UPS Tracking

Please enter the UPS tracking number to check the latest shipping status.

https://www.ups.com/

TRACK

About UPS

UPS, officially United Parcel Service, Inc., is a global package delivery, logistics, freight forwarding and supply chain services company. For tracking, UPS can be the pickup carrier, line-haul carrier, customs broker, importer-of-record support provider, final-mile delivery carrier, or a visibility provider for shipments tendered through UPS services and selected partners.

Field	Verified value
Official name	United Parcel Service, Inc.
Common brand	UPS
Official website	https://www.ups.com/
Official tracking page	UPS Tracking
Carrier type	Integrated parcel carrier, international express carrier, freight and logistics provider, customs brokerage provider where offered.
Primary region	Global network with country-specific services, terms, contacts and restrictions.
Parent organization	United Parcel Service, Inc. is the public company operating the UPS brand.
Founded and headquarters	UPS states that it began in 1907 and identifies Atlanta, Georgia, United States as its headquarters.

Carrier Entity Relationships

Entity

Relationship to UPS

United Parcel Service, Inc.

United Parcel Service, Inc. is the canonical corporate entity behind the UPS carrier brand.

View all details for United Parcel Service, Inc.

Entity type	Canonical carrier and public company.
Why it matters to tracking	Users should distinguish UPS from unrelated stores, order platforms or local couriers with similar names.
Official evidence	UPS company information and UPS.com identify United Parcel Service, Inc. as the official entity.

UPS Next Day Air, UPS 2nd Day Air, UPS Ground, UPS Worldwide Express and UPS Worldwide Expedited

These are parcel services operated by UPS, subject to origin, destination, service availability and UPS Tariff/Terms.

View all details for UPS operated services

Entity type	Service entities.
Why it matters to tracking	The service affects delivery standard, guarantee eligibility, pickup cut-off, customs process and proof-of-delivery options.
Official evidence	UPS service pages, rate and service guide, and UPS Tariff/Terms.

UPS Tracking, UPS My Choice and Quantum View

UPS Tracking is the consumer tracking tool, UPS My Choice provides recipient delivery-management options, and Quantum View provides business visibility where enrolled.

View all details for UPS tracking products

Entity type	Tracking and notification products.
Why it matters to tracking	Consumers, recipients and shippers may see different controls; tracking visibility does not automatically grant authority to redirect or claim.
Official evidence	UPS Tracking, UPS My Choice and UPS business visibility pages.

UPS facilities, airport gateways and customs brokerage operations

UPS uses package facilities, hubs, gateways and customs-brokerage processes during sorting, export, import and delivery.

View all details for UPS network entities

Entity type	Network and processing entities.
Why it matters to tracking	A scan at a facility means the package was processed at that stage; it does not necessarily mean the package is at the recipient city or cleared by customs.
Official evidence	UPS tracking explanations, international shipping guidance and customs brokerage pages.

Postal operators, access-point partners and local delivery partners

Some UPS products or destination markets can involve a postal operator, access point, collection location or local partner for handoff or pickup.

View all details for UPS partner relationships

Entity type	International, final-mile or pickup-location partners.
Why it matters to tracking	A partner event can mean data was shared or the shipment is waiting for physical handoff; it should not be treated as a UPS acceptance scan unless UPS shows possession.
Official evidence	UPS service descriptions, UPS Access Point pages and tracking event wording.

17TRACK

17TRACK is an independent multi-carrier tracking platform that aggregates available UPS tracking events and other carrier events when a shipment moves across carriers.

View all details for 17TRACK relationship

Entity type	Independent tracking platform.
Why it matters to tracking	17TRACK can help identify carriers and normalize events, but UPS or the shipper controls transportation, address changes, claims and refunds.
Official evidence	17TRACK carrier tracking and API documentation.

Quick Answer

To track a UPS package, enter the UPS tracking number on UPS Tracking or use 17TRACK to check available UPS and cross-carrier events in one place. If no result appears, first confirm that the number is a UPS tracking number rather than an order number, reference number or merchant-only ID, and allow time after label creation for the first physical scan.

Pro Tip: 17TRACK is an independent tracking platform. 17TRACK does not transport UPS parcels, change UPS delivery addresses, approve UPS claims, issue UPS refunds or decide customs clearance outcomes.

How to Track a UPS Package

Use UPS Tracking when you need the official UPS view, proof-of-delivery access or UPS delivery-management options. Use 17TRACK when you want a multi-carrier view, automatic carrier recognition and normalized statuses for ecommerce shipments.

Find the tracking number in the seller shipping email, UPS label, UPS shipping receipt, UPS My Choice notification, marketplace order page or shipper system.
Open UPS Tracking for the official carrier result, or enter the number on 17TRACK for aggregated visibility.
Remove spaces and hyphens if a site rejects the number, but keep letters and digits in the original order.
If the shipment shows “Label Created” or no movement, ask the shipper whether the physical package has been handed to UPS.
If the number belongs to another carrier, a postal handoff or a marketplace reference, track the carrier-issued number and contact the seller for the UPS number if one exists.

Identifier	How to use it
UPS tracking number	Use it for package tracking, proof of delivery and most UPS support conversations.
Order number	Use it with the seller; UPS may not recognize it unless the shipper created a reference tied to the shipment.
Reference number	UPS offers reference-number tracking in some contexts, but the reference must be assigned by the shipper and may require ship date, destination postal code or account context.
Delivery notice or InfoNotice number	Use it after a delivery attempt to review redelivery, pickup or delivery-change options offered for that package.

