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Are you wondering why USPS isn’t tracking your international package anymore? In some instances, you’ll notice a total information drop off when you’re keeping an eye on your First Class Package International parcels. Fear not, though, because this doesn’t necessarily mean your package is lost! Some countries just don’t give updates on tracking data back to the US Postal Service.
In certain participating countries, USPS uses a system known as the Electronic Delivery Confirmation Program (also called E-DELCON). This program allows participating countries to update USPS tracking for packages shipped First Class Package International. The key words here are “participating countries.”
Unfortunately, USPS doesn’t offer E-DELCON tracking in most countries throughout the world. We’ve compiled a list of the 35 countries with E-DELCON tracking below, for your reference.
List of Countries with E-DELCON Tracking (Updated February 6, 2022)
- Australia
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Canada
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Gibraltar
- Hong Kong
- Iceland
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Israel
- Japan
- Lebanon
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Singapore
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- Thailand
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
What Happened to All the Other Countries?
If you’ve been shipping internationally with USPS for a while, you may notice that this list of countries was much longer in the past. Up until July 1, 2020, there were actually 45 participating countries in the E-DELCON system. However, this list changed because of President Trump’s plan to withdraw the United States from the Universal Postal Union.
Even though Trump threatened withdrawal due to unfair rates, the United States decided to stay in the Universal Postal Union. As part of the consensus that the United States agreed to in order to remain in the union, most member countries will move to self-declared rates over the next five years, with incremental increases each year to avoid rate shock across the globe. Consequently, the amount of countries that agreed to offer electronic delivery confirmation for First Class Package International packages reduced to 35 from the original 45.
Is Your International Package Missing?
If you feel like your international package may be missing, you can always file a missing mail search with USPS. However, we do recommend waiting up to 40 business days before you file a missing mail search for any international packages. Sometimes packages take a while to reach the destination country, and the USPS tracking data may need a bit of time to reflect the most recent information. In addition, a lot of shipping insurance companies (which we’ll talk about next) don’t consider an international package missing until 40 business day have gone by, anyway.
Buy Shipping Insurance for Your International Packages!
Sending international shipments isn’t for the faint of heart. International parcels are more likely to get lost than packages you send in America, and a great way to protect yourself is to purchase shipping insurance. We cannot stress this enough. Most online shipping software solutions will offer you the ability to purchase third-party insurance for an extra fee, and it’s well worth it. If your package goes missing or gets damaged, you can file an insurance claim and—in most cases—get your money back!
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Joseph
I bought an item from a seller in the US. Item was sent with USPS First Class International Mail.
Why was the package routed to Japan then China?
It is now with a forwarding agent according to a universal tracker because USPS is unable to track the item in China.
Will the package ever reach me? It has been 24 days since it was shipped.
Sandy
I have a package coming from China which states was delivered (to California and not my home address in Indiana) When I talked with the seller, they won’t do anything as the package has ‘been delivered’. When I talked with USPS, they won’t do anything without a USPS tracking number. I feel like I’m stuck in the middle with no one to assiist me. What do I do now?
Sherry Thornton
have a package coming from China states was delivered and signed for by post office but states without a USPS tracking number there is nothing they can do.. Tried calling both shipper and seller and have they have not responded to me as all.. what do I do now.??
Pete
U.S.P.S insurance was a useless service for our International shipping.. When we filed a claim for stolen items they just simply denied it due to the recipient post office not responding to the .inquiry. They then indicateed it was our risk for shipping internationally taken from the small print in the mile long user agreement disclosure. Insurance on an international pack is useless and I wouldn’t recommend paying the extra dollars for nothing. It’s a U.S.P.S. scam.
Tara Gavin
Do you have my capuchin monkey
David Garvin sr
Recently I ordered p kgs from India never a issue but now this pkg USPS tell me they can’t use the tracking code giving to me thru eBay ,now I have tracking to my local post but it hasn’t been delivered I go to pik up the pkg there and I again can’t use the foreign tracking number so the post clerk can find my pkg ,now I have tracking to this post office but now can’t receive my pkg again I’ve never had these issues I need my goods its medicine ,I’m having to file lost pkg with eBay but still its odd I can’t retrieve it nor has it been delivered what is a person to do because eBay doesn’t have the USPS code I’m assuming now is to be done at customs how can anyone do business with a mess like this
Omie
My package has been stuck in LA for over a month with no movement.
Was shipped from Washington State , supposed to go to BC! Why did USPS send it to LA to clear customs??? Makes zero sense to me…
M. Robbins
Thanks everyone for these reviews. I’m concerned about a parcel that isn’t tracking only after two weeks. Now I know I best be patient. Also, that IF it eventually arrives, it will be a surprise.
Ron Evans
If it arrives is right. Undamaged is another story. Forty days before filing…well we’ll see. 🙃
gilda suarez
mi paquete enviado a espana dia 4 de junio por valor de 50 dollares esta perdido nunca llego a espana junio 4 2021
Stickman
Don’t lose faith yet, people. The USPS tracking system is horrible. I lost all hope for a letter (a letter! not even a package!) From Europe that was sent at the beginning of April and it finally showed up on July 10th.
I also had a first class domestic package completely fall out of the tracking system. I filed a complaint and USPS said, “too bad, so sad, but thanks for choosing us for your delivery needs!” It was going from Washington State to Texas and finally showed up out of the blue after 62 days.
I actually sat down and did the math; the average speed was ~23 mph. I was charged $902 for a non-returned equipment fee that caused me to have to borrow money from family (reimbursed when package arrived, fortunately).
It’s totally inexcusable and unacceptable, and the one to blame is DeJoy. He needs the boot, and we need the old postal system back.
Elizabeth
I am so Sad i llost my package sent by mail expend my money my time my package i don’t know what the best i can do tired of called postoffice customer service that is not fear at all
Fely
This is horrible, my package has been in transit for 3 months now and there is no hopes
Aeran Fu
Why my package is held in S.korea international airport custom for 24 days???
And still ?? What should I do to find out what reasons.
Geo
Well, this is terrible news.