Is Package Tracking Accurate? (Explained)

Most of the time package tracking is accurate as long as the package has been scanned at different stops. But the tracking system does not account for the unforseen things which could happen on the route, so sometimes the package tracking is inaccurate.

The longer the distance it is, the more significant variance in tracking accuracy will occur.

How accurate is USPS tracking?

  • Is USPS tracking ever wrong?

Yes, USPS tracking can go wrong on occasion. The tracking system is always correct but it does not have the ability to evaluate unexpected incidents, such as plane delays due to weather, truck breakdown on the road, etc.

  • Can I  track my USPS package in real-time?

It depends on your definition of real-time. If real-time tracking means when and where the package was scanned, yes, you are able to track it.

USPS tracking is not a GPS tracking device, you can not track every step of the postman or truck. Once the package is scanned in the USPS system, you should be able to see it every time the package passes through each facility.

USPS tracking can be as real-time as you can get, as long as it is scanned at every stop that it should be. The tracking from USPS is fairly accurate in the time frame they provided.

  • Are estimated delivery dates accurate?

You have to understand what the word “estimated” means. It is based on USPS’s experience and analyzes past delivery to estimate a range of delivery times. Approximately 90% of chances that delivery will occur during the delivery time frame unless something unusual happens.

12news.com has done a test to send 33 packages to and from 13 cities in the US in 2021. 29 of them arrived on time but 4 of them did not make it on time. so the accurate rate for USPS is 87.9% based on this test.

The closer to your delivery time frames the more accurate is your delivery date.

  • Is it USPS or the seller?

Many online consumers complained that they often receive different delivery dates from the shop and the USPS.

I would be based it on USPS’s delivery date because USPS does not count they have the item until the item is physically at their facility and scanned in their system.

Some shops told buyers that their items already shipped, actually, they only created the shipping label and the item has not been collected by USPS yet.

  • Does USPS ever deliver earlier than the expected date?

Yes, frequently. Because the promised delivery time frame is estimated, so the package can arrive either earlier or later.

  • Can you track a USPS international package?

It is easy to track your package when they are inside the US. When it hit customs and goes to another country, it is difficult.

USPS does not have the best real-time tracking option for international delivery. The package is handled by USPS in the US, and might be handled by another carrier in other countries. so for a better picture, you need to find the other carriers that USPS use and track it on their website.

For example, if you ship an item from The US to china, the carrier in the US is USPS, but the carrier in china could be EMS or China post. It going to take a while for USPS to update their tracking record for your package, but you can always track and trace it on EMS or Chian post directly.

How accurate is UPS tracking?

  • Is UPS tracking accurate?

UPS tracking is fairly accurate. They update their system after each scan.

Some customers complained that the UPS tracking system keeps changing status with different delay reasons like weather, late flights, etc. I feel that a late flight is a common reason for international package delivery.

The longer the delivery distance the more unforeseen things could happen.

Some customers complained that the UPS tracking system does not change their package’s status at all for several days. based on UPS.com that their shipment movement information is captured each time a tracking label is scanned in their delivery system. There may be several days between scans, and that’s why you did not see any update on UPS’s system.

  • What does it mean when UPS says arrived at the facility?

It means that your package is physically sitting at one of UPS’s facility and already have an arrival scan

How accurate is FedEx tracking?

Seems most customers think that FedEx tracking is not accurate. Some customers declare that they receive their package on time.

  • How long does it take for tracking to update?

The whole tracking system is automated. The system only updates when the item is scanned at the FedEx facility. The time the system update depends on how far between the facilities, It may be several hours or maybe several days.

  • How do you reschedule a package with FedEx?

FedEx will try to deliver to you a total of three times. if they missed you at the first time, they will leave you a note and inform their 2nd delivery time. if the time is not suitable for you, you can either call them or get on the FedEx website: FedEx delivery page to reschedule.

How accurate is DHL tracking?

If you purchased a product online, you should check with DHL e-commerce to track your items. Some customers claimed that they received packages on the expected delivery time.

The delivery date is estimated and as a guide to you, especially for international packages, because there are so many factors such as customs, holidays, and weather that will affect the delivery date.

  • How to track DHL packages through USPS?

You can not track DHL packages on the USPS tracking system because they are two different companies and use different tracking systems. Unless that DHL partners with USPS and USPS did last-mile delivery for your package.

It is also worth knowing that USPS does not have your package information on their system until they hold your package physically at their facility.

Package Tracking website or APP

  • Website

packagetrackr.com (universal package tracking service)

track-trace.com (a good platform to track DHL, UPS, and FedEx packages)

pkge.net (track all your packages in one place)

posttrack.com (a good website for packages from aliexpress, eBay, etc.)

parcelsapp.com (a good choice for packages to and from china)

17track.net (a good website for packages to and from china)

Google ( you can track packages on google search)

  • APP

Parcel-Delivery Tracking (4.8 out of 5 ratings, for iPhone)

Deliveries: a package tracker (4.8 out of 5 ratings, for iPhone)

Route: package tracker (4.8 out of 5 ratings, for iPhone)

Packages – Track your parcels (4.7 out of 5 ratings, for iPhone)

Aftership package tracker (4.6 out of 5 ratings, for Android)

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