Tracking Number Formats and Examples

UPS tracking numbers are identifiers used to retrieve shipment events; the most recognizable UPS package format starts with 1Z, but UPS also supports other numeric and alphanumeric identifiers depending on product, region, shipper system and reference-tracking setup. A number that UPS can query is not always a number issued by UPS.

Tracking Number Format

Identifier family

Normalized pattern

UPS package tracking number

1Z XXX XXX YY #### ####

View all details for UPS package tracking number

Length/structure	Commonly 18 characters beginning with 1Z, followed by shipper/account characters, service-related characters and package identifier/check information. Spaces are not part of the identifier.
Issued by	UPS through UPS shipping systems or shipper systems connected to UPS.
Typical service/use	UPS domestic and international small-package services such as UPS Ground, UPS Air and UPS Worldwide services.
Who sees it and where	Recipients see it in retailer emails, marketplace pages, UPS My Choice and UPS tracking notifications; shippers see it on labels, manifests and shipping software.
Tracking scope	Typically tracks from label creation and UPS acceptance through sorting, line-haul, customs where applicable, out-for-delivery and delivery.
Important caveat	The prefix alone should not be used to infer a guaranteed service or delivery date; verify the shipment details on UPS Tracking.

UPS numeric tracking number

########### or longer numeric formats

View all details for UPS numeric tracking number

Length/structure	UPS public help describes several tracking-number types, including numeric shipment identifiers used in specific UPS products or systems. Exact length can vary by product and country.
Issued by	UPS or a UPS-connected shipping platform.
Typical service/use	Some UPS Mail Innovations, freight, international, return or legacy/enterprise workflows may present numeric identifiers.
Who sees it and where	Business shippers may see it in manifests, freight documents, enterprise systems or marketplace feeds.
Tracking scope	Visibility depends on the product and whether the identifier is a package tracking number, shipment ID or reference-like identifier.
Important caveat	Do not assume every numeric parcel number is UPS-issued; postal and regional carriers also use numeric tracking numbers.

UPS InfoNotice number

Digits printed on a UPS delivery notice

View all details for UPS InfoNotice number

Length/structure	A notice identifier printed on a UPS InfoNotice left after a delivery attempt; it is not the same as the original shipping label number.
Issued by	UPS delivery driver or UPS delivery workflow at the attempted-delivery stage.
Typical service/use	Redelivery, pickup-location information, delivery-change review and attempted-delivery follow-up.
Who sees it and where	The recipient sees it on the physical notice or related UPS notification after an unsuccessful delivery attempt.
Tracking scope	Used to locate the delivery attempt and available options; it may not replace the original package tracking number for all purposes.
Important caveat	If the notice is missing or unreadable, use the package tracking number or contact UPS with the delivery address and shipper details.

UPS reference tracking

Shipper-defined purchase order, order ID or reference

View all details for UPS reference tracking

Length/structure	Format is controlled by the shipper, not by a universal UPS tracking-number rule.
Issued by	Merchant, shipper, marketplace or enterprise system.
Typical service/use	Business lookup when the shipper associated a reference with the shipment.
Who sees it and where	Buyers may see order numbers in ecommerce emails; business users may see purchase orders, invoice numbers or customer references.
Tracking scope	Only works when the shipper stored the reference with UPS and the lookup conditions are met.
Important caveat	A merchant order number alone is usually not enough for UPS support; request the carrier tracking number from the seller.

Partner, postal or last-mile number

Varies by origin carrier or destination partner

View all details for UPS partner or postal number

Length/structure	May be a UPU S10 postal number such as two letters, nine digits and two country-code letters, or another partner-assigned ID.
Issued by	Origin postal operator, destination postal operator, consolidator, access-point partner or marketplace logistics platform.
Typical service/use	Cross-border ecommerce, postal final-mile delivery, consolidated parcels and partner handoffs.
Who sees it and where	International buyers may see the origin carrier number first and a UPS number later, or see both numbers linked in the merchant system.
Tracking scope	Coverage depends on data sharing between the origin carrier, UPS, destination carrier and 17TRACK.
Important caveat	UPS can sometimes display events for a partner number, but that does not prove UPS issued the number or physically received the package.

Tracking Statuses and Meanings

UPS statuses should be read as lifecycle events. “Label Created” means shipment data exists; “On the Way” and facility scans show UPS network movement; “Out for Delivery” means the package is on the delivery route; customs and exception events require context before deciding who must act.

Status Quick Lookup

Status

What it means

Label Created

UPS has shipment information, but the package may not yet be in UPS physical possession.

View all details for Label Created

Lifecycle stage	Pre-shipment.
Current responsible party	Usually the shipper or merchant until UPS scans the physical package.
What happens next	The shipper tenders the package at pickup, drop-off or manifest handoff.
What you should do	If it remains unchanged, ask the seller whether the package has actually been handed to UPS.

We Have Your Package / Origin Scan

UPS has accepted or scanned the package into its network.

View all details for UPS acceptance scan

Lifecycle stage	Accepted.
Current responsible party	UPS.
What happens next	Sorting and movement to the next UPS facility or air/ground line-haul segment.
What you should do	Monitor the estimated delivery date and keep address details available.

On the Way / Departed / Arrived at Facility

The package is moving through UPS sorting, hub, airport gateway or destination operations.

View all details for On the Way

Lifecycle stage	In transit.
Current responsible party	UPS or a UPS-controlled transportation segment.
What happens next	Another facility scan, export/import processing, destination sort or delivery route assignment.
What you should do	No action unless the delivery date passes, an exception appears or UPS requests information.

Clearance in Progress

Import or export clearance activities are underway; customs release has not necessarily occurred.

