Tracking number formats explained
Short answer: the shape of a tracking number tells you the carrier. UPS starts with 1Z; USPS is 20–22 digits; DHL Express is 10 digits; most international post uses the S10 format — two letters, nine digits, and a country code like CN or GB. You don’t have to memorise any of it — paste the number and we detect the carrier.
Format by carrier
Every carrier we support, the format it uses, and an example to compare against.
| Carrier | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 4PX | 4PX numbers are often alphanumeric, sometimes starting with letters like RT, RS, or 4PX, or an S10-style postal number for the final leg. Lengths vary by service. | RT123456789CN |
| Amazon Logistics | Amazon Logistics tracking numbers usually start with "TBA" followed by digits (e.g. TBA123456789000). They are issued by Amazon and best tracked inside your Amazon account. | TBA123456789000 |
| An Post | Registered and international items use the UPU S10 format (two letters, nine digits, IE country code). Domestic tracked parcels may use other numeric or alphanumeric references. | RR123456785IE |
| Aramex | Aramex tracking numbers are usually 10 to 12 digits (sometimes shown with a leading country segment). Shop & Ship members have an account-linked number format. | 1234567890 |
| Asendia | Asendia uses its own e-PAQ tracking references, often alphanumeric, and parcels may transfer to the destination country's postal carrier with a new local tracking number. | LX123456789DE |
| Australia Post | Australia Post tracking numbers vary: many are alphanumeric and over 10 characters, often starting with letters. International items use the UPU S10 format (2 letters, 9 digits, AU country code). | 33ABC123456789 |
| Blue Dart | Blue Dart waybill numbers are typically 11 digits. International shipments may carry a DHL air waybill since Blue Dart is part of the DHL Group. | 12345678901 |
| Bpost | Bpost barcodes are often around 14-16 digits, sometimes starting with country or service prefixes. International items may use the UPU S10 format ending in BE, e.g. RB123456785BE. | RB123456785BE |
| Cainiao | Cainiao numbers are often long alphanumeric strings, many starting with LP followed by digits (e.g. LP00000000000000), or an S10-style number for the postal leg. | LP00000000000000 |
| Canada Post | Canada Post domestic tracking numbers are 16 digits (often shown in four groups of four). International items use the UPU S10 format: 2 letters, 9 digits, and a country code, e.g. ending in CA. | 1234567890123456 |
| Česká pošta | International items use the UPU S10 format (two letters, nine digits, CZ country code). Domestic items may use other numeric references. | RR123456785CZ |
| Chilexpress | Chilexpress uses an OD (orden de despacho) tracking number, typically a numeric reference of around 10 to 12 digits. | 123456789012 |
| China EMS | China EMS uses the UPU S10 format with an EMS-style prefix: 2 letters starting with E (e.g. EE or EA), 9 digits, and CN country code, e.g. EE123456785CN. | EE123456785CN |
| China Post | China Post international items use the UPU S10 format: 2 letters, 9 digits, and CN country code, e.g. RB123456785CN. ePacket and registered air mail follow the same pattern. | RB123456785CN |
| Chronopost | Chronopost numbers are 13 characters, often starting with two letters such as XX or a UPU S10 form, followed by digits, e.g. XX123456789FR. | XX123456789FR |
| Correios | Domestic and international items use the UPU S10 format: two letters, nine digits, and a country code (usually BR for items posted in Brazil). The first two letters indicate the service, such as RR for registered or LB for economy. | RR123456785BR |
| Correo Argentino | International items use the UPU S10 format (two letters, nine digits, AR country code). Domestic parcels use a separate alphanumeric reference. | RR123456785AR |
| Correos | Correos numbers are often 13-character UPU S10 codes ending in ES (e.g. RB123456785ES), or alphanumeric parcel references such as those starting with PQ or CP. | RB123456785ES |
| CTT | International items follow the UPU S10 format (two letters, nine digits, PT country code). Domestic registered items use similar 13-character codes. | RR123456785PT |
| Delhivery | Delhivery waybill numbers are usually 11 to 14 digit numeric references generated at the time of booking. | 1234567890123 |
| Deutsche Post | Deutsche Post / DHL Paket numbers are typically 12 to 20 digits. International letter and small-packet items may use the UPU S10 format ending in DE, e.g. RB123456785DE. | RB123456785DE |
