Everything about parcel tracking and how it works in 2022

For a flawless eCommerce shopping experience, it is very important to deliver the product promptly to the customer. And that’s where a professional courier service plays a vital role. But, have you ever thought about the process used for tracking such couriers and parcels that are shipped by online sellers?

Tracking a package or courier involves a tedious process of localizing packages and containers, and different parcels at the time of sorting and delivery. It helps to verify their movement and source, and have an estimated delivery date. The primary objective of this parcel tracking system is to provide customers with information about the details of the route of the package, delivery status, estimated delivery date, and the estimated time of delivery.

AWB

The first step in this tedious process of parcel tracking is generating a bar-code or an AWB (air waybill). This bar-code is usually generated whenever the online seller hands over the package to the courier. This bar-code will always be attached to the parcel, and it contains vital information, such as:

-type of parcel;

-sender address;

-destination address;

-buyer’s contact details, etc;

As soon as the parcel reaches the courier’s warehouse, the tracking will automatically be updated to reflect this. This is usually done by simply scanning the already generated bar-code at the warehouse, whenever the package arrives.

The next step is sorting – this is where the packages are sorted based on their destination, and scanned yet again in order to update the tracking of the parcel. After this, they leave the warehouse and make their way to the destination warehouse, where they’ll be scanned again once they enter the local courier’s warehouse. This, again, updates the tracking of the parcel.

When the parcel leaves the destination warehouse, it will be updated again. This is to let the client know that their parcel is at the local courier and is on its way. This is when the parcel is usually labelled as “out for delivery”.

Once the product has been delivered to the buyer, or well, once it has reached its final destination, the system will be updated one last time with the delivery status. In this case it would be marked as “Delivered” and the delivery time would be displayed on the tracking system.

How is tracking a parcel useful?

The client can track and see the movement of the package by entering the bar-code number (or AWB number) on the website of the courier company. This provides a step-wise progression of where the package is at the moment. It also displays the time when each step happened (i.e. when it entered the warehouse, when it left the warehouse, etc.). These tracking systems differ from company to company, some of them being more in-depth, while others being more basic.

The main advantage of these tracking systems is that it reduces the chance of the package being lost or getting misplaced. Furthermore, the customers also have an idea of the location of their products which keeps them stress-free. With thousands of packages being sent through courier each and every day, it is really important for courier companies to have a state-of-the-art tracking system for their parcels.

Tracking systems are also very handy whenever important or urgent parcels are being sent. You’ve opted for overnight delivery and even paid a premium for it? How do you know that the package is on its way and will arrive by tomorrow? This is where tracking systems come into play. Simply enter the AWB and se exactly where your package is.

Tracking systems have become extremely sophisticated, thanks to the advanced technology platforms that they now use. Even if your package is thousands of miles away, you will be able to track it with just a few clicks (or taps).

What to do in case of a lost parcel?

If the recipient has to wait a disproportionately long time for their order, the parcel service responsible should be contacted. This also applies if the current status of the parcel does not change in the tracking for a longer period of time.

The parcel services can usually be contacted both by telephone and by e-mail. In doing so, it is important to know the relevant parcel number and possibly also the postcode of the recipient and the sender.

If the whereabouts of the shipment cannot then be clarified immediately by the responsible service provider, it is common to submit a so-called follow-up request. However, continuous tracking and tracing ensures that the relevant coordinates that the parcel has already passed are always known. This makes it much easier to find out where the parcel was lost or where it is currently located.

Conclusion

In this day and age where everyone is ordering everything and anything online, and less and less people go to brick-and-mortar stores, it’s important to have a fully working parcel tracking system. Knowing where your parcel is at all times can be very important, both for the seller, the buyer, and the courier company, in case the parcel gets lost as we’ve mentioned above.