An Post tracking

Enter your An Post tracking number on Ship24 to see live status updates for tracked mail and parcels in one place. You can follow multiple shipments on any device without creating an account, including items that move between An Post and other postal or courier networks. You can also track on the official An Post website or in the An Post app.

What is An Post?

An Post is the national postal service of Ireland. It handles letters, registered mail, parcels, and international deliveries, and it also offers digital tools for tracking, delivery management, customs payment, and returns.

For parcel tracking, An Post is most relevant when a shipment is moving within Ireland or has already been scanned into the Irish network. For cross-border deliveries, tracking can become more fragmented once an item leaves the origin country or is handed to another postal operator. If you track parcels from multiple networks, Ship24 can help you follow An Post items alongside couriers such as Royal Mail, USPS, and DHL.

How do I track an An Post package?

There are several ways to track an An Post parcel. You can use Ship24, the official An Post tracking page, or the An Post app. If your item is not yet showing updates, it may still be waiting for its first scan or may not have entered the An Post network yet.

Track your parcel on Ship24

1. Enter your An Post tracking number in the search field at the top of this page.
2. Click the search button to view the latest tracking updates.

Ship24 is useful when your parcel moves between An Post and other delivery networks, especially for international items where handovers can create gaps between carrier websites.

Track on the An Post website or app

1. Open the An Post tracking page or the An Post app.
2. Enter your tracking number or customer reference from the postage label.
3. Check the latest scan, delivery status, and any customs or delivery actions linked to the item.

Tip: Only tracked services can be tracked. An Post says tracking information is updated throughout the day, so a parcel may not show new scans instantly after every movement.

An Post Tracking Number Format

An Post tracking numbers usually follow the UPU-style format of two letters, followed by nine digits, and ending in a two-letter country code.

Examples: RR123456789IE, AY123456789IE.

Items sent to Ireland from abroad may use the same structure but end with another country code, such as GB, US, or another origin code. Once the item is received and scanned in Ireland, you may then be able to follow it through An Post tracking as well.

Where to find your tracking number

• On your receipt: Check the barcode area on the An Post receipt or postage confirmation.
• On your shipping email: Online sellers often send the tracking number in the dispatch confirmation.
• On the postage label: The number may appear next to the barcode on the parcel label.

Tip: A transaction reference number is not the same as a tracking number. If your code does not match the two-letter, nine-digit format, check your receipt again for the correct barcode number.

Understanding An Post Tracking Status Messages

When tracking an An Post item, you may see different messages depending on the service, route, and whether the parcel is domestic or international. Here is a practical guide to the most common tracking stages.

Status	Meaning
Electronic information received	The sender created the shipment information, but the parcel may not have been physically accepted yet.
Accepted / Posted	An Post or the origin carrier has received the item and started processing it.
In transit	The parcel is moving through one or more sorting, transport, or handover points.
Dispatched	The item has left the previous facility or country. For inbound parcels, it may still be travelling to Ireland and may not appear in An Post tracking until it is scanned on arrival.
Received in Ireland / Arrived at mail centre	The item has entered the An Post network in Ireland and has been scanned for local handling.
Customs charge due / Held in customs	The parcel needs customs clearance or payment before delivery can continue.
Out for delivery	The item is with the delivery operative and is expected to be delivered soon.
Delivery attempted	An Post tried to deliver the parcel but could not complete delivery. A collection or redelivery option may follow.
Delivered	The parcel has been delivered, collected, or left in a designated safe spot.
Returned to sender	The item is being sent back to the sender, often because delivery could not be completed, customs data was invalid, or charges were not paid in time.

Note: Tracking labels can vary by route, partner carrier, and destination country. International shipments may show different wording before and after they enter Ireland.

Typical Status Progression

1. Shipment information received
2. Accepted by An Post or origin carrier
3. In transit
4. Arrived in Ireland or local facility
5. Customs or local processing, if applicable
6. Out for delivery
7. Delivered

Some shipments include extra steps, especially inbound international parcels, registered mail, and items that require customs review or a second delivery attempt.

An Post Tracking Issues and How to Fix Them

• No tracking result: Recheck the number carefully and confirm that the item was sent with a tracked service. If it was posted recently, wait for the first scan to appear.
• Status shows “dispatched” but nothing else: For items coming from abroad, this often means the parcel has left the origin network but has not yet been physically received and scanned by An Post in Ireland.
• Customs charge due: The parcel cannot be delivered until the required customs charges are paid. You may receive a postcard, email, or SMS with the details needed to complete payment.
• Returned to sender: This can happen if customs information is incomplete or invalid, if the item is restricted, or if customs charges were not paid by the stated deadline.
• Delivery attempted: Follow the instructions on the “Sorry we missed you” notice to collect the parcel or request redelivery.
• Delivered but not found: Check your safe spot, neighbour, reception area, or delivery service unit. If safe spot delivery was used, a delivery photo may be available in your An Post account for a limited time.

If your item is delayed, remember that tracking can also be affected by incomplete addresses, missed daily collection cut-offs, customs checks, and international handovers between postal operators.

Delivery Schedules and Timeframes

An Post delivery times depend on the service used, the origin and destination, and whether customs clearance is needed. Domestic services are generally faster, while international items can take longer because they may pass through customs and multiple carrier networks.

