric, alphanumeric, or an international postal identifier.
4. When will the first tracking scan appear?The first scan normally appears after the selected carrier receives or processes the parcel; label creation alone is not physical acceptance.
5. Why is my ShipBob tracking not updating?A line-haul gap, weekend, facility processing, or pending partner handoff can delay events; ask the merchant to verify the last scan and carrier.
6. How long will a ShipBob delivery take?Timing depends on the selected carrier service, origin, destination, cutoff, network conditions, and customs where applicable.
7. What should I do after a failed delivery?Follow the local carrier notice for redelivery or pickup and contact the seller if the address or order details need correction.
8. What if my package says delivered but I cannot find it?Check the proof of delivery, safe locations, household members, reception, and neighbors before contacting the local carrier and merchant.
9. How do I report a lost or damaged package?Notify the merchant promptly, preserve packaging and photographs, and use the eligible carrier claim or investigation process.
10. How do I contact ShipBob about delivery?Start with the store that sold the item because the store can connect the order, fulfillment record, and carrier shipment.
Expert FAQs
11. Is ShipBob the carrier that physically delivers my order?Usually, ShipBob performs fulfillment and arranges the shipment, while the named parcel carrier performs transportation and final delivery.
12. Can a shipping partner scan appear before carrier acceptance?Yes, an electronic pre-advice or partner event can appear before the physical parcel receives its next carrier acceptance scan.
13. Can the tracking number change after an international handoff?It can, depending on the origin network and destination carrier; a linked last-mile number may supplement rather than replace the original identifier.
14. Does a customs arrival scan mean the parcel is released?No. Arrival indicates presentation or processing; release requires the customs authority to complete its review and any required payment or data request.
15. Can 17TRACK change a ShipBob delivery address?No. Address changes, redirects, and intercept requests must be handled by the merchant and the actual carrier under the shipment’s eligibility rules.
16. Can businesses track ShipBob shipments through an API?Businesses can use the current integration offered by the named carrier or a multi-carrier service such as 17TRACK, subject to account access and documented capabilities.
Tracking API
// 1. Carrier-specific official API
// The correct carrier depends on the parcel label.
// Current public official ShipBob tracking API endpoint and authentication
// should be taken from the applicable current carrier documentation.
// 2. 17TRACK API
// Replace CARRIER_CODE with the current 17TRACK carrier code for the
// transportation provider shown on the shipment.
POST https://api.17track.net/track/v2.4/register
Headers:
17token: YourKey
Content-Type: application/json
Body:
[
{
"number": "TRACKING_NUMBER",
"carrier": "CARRIER_CODE"
}
]
Sources & References
17TRACK is an independent tracking platform and is not affiliated with ShipBob.
