USPS Tracking – History, Tracking Guide & Solutions

In this article, we will try to provide you a complete guide about USPS Tracking through most frequently asked queries. So let’s get started:

USPS Background:

Earlier 1971 USPS, initially known as the U.S. Post Office Department, when it was completely supervised under the U.S. Government. Now it is famous by different names of The United States Postal Service, the Post Office, U.S. Mail, or Postal Service.

It is an independent United States federal government agency that is responsible for providing postal service in the United States. It is one of those government agencies that explicitly approved by the United States Constitution.

Through this service, you can easily track any tracking number you have, with the universal postal tracker.

What Is USPS Tracking?

USPS Tracking is a strategy that provides you the surety about your most valuable packages makes it to their ultimate destinations. The US Postal Service can explain to you the date, time and zip code where your item was sent. If the postal carrier makes an effort to attempt a delivery, you will get the date and time of that attempt as well. 

Types of USPS Tracking:

There are two types of USPS Tracking :

• Retail Tracking/mail Tracking
• Electronic Tracking

1. Retail USPS Tracking/Mail Tracking:

Retail USPS Tracking is the selling of retail tracking at Post Offices. USPS Retail is a very reliable and inexpensive way to ship less-than-urgent deliveries and huge packages. USPS Mail Tracking is good for packages too large for Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail delivery, only accessible at USPS Post Offices.

All you need to fill out PS Form 152, that is a bright green label that is accessible at the customer desk. You can assess the status of your package by entering a code online at USPS’s Track and Confirm page or by calling a number given on the form. 

2. Electronic USPS Tracking:

Electronic USPS Tracking is the print postage from an online service, The procedure will include electronic USPS Tracking on your package for free for all mail classes.

How Does USPS Tracking Work?

USPS Tracking service is denoted by a bar code that is either printed on your shipping label or attached to your letter or package with a sticker. To get the information about the package final destination, the bar code enables the USPS to track the activity of your package or item from city to city. The sticker, also known as PS Form 152, is available for free at the post office and must be filled out by hand. The delivery status can be reviewed by entering the USPS Tracking number online at USPS’ site. 

But there are certain cases when USPS Tracking does not update.

Why USPS Tracking Stop Tracking?

The tracking feature USPS absolutely fine most of the time but some times due to some genuine issues, the USPS tracking feature stop working as it is required. Here are the explanations for issues with tracking and why it is not accessible, and USPS tracking is down:

• Missed the Package Scanning:

USPS is only able to track the status of your shipments when the shipping carrier checks the mail piece. In this regard, if the scanned of the mail piece has not done by the shipping carrier due to any reason, then the newest shipping information will not be updated. So, you will not be able to track the status of your item.

• Weather Condition:

Weather is one of the main reasons for the USPS Tracking delay. Your mail package item could get stuck because of severe weather conditions. So, the status of the package could not reach the concerned member. Then for tracking purposes, the updated and valid status of your shipment will not be functional on the website.

The package moves from one place to another, during which the package gets examined at all locations. 

Once the scanning is completed, USPS updates the shipping information on the online tracker. Some times, the package does not get scanned into the shipping carrier’s system at any of the locations. Because of this circumstance, the USPS tracking does not possess any update about the shipment and the customer could not be aware of their shipping status.

• Delay in Processing:

In a few cases, there is a delay from the shipping carrier side due to which the online tracker does not get notification about the mail. There can be some challenging situations that lead to the holdup in USPS tracking information not updating.

Such as, series of holidays let the number of unattended packages wait. During this unusual situation, USPS occasionally skips the package scanning to speed up the process and cope up with the delay. 

The package scanning requires more processing time. So, when the USPS is already staying behind, they often miss the package scanning part which fails status to update on the website. Hence, USPS tracking shows no updated status online.

How To Track A Package Without USPs Tracking Number?

A tracking number permits you to check on the delivery of a package. But if you are in a circumstance where you do not have a tracking number or you lost your number, so you do not need to worry. 

many of the package delivery companies now provide free tools that enable you to track your package online. To use these tools, to will need to visit the company’s website and register an account. Once you make your account, it is just a step of logging in and finding the correct package based on other shipping details.

1) Register for UPS My Choice.

Visit www.ups.com/mychoice/features/. My Choice will let you track your packages being sent through UPS. You can use a free membership or premium membership for $40 a year. Once you registered and, filled in your personal details and verified your address you can easily found details of your packages. 

• The free version of My Choice will allow you to track your packages without a tracking number.
• Premium membership will let you change your destination by changing the recipient’s address and change the date of delivery as well.

2) Sign Up For Informed Delivery On The USPS Website:

Visit www.reg.usps.com/entreg/RegistrationAction_input. Fill out the form and enter your information and address. By creating an account, it will permit you to use a variety of USPS tools, such as online tracking for select packages that you send or receive through USPS. Through this website, you can easily track your package.

3. Sign up for FedEx Delivery Manager:

Visit www.fedex.com/apps/fdmenrollment/. And fill the form and sign up for a FedEx Delivery Manager account. You will need to provide your personal information and a valid address then you can able to track your package. 

How Accurate is USPS Tracking?

According to the survey and the general opinion of the public, it is concluded that the tracking system is quite accurate. The projection of your package arrival date at its destination is also accurate. The system can not account for some natural mishaps such as. Plane delays due to rough weather, trucks breaking down, power outages at sorting facilities, etc. It also relies on your method of shipment. But in general, the system is reliable and it works fine on its own. 

How Many Numbers Are In USPS Tracking?

USPS Tracking numbers are usually 20-22 digits long and do not contain any letters. Whereas USPS Express Mail tracking numbers are generally 13 characters long, which begin with two letters and end with “US”.

Where Can Tracking Number On Your USPS Receipt Be Found?

• Look at your post office shipping receipt. When you visit the post office in person they will provide you a receipt of your purchase. You can find your USPS Tracking number printed at the bottom of your sales receipt.
  
  
• If your package is valued at more than $50, you will be required to purchase additional shipping insurance. Then, you would have got an additional receipt for this. Your USPS tracking number can be found at the end of your insurance receipt.
  
  
•  If you ship your item by using USPS.com, you will receive an email confirmation. That contains your tracking number.
  
  
•  If you purchase an item through an online dealer and they ship your package through the United States Postal Service, they will email you a shipping confirmation. Within this email, you will able to find your tracking number.
  
  
• If you ship an item in person at the post office, the clerk will peel off a sticker with a barcode and paste it onto your item. Then they will hand over you the bottom part of that peel-off label. This will contain your USPS tracking number at the bottom.

We hope through our article of USPS Tracking, you can able to find many unsolved questions and it can clear your all your doubt regarding USPS Tracking.