USPS Tracking

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

https://www.usps.com/

TRACK

About USPS

USPS is the common brand name for the United States Postal Service, the official postal operator of the United States. USPS accepts, transports, sorts, delivers and returns domestic mail and parcels, and it exchanges international postal items with foreign postal operators through postal exchange and customs processes.

USPS Core Profile

Field	Verified information
Official name	United States Postal Service
Common brand	USPS; users may also search for U.S. Mail, Postal Service, or Post Office tracking.
Official website	https://www.usps.com/
Carrier type	National postal operator, domestic parcel carrier, international postal exchange operator and last-mile delivery carrier.
Primary region	United States, U.S. territories, military mail channels where applicable, and international postal exchanges with destination postal operators.
Tracking page	USPS Tracking
Parent organization	USPS is an independent establishment of the executive branch of the United States government.
Headquarters	Washington, DC, United States.

Carrier Entity Relationships

Entity

Entity type

United States Postal Service

Canonical carrier

View all details for United States Postal Service

Relationship to USPS	USPS is the official operating name behind the USPS brand.
Why it matters to tracking	Tracking events such as accepted, in transit, out for delivery, delivered and return to sender are postal events issued by the USPS network when USPS has data for the item.
Official evidence	USPS.com and the Postal Facts pages identify the United States Postal Service as the postal operator.

USPS Ground Advantage, Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, First-Class Mail, international postal services

Operated services

View all details for USPS operated services

Relationship to USPS	USPS Ground Advantage is a domestic package service operated by the United States Postal Service, while Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express are USPS expedited domestic package services.
Why it matters to tracking	The service name affects the delivery standard, eligibility for included insurance, refund rules and possible extra services, but the prefix alone should not be treated as final service proof.
Official evidence	USPS domestic and international mail service pages list current product names and standards.

USPS Tracking, Informed Delivery, Proof of Delivery and package notifications

Tracking products

View all details for USPS tracking products

Relationship to USPS	USPS provides official tracking lookup, notification and delivery evidence tools for eligible mailpieces.
Why it matters to tracking	USPS official tools are the source for USPS scans, while a marketplace order page may show only a simplified version or a seller-provided reference.
Official evidence	USPS Tracking, Informed Delivery and Help pages describe lookup and notification options.

International Service Centers, customs authorities and exchange offices

Network and facility entities

View all details for USPS international facilities

Relationship to USPS	USPS processes international mail through International Service Centers and exchanges mail with foreign postal operators; customs agencies may inspect or release items before delivery continues.
Why it matters to tracking	An arrival at an international facility or customs event does not by itself prove customs release or final-mile readiness.
Official evidence	USPS international tracking and customs help explain international processing, customs and destination-post handoff.

Origin postal operators, shipping partners and destination postal operators

International or last-mile partners

View all details for USPS partners and handoffs

Relationship to USPS	A foreign origin postal operator may issue an S10 tracking number and hand the item to USPS for U.S. delivery, or USPS may issue an outbound number and hand the item to a destination postal operator abroad.
Why it matters to tracking	USPS can display an inbound international number without having issued that number; a shipping partner event may mean USPS has received electronic information but not the physical parcel.
Official evidence	USPS tracking and international mail help describe partner acceptance, customs and destination carrier handling.

17TRACK

Independent multi-carrier tracking platform

View all details for 17TRACK and USPS

Relationship to USPS	17TRACK aggregates available tracking events from USPS and other carriers when a user submits a supported tracking number.
Why it matters to tracking	17TRACK helps users view USPS and cross-border events in one place, but 17TRACK does not transport packages, change addresses, approve claims or issue USPS refunds.
Official evidence	17TRACK tracking and API documentation describe multi-carrier tracking registration and query workflows.

Quick Answer

To track a USPS package, enter the USPS tracking number from your receipt, label, shipment email, marketplace order page or delivery notice on the official USPS Tracking page, or use 17TRACK to view available USPS and cross-border carrier events in one place. If no result appears, first check whether the number is a USPS tracking number rather than an order number, whether USPS has physically accepted the item, and whether the shipment is actually still with a shipping partner or foreign origin post.

Pro Tip: 17TRACK is an independent tracking platform. 17TRACK can help identify carriers and consolidate tracking events, but USPS, the sender, the marketplace seller or the destination postal operator must handle delivery changes, refunds, claims and address corrections.

How to Track a USPS Package

USPS tracking starts with the tracking identifier, not the retail order number. Use USPS.com for the official USPS view and 17TRACK when you need multi-carrier visibility, international handoff context or batch-friendly tracking workflows.

Tracking paths

Path	Best use
Official USPS Tracking	Use when you need the USPS source view, proof of delivery where available, redelivery, delivery instructions or USPS customer-service escalation.
17TRACK tracking	Use when a shipment may involve USPS plus a shipping partner, a foreign origin post, a destination postal operator, a marketplace seller or multiple carriers.
USPS Informed Delivery	Use when an eligible U.S. residential user wants previews of incoming letter mail and package visibility associated with the address.
USPS text or email updates	Use when USPS tracking offers notification options for an eligible item and you want updates without repeatedly checking the page.

Find the tracking number on the Post Office receipt, shipping label, USPS Click-N-Ship record, merchant shipment email, marketplace order page, delivery notice or sender-provided shipping confirmation.
Normalize the number by removing spaces and hyphens. Do not remove letters in international S10 numbers such as CP#########US or LX#########CN.
Search on USPS.com for the official USPS events, then use 17TRACK if the shipment has origin-post, shipping-partner or destination-post events.
If the result is empty, confirm that you did not enter a merchant order ID, invoice number, reference number, delivery notice number or internal label ID that is not the package tracking number.
If the number still has no event, ask the sender whether the package has actually been handed to USPS or only a label has been created.

Tracking Number Formats and Examples

USPS tracking identifiers come from several systems: USPS domestic package labels, USPS extra-service labels, Universal Postal Union S10 international postal numbers, foreign-origin inbound postal numbers, Registered Mail identifiers and Intelligent Mail barcodes for letters and flats. A number that USPS can display is not always a number that USPS issued.