| DHL eCommerce | DHL eCommerce numbers vary widely — often a long alphanumeric string starting with GM, LX, RX, or a country prefix, sometimes 20+ characters. Many include a final-mile handoff number from the local post. | GM6000000000000000 |
| DHL Express | DHL Express waybill numbers are 10 digits, often starting with a digit such as 0 through 9 (frequently beginning with 00 or a JD/JJD prefix for piece numbers). | 1234567890 |
| DPD | DPD parcel numbers are usually 14 digits (sometimes shown with spaces). Some references are shorter for specific countries or services. | 01234567890123 |
| DTDC | DTDC consignment numbers are typically alphanumeric, often starting with a letter prefix followed by digits, or a purely numeric reference. | D12345678 |
| Estafeta | Estafeta guide (guia) numbers are typically numeric references of around 10 to 30 digits depending on the service. | 1234567890 |
| Evri | Evri tracking numbers are typically 16 digits, sometimes shown in groups (e.g. 1234 5678 9012 3456). Older Hermes references may be alphanumeric. | 1234567890123456 |
| FedEx | Most FedEx Express and Ground numbers are 12 digits; FedEx Ground (formerly SmartPost) and some services use 15, 20, or 22 digits. FedEx also reads the long barcode numbers printed on labels. | 390245556789 |
| GLS | GLS parcel numbers are typically 11 to 14 digits depending on country. Some markets use an alphanumeric track ID alongside the numeric parcel number. | 12345678901 |
| Hellenic Post (ELTA) | International items use the UPU S10 format (two letters, nine digits, GR country code). Domestic registered and courier items use similar codes. | RR123456785GR |
| India Post | India Post Speed Post and registered items use the UPU S10 format: 2 letters, 9 digits, and IN country code, e.g. EE123456785IN. Domestic Speed Post numbers follow the same 13-character pattern. | EE123456785IN |
| J&T Express | J&T Express numbers are typically 12 to 15 digits, often starting with JT for international shipments (e.g. JT0000000000000). | JT0000000000000 |
| Japan Post | Japan Post international items use the UPU S10 format: 2 letters, 9 digits, and JP country code, e.g. EE123456785JP for EMS. Domestic Yu-Pack numbers are 12 digits in three groups. | EE123456785JP |
| La Poste / Colissimo | Colissimo numbers are 13 characters, often starting with two letters (e.g. 6A, 8R, or a UPU S10 form ending in FR) followed by digits, e.g. 6A12345678901. | 6A12345678901 |
| Landmark Global | Landmark Global uses its own tracking references, typically alphanumeric, and parcels often transfer to the destination postal carrier with a new local number. | LM123456789US |
| Magyar Posta | International items use the UPU S10 format (two letters, nine digits, HU country code). Domestic items may use a separate numeric reference. | RR123456785HU |
| New Zealand Post | International items use the UPU S10 format (two letters, nine digits, NZ country code). Domestic CourierPost items use a separate alphanumeric ticket number. | RR123456785NZ |
| Nova Poshta | Nova Poshta uses a 14-digit numeric tracking number (the express waybill, or TTN). | 20450000000001 |
| OnTrac | OnTrac tracking numbers are typically 15 characters, often starting with a letter such as C or D followed by digits (e.g. C12345678901234). Legacy LaserShip numbers start with LS or LX. | C12345678901234 |
| Poczta Polska | International items use the UPU S10 format (two letters, nine digits, PL country code). Domestic registered items use a separate numeric or alphanumeric reference. | RR123456785PL |
| Pos Indonesia | International items use the UPU S10 format (two letters, nine digits, ID country code). Domestic items may use other numeric resi (receipt) numbers. | RR123456785ID |
| Pos Malaysia | International items use the UPU S10 format (two letters, nine digits, MY country code). Domestic PosLaju courier items use a similar 13-character code, often beginning with E. | RR123456785MY |
| Poste Italiane | Poste Italiane numbers vary: international items use the UPU S10 format ending in IT (e.g. RB123456785IT); domestic parcels and SDA may use longer numeric or alphanumeric references. | RB123456785IT |
| PostNL | PostNL domestic barcodes often start with 3S followed by letters and digits (e.g. 3SABCD1234567). International items use the UPU S10 format ending in NL, e.g. RB123456785NL. | 3SABCD1234567 |
| PostNord | PostNord numbers are often long alphanumeric strings or UPU S10 codes ending in SE or DK (e.g. RB123456785SE). Domestic parcel IDs can be longer numeric references. | RB123456785SE |
| PTT | International items use the UPU S10 format (two letters, nine digits, TR country code). Domestic PTT Kargo shipments use a separate barcode number. | RR123456785TR |