View all details for Clearance in Progress

Lifecycle stage	Customs or handover.
Current responsible party	UPS brokerage, customs authority, importer, shipper or recipient depending on the issue.
What happens next	Release, duty/tax request, document request, inspection, return or abandonment according to customs rules.
What you should do	Respond quickly to UPS or customs requests for invoices, tax IDs, import permits or payment.

Out for Delivery

UPS has placed the package on a vehicle or route for delivery that day where conditions allow.

View all details for Out for Delivery

Lifecycle stage	Out for delivery.
Current responsible party	UPS delivery operation or local final-mile partner where applicable.
What happens next	Delivery, delivery attempt, access point routing, exception or rescheduled delivery.
What you should do	Check delivery instructions, signature requirements and UPS My Choice options before the driver attempts delivery.

Delivered

UPS recorded a delivery event, which may include a location, time, receiver name or proof-of-delivery detail where available.

View all details for Delivered

Lifecycle stage	Delivered.
Current responsible party	UPS has completed the carrier delivery event; the recipient, building staff or shipper may need to help locate it if missing.
What happens next	Proof-of-delivery review, local search, shipper claim or seller resolution if the recipient cannot find the package.
What you should do	Check the delivery location, household, reception desk, neighbors and proof of delivery before escalating.

Delivery Attempted / UPS InfoNotice

UPS tried to deliver but could not complete delivery because of signature, access, payment, address or availability conditions.

View all details for Delivery Attempted

Lifecycle stage	Pickup or exception after attempted delivery.
Current responsible party	Recipient for action, UPS for next attempt or pickup handling, shipper if delivery changes are restricted.
What happens next	Redelivery, hold for pickup, access point routing, return to sender or delivery change depending on eligibility.
What you should do	Use the tracking number or InfoNotice to review options immediately.

Exception

UPS identified a condition that may delay, change or prevent delivery.

View all details for Exception

Lifecycle stage	Exception.
Current responsible party	Depends on the reason: UPS, recipient, shipper, customs authority or weather/service disruption.
What happens next	UPS may reattempt, request information, redirect to pickup, return to sender or update the delivery date.
What you should do	Read the reason code, check address/payment/customs requirements and contact the party that can act.

Returning to Sender

The package is being sent back to the shipper because delivery could not be completed or the shipper requested return.

View all details for Returning to Sender

Lifecycle stage	Return.
Current responsible party	UPS during return transport; shipper or merchant for refund, reshipment or order resolution.
What happens next	Return movement to shipper, merchant processing and possible refund or replacement under seller policy.
What you should do	Contact the seller promptly; recipients usually cannot reverse a return once it has progressed beyond eligibility.

Services and Delivery Times

UPS delivery time depends on service, origin, destination, pickup time, weekend/holiday schedules, customs, weather, address quality and service disruptions. A UPS estimated delivery date is not the same as a money-back guarantee; guarantee eligibility is governed by the UPS Tariff/Terms and service-specific rules.

Service Comparison

Service

Best for

UPS Ground

Domestic day-definite ground parcel shipping where speed is less urgent than cost.

View all details for UPS Ground

Service type	Domestic ground parcel service.
Coverage	Country-specific; in the United States it covers commercial and residential addresses within the UPS domestic network.
Tracking level	Package tracking from label to delivery when scanned.
Key size/weight condition	Subject to UPS package size, weight and surcharge rules for the origin country.
Included protection/extra service	UPS liability and declared value options are governed by UPS Tariff/Terms; signature and delivery options may be added where available.
Main limitation	Not an international express service and not suitable for prohibited or restricted items.

UPS 3 Day Select

Domestic shipments needing a published three-business-day service where available.

View all details for UPS 3 Day Select

Service type	Domestic deferred air/ground parcel service.
Coverage	Available in selected domestic lanes.
Tracking level	Full UPS package tracking where scans are available.
Key size/weight condition	UPS package limits and additional handling rules apply.
Included protection/extra service	Extra services may be purchased based on origin and shipment type.
Main limitation	Service availability and guarantee conditions vary by lane and terms.

UPS 2nd Day Air

Domestic shipments needing delivery in two business days where service is available.

View all details for UPS 2nd Day Air

Service type	Domestic air parcel service.
Coverage	Country-specific domestic coverage, commonly used in the United States.
Tracking level	UPS tracking with pickup, transit and delivery events.
Key size/weight condition	UPS air-service package rules and surcharges apply.
Included protection/extra service	Declared value and signature options may be available.
Main limitation	Weather, airport disruption and tender timing can affect delivery.

UPS Next Day Air

Urgent domestic shipments requiring next-business-day delivery options where available.

View all details for UPS Next Day Air

Service type	Domestic express air service with different time-of-day options by market.
Coverage	Available in eligible domestic lanes and ZIP/postal codes.
Tracking level	Full tracking and delivery confirmation where scans are available.
Key size/weight condition	Subject to UPS air package limits, pickup cut-off and Saturday service availability where offered.
Included protection/extra service	Service-guarantee and refund rules are governed by current UPS terms and service alerts.
Main limitation	Guarantees can be suspended or limited by service alerts, force majeure or terms exclusions.

UPS Worldwide Express

International time-sensitive documents and parcels in eligible export/import lanes.

View all details for UPS Worldwide Express

Service type	International express parcel service.
Coverage	Country, territory and postal-code eligibility must be checked on UPS.com.
Tracking level	UPS tracking, customs events and proof-of-delivery information where available.
Key size/weight condition	International shipment limits, commercial invoice data and customs rules apply.
Included protection/extra service	Brokerage, duties/taxes billing options and declared value rules vary by country and service.
Main limitation	Customs, sanctions, documentation and restricted goods can delay or stop delivery.