Tracking Number Format

Identifier family

Normalized pattern

USPS Domestic Package Tracking

20 to 22 digits; common families include 92## #### #### #### #### ## and 94## #### #### #### #### ##.

View all details for USPS Domestic Package Tracking

Length/structure	Typically all numeric, often printed in grouped digits on a USPS package label or receipt. Spaces and hyphens are presentation only.
Issued by	USPS or an authorized USPS shipping system.
Typical service/use	USPS Ground Advantage, Priority Mail, Parcel Select and other domestic package products may use overlapping numeric families.
Who sees it and where	Post Office retail customers see it on the receipt; ecommerce buyers see it in shipment emails, order pages or seller messages; business shippers see it in label software and manifests.
Tracking scope	Tracks USPS package events from label/pre-shipment through acceptance, processing, delivery, pickup, return or exception when USPS scans are available.
Important caveat	Do not infer the exact USPS service from 92, 93 or 94 prefixes alone because USPS products and extra services can share number families.

Priority, Express and Extra Services

Numeric tracking or label numbers; Priority Mail Express may also appear in USPS systems with service-specific label formats.

View all details for Priority, Express and Extra Services

Length/structure	USPS examples show numeric tracking labels for services such as USPS Tracking, Certified Mail, Signature Confirmation, Collect on Delivery and Priority Mail Express; exact current label structure depends on product and channel.
Issued by	USPS retail, USPS online shipping or approved USPS postage and label providers.
Typical service/use	Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, Certified Mail, Signature Confirmation, Adult Signature, Registered Mail domestic and other extra services.
Who sees it and where	The sender sees it on the receipt or label record; the recipient may see it in a shipment notice, delivery notice or Informed Delivery package view.
Tracking scope	Tracking coverage depends on the product and extra service. Some mail classes are delivery-confirmation oriented while package services usually show more transport scans.
Important caveat	Certified Mail and some letter services are not the same as parcel tracking, even when a USPS lookup returns delivery events.

International Outbound USPS S10

Two letters + nine digits + US, such as CP#########US, EA#########US, EC#########US or RA#########US.

View all details for International Outbound USPS S10

Length/structure	UPU S10 structure: two service indicator letters, nine numeric characters including a check digit, and two-letter origin country code US.
Issued by	USPS when the United States is the origin postal operator.
Typical service/use	International parcels, Priority Mail Express International, Global Express Guaranteed where separately handled, Registered Mail and other international postal products depending on service.
Who sees it and where	U.S. sender sees it on the international customs label or receipt; overseas recipient sees it in the seller shipment notice or destination-post tracking after handoff.
Tracking scope	Tracks USPS acceptance/export events and may continue with destination postal operator events when data is exchanged.
Important caveat	Arrival in a destination country or exchange office does not equal customs release or delivery readiness.

International Inbound Partner Numbers

Two letters + nine digits + foreign country code, such as LX#########CN.

View all details for International Inbound Partner Numbers

Length/structure	UPU S10 postal identifier issued by the origin postal operator; the final two letters identify the issuing origin country, such as CN for China.
Issued by	The foreign origin post, such as China Post for an LX#########CN item, not USPS.
Typical service/use	Inbound international mail entering the United States for USPS final-mile processing after customs and postal exchange.
Who sees it and where	Marketplace buyers often see the origin-post S10 number in the order page; USPS may continue to display U.S. events against the same number after receiving the item.
Tracking scope	May show origin-post export scans, U.S. import scans, customs-related events and USPS final-mile events when the data is shared.
Important caveat	USPS can track it after U.S. handoff, but USPS did not issue the number.

Registered Mail

Domestic Registered Mail may use USPS numeric labels; international Registered Mail commonly uses RA#########US or a foreign-country S10 equivalent.

View all details for USPS Registered Mail

Length/structure	Domestic and international Registered Mail are not one format rule. International Registered Mail follows S10; domestic Registered Mail may be numeric within USPS extra-service systems.
Issued by	USPS for U.S.-origin Registered Mail; a foreign post for inbound registered items.
Typical service/use	Higher-security handling for eligible mail, often used for valuables or important documents where allowed.
Who sees it and where	The sender receives the registered label or receipt; the recipient may see delivery or notice events rather than dense parcel scans.
Tracking scope	Tracking visibility can be different from ordinary package tracking because registered handling emphasizes custody and security.
Important caveat	Do not mix domestic numeric Registered Mail and international RA-style S10 rules.

Intelligent Mail Barcode

65-bar barcode encoding 20, 25, 29 or 31 digits depending on whether routing code data is included.

View all details for Intelligent Mail Barcode

Length/structure	The Intelligent Mail barcode is a 65-bar barcode for letters and flats. It encodes a barcode identifier, service type identifier, mailer ID, serial number and optional routing code.
Issued by	Commercial mailers and USPS automation systems under USPS Intelligent Mail rules.
Typical service/use	Automation, visibility and mailpiece identification for letter mail and flats rather than normal parcel tracking.
Who sees it and where	Commercial mailers see IMb data in mailing systems; consumers may see mailpiece images or package references in Informed Delivery, not a conventional package tracking number for every letter.
Tracking scope	Supports mail processing visibility for eligible mail but should not be treated as a USPS parcel tracking number.
Important caveat	An IMb identifier may appear in informed mail workflows, but ordinary recipients usually track packages with a package tracking number, not the raw IMb data.

Legacy or special-purpose identifiers

Older or channel-specific identifiers may exist, including numbers sometimes beginning with 0031, but current service meaning is not reliable from the prefix alone.

View all details for USPS legacy or special-purpose identifiers

Length/structure	USPS has used multiple historical, retail, extra-service and partner label contexts. A visible prefix is not enough to identify current product eligibility.
Issued by	Could be USPS, a USPS-authorized system, a historical label product or a partner workflow depending on context.
Typical service/use	Legacy labels, special services, older retail forms or non-current label contexts.
Who sees it and where	Users may see it on an old receipt, scanned document, archived shipping record or third-party shipment page.
Tracking scope	Only the official USPS tracking result or a carrier-supported lookup can confirm whether the identifier is currently trackable.
Important caveat	Do not assume any 0031-style number is a current USPS package service without official lookup confirmation.

