Tuesday, July 11, 2017

How to Track a Package Without a Tracking Number

Delivery confirmation is a service that the United States Postal Service, FedEx, UPS and other shippers offer. They provide a tracking number that consumers can use to track their packages or receive automated delivery notifications. A package without delivery confirmation cannot be tracked using those methods. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to locate a missing package.

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Insured Packages

Insured packages receive an insurance number similar to the tracking numbers provided by USPS. That insurance number is unique and can be used to locate a package.

Call the Post Office

Call the post office where you sent the package. Give the postal clerk a description of the package, the address it is going to and the sender’s address. The clerk will look to see if the package is currently at the post office.


Place Addresses Inside Parcel

Place your address and the recipient's address inside your package. Occasionally packages are damaged in shipping. If the addresses on the box are unreadable, your package may be undeliverable and nonreturnable. Placing identifying information inside the box will help ensure delivery.

Free Tracking

Delivery confirmation is free when purchasing priority mail service. When printed labels are placed on these packages they will automatically have a delivery confirmation number. However, if you hand address your package it will not have a confirmation number.

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How to Prepare and Mail Certified Letters

Sending a letter by certified mail through the U.S. Postal Service provides proof of mailing, online proof of delivery and — if requested — hard-copy proof of delivery. If you have no need to insure the contents of a letter but you require proof of delivery, including a signature of the person who accepts delivery, certified mail is the service you require.

Step 1
Place the letter or document that you intend to send into a suitable mailer. You may use a regular letter-size envelope, a manila envelope, or even a box if the size of your article warrants it. Add the address to which it should be delivered and your return address.

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Step 2
Obtain PS Form 3800, Certified Mail Receipt, and PS Form 3811, Domestic Return Receipt, free at any post office, or order them for free from the USPS website


Step 3
Enter in the lines on the right side of the PS 3800 the name and address of the business or person to which you are mailing the article.


Step 4
Complete PS Form 3811. Enter your name and address in the blank box on the front side of the form. If you want the receipt to go to someone other than yourself, enter that name and address instead.


Step 5
Write the name and address of the intended recipient in the section titled "Article Addressed To" on the back of the PS Form 3811. Put a check in the box that says "Certified" in the section titled "Service Type." Peel off the adhesive number-strip from the edge of the PS Form 3800 and stick it to the bottom of the PS Form 3811 in the section titled "Article Number."


Step 6
Tear off the right side of the PS Form 3800. Keep this part as your proof of mailing. The barcoded/numbered label from the PS Form 3800 is attached to the address side of your mailpiece. Peel off its adhesive backing and affix it to the top of your envelope or package, to the right of the return address. Peel off the adhesive strip from the green PS Form 3811 and affix it to the envelope. If you are mailing it in a regular business size envelope, attach the return receipt to the back side of the envelope. If you are using a large manila envelope or box, attach the return receipt to the front of the article if there is room.

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Step 7
Take your package to the post office. Present your package and your proof-of-mailing portion of the PS Form 3800. A Postal Service employee will calculate and affix the proper postage, date-stamp your proof of mailing portion of the PS 3800 and return it to you for your records