Express Mail Tracking

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May 11, 2023

The United States Postal Service (USPS) continues to cater to the mailing needs of millions of Americans. In today’s world, the internet provides instant messaging to connect people divided by thousands of miles. 

However, the postal service still has etched its place in modern society because of one thing: despite the fast pace messaging of the internet, you can’t send items over the net. You’ll still need the services of couriers to ship physical objects to a recipient hundreds of miles away, amazingly, in a couple of days. 

This service is what USPS Priority Mail Express provides: a faster way of sending items to people you care about. However, as the topic is Express Mail, does USPS provide any similar service, and is Priority Mail Express offering the same speedy service? Also, how does tracking work for these mail services? And does this express mail service apply to package deliveries? 

This article will discuss the Express Mail Service, how it works, and how it is helpful for your deliveries, especially when sending parcels via USPS. You’ll also have an overview of the Express Mail tracking system and how it works in helping you monitor your deliveries.

Finally, you’ll get information about other tracking notifications you need to understand to fully use USPS’ mail tracking service. 

USPS is one of the biggest parcel delivery companies in the United States. There are currently more than 31,330 post offices in the country, which work hand-in-hand to cater to the delivery needs of more than 300 million Americans.

If you’re planning to use Express Mail Service and need an accessible website that quickly lists the closest post offices in your location, visit FindPostOffice.org. You can browse through thousands of post offices in the U.S. using its organized database of more than 31,330 USPS facilities in the country. 

What Is the Express Mail Service?

EMS (Express Mail Service) is a global brand of worldwide postal service products that provides one of the fastest deliveries. EMS delivers to more than 200 countries where people pay postage for premium end-to-end shipping for mail and packages. EMS has the following main features:

  1. Acceptance at any post office
  2. Pick up from a customer’s residence
  3. Priority handling from drop off to final delivery
  4. End-to-end tracking system
  5. Delivery to the recipient’s address
  6. Signature upon recipient’s acceptance

How Does EMS Work?

Because EMS is a global delivery service, it promises customers that they provide one of the fastest turnarounds for domestic and international deliveries. EMS makes it possible through an advanced delivery system where customers pay a fee or surcharge to ensure that their package is delivered quickly. 

Quick delivery is possible because the shipping process is handled by an association of couriers that work hand-in-hand to provide prompt delivery service. EMS offers deliveries to more than 200 countries, and courier services in those countries also work together to improve this service. 

EMS has a cooperative that manages this service. This cooperative is structured into three main groups, namely: 

  1. The General Assembly: consists of all members of the EMS Cooperative
  2. The Cooperative Board: consists of seven elected members
  3. The EMS Unit: functions as the secretariat of the cooperative

In the United States, EMS is the Priority Mail Express International service USPS provides. The U.S. Postal Service joined the EMS Cooperative in 1999 and has since been part of the global drive to deliver fast mail. The EMS service through USPS offers mail deliveries seven days a week in California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, and other states. 

What Is the Difference Between Priority and Express Mail?

USPS Priority Mail is a parcel service that provides customers with a way of sending mail or packages based on weight and dimension or using a flat rate box or envelope. It’s an affordable way of sending packages. The service is relatively fast. Deliveries must be completed within three days. 

Priority Mail Express International, the counterpart of EMS in the U.S., is considerably faster. Deliveries are often completed overnight, but the service costs a bit more. 

U.S. Mail Service Global Express Guaranteed

For international shipping services, USPS provides Global Express Guaranteed, the company’s fastest international delivery service. 

This mail delivery service uses international transportation and partners with the FedEx delivery system. This cooperation aims to ensure that recipients get their packages within a delivery time of one to three business days in more than 180 countries worldwide. You may need to complete customs forms when sending parcels abroad.  

How Long Does Express Mail Take?

Priority Mail Express provides faster delivery services, with next-day shipping and 2-day deliveries by 6:00 PM and a money-back guarantee. You can send mail practically daily with this mail service and packages to most U.S. addresses and PO Boxes in Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, New York, Jacksonville, and other cities. 

U.S. Mail Service Expected Delivery Window

You can expect USPS to deliver your mail within their delivery window, between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, on business days and Saturdays. However, there may be cases where the hours may extend a bit, especially if there are many mail and packages to be delivered. You can expect deliveries as late as 6:30 PM.

Can You Track USPS Express Mail?

You can track USPS Priority Mail Express through the tracking tool on the USPS official website. You’ll need a tracking number for your parcel and then input it into the tracking tool and start tracking your package. 

How Does U.S. Mail Service Tracking Work?

When you send mail, you’ll get a label that turns your parcel into a trackable item. Your mail piece gets scanned several times throughout the delivery process. The tracking process starts when the sender or another shipping partner (e.g., FedEx and DHL) notifies USPS that a package is heading USPS’ way. 

You can access this tracking information by using the tracking number provided by USPS and entering it into the tracking tool available on the Postal Service’s official website.  

Know When and Where Your Shipments Are

The USPS tracking system lets you know your package’s location on any delivery journey. Your mail or package is scanned at every facility it reaches, and your tracking information gets updated with every scan. This update lets you know when and where your shipments are, making deliveries manageable, especially if you’re an eCommerce business. 

U.S. Mail Service Delivery Tracking: How Do You Track Express Package?

In this section of the article, you’ll get tips on how to track your express package using U.S. mail service delivery tracking. There are many methods to track your parcels. Here are some ways to access your shipments’ tracking information.

Track U.S. Mail Service by Number

You can enter a tracking or confirmation number in the tracking tool and access your parcel’s tracking status. If you’ve brought your mail personally, you will receive the tracking number from the post office nearest you. 

