Royal Mail tracking
The Royal Mail is one of the oldest postal services in the world, being originally founded in 1516. Its services include parcel delivery, EMS and freight forwarding. Royal Mail is an iconic postal service, most well known for its bright red postboxes which can be seen across the UK.
Royal Mail tracking can be done by using Ship24's tracking service. Simply enter your Royal Mail tracking numbers on the homepage and let Ship24 do its job. You can get real-time events on the live status and current locations of your parcels anywhere in the world.
How can I track my Royal Mail parcel?
You can track your Royal Mail parcel using several options. You can track your Royal Mail parcel through the in-house Royal Mail tracking system, which can be found on their website. The second option is to use a specialist tracking system, such as Ship24.
Simply copy your Royal Mail tracking number and paste it onto the Ship24 homepage and get results within a few seconds. You can track up to 10 Royal Mail parcels at the same time or track any parcels from different couriers such as China Post, La Poste, DTDC, and many other international couriers!
Royal Mail Tracking with Ship24
Using a specialist tracking system has led many to opt to use them instead of with the parcel delivery company or service themselves. To explain these in better detail, please find a list below which accompanying explanations of how these are beneficial over traditional tracking methods:
- Multiple courier tracking: Tracking with a single parcel delivery company or postal service such as the Royal Mail means that you are limited to just tracking through that service. Should your parcel change hands with another courier (such as if you are sending something abroad from the UK and the parcel is handled by Royal Mail subsidiary GLS when it leaves the UK) could mean that you have difficulty tracking your parcel beyond a certain point. With a multi-courier tracking system, you not only will be able to continue tracking your parcel no matter how many times it changes handlers, but you can do it all from one place with just the tracking number of your parcel.
- One-stop-shop tracking: Not only do people not want to worry about their parcels changing hands, but they also don't want to have to visit different websites to track parcels that may be being shipped with different couriers. If you have ordered one item from Alibaba that is being handled by China Post, and another from eBay that is being handled by DHL, you would want to be able to track both of those parcels without having to visit both the China Post and DHL websites at the same time. With Ship24, you can track parcels being shipped with multiple couriers simultaneously. You can enter 10 different tracking numbers at a time on the Ship24 website and its universal tracking system capability has the power to give you real-time locational and status updates on all 10 parcels instantly.
- Superior courier and online shop scanning: The universal Ship24 tracking system tracks and traces information on parcels from over 1,200 couriers and counting, as well as thousands of online shops to get the latest information on your parcel location and current status. We are constantly adding new couriers and shops as part of our ongoing commitment to deliver the best shipment tracking solution for our users.
- AI-drive machine learning: Not only does Ship24 offer market-leading universal shipment tracking but we have a dedicated development team which have built AI-driven machine learning and 24/7 data quality monitoring into our system. This means we are constantly updating and checking that our results are delivered to our customers.
- Support: We also have a dedicated in-house support team which can help resolve tracking issues. Users should note that although Ship24 can help with all of your tracking needs, problems with individual parcels, such as damage or failure to deliver, are the responsibility of the handler. However, buyers and sellers are encouraged to use Ship24 to keep track of who is handling your parcel and where it is located in order to better understand or identify where a problem with your parcel delivery may have arisen. For instance, if you are experiencing delays, heading to the Ship24 website and tracking your parcel could alert you to it being stuck at customs because of an issue with processing. Therefore, you need to contact your courier about your parcel and check the current location and status with Ship24 before making the call.
How do I track my Royal Mail international parcel?
Your Royal Mail international parcel can be tracked from anywhere around the world. Simply copy your Royal Mail international tracking number into the Ship24 homepage. Ship24 allows you to track up to 10 Royal Mail international parcels at the same time.
So wherever your Royal Mail international parcel is located, Ship24 guarantees that it will give you live updates and notifications on where it is. You will be with your parcel every step of the way.
Another way Royal Mail international tracking can be done is by going through the Royal Mail tracking website. You can copy the Royal Mail international tracking number there and get tracking updates.
You can also track your parcel even if it's being handled by international couriers such as USPS, UPS, La Poste, FedEx and much more. Ship24 is capable of tracking more than 1,200 couriers with the same Royal Mail tracking number
Where is my Royal Mail tracking number?
