Track UPS packages.
Know when UPS delivers.
Thereby planting trees.

Table of contents

1. Interesting facts about UPS package tracking
2. How to track your package with UPS
3. The time of arrival
4. Possible UPS status messages
5. Problems with your UPS parcel

Interesting facts about UPS package tracking

Did you know that UPS is one of the oldest parcel service providers? The company was founded in 1907 by James E. Casey in Seattle, USA. At that time still known under the name "American Messenger Company", it was then renamed in 1919 in United Parcel Service.¹ Therefore also the short name UPS.

First in the middle of the 70s UPS expanded to Europe and in Neuss the first branch was opened in Germany. In the USA, on the other hand, around 80,000 of the so-called "Parcel Men" were already employed at that time. Today, the company is one of the largest in the world. More than 434,000 employees work in more than 220 delivery countries and delivered around 4.9 billion parcels and documents in 2016.² That's over 14 million parcels a day! Quite a lot, isn't it?

Why the UPS delivery truck usually turns right

Have you also heard the "rumor" that UPS delivery trucks are only allowed to turn right? Sure, there are strict guidelines that a package driver must adhere to, but only turning right? Is that true? Yes, it's true!

According to UPS, a single parcel delivery driver makes about 120 delivery stops per day³. The rule of only being allowed to turn right has been normal in the USA for ten years now. Many collisions with others could be avoided in this way, fuel consumption was reduced and so were emissions of pollutants. It was therefore decided to introduce this rule in Germany and other countries as well. Only in extremely rare cases, and when there is simply no other way, is turning left allowed, of course. The specially developed route software (called Orion) is used to determine the right-turn routes. So the next time you're driving behind a UPS delivery truck, pay attention!

What delivery services does UPS offer?

UPS offers several services when it comes to the scheduled delivery of your packages. The fastest delivery method is UPS Express Plus, where your package will only travel for 1-2 days max and will definitely reach you by 9am. In addition, the package is treated with a higher priority, which provides additional security.

There are a total of eight different services, from the above-mentioned Express Plus to UPS Standard, the shipping method with which most UPS packages are sent. Here, the delivery takes place on a certain day within five working days throughout Europe.⁴ Regardless of the shipping method, it is always helpful and incredibly convenient to have his shipment with the tracking in view, as you can see there when the shipment has passed through various checkpoints!

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How to track your package with UPS

As already described above, the duration of shipping depends on the selected service. With an Express Plus shipment, the package is usually only 1-2 days on the road, with a standard shipment, shipping can take up to 5 business days. So that you always know where your package is, you can track it either with us or with the UPS shipment history.

The UPS tracking number

You may have noticed that UPS tracking IDs usually start with 1Z. This number is also called reference number or tracking number. The tracking number is called a reference number whenever you, as the shipper, are sending a package. If you as a recipient are expecting a package, you will receive a tracking number. It is generated in different formats and is usually between seven and 20 characters long.⁵ Most ID's tracked through parcello have a length of 18 characters. The tracking number is structured / coded as follows for UPS:

1Z[sender's customer number][service code][sequence number][check digit]⁶

The time of arrival

If you now expect a package and enter your UPS tracking ID in the search window, you will be shown in the tracking where your package was last and on which day it will be delivered. UPS drivers usually deliver between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. and standard shipments are not further limited from the official side. But a more precise delivery date with time would be much more practical, right? This is where the arrival forecast from parcello™ comes into play, because the Crowd's many delivery times allow us at parcello™ to calculate the estimated time of delivery.

With the UPS My Choice® service it is possible to freely decide when and where your package should arrive. Even if it is already on the way! One receives expected delivery and status notifications, can change and postpone his delivery address or even the entire delivery or have his package stored at a UPS Access Point®. However, for this service, you have to create an account on the official site of the delivery company.

When you're not at home

If you are not at home while receiving your package, the UPS driver will leave you an "InfoNotice" (name for the notification card). After three delivery attempts, your package will be held at the nearest UPS location for 5 days, and from there it will be returned to the sender if you do not pick it up within this period.

UPS Package Centers and Shipping Depots

As described at the very beginning, UPS's headquarters in Germany are located in Neuss. Throughout Germany there are several HUB's (so-called main transshipment bases) such as at Cologne/Bonn Airport. The depots are divided into different routing areas, based on their postal codes. From there they are picked up, cleared into the delivery vehicles to then be delivered.