A tracking number is a 16-digit receipt you should keep safe until your parcel is delivered. You can also obtain tracking information through SMS (short messaging service). You only need to text 28777 with your tracking number to receive an update. 

What Does a Tracking Number Look Like?

A tracking number is an alphanumeric number with 20 to 22 digits. It’s a combination of codes set by USPS to identify your package uniquely. Here are three examples of tracking numbers typically used to track packages:

  • Priority Mail: 9215 5020 0100 0200 1000 00
  • Global Express Guaranteed: 82 000 000 00
  • Collect on Delivery: 9303 3000 0010 0000 0100 00
  • Certified Mail: 9407 3033 0000 0200 0202 00
  • Signature Confirmation: 9202 1000 0040 3000 0200 10
  • Priority Mail Express: 9270 1000 0020 0400 0030 10

First-Class Mail, formerly known as Airmail, usually has no tracking number. However, there are extra services that you can purchase for barcodes and scanning options. 

Where Do You Find the Tracking Number?

You can find your tracking number and mailing receipt on your sales or shipping receipt. You typically get this tracking or reference number when you’ve dropped off your package or mailed it at your local post office.  

Your USPS Tracking Number Can Be Found in the Following Places

Here are other locations where you can find your tracking number:

  1. Online label records through Click-N-Ship, eBay, or other services
  2. Self-service kiosk receipt
  3. The shipping label you place on your parcel or package

How to Use USPS Tracking Other Than Through USPS.com Tracking

There are cases where you don’t have access to the internet. During this situation, you can still track your mail pieces via the following methods:

  • SMS your tracking number to 28777
  • Use the official USPS mobile app for iOS or Android
  • Call customer support by phone, dial 1-800-222-1811

How to Parcel Track With USPS Text Tracking

You only need to text your parcel’s tracking number to 28777, and you’ll get SMS replies with your package’s tracking information. It’s a convenient way to monitor your deliveries even without the internet. 

U.S. Mail Service Tracking Statuses: How to Check Mail Express Tracking Status

Many tracking statuses describe the situation of your package. Each status notification means a different thing, and it’s best to learn the meaning behind these statuses, as some terms might be vague and confusing. 

What “In Transit” Means in U.S. Mail Service

You get the “In Transit” notification when your parcel or package is being delivered from one facility to another. It’s the notification telling you that your parcel is moving and slowly progressing toward reaching its intended destination. 

What “Out for Delivery” Means in U.S. Mail Service

You get this notification when your parcel or package is already moving. The delivery status will get updated when your package reaches its destination. 

What “Delivered” Means in U.S. Mail Service

When your package arrives at the intended destination and the recipient receives the package, the delivery status will change to “Delivered.”  The mailing and shipping process is completed when the mail has reached its intended destination.

Other Tracking Statuses

Here are some tracking statuses you may see when sending mail via the USPS delivery service. 

  • Pre-shipment: your shipping labels are created but not yet scanned into the company’s network.
  • Delivery attempt: You get this notification when a USPS package handler delivers a package to a recipient’s address, but no one is there to accept.
  • Accepted: You get this notification when USPS has accepted your parcel at the sorting facility associated with the ZIP code you’re shipping from. You’ll also get this notification when the recipient receives the package. 
  • Available for pickup: You get this notification when your parcel arrives at your local post office or the specified USPS facility and is ready for pickup. 
  • Alert: You get this status when your USPS package experiences an uncommon issue or problem during delivery. 
  • Return to sender: When the package is returned to the sender due to many reasons.

How Long Does It Take for Tracking Information to Show Up?

USPS tracking usually gets updated within 24 to 48 hours. When your package is scanned, the tracking details will automatically get updated. You should ensure that it should be appropriately placed if you’re using a shipping label on your package. Make sure that the barcode isn’t damaged or covered to avoid delays. 

Package Shipped by U.S. Mail Service Shows No Tracking Information

It’s normal for packages shipped via USPS to have little or no tracking information. The U.S. mail service doesn’t always provide tracking for many of its services. Instead, USPS includes delivery confirmation. 

A delivery confirmation gets scanned when it reaches your local post office and is again scanned at delivery. You may not have other information that will confirm your package was mailed. So, don’t be perplexed if you encounter this kind of scenario. 

What Are the Reasons Behind Tracking Not Updating

Delays in the package’s delivery are common reasons for tracking information not updating. Suppose you still don’t receive updates after the delivery date. In that case, you must contact your retailer or shipper or open an inquiry with USPS. 

You’ve Received Packages, but Still, U.S. Mail Service Tracking Is Not Updating

Many reasons can cause your tracking information not to update. Among these reasons are inclement weather, packages not correctly scanned, packages not yet moving, and a package delivered, but the status still needs to be updated. 

U.S. Mail Service Priority Mail Express International Tracking

USPS Priority Mail Express International tracking follows the same principle as domestic tracking. Packages have tracking numbers that customers can input into an online system to monitor the status of their parcels. 

This international mail service offers customers a delivery timeframe of three to five days. It can ship packages to more than 180 countries worldwide. 

USPS Customer Care Service and Contacts

Here are USPS contact details you can call when you need help or have inquiries:

Customer Care Center

  • Email: USPS Customer Service
  • Call: 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777)

Hours of Operation

  • Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM ET
  • Saturday: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM ET

Technical Support

For services like Click-N-Ship, File a Claim, P.O. Boxes, The Postal Store, and USPS accounts, call: 1-800-344-7779

Hours of Operation

  • Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM ET
  • Saturday: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM ET

References

  1. Priority Mail Express
    https://www.usps.com/ship/priority-mail-express.htm
  2. Priority Mail Express International
    https://www.usps.com/international/priority-mail-express-international.htm