A marketplace buyer usually sees the seller-provided USPS package number or an origin-post S10 number for cross-border orders. A Post Office receipt shows the USPS retail tracking or extra-service number. Inbound mail from China commonly keeps a China Post-issued S10 number ending in CN. Informed Delivery may show package numbers and mailpiece visibility, but an Intelligent Mail barcode is not the same as a consumer parcel tracking number.

Tracking Statuses and Meanings

USPS tracking events should be read by lifecycle stage. The key question is who physically has the item now: the sender, a shipping partner, USPS, customs, a foreign postal operator, a delivery unit or the recipient.

Status Quick Lookup

Status

Lifecycle stage

Label Created, USPS Awaiting Item

Pre-shipment

View all details for Label Created, USPS Awaiting Item

What it means	USPS has electronic label information, but USPS may not yet have the physical package.
Current responsible party	Sender, merchant, warehouse or shipping partner until USPS acceptance scan appears.
What happens next	The item should be tendered to USPS and receive an acceptance or facility scan.
What you should do	Ask the sender whether the parcel has been handed over if the status remains unchanged beyond the seller’s stated handling time.

Shipping Partner, USPS Awaiting Item

Partner handoff

View all details for Shipping Partner, USPS Awaiting Item

What it means	A partner has reported the shipment or pre-advised USPS, but USPS may still be waiting for physical handoff.
Current responsible party	The shipping partner or seller-side logistics provider until USPS receives the parcel.
What happens next	A USPS acceptance, arrival or processing scan should appear after handoff.
What you should do	Track with 17TRACK to check partner visibility and contact the seller if USPS has not received the item.

Accepted at USPS Facility

Accepted

View all details for Accepted at USPS Facility

What it means	USPS has physically received the item or accepted it into the mailstream.
Current responsible party	USPS.
What happens next	The item moves to sorting, transportation or a delivery unit.
What you should do	Monitor the expected delivery date and service type; no action is usually needed.

In Transit to Next Facility

In transit

View all details for In Transit to Next Facility

What it means	The item is moving within the USPS network or between facilities, sometimes without a new scan at every stop.
Current responsible party	USPS for domestic items; USPS or a partner postal operator for international items depending on the latest event.
What happens next	A processing, arrival at unit, out for delivery or customs-related event should appear when scanned.
What you should do	Compare the age of the event with the service standard and service alerts before escalating.

Processed Through USPS Facility or International Service Center

Sorting or international processing

View all details for Processed Through USPS Facility

What it means	The item was scanned during USPS processing. For international mail, an ISC event may be part of export or import exchange and customs flow.
Current responsible party	USPS facility processing staff, with customs authorities involved when customs inspection applies.
What happens next	The item may depart a facility, enter customs, leave the United States, arrive from abroad or move to a delivery unit.
What you should do	Do not treat ISC processing as customs release; wait for later events or check the destination post for outbound international items.

Inbound Into Customs or Held in Customs

Customs

View all details for customs tracking events

What it means	The item is subject to import processing, inspection, documentation review or duties and taxes depending on destination rules.
Current responsible party	Customs authority and postal operator handling the mail at that stage.
What happens next	The item is released for postal delivery, assessed for payment, delayed for information or returned if not admissible.
What you should do	Check for payment or document requests and avoid assuming a fixed customs time.

Out for Delivery

Out for delivery

View all details for Out for Delivery

What it means	The package has reached the local delivery unit and is planned for delivery by a USPS carrier.
Current responsible party	Local USPS delivery unit and carrier.
What happens next	Delivery, attempted delivery, notice left, available for pickup or an exception scan.
What you should do	Make sure the delivery location is accessible and follow any signature or delivery instruction requirements.

Delivered

View all details for Delivered

What it means	USPS recorded a delivery scan, which may include mailbox, parcel locker, front desk, agent or other delivery location depending on service and address type.
Current responsible party	Recipient location after delivery scan, unless a scanning error or misdelivery is confirmed.
What happens next	No further normal transport scan is expected unless a correction, return or inquiry occurs.
What you should do	Check mailbox, parcel locker, porch, front desk, household members and neighbors before contacting the local Post Office or sender.

Notice Left or Available for Pickup

Pickup

View all details for Notice Left or Available for Pickup

What it means	USPS could not complete delivery or the item requires pickup, signature, payment or other recipient action.
Current responsible party	Local Post Office or delivery unit until pickup, redelivery or return.
What happens next	The recipient may schedule redelivery or pick up the item where eligible.
What you should do	Use the delivery notice details, government ID if needed and the official redelivery or pickup instructions.

Delivery Exception, Insufficient Address or Return to Sender

Exception or return

View all details for USPS exceptions and returns

What it means	Delivery was interrupted by an address problem, refusal, access issue, forwarding issue, damage, postage issue, customs issue or return instruction.
Current responsible party	USPS while the item is in the USPS network; sender or marketplace for replacement or refund decisions.
What happens next	The item may be redelivered, held for pickup, forwarded, returned or routed for investigation.
What you should do	Act quickly through USPS redelivery, Package Intercept where eligible, the local Post Office and the sender before the return completes.

Services and Delivery Times

USPS delivery time depends on the service, acceptance time, origin, destination, address quality, weather, holidays, transport availability, customs and partner handoffs. A published service standard is not the same as a money-back guarantee.

Service Comparison

Service

Service type

USPS Ground Advantage

Domestic economy package service

View all details for USPS Ground Advantage

Best for	Cost-sensitive U.S. packages and ecommerce parcels.
Coverage	Domestic U.S. addresses and eligible U.S. destinations.
Tracking level	USPS package tracking is generally included for eligible parcels.
Key size/weight condition	Subject to current USPS weight, size, machinability and pricing rules.
Included protection/extra service	USPS publishes included insurance conditions for eligible Ground Advantage shipments; verify current limits on USPS.com.
Main limitation	Not a time-guaranteed express service.