UPS Worldwide Expedited

International shipments where day-definite international delivery is needed without the fastest express option.

View all details for UPS Worldwide Expedited

Service type	International day-definite parcel service.
Coverage	Available between eligible countries, territories and postal codes.
Tracking level	UPS tracking with export, import and delivery events where available.
Key size/weight condition	International size, weight, invoice, commodity and import rules apply.
Included protection/extra service	Options depend on country and account settings.
Main limitation	Not every route has the same service standard, and customs time is not guaranteed.

Delivery Time

Service

Published delivery standard

UPS Ground

Varies by origin, destination and service availability; UPS shows transit time through its shipping and time-in-transit tools.

View all delivery-time details for UPS Ground

Business or calendar days	Generally business-day based; residential delivery and weekend options vary by market.
Guarantee status	Subject to current UPS service guarantee, service alerts and Tariff/Terms.
Starts counting from	After UPS acceptance, tender before applicable cut-off and service qualification.
Main delay factors	Weather, address issue, high volume, missed pickup, incorrect label, remote area and service disruption.
Official source date/validity	Use current UPS time-in-transit tools and current UPS Tariff/Terms for the shipment date.

UPS 3 Day Select

Three business days in eligible domestic lanes when service conditions are met.

View all delivery-time details for UPS 3 Day Select

Business or calendar days	Business days unless a weekend option is specifically available.
Guarantee status	Depends on current UPS guarantee terms and any suspension or exclusion.
Starts counting from	UPS acceptance before the applicable cutoff.
Main delay factors	Late tender, address correction, weather, operational exception and holiday schedule.
Official source date/validity	Current UPS service guide and time-in-transit result.

UPS 2nd Day Air

Second business day in eligible domestic lanes when service conditions are met.

View all delivery-time details for UPS 2nd Day Air

Business or calendar days	Business days; Saturday options depend on market and service selection.
Guarantee status	Subject to current UPS guarantee rules and alerts.
Starts counting from	After UPS acceptance and tender before cutoff.
Main delay factors	Air network disruption, weather, late tender, dangerous goods review and address issues.
Official source date/validity	Current UPS service guide, rate guide and time-in-transit tools.

UPS Next Day Air

Next business day with time-of-day options where available.

View all delivery-time details for UPS Next Day Air

Business or calendar days	Business days unless an eligible weekend service is purchased.
Guarantee status	Potential money-back guarantee eligibility is controlled by UPS Tariff/Terms and may be suspended or limited.
Starts counting from	UPS acceptance before cutoff and service qualification.
Main delay factors	Airport weather, emergency conditions, remote areas, incorrect address and service alerts.
Official source date/validity	Current UPS service guide and service guarantee pages.

UPS Worldwide Express and Worldwide Expedited

Varies by origin, destination, commodity, customs and selected international service.

View all delivery-time details for UPS international services

Business or calendar days	Usually business-day service standards, with country-specific holidays and local delivery schedules.
Guarantee status	Guarantee eligibility varies by lane, service, customs status and terms.
Starts counting from	UPS acceptance, export processing and required customs documentation.
Main delay factors	Customs inspection, missing invoice, import permits, duty/tax payment, sanctions screening, remote-area delivery and partner handoff.
Official source date/validity	Current UPS international service tools, country pages, service guide and customs guidance.

Common Tracking Problems and Solutions

Most UPS tracking problems come from one of four boundaries: the shipper has created a label but not tendered the parcel, UPS has the parcel but scans are sparse, customs or the recipient must provide information, or delivery was completed but the package location is disputed.

Problem & Solution

Problem/status shown

Immediate action

Invalid tracking number

Remove spaces, verify every character, and confirm the number is not an order or reference ID.

View all details for invalid tracking number

Likely cause	Typo, wrong carrier, merchant order number, inactive label or copied punctuation.
Check first	Seller email, UPS label, marketplace shipment page and official UPS Tracking.
When to escalate	If the seller confirms shipment but cannot provide a valid carrier tracking number.
Who to contact	Seller or shipper first; UPS if you have a valid UPS identifier.

No tracking events

Ask whether the shipper has physically handed the package to UPS.

View all details for no tracking events

Likely cause	Label created but not tendered, delayed first scan, wrong carrier or shipment canceled.
Check first	Label creation time, seller handoff confirmation and pickup/drop-off proof.
When to escalate	When the shipper states UPS received the parcel but UPS still shows no acceptance scan.
Who to contact	Shipper for tender proof; UPS for accepted packages.

Label Created for a long time

Treat it as shipper-side until UPS shows an acceptance or origin scan.

View all details for long Label Created status

Likely cause	Merchant printed the label early, pickup missed, fulfillment delay or package not handed over.
Check first	Seller shipment confirmation versus UPS physical scan.
When to escalate	When the merchant cannot provide a drop-off receipt or updated handoff evidence.
Who to contact	Seller, warehouse or merchant platform.

Stuck in transit or no update

Compare the latest scan location with the UPS estimated delivery date and service alerts.

View all details for stuck in transit

Likely cause	Long-haul movement between scans, missed scan, weather, high volume, operational delay or customs.
Check first	Latest event, estimated delivery, UPS service alerts and destination address.
When to escalate	After the expected delivery date passes or UPS shows an exception requiring action.
Who to contact	UPS for accepted shipments; shipper if a claim or investigation must be initiated by the account holder.

Shipping partner handoff

Wait for the first UPS possession scan before assuming UPS has the parcel.