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Possible UPS status messages

During your package tracking with UPS, you will encounter many different status messages that tell you what happened last with your shipment. It is not always immediately obvious what exactly the different messages mean, so we have compiled a list of the most common status messages for you. Please note that the list is not completely complete and is only based on one part of the packages that have been tracked via parcello. Errors excepted.

• Show all status messages →
  • Departure Scan

    Your package has left a location and is now in transport (this takes place between two stations).

  • Pickup Scan

    Your package is now on its way. It was scanned during pickup.

  • Address corrected. Delivery rescheduled.

    Your package is, after an originally incorrect address, now delivered to the correct address. Depending on how serious the error was, the delay may take longer.

  • Returned to sender.

    Your package is now on its way back. You can tell why it's going back by the previous status.

  • Arrival Scan.

    Your package has reached the next stopover.

  • Request to change the delivery for the package is being processed.

    Your package should be redirected, the request for this is being processed.

  • Request to change the delivery for the package is processed / Deliver to another address..

    Your package is now being redirected, the request to change the delivery address has been processed. Check the information again, so you can be sure that your information was transferred correctly.

  • There are several different control numbers on the package. Alternative control number

    Your package has been assigned a unique control number because the previous labeling was ambiguous or misleading.

  • Due to technical reasons, a flight delay occurred.

    Your package did not leave its current location because the aircraft could not take off as scheduled.

  • Order processed: Ready for UPS

    Your package has been electronically registered with UPS and transferred into the system. UPS is now waiting for the delivery or will pick up the package soon.

  • Retained at customs.

    Your package is being inspected more intensively than expected at customs. The delay cannot be influenced by UPS. You now have to wait until customs releases the package.

  • The package will be held for later delivery.

    Your package will be delivered at the agreed time and not at the next possible time.

  • The request to change the delivery for the package has been changed.

    Your package has now been tagged with the new destination address and will be reintroduced into the delivery operation.

  • The recipient has requested future delivery date. UPS will attempt delivery on a later date.

    Your package will be delivered on a later date if requested. It may be that it is first stored.

  • The customer was not present at the first attempt. A second attempt is made.

    The UPS driver is expected to revisit the recipient's address on the next business day to deliver the package.

  • The customer was not present at the second attempt. There will be a third attempt.

    Your package could not be delivered another time. The next one is the last delivery attempt. Please call customer service to prevent a return if you can not be there at the next delivery attempt.

  • The customer was not present on the third attempt.

    Your package could not be delivered even in the last delivery attempt. You now have 5 days to pick up your package at depot, otherwise it will be returned.

  • The zip code for the recipient is incorrect. UPS will try to get the correct zip code & make delivery.

    Your specified zip code is entered incorrectly. A correction will be made and then it will be sent on. If you call customer service, you can pass the correct zip code.

  • The shipment will be stored until it is released by the customs authority.

    Your package is waiting for release from customs and will be stored until it is granted. The delay depends on how quickly the documents are available / the processing itself takes.

  • The shipment release by the customs authority is still pending for your package.

    Your package is awaiting clearance from customs and will be stored until it is granted. The delay depends on how quickly the documents are available / the processing itself takes.

  • Cleared by customs authority. Now in transit for delivery.

    Your package has passed through customs and has now entered normal parcel traffic.

  • Recipient has moved. UPS is trying to locate the recipient for delivery. no delivery made.

    Your package could not be delivered because the address is no longer correct. UPS is trying to sort this out themselves, but a call to customer service will speed up the process.

  • Export Scan

    The package has reached the last stop in the export country and is now being prepared for export.

  • Origin Scan.

    Your package has now been scanned for the first time and will now be delivered to the first major depot.

  • Import Scan

    Your package has now been scanned for the first time in the destination country and thus recorded. Now follows a sorting.

  • Multiple errors present in the address label. UPS is trying to get the correct info & perform delivery.

    Your package does not have a unique address. Please call customer service to shorten the process.

  • Inquiry request. / Investigation in progress.

    It is investigated on request, what happened to your package. This happens from the time of the last scan.

  • PLZ for recipient is incorrect. We are trying to get the correct ZIP code and make the delivery.

    Your specified zip code has been entered incorrectly. A correction will be made and then sent on. If you call customer service, you can pass the correct zip code.

  • Parcel not cleared by customs clearance system - document verification required.

