Stamp Tracking

Did you know that USPS stamps have tracking capabilities? But how do you track the stamps on your mailed letter? 

These are some common questions people have when checking the status and location of their letters or packages.

This article answers your queries about whether or not USPS stamps have tracking and how to track your mail. This article also covers USPS tracking, tracking stamps, tracking numbers, and delivery instructions for your mail.

If you want your questions about stamp tracking answered personally, you can always visit your local post office.

Are you looking for a post office in your area? FindPostOffice.org can help you locate all 31,330 post offices in the United States, including the one nearest you.

Do USPS Stamps Have Tracking?

Did you know that you can track history with stamps? An example would be the covid related stamps. 

Postage stamps offer an exciting look at how coronavirus has shaped the world.

Some are humorous, meant to inspire or make people laugh, while others are bleak and depressing.

Covid stamps are such an unusual find that tracking them down makes for a fascinating hobby.

Going back to the question, “Do USPS Stamps have tracking?” Yes, they do. 

Once you pay for the postage stamps at your local post office, USPS tracking is immediately activated. 

But tracking information is not always provided for first-class mail, especially if you do not ask your local post office to include this feature.

Additional charges apply to first-class packages when you choose one of USPS’ package services.

The fees depend on the destination of your envelope and its size.

For tracking information, you can expect the cost to range from $0.20 to $0.90. It is a good idea to select this extra feature if you want to know exactly when your letter will arrive.

How Can I Track My Stamps?

You can track your stamps by entering the tracking number on the USPS tracking page. 

USPS Tracking can help you monitor mail or packages you’ve sent and ensure that they arrive at their destination.

The US Postal Service can also determine where and when your mail was delivered. You’ll usually receive a notification if the postal carrier attemps to deliver your package.

The United States Postal Service offers two types of tracking: retail and electronic.

• Retail tracking: You can purchase retail tracking at any USPS post office.

When you visit the customer desk, ask for PS Form 152, this can help you start purchasing a retail tracking service.

Package tracking can be done by entering the tracking code on USPS’s Track and Confirm page or calling the number listed on the form.

Stamps.com users can take advantage of the retail USPS Tracking system if they print shipping labels directly onto envelopes or use NetStamps labels in combination with Form 152 PS.

• Electronic tracking: If you print postage from Stamps.com, the program will include USPS Tracking for free, for all mail classes.

Step-by-Step Process of Tracking (Is It Mail or Stamps?)

USPS Tracking has a barcode that can be printed on your shipping label or attached with a sticker.

The barcode on the label helps keep track of your item as it moves from city to city. You can purchase these barcode stickers at your local post office, and they must be filled out by hand.

As a trackable item is shipped, it is scanned numerous times by USPS and their shipping partners.

Tracking typically starts when the sender or shipping partner notifies the post office that they should expect a package soon.

The tracking continues with USPS accepting the package for transit and ends when it is delivered or picked up by the recipient.

You can monitor your shipment’s progress anytime using the USPS tracking number.

How Do I Track a Mailed Letter?

The United States Postal Service (USPS) allows people to check the location of their mail as it travels through the system.

With a tracking number, customers can see where their mail is in the delivery process. This number can also help the customers check delivery attempts or if the mail was returned.

Other shipping companies also have a tracking system of their own.

• Take advantage of USPS tracking 

USPS tracking is automatically included with certain mail services, like Priority Mail and Certified Mail.

To get a tracking number, the customer must pay for the postage online or at a post office.

Customers may need to purchase an extra service, like a return receipt, to get tracking numbers when sending first-class mail.

USPS can help you make the most of your mailing costs by advising you on which service best suits your needs.

• You can track a USPS delivery online on your phone or laptop 

People can use the USPS website to track their packages for domestic and international mail.

You can use the search box to enter up to 35 tracking numbers at once, but the numbers must be separated by commas.

The USPS mobile app also lets customers look up tracking information. The app is accessible for iPhone and android devices.

You can call 800-222-1811 to get updates on your package if you cannot access the internet.

You can also contact USPS’s customer service, which is available during business days from Monday through Friday around 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM EST. 

On Saturdays, business hours are from 8 AM to 6 PM EST.

Meanwhile, automated information is available around-the-clock and every day of the week.

• Use USPS text tracking 

USPS also offers a text message-based tracking service. Most major wireless carriers offer this kind of service.

When using USPS’ text tracking service for the first time, customers will have the option to choose whether or not they will use the service.

This means they have to pay the charges resulting from any message or data charges from their phones.

To use this service, customers must send a text message to 28777 (2USPS) with the mail’s tracking number in the body of the message.