Priority Mail

Domestic expedited package service

View all details for Priority Mail

Best for	Faster domestic parcels, Flat Rate packaging where appropriate and ecommerce shipments needing broader tracking visibility.
Coverage	Domestic U.S. network and eligible destinations.
Tracking level	USPS package tracking is included for eligible pieces.
Key size/weight condition	Subject to current USPS domestic mail standards, Flat Rate conditions and weight limits.
Included protection/extra service	USPS publishes included insurance conditions for eligible Priority Mail; extra services may be added where allowed.
Main limitation	The common 1 to 3 business day standard is an estimate, not the same as Priority Mail Express guarantee.

Priority Mail Express

Domestic express service

View all details for Priority Mail Express

Best for	Urgent domestic mail or packages requiring the USPS express delivery commitment.
Coverage	Many U.S. addresses, with availability and guarantee details depending on origin and destination.
Tracking level	USPS tracking and delivery confirmation are included for eligible shipments.
Key size/weight condition	Subject to Priority Mail Express packaging, cutoff, acceptance and destination availability rules.
Included protection/extra service	USPS publishes included insurance and refund conditions for eligible Priority Mail Express shipments.
Main limitation	The guarantee depends on the label’s guaranteed delivery date and official eligibility, not a general web estimate.

First-Class Mail

Domestic letters and flats

View all details for First-Class Mail

Best for	Letters, postcards and flat mail.
Coverage	Domestic U.S. mail network.
Tracking level	Ordinary letters do not behave like tracked packages; extra services or Informed Delivery may provide limited visibility.
Key size/weight condition	Subject to letter and flat dimensions, weight and machinability rules.
Included protection/extra service	Extra services such as Certified Mail may be available where eligible.
Main limitation	Do not expect full package-style tracking for an ordinary stamped letter.

Priority Mail International and Priority Mail Express International

International postal package services

View all details for USPS international priority services

Best for	U.S.-origin parcels going abroad with USPS export handling and destination postal operator delivery.
Coverage	Countries and territories listed in the current USPS International Mail Manual and service availability pages.
Tracking level	Tracking depends on service and destination data exchange; destination-post visibility may vary.
Key size/weight condition	Subject to destination-specific limits, customs forms, content restrictions and package dimensions.
Included protection/extra service	Insurance and indemnity conditions vary by international service and destination.
Main limitation	Customs, aviation security and destination-post handling can create visibility gaps and delays.

First-Class Package International Service and First-Class Mail International

International economy mail and small packages

View all details for USPS international economy services

Best for	Lower-cost international letters, flats and small packages where eligible.
Coverage	Destination availability and restrictions vary by country.
Tracking level	Tracking and delivery confirmation may be limited by service, destination and postal data exchange.
Key size/weight condition	Subject to current international mail standards and destination limits.
Included protection/extra service	Protection and claims eligibility differ from domestic package services.
Main limitation	Delivery time varies by destination, customs and foreign postal operator handling.

Delivery Time

Service

Published delivery standard

USPS Ground Advantage

USPS publishes a typical 2 to 5 business day standard for many eligible domestic shipments.

View all delivery time details for USPS Ground Advantage

Business or calendar days	Business days.
Guarantee status	Not a money-back guaranteed express service.
Starts counting from	USPS acceptance and applicable acceptance cutoff, not label creation.
Main delay factors	Weather, holidays, address issues, volume, missed scans, long-distance lanes and service alerts.
Official source date/validity	Verify the current service standard on USPS.com before making a shipping promise.

Priority Mail

USPS publishes a typical 1 to 3 business day standard for many domestic shipments.

View all delivery time details for Priority Mail

Business or calendar days	Business days.
Guarantee status	Estimated service standard; not the same as Priority Mail Express guarantee.
Starts counting from	USPS acceptance and acceptance cutoff.
Main delay factors	Cutoff time, distance, facility congestion, weather, holidays, address quality and missed scans.
Official source date/validity	Use USPS postage and delivery standard tools for the current lane-specific estimate.

Priority Mail Express

USPS publishes next-day to 2-day delivery by the guaranteed time for eligible shipments and lanes.

View all delivery time details for Priority Mail Express

Business or calendar days	Depends on service commitment and destination; Sunday or holiday delivery may have separate conditions.
Guarantee status	Money-back guarantee applies only when USPS conditions and the printed guaranteed delivery commitment are met.
Starts counting from	Accepted shipment time and the applicable acceptance cutoff.
Main delay factors	Ineligible destination, missed cutoff, service suspension, weather, incorrect label or refund exclusions.
Official source date/validity	Confirm eligibility with USPS Priority Mail Express service information and the label’s commitment.

First-Class Mail

USPS publishes domestic delivery standards for letters and flats that vary by origin and destination.

View all delivery time details for First-Class Mail

Business or calendar days	USPS service standards are based on mail class and processing rules.
Guarantee status	Not a package-style guaranteed service for ordinary stamped mail.
Starts counting from	Mail acceptance or deposit into the USPS mailstream.
Main delay factors	Mailpiece shape, address quality, forwarding, holidays, local processing and service alerts.
Official source date/validity	Use USPS service standards and domestic mail manuals for current rules.

Priority Mail Express International

USPS commonly publishes 3 to 5 business days for many destinations, subject to destination and customs.

View all delivery time details for Priority Mail Express International

Business or calendar days	Business days where a standard is published.
Guarantee status	Guarantee and refund rules vary by destination and service conditions.
Starts counting from	USPS acceptance and export processing, subject to acceptance cutoff and customs.
Main delay factors	Customs, airline transport, destination-post processing, prohibited items and missing documentation.
Official source date/validity	Check the USPS international service page and destination country conditions.

Priority Mail International

USPS commonly publishes 6 to 10 business days for many destinations, subject to customs and destination conditions.

View all delivery time details for Priority Mail International

Business or calendar days	Business days where a standard is published.
Guarantee status	Not the same as a domestic express money-back guarantee; international indemnity and refund rules differ.
Starts counting from	USPS acceptance and export processing.
Main delay factors	Customs inspection, destination restrictions, aviation disruptions, holidays and foreign postal handling.
Official source date/validity	Check USPS international service availability and country conditions.

International economy mail and small packages

Varies by origin, destination, customs and service.