    Customs is still checking the documents for the package, that's why it can't be shipped further yet.

  • Parcel data from customs clearance verarb Waiting for clearance.

    Your package has been declared to customs and is now waiting for processing.

  • Bad weather conditions.

    Your package may arrive later due to weather.

  • Shipment at customs.

    Your package is currently at customs for inspection.

  • Shipment data has been processed. Customs processing will take place.

    The, electronically transmitted to customs, data is currently being processed. However, there may still be a visual inspection.

  • UPS could not contact recipient.

    Please call customer service to resolve any delivery issues, otherwise your package may be returned.

  • UPS requested the package be intercepted / package was intercepted as requested..

    Your package is taken out of the normal process because, for example, the type of delivery has changed, or there is already a cancellation of the shipment. Just look at the previous statuses and if you have any questions, please contact customer service.

  • Temporary address change requested by the recipient.

    The delivery address has been changed by the recipient, there may be a delay in delivery depending on the distance between this address and the original address.

  • As requested pick up recipient as needed at a UPS facility. Must be done in 5 business days.

    You pick up your package at the UPS facility named. You have 5 business days to do so, otherwise it will be returned.

  • Will be delivered.

    Your package is being delivered today and is on a delivery vehicle.

  • Delivered.

    Your package has been delivered and accepted.

  • Target Scan

    Your package is now at your regional delivery center awaiting processing and loading onto a delivery vehicle.

  • A correct company or recipient name is required for delivery. UPS will request the appropriate information.

    Something is wrong with the address / recipient name. Please call customer service to provide the correct information.

  • Correct house number is required for delivery. UPS will request the appropriate information.

    Something is wrong with the address / recipient name. Please call customer service to provide the correct information.

  • A correct company or recipient name is required for delivery. UPS requests the appropriate information / address corrected. Delivery rescheduled.

    Your package now has a valid address and recipient name again. It will now continue the delivery.

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Problems with your UPS parcel

If you ever have problems with your shipment from UPS, UPS customer support is your first choice. Please note that the hotline number is chargeable. The call from the German landline costs about 20 cents and from mobile phones max. 60 cents per call.

• Hotline: 01806 – 882 66 3
• Accessibility: unfortunately no data
• Other contact options: Online contact | UPS Customer Center on site | UPS on Facebook

We have put together further information for you on customer support in our parcello™ Blog.

What you can do if UPS tracking is not working

If the tracking should not work once, but you want to know where your package is and on what day it is expected to arrive at you, we recommend that you first wait a few minutes. Often the servers are only offline for a short time and after a few minutes you can try again. If the UPS website still does not work after a longer time, you can try the US website. It can happen that only the German servers have a problem or are down.

What to do if your UPS package disappeared

On rare occasions, a package may go missing on its long journey. If you think your package might have been lost, be sure to file a tracking request. At UPS, the first way is to contact support. Under the following link you can write an email to UPS. Keep all important data ready, so that you can write them in the mail. Furthermore, you could try to contact shipper, so that he can also make inquiries.

What you can do if the shipping status hangs

Unfortunately, it can happen every now and then that the shipping status hangs and does not show you any current information. But do not worry! Especially for international shipments, where your package has to travel a very long way, it can happen from time to time that the shipping status is updated late. Just be patient and check back with UPS Tracking or parcello™ later in the day. If you track a package through our app, then we will automatically inform you about the status change via push messages.

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Individual references:

1. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Parcel_Service 
2. https://www.ups.com/de/de/about/facts/worldwide.page
3. https://www.geo.de/wissen/17414-rtkl-rechts-statt-links-darum-biegen-ups-fahrer-nicht-links-ab
4. https://www.ups.com/de/de/shipping/international/services/standard.page?
5. https://www.ups.com/at/de/help-center/sri/tracking-number.page
6. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sendungsverfolgung

Other sources:

• https://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/article161916731/Warum-UPS-Fahrer-fast-nur-noch-rechts-abbiegen.html 
• https://www.ups.com/de/de/shipping/international/services.page?
• https://www.parcello.org/ups-sendungsverfolgung
• https://www.ups.com/de/de/help-center/sri/tracking/on-vehicle-delivery-today.page
• https://www.ups.com/de/de/services/tracking/mychoice.page
• https://www.ups.com/

Related links:

• https://www.parcello.org/us/deliverytimes?deliverer=ups