In order to find out where your Royal Mail parcel is, you will need to use your tracking number which was sent to you when you purchased shipping with Royal Mail or that was sent to you in either a confirmation email after you made an online purchase on an eCommerce site or online marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, or ASOS that will have been sent to you directly by a seller. The Royal Mail tracking number can also be found on the receipt that was issued or on the shipping label.
Once you have your Royal Mail tracking number, go to the Ship24 website and begin tracking your parcel instantly. There is no long form to fill out or multiple pull-down menus to select specifics about your parcel, just enter your Royal Mail tracking number into the search bar and Ship24 will begin tracking over 1,200 couriers and thousands of only shops to find the exact location of your parcel.
What is the Royal Mail tracking number format?
Your Royal Mail tracking number should have a format of 2 capital letters, in the beginning, then followed by a 9-digit number, then ending with "GB". This also works for Royal Mail international shipping.
Royal Mail Tracking Number Examples
An example of some of the Royal Mail tracking numbers received by customers are:
- JV 0501 9483 7GB
- HZ 0412 1285 9GB
- UK 1234 7864 1GB
The Royal Mail tracking number can also consist of 9 to 27 characters depending on the services that you have acquired. If you are not sure where the tracking numbers are, it is usually found under the bar code of the shipping label or the receipt. You can also check your confirmation email or your phone messages to find the Royal Mail tracking number.
If you are still having a hard time finding the Royal Mail tracking number, contact the sender of the parcel or contact the nearest Royal Mail office.
Where can I get Royal Mail delivery status?
To track your Royal Mail delivery status, follow the steps below:
- Find the Royal Mail tracking number that was given to you with your purchase or in a separate email by the seller.
- Enter the Royal Mail tracking number within the Ship24 search bar.
- Once entered, click on the search button.
- Sit back, relax and let the universal Ship24 tracking system scan thousands of couriers and shops for you.
- View all your tracking records for your worldwide deliveries and UK domestic deliveries!
Double-check if the services you have gotten have a tracking option. Otherwise, even if you enter numbers on a tracking site, you might not be able to receive any tracking information.
What is Royal Mail track delivery status?
When a Royal Mail tracking number is entered on a tracking site, tracking information will come in the form of updates or events. It will show what has happened to your parcel, such as if it is in transit or has been checked in at a depot along its route to its final destination.
If any updates have occurred, they will be available instantly on the Ship24 universal tracking system, which you can use for free by simply entering your Royal Mail tracking number into the search bar.
Royal Mail Track Delivery Status
When you search for your tracking events with Ship24, some of the most common Royal Mail tracking updates you will see will be the following.
| Track Delivery Status | Description |
| Sender preparing item | The parcel has a tracking number but it is not posted yet. |
| Sender despatching item | The time stamp that Royal Mail collects that parcel from the sender. |
| Accepted at Post Office | The time stamp that the sender sent the parcel to a local Royal Mail office. |
| Item Received by Royal Mail | The parcel has been received by Royal Mail. |
| Item Received | The parcel is with Royal Mail. |
| Item received at | The parcel has been received at a Royal Mail post office. |
| Item Leaving the UK | The parcel is leaving the UK. |
| Item Despatched to Heathrow Worldwide DC | The parcel is sent to Heathrow Worldwide DC. |
| Item has left the overseas International Processing Centre | The parcel is scanned and is ready to leave the UK by means of air or sea. |
| Your item is currently with Customs in the destination country | The customs of the destination country have your parcel. |
| Prepared for export | The parcel is ready to be exported. |
| Delivered by | The parcel will be delivered by a certain time and date. |
| Due to be delivered today | The parcel is delivered today. |
| Delivered and Signed | The parcel is received and signed by the consignee. |
Whether you track your parcel using the standard Royal Mail tracking or with a superior universal tracking system such as Ship24, you will receive the same updates on your Royal Mail parcel.
This is because all updates on your parcel are contacted directly from the depot, processing centre, transit operator or otherwise. Information on your Royal Mail parcel's location and status will be available instantly via the Ship24 website, where tracking is free and can be used 24/7.
What do these Royal Mail abbreviations mean?