View all delivery time details for international economy mail

Business or calendar days	Varies by destination and postal operator.
Guarantee status	No universal delivery guarantee.
Starts counting from	Acceptance and export processing, with customs and destination-post handling outside USPS-only control.
Main delay factors	Customs, transport capacity, destination-post data sharing, restricted contents and local delivery rules.
Official source date/validity	Use USPS International Mail Manual and destination country listings for current limitations.

Common Tracking Problems and Solutions

Most USPS tracking problems fall into three groups: the shipment has not reached USPS, the shipment is moving without frequent scans, or the shipment needs customer action because of address, delivery, customs, damage or loss issues.

Problem & Solution

Problem/status shown

Likely cause

Number invalid or not found

Wrong identifier, not yet activated, mistyped character or non-USPS order reference.

View all solutions for invalid USPS number

Check first	Remove spaces, keep S10 letters, compare with receipt or label and confirm it is not an order number.
Immediate action	Retry USPS.com and 17TRACK after the sender confirms handoff.
When to escalate	Escalate to the sender if the promised ship date has passed and no USPS acceptance appears.
Who to contact	Sender or marketplace first; USPS after a valid USPS tracking record exists.

Label Created or no first scan

Label information exists but the physical package may still be with the sender.

View all solutions for Label Created

Check first	Seller handling time, pickup cutoff and whether a shipping partner is involved.
Immediate action	Ask the sender for proof of USPS drop-off or acceptance if the shipment should already be in transit.
When to escalate	Escalate when the seller cannot confirm handoff or the merchant’s stated dispatch window has expired.
Who to contact	Sender, merchant warehouse or marketplace support.

Tracking not updating or stuck in transit

Missed scan, long transport leg, facility backlog, weather, holiday volume or service alert.

View all solutions for tracking not updating

Check first	Published service standard, latest facility, service alerts and whether the package is domestic or international.
Immediate action	Keep monitoring; check 17TRACK for partner or destination-post events.
When to escalate	Use USPS missing mail or help request options when USPS official instructions allow based on service and elapsed time.
Who to contact	USPS for accepted domestic items; sender or destination postal operator for cross-border stages depending on latest custody.

Shipping Partner, USPS Awaiting Item

Electronic notice or partner movement exists before USPS physical acceptance.

View all solutions for shipping partner handoff

Check first	Partner carrier events, seller shipping method and expected handoff date.
Immediate action	Track across carriers with 17TRACK and ask the seller which partner holds the parcel.
When to escalate	Escalate to the seller when USPS has not received the parcel after the expected partner transfer period.
Who to contact	Seller or partner logistics provider before USPS acceptance.

Delivery exception or address problem

Incomplete address, inaccessible location, forwarding issue, postage issue or local delivery condition.

View all solutions for USPS delivery exception

Check first	ZIP Code, apartment or suite number, delivery notice and whether a signature or payment is required.
Immediate action	Use USPS redelivery, delivery instructions or local Post Office pickup where eligible.
When to escalate	Escalate immediately if the address is wrong and Package Intercept eligibility may still exist.
Who to contact	Recipient for local delivery actions; sender for address correction, replacement or refund.

Available for pickup or notice left

USPS attempted delivery, needs signature, needs payment or cannot leave the item safely.

View all solutions for USPS pickup notice

Check first	PS Form 3849 delivery notice, tracking page pickup location and ID requirements.
Immediate action	Schedule redelivery if available or pick up at the designated Post Office.
When to escalate	Escalate before the holding period ends or if the pickup location cannot locate the item.
Who to contact	Local Post Office or USPS customer service.

Return to Sender

Undeliverable address, refused item, unclaimed item, forwarding issue or customs return.

View all solutions for Return to Sender

Check first	Reason code, latest facility and whether the return movement has already begun.
Immediate action	Contact USPS quickly if an eligible intercept or redelivery option still exists.
When to escalate	Escalate to the sender or marketplace once the item is returning or has returned.
Who to contact	USPS for in-network delivery options; sender for reshipment or refund.

Customs hold

Import review, duties, taxes, missing documentation or restricted content issue.

View all solutions for customs hold

Check first	Customs messages, destination country import rules and whether payment or documents are requested.
Immediate action	Respond to official customs or postal requests; ask the sender for invoice or content details when needed.
When to escalate	Escalate through the postal operator or customs channel if official instructions request action.
Who to contact	Customs authority, destination postal operator, USPS international support or sender depending on country and stage.

Delivered but not received

Mail left at another safe location, front desk, parcel locker, neighbor, household member, misdelivery or scan error.

View all solutions for Delivered but not received

Check first	Mailbox, parcel locker, porch, garage, front desk, mailroom, household members and neighbors.
Immediate action	Check USPS tracking details and contact the local Post Office promptly if the parcel is still missing.
When to escalate	Escalate to USPS and the sender if local checks do not locate the item.
Who to contact	Local Post Office first for delivery scan location; sender or marketplace for replacement, refund or claim support.

Lost, damaged or missing contents

Network loss, damage in handling, packaging failure or missing contents discovered on receipt.

View all solutions for lost or damaged USPS package

Check first	Service, insurance eligibility, tracking history, photos, packaging, value proof and official filing window.
Immediate action	Keep packaging and contents; start a USPS help request, missing-mail search or claim where eligible.
When to escalate	Follow USPS service-specific earliest and latest filing windows; do not wait beyond the official deadline.
Who to contact	USPS for official claims where eligible; sender or marketplace for order refund or replacement.

International Shipping, Customs and Carrier Handoffs

USPS handles international mail as part of the postal network. USPS may be the origin carrier for U.S. exports, the destination carrier for inbound items to the United States, or one stage in a chain that includes foreign postal operators, customs authorities and transport partners.

International Flow

Stage

Physical custodian/responsible entity

Origin acceptance

USPS for U.S.-origin exports, or the foreign origin postal operator for inbound mail.