View all details for shipping partner handoff

Likely cause	Consolidator, postal operator, marketplace logistics provider or access-point partner has shipment data or physical custody.
Check first	Carrier shown in the event and whether UPS has an origin/arrival scan.
When to escalate	If the partner says UPS received it but UPS has no possession scan.
Who to contact	Origin partner or seller first, then UPS after UPS possession is shown.

Delivery exception

Read the exception reason and act on address, access, payment, customs or pickup instructions.

View all details for delivery exception

Likely cause	Address issue, business closed, severe weather, damaged label, customs hold, refused shipment or signature problem.
Check first	UPS tracking details, delivery address, InfoNotice, UPS My Choice and duty/tax requests.
When to escalate	Immediately if UPS requests information or the delivery date disappears.
Who to contact	UPS for delivery handling; shipper if address changes are restricted or a return has started.

Address incorrect

Use UPS delivery-change options if available, or ask the shipper to correct the address.

View all details for address incorrect

Likely cause	Missing apartment, wrong postal code, old address, incomplete company name or restricted address change.
Check first	Original order address and UPS My Choice eligibility.
When to escalate	Before out-for-delivery when possible; after return starts, options may be limited.
Who to contact	Recipient for eligible delivery changes; shipper for locked shipments or merchant orders.

Delivery failed or pickup required

Use the tracking page or InfoNotice to check redelivery, access point or pickup instructions.

View all details for failed delivery or pickup

Likely cause	Signature required, no secure location, business closed, access issue or duty/tax payment required.
Check first	InfoNotice number, UPS My Choice, pickup location hours and ID requirements.
When to escalate	If the package is nearing return-to-sender processing or pickup location cannot locate it.
Who to contact	UPS or the pickup location; shipper if delivery restrictions prevent changes.

Customs hold

Provide requested documents, importer details or duty/tax payment through official UPS channels.

View all details for customs hold

Likely cause	Missing invoice, incorrect value, restricted commodity, tax ID requirement, inspection or unpaid charges.
Check first	UPS brokerage notice, email, tracking detail and seller invoice.
When to escalate	As soon as UPS or customs requests information; delays can lead to return or storage charges.
Who to contact	UPS brokerage, importer/recipient or shipper depending on who controls the documents.

Delivered but not received

Check proof of delivery, exact location, household, front desk, neighbors and building parcel room before filing a claim.

View all details for delivered but not received

Likely cause	Alternate delivery location, building reception, neighbor acceptance, photo/location mismatch, theft or misdelivery.
Check first	Proof of delivery, delivery photo if shown, mailbox/porch/garage, household members, office mailroom and neighbors.
When to escalate	If local search fails and the shipper or UPS can start an investigation under current UPS claim rules.
Who to contact	Seller or shipper for order resolution; UPS for delivery investigation where available.

Lost, damaged or missing contents

Preserve packaging and evidence, then start the UPS claim process or ask the shipper to file.

View all details for lost or damaged package

Likely cause	Loss in transit, damaged packaging, missing contents, mis-sort or delivery dispute.
Check first	Tracking number, invoice, photos, original packaging, contents description and declared value.
When to escalate	Use UPS claim deadlines for the exact service; damage should be reported promptly and packaging should be retained for inspection.
Who to contact	Shipper, recipient or third party may be allowed to start a UPS claim depending on shipment and account rules; seller handles ecommerce refund policy.

International Shipping Customs and Carrier Handoffs

UPS international tracking can include export, line-haul, import clearance, duty/tax and final-mile events. “Arrived in the destination country” does not mean customs has released the shipment, and a partner handoff event can be electronic data before physical possession changes.

International Flow

Stage

What is happening

Label and export documents

The shipper creates the UPS label and provides shipment data, commodity details and customs documents.

View all details for label and export documents

Physical custodian/responsible entity	Shipper until UPS pickup or drop-off acceptance.
Typical tracking event	Label Created or shipment information received.
Can the tracking number change?	Usually the UPS tracking number remains; merchant references may differ.
Normal visibility gap	Until physical tender and first UPS scan.
What the customer should do	Verify the seller shipped and provided accurate invoice data.

UPS origin acceptance

UPS receives the parcel and begins origin sorting.

View all details for UPS origin acceptance

Physical custodian/responsible entity	UPS.
Typical tracking event	Origin Scan, We Have Your Package, Arrived at Facility.
Can the tracking number change?	Normally no for UPS small package; additional internal references may exist.
Normal visibility gap	Short gaps between facility scans are common.
What the customer should do	Monitor estimated delivery and verify contact details for customs notices.

Export processing and security

The shipment is sorted for export and may be screened or reviewed before international departure.

View all details for export processing

Physical custodian/responsible entity	UPS, export authorities or security screening bodies as applicable.
Typical tracking event	Departed Facility, Export Scan, Clearance in Progress.
Can the tracking number change?	Usually no; export document numbers may differ from the package number.
Normal visibility gap	Possible gap while waiting for flight, truck line-haul or export release.
What the customer should do	Ensure restricted goods and invoice data are correct if UPS requests information.

International line-haul

The package moves by air or ground between countries and gateways.

View all details for international line-haul

Physical custodian/responsible entity	UPS or transportation providers operating for UPS.
Typical tracking event	Departed Facility, On the Way, Arrived at Facility.
Can the tracking number change?	Usually no for UPS-operated parcel movement.
Normal visibility gap	Gaps can occur during flight, line-haul, weekend or gateway congestion.
What the customer should do	Wait for arrival or customs scan unless the delivery date has passed.

Import customs clearance

UPS brokerage and customs authorities review commodity, value, duties, taxes and import admissibility.

