How does package tracking work?

Carriers assign each parcel a unique tracking number that follows a predictable format (length, prefix, check digits). Parcel Tracker Monkey matches that format against known carrier patterns, then links you to the official carrier tracking page where the live status is shown.

Why is my tracking number not updating?

New labels can take a few hours to appear after they are scanned for the first time. International parcels can also go quiet while they move between carriers or clear customs. If a number is still blank after 24–48 hours, double-check it with the sender.

Can I track international parcels?

Yes. Parcel Tracker Monkey supports international formats for USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, Canada Post, Royal Mail, Australia Post, and China Post, and falls back to a web search for less common carriers.

Which carriers are supported?

USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, Canada Post, Royal Mail, Australia Post, and China Post are detected automatically. You can also pick 'Other' to search for the carrier.

Does Parcel Tracker Monkey store tracking numbers?

No. Recent numbers are kept in your browser's session storage so they survive a page refresh, but they are cleared when you close the tab and never sent to any server.

Does Parcel Tracker Monkey scan parcels itself?

No. It identifies the carrier and links you to the official tracking page — the carrier owns the live data.

How Package Tracking Works

It all starts with the label

When a parcel is created, the carrier assigns it a unique tracking number and prints it as a barcode on the shipping label. That number is the key that unlocks every future update.

Scans build the timeline

Each time the parcel moves — pickup, sort facility, out for delivery, delivered — a worker or conveyor scans the barcode. The scan is uploaded to the carrier's tracking system within seconds to minutes.

Where the status you see comes from

The carrier's website (and Parcel Tracker Monkey, by linking to it) reads from that same event log. There is no extra magic — if a parcel hasn't been scanned, there is nothing new to show.

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