View all details for origin acceptance

Typical tracking event	Accepted, acceptance, posting or origin facility scan.
What is happening	The origin postal operator receives the mailpiece and assigns or recognizes the tracking identifier.
Can the tracking number change?	Usually the S10 number remains the postal identifier, but marketplace systems may also show an internal order or partner number.
Normal visibility gap	Gap can occur before first physical acceptance or after seller label creation.
What the customer should do	Confirm physical handoff if only pre-shipment data appears.

Export processing and security

Origin postal operator and relevant security or customs controls.

View all details for export processing

Typical tracking event	Processed through facility, departed facility, export customs or dispatched from outward office of exchange.
What is happening	The item is sorted, screened and prepared for international transport.
Can the tracking number change?	Postal S10 numbers usually stay the same; partner consolidators may have separate internal references.
Normal visibility gap	Events may pause during containerization, security screening and flight handover.
What the customer should do	Check service alerts and make sure customs information was provided correctly by the sender.

Line-haul transport

Postal transport partners, airlines or contracted carriers under postal exchange arrangements.

View all details for international line-haul

Typical tracking event	Departed, in transit, dispatch, airline departure or no scan during transport.
What is happening	The mail is moving between countries or hubs.
Can the tracking number change?	The postal number usually remains; 17TRACK may reveal partner references when supported.
Normal visibility gap	International transport commonly has a scan gap until the destination exchange office receives the item.
What the customer should do	Avoid opening duplicate inquiries before the destination operator has a chance to receive and scan the mail.

Destination exchange and import customs

Destination postal operator and destination customs authority; USPS for inbound U.S. mail after arrival where applicable.

View all details for destination exchange and customs

Typical tracking event	Arrived at destination, inbound into customs, processed through ISC, released from customs or held in customs.
What is happening	The item is received into the destination postal system and may be inspected, assessed or released by customs.
Can the tracking number change?	Usually the same S10 number remains searchable; some countries may assign a domestic delivery number not shown to all parties.
Normal visibility gap	Customs and exchange-office processing can create gaps; no fixed customs time should be assumed.
What the customer should do	Respond to official duty, tax or document requests and check the destination postal operator when the item is abroad.

Partner handoff and final-mile delivery

USPS for U.S. final-mile inbound items, or the destination postal operator for U.S.-origin exports abroad.

View all details for final-mile handoff

Typical tracking event	Arrived at unit, out for delivery, attempted delivery, available for pickup or delivered.
What is happening	The destination delivery operator has or is expected to have the item for local delivery.
Can the tracking number change?	Often no; however, local systems may associate a separate internal delivery identifier.
Normal visibility gap	Gap may occur between customs release and local delivery unit scan.
What the customer should do	Use the destination carrier’s local instructions for redelivery, pickup, duties and address issues.

Delivery Management and Post-shipment Options

USPS offers several post-shipment options, but eligibility depends on the service, destination, current scan stage and whether the request is made by the sender, recipient or account holder.

Delivery Management

Option

Who can request

USPS Package Intercept

Sender or eligible account user when the shipment qualifies.

View all details for USPS Package Intercept

Eligibility	Only eligible domestic mailpieces that have not been delivered or released for delivery; restrictions apply.
Deadline/available stage	Before final delivery and subject to USPS ability to intercept.
Fee	USPS publishes current fees; verify on USPS.com.
Guaranteed?	No; interception is not guaranteed.
Official action link	USPS Package Intercept

Redelivery

Recipient or authorized person after an eligible delivery attempt.

View all details for USPS Redelivery

Eligibility	Eligible items with a delivery notice or tracking event indicating redelivery is available.
Deadline/available stage	After attempted delivery and before the item is returned or otherwise disposed under USPS rules.
Fee	Often no additional fee for standard redelivery where eligible; verify current rules.
Guaranteed?	Not guaranteed if the item is no longer available or conditions prevent delivery.
Official action link	USPS Redelivery

Delivery Instructions

Recipient for eligible packages at eligible addresses.

View all details for USPS Delivery Instructions

Eligibility	Package and address eligibility vary; signature, insured, restricted or special-service mail may be excluded.
Deadline/available stage	Before delivery completion while USPS offers the instruction option for that tracking number.
Fee	Some instruction types may involve fees; verify USPS checkout.
Guaranteed?	No; USPS states delivery instructions are subject to carrier discretion and eligibility.
Official action link	USPS manage delivery options

Hold Mail

Residential customer or authorized household user for an address.

View all details for USPS Hold Mail

Eligibility	Address-level mail hold for eligible residences; not a single-package intercept tool.
Deadline/available stage	Scheduled for a date range according to USPS Hold Mail rules.
Fee	USPS publishes current Hold Mail conditions online.
Guaranteed?	Subject to USPS address and request validation.
Official action link	USPS Hold Mail

Proof of Delivery

Sender or recipient when the service and tracking record support proof details.

View all details for USPS Proof of Delivery

Eligibility	Available for eligible services and signature products; ordinary delivered scans may not include full signature proof.
Deadline/available stage	After delivery scan where proof data exists.
Fee	Depends on service and proof request type; verify USPS rules.
Guaranteed?	Only available when USPS has the required delivery evidence.
Official action link	USPS Tracking

Lost, Damaged, Claims, Insurance and Refunds

A USPS tracking inquiry, Missing Mail Search, insurance claim, postage refund and ecommerce seller refund are separate processes. 17TRACK cannot approve a USPS claim, refund postage, pay insurance or change a shipment outcome.

Claims and Refunds

Process

Use when

USPS help request

Use when tracking is delayed, delivery is unclear or a local delivery issue needs USPS review.

View all details for USPS help request

Who files	Sender or recipient with shipment details.
Earliest/latest filing time	Follow USPS online help timing for the specific service and tracking history.
Required evidence	Tracking number, mailing date, sender and recipient addresses, service type and issue description.
Possible outcome	Local review, response, delivery clarification or direction to Missing Mail or claims.
Official link	USPS Missing Mail and help

Missing Mail Search

Use when an item appears lost or has not arrived after the USPS-recommended waiting period for that mail class.