View all details for import customs clearance

Physical custodian/responsible entity	Customs authority, UPS brokerage, importer/recipient and shipper depending on requested action.
Typical tracking event	Clearance in Progress, Import Scan, Warehouse Scan, Held in Customs.
Can the tracking number change?	Usually no for UPS final delivery; partner handoff may introduce another reference in some lanes.
Normal visibility gap	No universal clearance time should be assumed; inspections and document requests vary.
What the customer should do	Pay official charges and provide documents only through verified UPS or customs channels.

Partner handoff or destination final mile

The parcel may remain with UPS or move to a local delivery partner, access point or postal operator depending on service and destination.

View all details for partner handoff

Physical custodian/responsible entity	UPS until physical handoff; partner after accepted handoff where applicable.
Typical tracking event	Tendered to local carrier, transferred, arrived at access point or out for delivery.
Can the tracking number change?	Yes, partner or postal final-mile numbers can appear; 17TRACK can help connect related carrier events.
Normal visibility gap	A gap is common between electronic pre-advice, physical transfer and the partner’s first receiving scan.
What the customer should do	Track both the UPS number and any partner number shown, and contact the current physical custodian for delivery questions.

Delivery, pickup or return

The shipment is delivered, held for pickup, redirected, refused, abandoned or returned according to service and local rules.

View all details for delivery pickup or return

Physical custodian/responsible entity	UPS, destination partner, access point, recipient or shipper depending on final event.
Typical tracking event	Out for Delivery, Delivered, Available for Pickup, Refused, Returning to Sender.
Can the tracking number change?	Return shipments may have a separate return tracking number in some workflows.
Normal visibility gap	Pickup-location updates can lag between delivery to location and customer notification.
What the customer should do	Bring required ID for pickup and contact the seller if return or refund handling is needed.

Delivery Management and Post-shipment Options

UPS delivery changes depend on who controls the shipment, what stage the package is in, whether the shipper restricted changes, local availability and fees. Recipients usually use UPS My Choice or the tracking page; shippers use UPS shipping tools or account support.

Delivery Management

Option

Who can request

UPS My Choice delivery alerts and instructions

Recipient or household member with eligible UPS My Choice access.

View all details for UPS My Choice

Eligibility	Available in supported countries and for eligible residential shipments.
Deadline/available stage	Before final delivery attempt or while UPS permits changes for the package.
Fee	Some features may be free and some changes may carry a fee depending on country and membership.
Guaranteed?	No; changes depend on operational feasibility and shipper restrictions.
Official action link	UPS My Choice

Change delivery address or redirect

Recipient through eligible UPS options, or shipper where restrictions require shipper authorization.

View all details for delivery address change

Eligibility	Depends on service, destination, shipper restrictions and whether the package is already out for delivery or returning.
Deadline/available stage	Best requested before destination sort or delivery route assignment.
Fee	Fees may apply under UPS My Choice or account rules.
Guaranteed?	No; UPS evaluates feasibility.
Official action link	UPS Tracking delivery options

Hold for pickup or UPS Access Point pickup

Recipient where allowed, or UPS after a delivery attempt or shipper instruction.

View all details for pickup options

Eligibility	Available for eligible packages and locations; ID and pickup deadlines apply according to the location notice.
Deadline/available stage	Before return-to-sender processing or before pickup hold expires.
Fee	Some redirects or holds may involve a fee depending on market and option.
Guaranteed?	No; access point capacity, restrictions and service type can limit availability.
Official action link	UPS Locations

UPS Delivery Intercept

Shipper or UPS account holder for eligible packages.

View all details for UPS Delivery Intercept

Eligibility	Eligibility depends on package type, service, country, account and shipment stage.
Deadline/available stage	Before final delivery, return or irreversible handoff.
Fee	Fees may apply according to UPS account and service terms.
Guaranteed?	No; intercept is a request, not a guaranteed stop.
Official action link	UPS change delivery options

Proof of Delivery

Shipper, recipient or authorized user with the tracking number where UPS provides proof details.

View all details for Proof of Delivery

Eligibility	Available after a delivery scan where proof information is provided and privacy rules allow access.
Deadline/available stage	After delivery.
Fee	Usually viewed through tracking; account-specific documents may differ.
Guaranteed?	Proof details depend on service, country and delivery method.
Official action link	UPS Tracking

Lost Damaged Claims Insurance and Refunds

A UPS tracking inquiry, UPS claim, declared value request, service-guarantee refund and ecommerce seller refund are different processes. UPS claims generally require the tracking number, proof of value and evidence; ecommerce refunds are controlled by the seller or marketplace, not by 17TRACK.

Claims and Refunds

Process

Use when

UPS package claim for loss

Use when a package is not delivered and UPS claim eligibility is met.

View all details for UPS loss claim

Who files	UPS states claims may be started by the shipper, receiver or third party in eligible situations; account and country rules can affect authority.
Earliest/latest filing time	Use the current UPS claims page for the exact service and country deadline; do not rely on third-party deadline summaries.
Required evidence	Tracking number, ship date, contents description, proof of value, invoice, photos if relevant and contact information.
Possible outcome	Investigation, claim approval, denial, request for more evidence or shipper-directed resolution.
Official link	UPS File a Claim

UPS damage or missing contents claim

Use when contents are damaged, packaging is damaged or items are missing.

View all details for UPS damage claim

Who files	Shipper, recipient or authorized third party depending on shipment and UPS claim rules.
Earliest/latest filing time	Report damage promptly and follow the current UPS claims page for country-specific deadlines.
Required evidence	Keep original packaging, damaged contents, photos, proof of value, repair estimate if applicable and tracking number.
Possible outcome	Inspection request, settlement, denial or further documentation request.
Official link	UPS File a Claim

UPS service guarantee or transportation-charge refund

Use when a guaranteed service was late and current UPS terms allow a refund request.