USPS will then respond with a text that includes, the sender (which is the USPS), the tracking number, the mail’s delivery status, the date, time, and location of the mail’s delivery, and instructions for how to stop receiving further messages.

For example, the customer may receive a text that looks like this:

 “USPS [tracking number], expected delivery by Friday, December 09, 2022 Reply STOP to cancel.“

If the USPS does not provide an update on a customer’s request. You can still get a text message saying that the system received your request.

Here is an example:

“Alert update has been applied to [tracking number].”

• Track your mail using the tracker system for shipping services

Other couriers have systems for tracking and verifying deliveries.

You can access your tracking information online, through mobile apps, and by calling customer service numbers.

How to Track a Package

It is simple to track your package once you have the tracking number. You only need to enter the number into the USPS Tracking page stamps.com online.

You can receive current updates on the status of your package as well as other tracking information, such as:

• Date and time of the delivery or attempted delivery
• Location of the delivered item
• Status where the package has been delivered or attempted to be delivered

The USPS mobile app, which is available for both Android and iOS devices, makes it easy to track the progress of any parcel you’ve shipped.

The importance of a tracking number is it helps the customer stay informed about their package’s delivery status.

Tracking information is readily accessible for customers, so the number of customer service calls and requests to track shipments is significantly reduced.

You can track packages by entering your tracking number in the bar near the top right corner of USPS’s website.

1. Open your browser and navigate to the USPS website.
2. Under the “Track your Package” headline, insert your tracking number into the search bar.
3. The tracking number is usually 10 to 20 digits long.
4. Click on the icon that’s on the search bar.
5. Start tracking your delivery.

What Does My Tracking Number Look Like?

The format of the USPS tracking number depends on how your mail is being sent.

First-Class and Priority Mail, as well as Certified Mail, all have tracking numbers consisting of 20 to 22 digits.

Mail sent through a Collect on Delivery service, including Registered Mail and Signature Confirmation, will also have tracking numbers in 20 to 22 digits.

Mail sent with the Global Express Guaranteed service is tracked by a 10-digit number.

USPS’s international services, including Priority Mail Express International and priority mail international shipping, have 13-digit tracking numbers that contain both letters and numbers.

With Priority Mail Express service, tracking numbers are either 20 to 22 digits long, with both letters and numbers that are similar to the format used for Priority Mail International service.

Where Do I Find My Tracking Number?

The tracking number on a mail or package can be found on the post office’s shipping receipt.

You can also find the tracking number on an email confirmation if you used USPS.com to ship your mail. 

You can also see the number on a shipping confirmation if the package was shipped by an online retailer, like Amazon or eBay.

How Can I Leave Delivery Instructions?

To use the delivery instructions service, you must first meet a few criteria:

You must first be a registered USPS website user. If not, go to the USPS website and register an account. The USPS tracking number must be on the USPS package or receipt.

Meanwhile, to obtain all shipping instructions options, sign in to your USPS.com account:

The following steps will guide you through placing a delivery instructions request.

1. Go to www.USPS.com.

2. Enter your tracking number, then click the right arrow.
   
3. To add delivery instructions, click the “Delivery Instructions” link under “Available Actions” if there is such an option.
   
4. If you are already logged into your account, skip steps 4 and 5.

 If you have not logged in, click “Sign In” to log into your account.

If you don’t already have a USPS account and want to create one, click on the “Register Now” link.

5. To sign in to an existing account, enter your username and password in the boxes provided, then click on “Sign In.”

The system will remind you to open a new window and go to USPS.com.

Meanwhile, click the “Sign Up Now” button if you do not have an account, and follow the steps to set up your account.

6. Read and agree to the terms and conditions. Then, click on “Continue” to initiate a delivery instructions request.
   
7. Enter the original street address, and click “Continue.”
   
8. The system will let you know if the delivery address can accept delivery instructions.
   
9. When you enter an address that does not match your profile, the system will display an error message.

The error message will appear if you try redirecting a package that is not on your delivery route. The message will also show if you enter an address that is ineligible for delivery instructions as the recipient.

10.  Indicate how you want the mail or package to be handled.

The “Continue” button will appear once you have made a selection or entered the information.

11.  If you add extra services or insurance, the total cost of your package will be updated.
    
12.  If the information does not contain any errors, selecting “Add to Cart” will take you to your shopping cart, where you can pay for your modifications.

Pressing the “Checkout” button takes you to a page where you can enter your billing information.

13.  Check the authorization box so your credit card will be charged for this transaction. Provide your billing information and click “Next.”
    
14.  To place your order, review the instructions and select “Place My Order” when you are ready.
    
15.  After submitting a request order, you will see an order summary that confirms your submission.