Track and trace

With track and trace, it is possible to track the location of a mail piece or package shipment during its processing by the postal company, from handover to delivery.

Parcel and other mail distribution uses several sorting centers and a network of routes. At each distribution hub, a package's address is read and it is sorted to be forwarded to the next destination. Today, this process is largely automated and uses barcodes, QR codes, RFID and other encodings.

If a package is offered track & trace, the shipment is already provided with a barcode upon transfer. This code contains relevant information about the sender and addressee and is scanned at relevant logistical moments. Such as upon entering a distribution center, loading it into a vehicle and delivering it to the recipient.

This allows the sender to see where the package was when via a unique hyperlink (which can be shared with the recipient). Many courier companies also provide an indication of the expected delivery time using track and trace data. If no one was present at the time of delivery, some couriers allow the track and trace link to choose where and when another delivery attempt should be made, or for the recipient to choose to pick up the package himself at a central pickup point.