View all details for UPS service guarantee refund

Who files	Usually the payer, shipper or UPS account holder.
Earliest/latest filing time	Follow current UPS Tariff/Terms, service guarantee page and account billing rules.
Required evidence	Tracking number, service selected, ship date, delivery scan and billing information.
Possible outcome	Transportation-charge credit, denial due to exclusion, or request for more information.
Official link	UPS legal terms and conditions

Seller or marketplace refund

Use when the order is missing, late, damaged or returned and the purchase was made through a merchant.

View all details for seller refund

Who files	Buyer opens the issue with the seller or marketplace; seller may separately claim with UPS.
Earliest/latest filing time	Controlled by seller or marketplace policy, not UPS tracking.
Required evidence	Order number, tracking number, delivery screenshot, photos, message history and proof of non-receipt or damage.
Possible outcome	Refund, replacement, reshipment, denial or request to wait under marketplace policy.
Official link	Use the seller or marketplace help center for the purchase.

Pro Tip: Keep the outer carton, inner packaging and damaged item until UPS or the seller confirms that inspection is not required.

Shipping Restrictions and Special Handling

UPS restrictions vary by origin, destination, service, account approval, commodity and regulation. The summary below is not a complete legal or dangerous-goods guide; always check the current UPS rules before shipping.

Shipping Restrictions

Customer Service

Contact UPS through the official country-specific UPS contact center, tracking page or UPS support pages. Because UPS phone numbers and hours vary by country, use the UPS contact page for the current local channel instead of relying on copied third-party numbers.

Customer Service

Channel

Best for

UPS Tracking

Shipment status, proof of delivery, delivery options and exception review.

View all details for UPS Tracking support

Verified contact/link	https://www.ups.com/track
Region/language	UPS site routes users to country and language experiences.
Hours and time zone	Online tracking is available through UPS.com; live support hours vary by country.
Information to prepare	Tracking number, recipient address, ship date, latest scan and delivery notice number if any.
Important limitation	Tracking cannot approve seller refunds or override shipper restrictions.

UPS Help and Support Center

Official help articles for tracking, claims, delivery changes, shipping, billing and international tools.

View all details for UPS Help and Support Center

Verified contact/link	UPS Support
Region/language	Country-specific pages are available through UPS.com region selection.
Hours and time zone	Self-service content is online; assisted support varies by country and service.
Information to prepare	Tracking number, account number if applicable, issue category and screenshots.
Important limitation	Some actions require shipper or account-holder authority.

UPS Claims

Lost package, damaged package or missing contents claim where eligible.

View all details for UPS Claims support

Verified contact/link	UPS File a Claim
Region/language	Country and account rules apply.
Hours and time zone	Online claim filing is available where supported; review timelines vary by claim.
Information to prepare	Tracking number, proof of value, photos, packaging, contents description and contact details.
Important limitation	Claim approval is not automatic and may require inspection or additional proof.

UPS Contact page

Country-specific phone, chat or local contact options where UPS publishes them.

View all details for UPS Contact page

Verified contact/link	UPS Contact Us
Region/language	Use the country selector for the correct phone number, language and local support path.
Hours and time zone	Varies by country, product and support queue; verify on UPS.com before calling.
Information to prepare	Tracking number, address, name on shipment, latest scan, service type and action requested.
Important limitation	Do not use unverified phone numbers from third-party pages for payments or customs fees.

UPS Locations

Find UPS Stores, customer centers, drop boxes and Access Point locations.

View all details for UPS Locations

Verified contact/link	UPS Locations
Region/language	Location availability varies by country and postal code.
Hours and time zone	Shown per location; holidays and local closures can differ.
Information to prepare	Tracking number, photo ID, pickup notice and authorization if collecting for someone else.
Important limitation	A location can only release a package if it has received it and the pickup requirements are met.

Ecommerce and Business Tracking

Consumers generally need UPS Tracking or 17TRACK. Businesses may need UPS Developer APIs for UPS-specific operations, UPS visibility products such as Quantum View, or 17TRACK API for multi-carrier tracking, carrier recognition, standardized shipment statuses and exception monitoring across marketplaces.

Developer/API Comparison

Option

Provider

UPS Track API

UPS Developer Portal

View all details for UPS Track API

Carrier coverage	UPS shipments and eligible UPS tracking identifiers.
Primary use	Official UPS shipment tracking integration for business applications.
Authentication	UPS Developer Portal applications use OAuth 2.0 bearer tokens for current REST APIs.
Tracking/batch/webhook capability	Track API returns tracking details for a UPS inquiry number; additional UPS visibility or notification products may be needed for event-driven workflows.
Current developer documentation	UPS Developer Portal
Migration/deprecation note	UPS has moved developer access toward OAuth-based REST APIs; legacy access-key implementations should be checked against current UPS migration guidance.

UPS Quantum View and business visibility

UPS

View all details for UPS business visibility

Carrier coverage	UPS account shipments and eligible visibility events.
Primary use	Business shipment monitoring, inbound/outbound visibility and operational reporting.
Authentication	UPS account enrollment and product access rules apply.
Tracking/batch/webhook capability	Designed for business visibility rather than casual consumer lookup; exact capabilities depend on product and account setup.
Current developer documentation	UPS Quantum View
Migration/deprecation note	Use current UPS pages and account representatives for product availability and transition requirements.

