Major Courier Tracking Number Formats
Every shipping carrier uses unique tracking number formats to identify and track packages through their network. Learning these patterns helps you quickly identify which courier is handling your shipment and ensures you enter tracking numbers correctly.
United States Carriers
UPS (United Parcel Service)
Format: 18 characters starting with "1Z"
Pattern: 1Z + [6 alphanumeric shipper number] + [2 service code] + [8 package number] + [1 check digit]
Examples:
- 1Z12345E0205271688
- 1Z12345E1305277940
- 1Z12345E6605272234
Additional Formats:
- UPS Mail Innovations: 22-34 alphanumeric characters (9261290100129790891234)
- UPS Freight: Starts with "H" + 9 digits (H123456789)
- UPS SurePost: Similar to standard but may transfer to USPS
FedEx
FedEx Express: 12 digits or 15 digits
Pattern: All numeric, no letters
Examples:
- 123456789012 (12 digits)
- 9622001900012345678 (18 digits starting with 96)
FedEx Ground: 15 digits, usually starts with 96, 02, 03, 04, or other prefixes
Examples:
- 9611020987654312345
- 0201234567891234567
FedEx SmartPost: 22 digits (may transition to USPS)
Example: 9261299998765432100123
USPS (United States Postal Service)
Priority Mail: 22 digits starting with 9400, 9205, or 9407
Examples:
- 9400111899560438600329
- 9205590164917312751089
Priority Mail Express: 13 characters starting with EA, EC, CP, or RA
Examples:
- EA123456789US
- EC999999999US
- CP123456789US
Certified Mail: 20 digits starting with 9407
Example: 94071234567890123456
Registered Mail: 13 characters starting with RA, RB, RC
Example: RA123456789US
International: 13 characters ending with US
Patterns:
- LP123456789US (Letter Post)
- LK123456789US (Packet)
- CJ123456789US (ePacket to China)
Amazon Logistics
Format: Starts with "TBA" followed by 12 digits
Pattern: TBA + [12 numeric digits]
Examples:
- TBA123456789000
- TBA987654321999
Note: Amazon also uses UPS, USPS, and other carriers which have their own tracking number formats.
OnTrac
Format: 15 characters starting with "C" or "D"
Pattern: Letter + 14 digits
Examples:
- C12345678901234
- D98765432109876
International Carriers
DHL
DHL Express: 10 digits (most common)
Examples:
- 1234567890
- 9876543210
DHL eCommerce: 13-22 characters starting with GM, LX, RX, or other prefixes
Examples:
- GM123456789012345 (15-19 digits)
- LX123456789US
DHL Global Mail: 13 characters ending with country code
Example: GM123456789US
China Post / ePacket
Format: 13 characters ending with "CN" (China)
Pattern: [2 letters] + [9 digits] + CN
Common Prefixes:
- LP: Letter Post (standard mail)
- LM: Airmail Letter
- CP: Parcel
- CJ: ePacket (faster tracked service)
- LZ: Registered Small Packet
- RB: Registered Parcel
- RF: Registered Small Packet
Examples:
- LP123456789CN
- CJ987654321CN
- RB456789123CN
Royal Mail (UK)
Format: 13 characters ending with "GB" (Great Britain)
Pattern: [2 letters] + [9 digits] + GB
Common Prefixes:
- RG: Registered
- RM: Registered Mail
- JJ: International Tracked & Signed
- LA: Tracked 48
- LE: Special Delivery
Examples:
- RG123456789GB
- JJ987654321GB
Canada Post
Domestic: 16 digits
Example: 1234567890123456
International: 13 characters ending with "CA"
Pattern: [2 letters] + [9 digits] + CA
Examples:
- RA123456789CA
- LK987654321CA
Australia Post
Domestic: 13 digits
Example: 1234567890123
International: 13 characters ending with "AU"
Pattern: [2 letters] + [9 digits] + AU
Examples:
- RB123456789AU
- CP987654321AU
Asian E-commerce Carriers
Yanwen
Format: Starts with "YT" followed by 16 digits
Pattern: YT + [16 numeric digits]
Examples:
- YT1234567890123456
- YT9876543210987654
Note: Common for AliExpress and other Chinese marketplace shipments
4PX Express
Format: 13 characters with country code at end
Pattern: [2 letters] + [9 digits] + [2-letter country code]
Examples:
- RF123456789SG
- LP987654321CN
Alternative: Some 4PX numbers start with "4PX" + 12 digits
Yun Express
Format: Similar to Yanwen, starts with "YT"
Alternative formats: Various alphanumeric combinations
Examples:
- YT1234567890123456
- UY123456789012
European Carriers
Deutsche Post / DHL Germany
Format: Varies by service
DHL Paket: 12-14 digits or JJD prefix + numbers
Examples:
- 123456789012
- JJD12345678901234
La Poste / Colissimo (France)
Domestic: 14 alphanumeric characters
Example: 6A12345678
International: 13 characters ending with "FR"
Pattern: [2 letters] + [9 digits] + FR
Example: RB123456789FR
PostNL (Netherlands)
Format: 13 characters starting with "3S"
Pattern: 3S + [letters and numbers]
Example: 3SABCD1234567
Alternative: RB123456789NL (international format)
Regional & Express Carriers
LaserShip
Format: Starts with "LX" or "LS" followed by 8-10 digits
Examples:
- LX12345678
- LS1234567890
GLS (General Logistics Systems)
DPD
Format: 14 digits
Example: 12345678901234
Alternative: Varies by country (UK uses different format)
Universal Postal Union (UPU) Format
Most international postal services follow the Universal Postal Union standard format for international tracking:
📮 UPU Standard Format
Pattern: [2 letters] + [9 digits] + [2-letter country code]
Total length: 13 characters
Example: RB123456789US
First 2 Letters indicate service type:
- R: Registered items
- C: Parcels
- E: Express Mail Service (EMS)
- L: Letter-post
- V: Insured parcels/letters
Last 2 Letters are ISO country codes:
- US = United States
- CN = China
- GB = United Kingdom
- CA = Canada
- AU = Australia
- DE = Germany
- FR = France
- JP = Japan
Common Tracking Number Patterns
⚠️ Important Tips for Entering Tracking Numbers
- No spaces: Enter tracking numbers without spaces
- Case doesn't usually matter: Most systems accept uppercase or lowercase
- Avoid common mistakes:
- Confusing O (letter) with 0 (zero)
- Confusing I (letter i) with 1 (one)
- Including dashes or special characters
- 24-48 hour activation: Tracking numbers need time to activate in the system
Quick Reference Chart
| Carrier | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| UPS | 1Z + 16 chars | 1Z999AA10123456784 |
| FedEx Express | 12 digits | 123456789012 |
| USPS Priority | 22 digits (9400) | 9400111899560438600329 |
| DHL Express | 10 digits | 1234567890 |
| Amazon | TBA + 12 digits | TBA123456789000 |
| China Post | 13 chars (ends CN) | LP123456789CN |
| Yanwen | YT + 16 digits | YT1234567890123456 |
| Royal Mail | 13 chars (ends GB) | RG123456789GB |
📮 UPS
✈️ FedEx Express
🇺🇸 USPS Priority
📦 DHL Express
🛒 Amazon
🇨🇳 China Post
🚚 Yanwen
🌍 Royal Mail
Still Can't Identify Your Carrier?
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Additional Resources
- Complete Package Tracking Guide - Learn how to track any package
- Tracking Status Definitions - What each status means
- Customs Clearance Guide - Navigate international shipping
- All Supported Carriers - Browse supported couriers
- Track by Marketplace - Find tracking for AliExpress, Amazon, SHEIN, etc.