Parcels and letters sent at a UK Post Office are carried by Royal Mail or Parcelforce. The tracking reference is printed on your Post Office receipt. Paste it into the tracker above and we open the right carrier with the reference filled in.
Where to find the reference on your receipt
The reference is near the barcode at the bottom of the receipt, next to the service name. For Royal Mail it looks like AB123456789GB. Keep the receipt until the item arrives, because it is also your proof of posting.
Services you can track
- Royal Mail Tracked 24 and Tracked 48
- Special Delivery Guaranteed
- Royal Mail Signed For, first or second class
- International Tracked, International Tracked & Signed and International Signed
- Parcelforce Worldwide services such as express24 and express48
Services you cannot track
Standard first and second class stamps, Large Letter without an extra service, and International Standard have no tracking reference.
If the item is delayed
Royal Mail scans tracked items at only a few points, so long gaps are normal. If a UK item has not arrived after a week, the sender can start an enquiry with Royal Mail using the receipt.
Frequently asked questions
How do I track something I sent at the Post Office?
Find the reference on your Post Office receipt. Royal Mail references have two letters, nine digits and GB. Parcelforce references are shown as a separate barcode on the receipt. Paste it into the tracker on this page.
Can I track a first class letter?
Only if you paid for Signed For, Special Delivery or a tracked service. A normal stamp has no tracking.
Is Post Office tracking the same as Royal Mail tracking?
Yes. Post Office counters sell Royal Mail and Parcelforce services, and the items are tracked on those carriers.