17TRACK Tracking API

17TRACK

View all details for 17TRACK API

Carrier coverage	Multi-carrier tracking across UPS and many other carriers where supported by 17TRACK.
Primary use	Ecommerce order tracking, carrier auto-detection workflows, standardized statuses and exception monitoring.
Authentication	17TRACK API token in the 17token header.
Tracking/batch/webhook capability	Register tracking numbers and retrieve normalized tracking data through the 17TRACK API; webhook availability depends on 17TRACK API plan and documentation.
Current developer documentation	17TRACK API documentation
Migration/deprecation note	Use the documented API version and do not assume UPS carrier code values without checking current 17TRACK carrier metadata.

FAQ

1. How do I track my UPS package?

Enter the tracking number on UPS Tracking or track it with 17TRACK to view available shipment events. Use UPS Tracking for official delivery options and proof-of-delivery details, and use 17TRACK when you want multi-carrier visibility.

2. Where can I find my UPS tracking number?

You can usually find the UPS tracking number in the seller’s shipping email, marketplace order page, UPS shipping receipt, UPS label or UPS My Choice notification. If you only have an order number, ask the seller for the carrier tracking number.

3. What does a UPS tracking number look like?

A common UPS package tracking number begins with 1Z and contains letters and digits, but UPS also supports other numeric and reference-based identifiers. Do not infer the service or guarantee from the prefix alone; verify it on UPS Tracking.

4. When will the first UPS tracking update appear?

The first meaningful movement update usually appears after UPS physically receives or scans the package. “Label Created” means UPS has shipment data, not necessarily that UPS has the parcel.

5. Why is my UPS tracking not updating?

UPS tracking may pause during line-haul movement, customs review, weekend or holiday processing, service disruption or missed scans. Check the latest event, estimated delivery date and UPS service alerts before escalating.

6. How long does UPS delivery take?

UPS delivery time depends on the selected service, origin, destination, pickup cut-off, customs and local schedules. Use UPS time-in-transit tools or the shipment’s UPS tracking result for the current estimate.

7. What should I do if UPS attempted delivery?

Use the UPS tracking page or UPS InfoNotice number to review redelivery, pickup or delivery-change options. Act quickly because pickup holds and return-to-sender processing can limit later choices.

8. What should I do if UPS says delivered but I did not receive the package?

Check the delivery location, proof of delivery, household members, reception desk, parcel room and neighbors first. If the package is still missing, contact the seller and UPS to start the appropriate investigation or claim path.

9. How do I report a lost or damaged UPS package?

Use the UPS File a Claim page or ask the shipper to file if the shipment and account rules require shipper action. Keep the tracking number, invoice, photos, contents and packaging until the claim is resolved.

10. How do I contact UPS customer service?

Use the official UPS Contact Us page for country-specific phone, chat and support options. Prepare the tracking number, ship date, address, latest scan, service type and any photos or documents before contacting UPS.

11. What is the difference between a UPS estimated delivery date and a guaranteed delivery date?

A UPS estimated delivery date is a planning estimate, while a guarantee is a service-specific promise governed by current UPS terms, service alerts and exclusions. Always check the shipment’s service and current UPS Tariff/Terms before requesting a refund.

12. Why does UPS tracking show a customs or clearance event?

A customs or clearance event means export or import information is being reviewed by UPS brokerage, customs authorities or the importer. It does not necessarily mean customs has released the shipment, so respond to document or payment requests promptly.

13. Can a UPS package be handed to another carrier?

Yes, some services or destination markets can involve a postal operator, access point, local delivery partner or consolidator. A partner event should be read carefully because electronic pre-advice, physical handoff and the partner’s first receiving scan are separate events.

14. Can the UPS tracking number change during international shipping?

A UPS small-package number usually remains the main identifier, but partner, postal, return or merchant reference numbers can also appear. Track every carrier-issued number shown, especially after a final-mile handoff.

15. Who can change a UPS delivery address?

Recipients may request eligible changes through UPS My Choice or the tracking page, but the shipper can restrict changes and some shipments require shipper authorization. Address changes are not guaranteed and may carry fees.

16. What is UPS Proof of Delivery?

UPS Proof of Delivery is delivery-confirmation information available after a delivery scan, such as delivery date, time, location or receiver details where provided. Availability depends on service, country, privacy rules and delivery method.

17. Can businesses track UPS shipments through an API?

Businesses can use the UPS Developer Portal for UPS-specific Track API integrations and 17TRACK API for multi-carrier tracking. Current UPS REST APIs use OAuth-based authentication, while 17TRACK uses the 17token header described in its API documentation.

Tracking API

# 1. UPS official tracking API
# Current public documentation is provided through the UPS Developer Portal.
# UPS REST APIs use OAuth 2.0 bearer-token authentication.
# Production host commonly documented by UPS: https://onlinetools.ups.com
# Customer Integration Environment host commonly documented by UPS: https://wwwcie.ups.com
# Confirm endpoint, request headers, query parameters and account eligibility in the current UPS Developer Portal before production use.

curl --request GET \
  'https://onlinetools.ups.com/api/track/v1/details/1ZXXXYYY##########?locale=en_US&returnSignature=false' \
  --header 'Authorization: Bearer YOUR_UPS_OAUTH_ACCESS_TOKEN' \
  --header 'transId: YOUR_TRANSACTION_ID' \
  --header 'transactionSrc: YOUR_APPLICATION_NAME'

# 2. 17TRACK API
# 17TRACK multi-carrier registration endpoint.
# The UPS carrier code must be confirmed from current 17TRACK carrier metadata; keep CARRIER_CODE if not confirmed for your account.

curl --request POST \
  'https://api.17track.net/track/v2.4/register' \
  --header '17token: YourKey' \
  --header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data '[
    {
      "number": "TRACKING_NUMBER",
      "carrier": "CARRIER_CODE"
    }
  ]'