When you are tracking your Royal Mail parcels, you might notice some abbreviations on the status. Here are some of the abbreviations that you may encounter.
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| DO | Delivery Office |
| EO | Enquiry Office |
| MC | Mailing Centre |
| NRC | National Returns Centre |
| OE | Office of Exchange (the international parcel has arrived import customs office) |
| POL | Post Office Limited |
| PSC | Postal Sort Centre |
| RDC | Regional Distribution Centre |
Which Royal Mail parcel delivery options are the best?
The Royal Mail postal service offers several different parcel delivery options depending on the needs of the customer. However, it should be noted that the availability of these options may depend on the size and weight of a particular parcel and therefore it is best to check with Royal Mail to ensure the following services are available.
Royal Mail Delivery Options
- Standard Universal service: The Royal Mails universal service is a standard parcel delivery service which it is required to maintain by law, where any item can be sent to any location within the UK for a fixed price, with the distance of the parcel within the UK not varying the amount.
- Special Delivery: Royal Mail Special Delivery is an expedited parcel, parcel, and mail delivery option that guarantees delivery by 1 pm the next day, or 9 am at a slightly extra cost. A money-back guarantee is offered if the item is not delivered on time.
- Business services: This service is for businesses who stamp their mail with either a simple rubber stamp and an ink pad or using a printed label. For more information on business services check the Royal Mail website.
All parcel delivery services provided by the Royal Mail can be tracked universally with the Ship24 website. Whether you are sending a parcel to your neighbour or across the world, Ship24 can give you locational and status updates on your parcel's journey no matter how many times it changes handlers.
There is no need to add additional information like parcel Royal Mail reference numbers or parcel destinations when wanting to track your parcel on Ship24, simply enter the Royal Mail tracking number you received when you bought your Royal Mail shipping (or that was sent to your by a seller when you purchased an item that uses Royal Mail shipping) and begin tracking your parcel immediately, with just the click of a button! You can check up on your parcel any time, for free, 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
How long does Royal Mail take to deliver?
Depending on which service you acquired from Royal Mail, a tracked delivery will range from next-day delivery to within 2-7 days delivery. To check the status of your delivery, simply input your Royal Mail tracking number onto the Ship24 homepage. You can track up to 10 parcels at the same time to keep track of your parcels' journey.
Please note that the delivery time may vary depending on certain circumstances such as weather changes, remote destinations, lost parcels, and many other factors. When this happens, it is best to stay patient or contact the local post office.
How can I send Royal Mail parcels under the EU IOSS scheme?
For businesses who sell to buyers within Europe to take advantage of the new Import One-Stop-Shop (IOSS) scheme brought into effect this year, they need to register with an intermediary provider.
IOSS registration is beneficial as VAT will be prepaid and therefore Royal Mail and or EU customs will not charge any further fees on imports, which helps improve both delivery times and customer post-purchase experience. Getting full IOSS registration is easy, with Ship24, providing and supporting the entire process, as well as ensuring ongoing VAT compliance with EU IOSS obligations.
Once you have your IOSS number, you can begin sending Royal Mail parcels to the EU under the IOSS and enjoy fast-track shipping, consolidated EU-wide VAT payments and optimize EU import efficiency.
For further information check out how to get an IOSS number so your business can begin benefitting from the EU scheme check out our dedicated IOSS page and in-depth FAQs and make sure your business stays ahead.
Why hasn't Royal Mail updated my tracking?
In rare cases, there will come a time when your Royal Mail parcel tracking will not be updated. This is because of the following reasons:
- The sender has mistakenly sent you the wrong Royal Mail tracking number. Contact the sender to re-check the tracking number and see if it is the right one.
- You have mistyped the tracking number. Be sure to check each number and letter to see if your tracking number is right.
- The parcel has not been registered or processed by Royal Mail yet. Wait for a few hours or a day and try again.
- The Royal Mail website has some issues and therefore, not updating any tracking information.
Use Ship24 to get the latest information regarding the status of your parcels. If there are still some problems with the Royal Mail tracking, it is recommended to contact the nearest local post office for the issue to be resolved.
What is the transit time for Royal Mail parcels?