View all details for Missing Mail Search

Who files	Sender or recipient can submit details when eligible.
Earliest/latest filing time	USPS publishes mail-class-specific timing; verify before filing.
Required evidence	Tracking number if available, mailing date, addresses, package description, contents and photos if helpful.
Possible outcome	Search updates, item located and delivered, item returned, or no item found.
Official link	USPS Missing Mail

Domestic insurance claim

Use for eligible insured domestic USPS shipments that are lost, damaged or missing contents.

View all details for domestic USPS insurance claim

Who files	Sender or addressee where USPS claim rules allow.
Earliest/latest filing time	Varies by service and loss or damage type; damaged or missing contents claims should be filed promptly and within the USPS deadline.
Required evidence	Tracking number, proof of insurance, proof of value, photos, damaged item, packaging and repair or replacement evidence when requested.
Possible outcome	Payment up to covered value, denial, request for inspection or more evidence, or appeal.
Official link	USPS File a Claim

International inquiry or claim

Use when an eligible international USPS shipment is lost, damaged or missing contents.

View all details for international USPS inquiry or claim

Who files	Usually the U.S. sender initiates the international inquiry or claim for USPS-origin exports; destination recipients may need the sender’s assistance.
Earliest/latest filing time	USPS publishes service-specific and destination-specific filing windows.
Required evidence	Customs form, tracking number, mailing receipt, value evidence, description, photos and destination-post or customs information where applicable.
Possible outcome	International investigation, indemnity decision, denial, request for documentation or referral to destination postal operator.
Official link	USPS International Claims

Priority Mail Express postage refund

Use when an eligible express shipment misses the USPS guaranteed delivery commitment and no exclusion applies.

View all details for USPS express refund

Who files	The payer or sender with receipt and tracking information.
Earliest/latest filing time	Follow USPS refund rules for Priority Mail Express and the specific label commitment.
Required evidence	Tracking number, receipt, mailing date, guaranteed delivery commitment and payment proof.
Possible outcome	Postage refund, denial under an exclusion, or request for more information.
Official link	USPS Refunds

Marketplace refund or replacement

Use when the order problem must be resolved under the seller’s or marketplace’s buyer-protection policy.

View all details for marketplace refund or replacement

Who files	Buyer through the marketplace or seller support channel.
Earliest/latest filing time	Marketplace policy controls the window, not USPS.
Required evidence	Order number, tracking number, screenshots, delivery issue details, photos and messages with USPS or the seller.
Possible outcome	Refund, replacement, seller investigation or denial under marketplace policy.
Official link	Use the seller or marketplace support center associated with the order.

Shipping Restrictions and Special Handling

USPS restrictions affect acceptance, air transport, customs, delivery and claims. The summary below is not a full legal or mailing-standard guide; use the current USPS Domestic Mail Manual, International Mail Manual and hazardous-materials pages before shipping.

Shipping Restrictions

Customer Service

For the fastest USPS escalation, start with the tracking page, then use the local Post Office, USPS help request, Missing Mail, claim or refund channel that matches the problem. Prepare the tracking number, service, mailing date, sender and recipient addresses, latest scan, content description, value evidence and photos.

Customer Service

Channel

Verified contact/link

USPS Tracking

View all details for USPS Tracking contact path

Best for	Official scan events, delivery date, proof options, redelivery links and status verification.
Region/language	United States; English and available USPS site language options.
Hours and time zone	Online self-service availability varies by system maintenance.
Information to prepare	Tracking number exactly as printed or sent.
Important limitation	Tracking lookup cannot refund an order or change a seller’s handling time.

USPS Customer Care phone

1-800-ASK-USPS or 1-800-275-8777

View all details for USPS phone support

Best for	General USPS tracking, delivery and retail service questions after checking online tools.
Region/language	United States; language availability is controlled by USPS support.
Hours and time zone	USPS publishes current phone hours on its Contact Us page; verify before calling.
Information to prepare	Tracking number, mailing date, addresses, service, latest scan and contact information.
Important limitation	Phone support cannot override customs, marketplace refund rules or a completed delivery without investigation.

International inquiries phone

1-800-222-1811

View all details for USPS international inquiries

Best for	Eligible international tracking inquiries and USPS-origin international mail questions.
Region/language	United States contact channel for USPS international services.
Hours and time zone	USPS publishes current international inquiry hours on official pages.
Information to prepare	S10 tracking number, customs form, mailing receipt, destination country and content description.
Important limitation	Foreign destination postal operators and customs authorities may control later-stage information.

Online help and email form

Email USPS

View all details for USPS online help form

Best for	Documented help requests, package issues, mail service complaints and follow-up records.
Region/language	United States; web form fields and language options are provided by USPS.
Hours and time zone	Online submission availability varies by system maintenance.
Information to prepare	Tracking number, contact details, issue type, addresses and evidence.
Important limitation	Use the claims process, not only the email form, when insured compensation is requested.

Post Office locator

Find USPS Locations

View all details for Post Office locator

Best for	Pickup, retail acceptance, local delivery questions and notice-left issues.
Region/language	United States locations.
Hours and time zone	Location-specific hours are listed in the USPS locator and can change.
Information to prepare	Tracking number, delivery notice, photo ID and pickup authorization if required.
Important limitation	A retail counter may not be able to resolve a claim or marketplace refund.

Accessibility and TTY support

Use USPS Contact Us accessibility channels and telecommunications relay where provided.

View all details for USPS accessibility support

Best for	Accessible communication needs and service support for users with disabilities.
Region/language	United States; official availability varies by channel.
Hours and time zone	Verify on the USPS Contact Us and accessibility pages.
Information to prepare	Tracking number, preferred contact method and accessibility need.
Important limitation	Use official USPS channels only; do not share payment or identity documents through unofficial numbers.

Ecommerce and Business Tracking

Consumers normally use USPS.com or 17TRACK web tracking. Businesses need additional capabilities such as batch registration, standardized statuses, exception monitoring, customer notifications, webhook-style updates and multi-carrier coverage across USPS, foreign posts and private carriers.

