The tracking and tracing of shipments is also referred to as "track and trace" or "tracking and tracing." With the systems in use, the status of a shipment can be monitored before and after the delivery of registered mail, postal items, and freight. Shipment tracking is not only used for shipping goods to private households. It also enables the tracking of materials within a production process and the investigation of lost shipments. Shipment tracking is also used for the return of goods. For most shipments that are delivered, a corresponding return slip is already included by the sender or created by the respective parcel service. You only need to buy a box and you can send the goods back. It doesn't matter whether it's a normal parcel shipment, a folder shipment, or a media shipment.

How Shipment Tracking Works

In shipment tracking, packages or freight are equipped with machine-readable labels. These are usually barcodes, but electronic RFID chips are increasingly being used. These labels are read at various points in the delivery process. The data is stored in a central database and can provide information to both the sender of the shipment and the recipient of the delivery about which delivery steps the shipment has passed and when. The sender of the shipment creates the necessary information for the transport of the goods – the target data – and transmits it to the commissioned transport service. These transport services can be courier, express, or parcel services. They capture the data and attach the electronic label to the shipment upon pickup, unless this has already been done by the sender. All data is usually transmitted in real-time, allowing access to current information at any time. The data for a shipment is supplemented with current information at various control points during delivery, such as transfer points. This creates a shipment history that allows a reliable statement about the current status of the delivery at any time. The use of labels also speeds up the entire delivery process, as shipments can be sorted and thus delivered much faster with the help of automatic sorting stations.

The Importance of Shipment Tracking

Shipment tracking primarily serves to provide the customer with information about the status of their expected delivery at any time. This not only gives them information about the individual stages of the transport chain but also allows them to estimate the expected arrival time of their delivery.

For the transport service provider, shipment tracking is also used to monitor the transport chain, but it additionally offers the possibility of protection against loss and theft. Shipment tracking can log the handover of deliveries to other participants in the delivery process. Delivery errors should thus be avoided. In the event of a lost delivery, the stored shipment data can be used to investigate the last known location and time of the goods. Shipment tracking is also a control system for delivery services to ensure compliance with their own service levels and is therefore a suitable means of improving the shipping process and operations. If a previously defined time for the next delivery step is exceeded during delivery, a corresponding error message is generated.

What Data is Used for Shipment Tracking and in What Form?

As already mentioned, the required data is provided on labels. These usually have addresses and a unique tracking number printed in both machine-readable and normal readable form. In addition, the labels contain information about the routing, i.e., the entire delivery route. Additional service codes can convey the priority of a delivery and the type of shipment.

The tracking number for shipment tracking consists of a globally unique number that includes information about the sender and a customer identifier. The routing information encrypts postal codes, destination codes, and, for example, departure and destination airports. If disruptions occur in the delivery process or failures happen, the necessary information can also be dynamically changed and updated. Mobile scanners play a crucial role here, allowing access to current data at any time within the delivery process.

How Can I Track the Status of My Shipment as a Recipient?

Most delivery services now offer a system for shipment tracking. Typically, the recipient of a delivery is informed of the tracking number of their shipment by email or SMS when the shipment leaves the sender or the collecting parcel service. The recipient of the shipment can check the current status of their delivery at any time on the respective transport companies' websites using the received shipment number.

As a special service, many parcel services provide their customers with mobile apps that allow shipments to be tracked. Since the senders of the goods usually commission the delivery service, the recipient must download a variety of apps onto their smartphone. However, tracking apps are now available that access multiple tracking systems, allowing the recipient to track shipments. Some apps offer features that go beyond mere shipment tracking. It has also become possible for private customers to label and frank their own shipments.