When using USPS for your package shipping needs, holding onto your tracking number is super important. This number is used to track your package’s location at every stage of the shipping and delivery process. Without it, you will not be able to track your package effectively.
USPS tracking numbers can be found in a few different places…
- On the paper sales receipt you received when you sent your package
- On your customs form receipt (for international packages only)
- On your Informed Delivery dashboard (if you are the recipient of the package in question)
- In your shipping confirmation email (if you are the intended package recipient and you ordered something online that’s being shipped through USPS)
Of course, things happen and tracking numbers get lost. If this happens to you, there are only a couple of things you can do.
- First, you can submit a help request here if you lose your tracking number for a USPS package. Don’t get your hopes up about the help request being able to provide your tracking number, though. In most cases, USPS will probably tell you just to wait for your package to be delivered. USPS agents unfortunately cannot look up tracking numbers.
- If you are the intended recipient of the package, check your Informed Delivery account (or sign up for one). Informed Delivery is a great way to keep track of all of the USPS packages bound for your address. Even if you lose your tracking number, you should still be able to access your package’s tracking information through the Informed Delivery dashboard.
- Finally, if you lost your tracking number for a package that seems to have gone missing, you can submit a Missing Mail Search request using your address, the recipient’s address, a description of the package and its contents (including photos if possible), and the mailing date. Missing Mail Search requests can only be submitted by those who have already submitted help requests that failed to recover the missing mail item within 7 business days.
Can You Track A USPS Package Without A Tracking Number?
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to track a USPS package without a tracking number.
The only options you’ll have in this situation are the ones listed above. This is why it’s super important to hold onto your receipts for all packages you send.
FAQs
Does USPS email your tracking number?
Not usually. However, you can receive text and/or email tracking updates from USPS if you sign up for Informed Delivery or request updates via the USPS package tracking tool.
Can you find a USPS receipt online?
No. Your USPS sales receipt (featuring your tracking number) is printed for you when you send a package at a US Post Office and cannot be retrieved online.
Can you track a USPS package with your phone number?
No. To track a USPS package through the standard tracking system, you will need your tracking number.
How do you contact USPS about a package?
You can call USPS customer service at 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) between the hours of 8AM and 8:30PM EST Monday through Friday or 8AM to 6PM EST on Saturdays (closed Sundays). At all other times, you can submit an email inquiry about a package here.