Domestic services and estimated delivery times

Delivery Service	Estimated Delivery Time
Standard Post / Registered Post within Ireland	Many domestic items are aimed for next working day delivery, though final timing depends on posting time, route, and local processing.
Express Post	Express Post aims for delivery by close of business on the next working day within Ireland.
Missed delivery redelivery	If you request redelivery after a missed attempt, it can take around 3 to 5 working days depending on volume and route.

International services and estimated delivery times

An Post also handles international letters, parcels, and courier services. Transit times vary by destination, customs processing, and whether the item travels through another postal operator before final delivery.

• Standard or Registered international post: Many routes are estimated at around 3 to 7 working days, though some destinations can take longer.
• International Courier Service: Faster routes may arrive in around 1 to 5 working days, depending on country, service level, and customs conditions.
• Inbound international parcels to Ireland: Delivery can slow down if customs charges are due or if the electronic customs data submitted by the sender is incomplete.

For cross-border items, use live tracking as your main reference because actual transit time can differ from the standard estimate.

Latest updates that can affect An Post tracking

• ICS2 customs rules from 1 January 2026: An Entry Summary Declaration is now mandatory for goods arriving in Ireland. If the required pre-arrival data is missing or incomplete, parcels can face delays, holds, or returns.
• Customs administration fee from 3 February 2026: An Post states that the customs administration fee is now €6.95 where applicable for incoming items from outside the EU/EEA.
• Service suspensions on some international routes: Temporary service disruptions or destination suspensions can affect scans and delivery times. In March 2026, An Post announced a suspension for letters and parcels to selected Middle East destinations.

Missed deliveries and helpful tips

If you miss a delivery, An Post may hold the item for different periods depending on the service:

• 5 working days for Standard Post and Express Post
• 3 working days for registered post
• 16 working days for items received from abroad

You can reduce missed deliveries by using the An Post app or account features to manage deliveries, set a safe spot, and check delivery notifications. If a parcel is left in a safe spot, the delivery photo is normally available in your account for 7 calendar days.

Contacting An Post Customer Service

If you have a question about tracking, customs, a missed delivery, or a parcel that appears delayed, An Post offers several support channels for mails and parcels enquiries.

• Phone: Call +353 1 705 7600 for post and parcel enquiries.
• Webchat: Available on the An Post contact page Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
• WhatsApp: Available on the contact page Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• Social: You can also contact An Post through Facebook or by direct message to @postvox on X.
• Help & Support Hub: Their online support section includes FAQs, tracking help, customs information, and chatbot support.

When to contact An Post customer support

Reach out if you:

• Have not seen tracking movement after the parcel should already be in the An Post network.
• Need help with customs charges, returns, or an item that has been sent back to the sender.
• Missed a delivery and need to arrange collection or redelivery.
• Received a delivered scan but cannot locate the parcel.
• Need help with a missing, delayed, damaged, or opened item.

Tips for a faster resolution

Prepare the following details before contacting support:

• Your An Post tracking number.
• Your customs reference number, if customs payment is involved.
• Sender and recipient details.
• The date of posting or expected delivery date.
• A short explanation of the issue.

What to expect

Support response times can vary depending on parcel volume and the type of enquiry. For many common issues, especially customs, missed delivery, and general tracking questions, the online help pages may already provide the fastest answer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some commonly asked questions about An Post tracking.

How do I track my An Post parcel?

You can track an An Post parcel on Ship24 by entering the tracking number into the search field, or by using the official An Post Track & Trace page or app. Tracking is only available for services that include tracking. If the item was posted very recently, wait for the first scan to appear before trying again.

Can I track an An Post parcel without a tracking number?

No. An Post says you cannot track an item without its tracking number. Check your receipt, shipping confirmation email, or parcel label, and make sure you are using the barcode number rather than a transaction reference.

What does an An Post tracking number look like?

An Post tracking numbers usually have two letters, followed by nine digits, and end with a two-letter country code such as IE. A common example is RR123456789IE. Inbound parcels from abroad may use the same structure but end in another country code.

Why is my An Post tracking stuck on dispatched?

This often happens with international shipments. The origin carrier may show the item as dispatched, but An Post will not show new movement until the parcel is physically received and scanned in Ireland. This can take extra time during line-haul transport and customs processing.

Why do I need to pay customs before An Post can deliver my parcel?

For many items arriving from outside the EU, customs charges may apply before delivery. An Post collects these charges on behalf of Irish Revenue. If payment is required, delivery cannot continue until the customs amount and any applicable administration fee have been paid.

How long will An Post hold a missed parcel?

Missed deliveries are usually held for 5 working days for Standard Post and Express Post, 3 working days for registered post, and 16 working days for items received from abroad. After that, the parcel may be returned to the sender if it has not been collected or redelivery has not been arranged.

Can I track an international An Post parcel after it leaves Ireland?

Sometimes, but not always through An Post alone. An Post notes that it may not be able to track outbound international items once they leave Ireland because final delivery is handled by another postal operator. In those cases, Ship24 can be useful because it helps you follow updates across multiple carrier networks.

How do I contact An Post about a shipment?

You can call +353 1 705 7600 for post and parcel support, use webchat or WhatsApp through the An Post contact page, or message them on Facebook or X. Have your tracking number and any customs reference ready before you reach out so the enquiry can be checked faster.