| Purolator | Purolator PINs are typically 12 characters, often a mix of letters and digits (e.g. starting with a number and including letters). Some are 12-digit numeric. | 329000000001 |
| Royal Mail | Royal Mail tracked items use the UPU S10 format: 2 letters, 9 digits, and a 2-letter country code, typically ending in GB, e.g. RB123456785GB. Tracked 24/48 services also use this 13-character format. | RB123456785GB |
| Russian Post | International items use the UPU S10 format (two letters, nine digits, RU country code). Domestic shipments often use a 14-digit numeric barcode instead. | RR123456785RU |
| Sendle | Sendle reference numbers are alphanumeric and begin with a prefix; the actual delivery is carried out by partner couriers whose scans appear in the tracking. | S3ND1234ABCD |
| Servientrega | Servientrega guide (guia) numbers are typically numeric references of around 10 to 12 digits. | 1234567890 |
| SF Express | SF Express numbers are usually 12 to 15 digits, often starting with SF for international shipments (e.g. SF1234567890123) or a plain numeric string domestically. | SF1234567890123 |
| Singapore Post | Singapore Post international items use the UPU S10 format: 2 letters, 9 digits, and SG country code, e.g. RB123456785SG. SingPost is also a common consolidation hub for Asia-origin e-commerce parcels. | RB123456785SG |
| StarTrack | StarTrack consignment numbers are typically numeric or alphanumeric references and are tracked through the Australia Post network. | ME123456789 |
| Swiss Post | Swiss Post domestic numbers are typically long numeric IDs (often starting with 98 or 99, around 18 digits). International items use the UPU S10 format ending in CH, e.g. RB123456785CH. | RB123456785CH |
| Thailand Post | International and EMS items use the UPU S10 format (two letters, nine digits, TH country code). The leading letters indicate the service, such as EMS or registered mail. | EE123456785TH |
| TNT | TNT consignment numbers are usually 9 digits, sometimes with a 3-letter prefix. Since the FedEx acquisition, some shipments also carry FedEx tracking numbers. | 123456789 |
| Toll | Toll connote (consignment) numbers vary by division and are typically alphanumeric references printed on the shipping label. | ABC123456789 |
| UPS | Starts with "1Z" followed by 16 letters and digits (18 characters total). UPS also issues 9-digit InfoNotice numbers and 26-digit Mail Innovations numbers. | 1Z999AA10123456784 |
| USPS | Domestic USPS tracking numbers (USPS Tracking, Priority Mail) are typically 20-22 digits. International items use the UPU S10 format: 2 letters, 9 digits, and a 2-letter country code (often ending in US), e.g. LZ123456789US. | 9400111899223197428490 |
| Vietnam Post | International and EMS items use the UPU S10 format (two letters, nine digits, VN country code). Domestic parcels may use other numeric references. | EE123456785VN |
| Yamato Transport | Yamato (TA-Q-BIN) tracking numbers are 12 digits, usually shown in three groups of four (e.g. 1234-5678-9012). | 123456789012 |
| Yanwen | Yanwen numbers are often UPU S10 format (2 letters, 9 digits, CN) for the postal leg, or a longer alphanumeric Yanwen reference for the linehaul. Many end in CN. | UM123456785CN |
| Yodel | Yodel tracking numbers are usually alphanumeric, often starting with letters like JD or a service prefix followed by digits, around 14-16 characters. | JD0002123456789 |
| YunExpress | YunExpress numbers usually start with YT followed by digits (e.g. YT0000000000000000), typically a long numeric string. The postal final-mile leg may use a local number. | YT0000000000000000 |
FAQ
How do I know which carrier a tracking number belongs to?
The format is the clue: UPS starts with “1Z”, USPS numbers are 20–22 digits, DHL Express is 10 digits, and most international post uses the S10 format (2 letters + 9 digits + a 2-letter country code like CN or GB). Or just paste it into trackpackage.live and we detect it automatically.
What is the S10 / UPU format?
S10 is a Universal Postal Union standard used by national postal services worldwide. It is two letters (service + carrier), nine digits, and a two-letter ISO country code — for example RB123456785CN. The last two letters tell you the country of origin.
Can two carriers use the same number?
Numbers are not globally unique forever, but at any given time a format usually maps cleanly to one carrier. International parcels often carry both an origin-carrier number and a destination-carrier number.
Examples are format-illustrative, not real shipments.