The parcel transit time or time it takes to deliver your parcel, to the Royal Mail will vary depending on the delivery options chosen, your final destination, and the size and weight of your particular parcel. When purchasing your shipping with Royal Mail, buyers should take into account all of the latter factors in order to pick the delivery option which best serves their needs. Also, at this point of purchase, you should be given an estimated delivery time by the Royal Mail for your parcel once you have entered the dimensions and weight of your parcel. However, the average shipping times for Royal Mail are listed below.
Typically, express deliveries made via Royal Mail take 24-48 hours (within the UK), while ordering from China can take from 20 for registered Shipping (buyers should note that handlers may vary when purchasing from various international locations before being passed over to the Royal Mail for final delivery) to up to 40 days for economy shipping options, such as unregistered parcels (buyers should be warned that unregistered shipping options may not have tracking options available.
Does Royal Mail deliver on Sunday?
No. Royal Mail only delivers parcels from Monday to Saturday. However, shipment tracking (or checking on the progress of your parcel) can be done 24/7 via the universal parcel tracking website Ship24.
While no deliveries will be made on Sundays, if you have ordered a parcel or are sending a parcel to an international destination, the location and status of the parcel could still change, due to the fast movement of your parcel can still happen on Sundays, just it will definitely not be delivered at its final destination.
What is Royal Mail Tracked 24® and Royal Mail Tracked 48®?
Royal Mail Tracked 24® and Royal Mail Tracked 48® are services that are offered within the UK to send parcels and letters. From the name itself, both services are tracked and have a maximum weight requirement of 20 kg. The only differences are the prices and delivery timeframe.
Royal Mail Tracked 24® aims to deliver your parcels within 24 hours and starts at the cost of £3.80. It is recommended for items that need to be delivered urgently.
Royal Mail Tracked 48® aims to deliver your parcels within 48 hours and starts at the cost of £3.20. It is recommended for items that do not need to be delivered urgently.
How long does Royal Mail 1st class take?
When a buyer chooses 1st class Royal Mail delivery, it takes 24 hours to be delivered. The weight of the parcel must not exceed 20kg when choosing this option.
How do I contact Royal Mail?
You can contact Royal Mail Customer Services by telephone, email or via the Royal Mail website. Please find the contact details below:
- Phone Number (within the UK): 03457 740 740
- Phone Number (International): +44 1782 668 007
- Email: customer.service.team@royalmail.com
- Royal Mail Website
Before calling or sending your query to the Royal Mail, if it is regarding a delay in your parcel delivery, check the current location and status of your parcel on the Ship24 website first. This could not only uncover the reason behind your parcel delivery being late (such as if the parcel is stuck at customs) but it will also give you the latest information on where your parcel is and the status of your parcel which could be useful when talking to the Royal Mail customer service team.
What is the Royal Mail?
The Royal Mail is an iconic United Kingdom-based postal delivery service, which includes in its operations parcel and parcel delivery, EMS and freight forwarding. The postal service is one of the oldest in the world, originally founded in 1516 and its logo is not only synonymous with postage services but is among the most trusted and recognized delivery organisations in the world, especially in the United Kingdom.
A particularly noticeable part of the Royal Mail branding is the bright red pillar boxes which serve as postal points for customers, where customers can leave their mail and it will be picked up by postmen and women during their rounds, to be forwarded on to their final destination.
The postboxes are a familiar sight to people across the UK and the term "post-box red" was coined with the striking red colour of Royal Mail post-boxes seen on the streets of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Although the service predominantly serves UK customers, included in its services are the forwarding and delivery of mail from other couriers such as from its subsidiary company, Parcelforce and General Logistics Systems (GLS). Royal Mail can also be involved in handling and delivering for a number of online marketplaces and eCommerce websites, such as Amazon and eBay.
The company delivers to some 29 million addresses across the UK six days a week, Monday to Saturday, and has over 12,000 Post Office branches in the UK and 52 Parcelforce Worldwide depots.
The Royal Mail Group became publicly traded in 2011. The postal centre's arm of the Royal Mail, the Post Office Ltd, became independent of Royal Mail Group afterwards and was reorganised to become a subsidiary of Royal Mail Holdings with separate management.
