What Happens During a Parcel Trace & What Is It?

When a parcel appears to be missing in transit, the courier may open a trace to investigate its location. During a trace, the courier reviews the shipment’s tracking history and searches its network for the parcel.

How does a parcel trace work?

1. The courier reviews the shipment

The courier reviews the parcel’s route and available tracking scans to determine where the shipment may have gone off track.

2. The courier searches its network

The courier may search facilities or other points within its network where the parcel was last handled or scanned.

To help with the search, you may be asked to provide details such as:

• A description of the outer packaging, including the box or envelope size, colour, markings, labels, or other identifying features
• A description of the contents, including the type of items, quantity, size, or other identifying details

Providing accurate and detailed information can help the courier identify your parcel during its search.

How long does a parcel trace take?

Trace timelines vary by courier and shipment circumstances. ShipTime will continue to monitor the investigation and provide updates as they become available.

If the courier cannot locate the parcel after completing its trace, the next step may be to proceed with a missing-shipment claim, subject to the courier’s claims process and eligibility requirements.

What happens if my parcel is found?

If the courier locates the parcel, it may be returned to transit or redirected as appropriate. Tracking information may update once the parcel is scanned again.

What happens if my parcel isn't found?

If the courier completes its search without locating the parcel, the shipment may be considered missing and become eligible to proceed through the applicable claims process.

Keep any documentation related to the shipment, its contents, and its value, as this information may be required if a claim is submitted.

Need help?

Our Heroic Support™ team is here for you. Contact us by phone, live chat, or email for the answers you need to keep Shipping Smarter with confidence.

Not using ShipTime yet? Create your free ShipTime account to access discounted rates from leading couriers, all in one platform.