Royal Mail International Tracking: Which Services Can Be Tracked
2 min read Updated October 19, 2026
Royal Mail international items can be tracked only if you paid for a tracked or signed service. Paste the reference (two letters, nine digits and GB) into the tracker above. Once the item leaves the UK, the postal service in the destination country delivers it and shows the final scans.
Which Royal Mail international services have tracking
Service
Tracking
Signature
International Tracked & Signed
Yes, to delivery in most countries
Yes
International Tracked
Yes, to delivery in most countries
No
International Signed
Partly, with a signature at delivery
Yes
International Standard
No
No
International Economy
No
No
Why International Standard cannot be tracked
International Standard is the cheapest way to post abroad and works like a normal stamp. Royal Mail does not attach a tracking reference, so no website can track it. If the sender only has a Post Office receipt without a reference that ends in GB, the item is untracked.
What the international statuses mean
We’ve got it: Royal Mail accepted the item in the UK.
Your item has left the UK: it is on the way to the destination country.
Your item has arrived in the destination country: it is with the local post and may go through customs.
Delivered: the destination post office recorded delivery.
Track it in the destination country
After “left the UK”, updates often pause until the destination post office scans the item. Use the same reference on that country’s postal site, or paste it here: we recognise postal references and show the matching carrier.
When to worry
Customs can hold items for days or weeks, especially at busy times. If there is no update for a month, the sender can contact Royal Mail to start an enquiry for tracked services.
Frequently asked questions
Can I track Royal Mail International Standard?
No. International Standard has no tracking reference. Only International Tracked, International Tracked & Signed and International Signed give you a reference.
Where do I track a Royal Mail item after it leaves the UK?
Use the same reference on the postal website of the destination country, for example USPS in the United States or Canada Post in Canada.
How long does Royal Mail International Tracked take?
It depends on the country and customs. Nearby European countries are usually quicker than destinations further away.