Developer/API Comparison

Option

Provider

Official USPS APIs

United States Postal Service

View all details for official USPS APIs

Carrier coverage	USPS services and USPS-supported data only.
Primary use	USPS-integrated shipping, address, tracking and business workflows for approved developers.
Authentication	USPS developer platform uses account-based credentials and modern authentication flows as documented by USPS.
Tracking/batch/webhook capability	Available capabilities depend on the specific USPS API product and approval.
Current developer documentation	USPS Developer Portal
Migration/deprecation note	USPS has been moving developers from legacy Web Tools to the USPS APIs platform; confirm current endpoint and migration status before building.

17TRACK API

17TRACK

View all details for 17TRACK API

Carrier coverage	Multi-carrier tracking, including postal, express and cross-border carriers where supported.
Primary use	Batch tracking registration, carrier identification, standardized status visibility and shipment exception monitoring across carriers.
Authentication	17token header with an API key.
Tracking/batch/webhook capability	17TRACK documents tracking registration and query workflows; webhook or notification capabilities depend on the current 17TRACK product plan and documentation.
Current developer documentation	17TRACK API documentation
Migration/deprecation note	Use the current v2.4 tracking endpoint shown in 17TRACK documentation and avoid hard-coding unverified carrier codes.

Marketplace tracking page

Marketplace or ecommerce platform

View all details for marketplace tracking pages

Carrier coverage	Depends on the marketplace, seller and shipping integration.
Primary use	Consumer order communication and seller support workflow.
Authentication	Marketplace account login.
Tracking/batch/webhook capability	Capabilities are controlled by the platform and may not expose full carrier events to buyers.
Current developer documentation	Use the marketplace’s own seller or developer documentation.
Migration/deprecation note	Marketplace order IDs are not USPS tracking numbers and should not be submitted as carrier identifiers.

FAQ

1. How do I track my USPS package?

Enter the USPS tracking number on the official USPS Tracking page or track it with 17TRACK to view available USPS and cross-border shipment events.

2. Where can I find my USPS tracking number?

You can find it on the Post Office receipt, shipping label, Click-N-Ship record, delivery notice, merchant shipment email or marketplace order page. An order number or invoice number is not the same as a USPS tracking number.

3. What does a USPS tracking number look like?

Domestic USPS package numbers are often 20 to 22 digits, while international postal numbers commonly follow the S10 pattern of two letters, nine digits and a two-letter country code such as CP#########US or LX#########CN.

4. When will the first USPS tracking update appear?

The first meaningful USPS update usually appears after USPS receives or scans the physical item. Label Created means USPS has electronic information, not necessarily the package.

5. Why is my USPS tracking not updating?

USPS tracking may pause because of missed scans, long transport legs, weather, holidays, facility congestion, customs or a partner handoff. Compare the latest event with the service standard before filing a USPS inquiry.

6. How long does USPS delivery take?

USPS delivery time depends on the service and route: Ground Advantage is commonly published as 2 to 5 business days, Priority Mail as 1 to 3 business days, and international services vary by destination, customs and destination postal operator.

7. What should I do if USPS attempted delivery?

Check the delivery notice and tracking page, then schedule redelivery or pick up the item at the specified Post Office if eligible. Bring identification and any notice required by USPS.

8. What should I do if USPS says Delivered but I did not receive it?

Check your mailbox, parcel locker, porch, front desk, mailroom, household members and neighbors first, then contact the local Post Office and the sender if the package is still missing.

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

Use USPS help, Missing Mail or claims channels depending on the service and issue. Keep the tracking number, receipt, photos, packaging, contents and value proof because USPS may require inspection or documentation.

10. What is USPS Informed Delivery, and can it show packages?

USPS Informed Delivery is an eligible address-based USPS service that can show incoming mail previews and package information. It may help recipients monitor packages, but it does not replace the official tracking number for carrier lookup.

11. What is the USPS Expected Delivery Window?

The USPS Expected Delivery Window is an estimated delivery range shown for some packages, not automatically a money-back guarantee. A guarantee depends on the service, eligibility and the official commitment shown for that shipment, especially for Priority Mail Express.

12. What happens at USPS International Service Centers?

USPS International Service Centers process international mail for exchange, import or export, and customs authorities may be involved. An ISC event means the item is in international processing; it does not promise a fixed customs release time.

13. Why does USPS tracking show “Shipping Partner, USPS Awaiting Item”?

This status usually means a shipping partner or seller-side carrier has provided information or is moving the package before USPS physical acceptance. USPS may not yet have the item, so the sender or partner is the correct first contact.

14. How does USPS handle an international postal handoff?

For U.S. exports, USPS accepts and exports the item and the destination postal operator handles final delivery; for U.S. imports, a foreign post may issue the S10 number and USPS may deliver after U.S. exchange and customs processing.

15. Can businesses track USPS shipments through an API?

Businesses can use the USPS developer platform for USPS-specific integrations where approved, or use the 17TRACK API for multi-carrier tracking workflows. Developers should verify current USPS API authentication and legacy Web Tools migration status before implementation.

16. Can a USPS service be inferred from the tracking prefix alone?

A USPS service should not be inferred from the prefix alone because domestic numeric families can overlap across package and extra-service products. Use the official tracking result, label record or sender shipment details to confirm the service.

17. Why does an inbound China package show a number ending in CN on USPS?

A number ending in CN is usually an S10 identifier issued by China Post or another origin-side postal workflow, not by USPS. USPS can display U.S. tracking events after the item enters the USPS stage.

18. Does 17TRACK deliver USPS packages or approve USPS claims?

No. 17TRACK is an independent tracking platform that displays available tracking events, while USPS, the sender, the marketplace or the destination postal operator must handle delivery actions, claims, refunds and address changes.

Tracking API

// 1. USPS official tracking API
// USPS provides developer documentation through the USPS Developer Portal.
// Current endpoint, HTTP method, OAuth flow, scopes, headers and request body
// are access-controlled and must be verified in the official USPS Developer Portal
// before production use. Do not copy legacy Web Tools examples without checking
// USPS migration and retirement notices.
// Documentation: https://developer.usps.com/

// 2. 17TRACK API
// Register a USPS tracking number with 17TRACK.
// The current 17TRACK carrier code for USPS was not independently confirmed here,
// so keep CARRIER_CODE as a placeholder or omit carrier when your integration
// uses 17TRACK automatic carrier detection according to your account workflow.

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