Ever since Jeff Bezos founded Amazon back in 1994, the e-commerce titan has grown from a small online marketplace to a global economic force. Today, Amazon ships over 1.5 million packages daily to customers worldwide. With such a vast delivery operation, being able to track your orders is important. This comprehensive guide will show you how to track an Amazon package in four easy steps, with handy screenshots and photos to follow along.
Why Track An Amazon Package?
Beyond just wanting to know when your order will arrive, there are a few key reasons why package tracking is important:
- Monitor delivery progress and security – Tracking helps ensure packages reach you safely without getting lost or stolen.
- Prevent missed deliveries – See updates on expected delivery date so you don‘t miss the courier.
- Accountability for delays – Tracking shows if packages are held up so you can take action to resolve issues.
For Amazon‘s over 6,000 daily delivery truck routes and 800+ planes/hubs carrying orders globally, things can and sometimes do go wrong. Tracking provides visibility so customers know when to expect orders.
How Amazon Package Tracking Works
Amazon leverages a technology stack encompassing tracking systems, routing algorithms, IoT sensors, and automation to monitor orders throughout its fulfillment network.
Packages are scanned at each stage – from pickup at suppliers to sorting at fulfillment centers to final delivery. These scans upload data to Amazon‘s servers, logging the current location and time stamp for each package.
Sophisticated software processes this stream of data to optimize routing and provide delivery estimates. If delays occur, automated alerts notify customers via emails or tracking portal updates.
Integrations with USPS, UPS, FedEx and other carriers also pull their tracking data into Amazon‘s systems. This enables Amazon to provide seamless end-to-end visibility, even when not delivering items itself.
Step-By-Step Guide To Tracking
Now let‘s walk through exactly how to track your Amazon orders.
Step 1) Check Your Email
After you place an order on Amazon, you‘ll receive a confirmation email containing order details and initial tracking information:
Note the shipping carrier and tracking ID number. You can click the links to see if any data is available yet. Right after ordering, package won‘t have reached the courier, so there likely won‘t be any scans.
Check back 12-24 hours later as package starts its route. Carrier sites like USPS tracking will then start showing data.
Step 2) Sign In to Your Amazon Account
For the most up-to-date tracking details, check directly on the Amazon website or app:
Once signed in, hover over the Account & Lists dropdown next to the search bar and select Orders:
This takes you to your full order history.
Step 3) Select Order To Track
Scroll down and browse your orders until you find the specific item you want to track:
Order details like date placed, total cost, items, and current status are shown.
Step 4) Click Track Package
When ready to track, simply click the Track Package button for your order:
This opens the tracking page with latest details:
It shows each item‘s status like Estimated Delivery Date, Expected Ship Date, tracking number and carrier, current location, and delivery progress through the stages – Shipping Now, In Transit, Out for Delivery, etc.
New updates are added in real-time as the package moves through Amazon‘s fulfillment network towards its destination.
So by checking back periodically, you can monitor progress and see if any delays arise.
Other Ways To Track Packages
In addition to Amazon‘s own tracking portal, you have a few other options:
Amazon Mobile App
You can track packages via the Amazon mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android devices. Just install the app, login, and access orders like on the website. The app also includes delivery notifications and alerts.
Carrier Tracking Tools
Rather than going through Amazon, you can take the tracking number from your email or Amazon account and enter it directly on the shipping carrier‘s website.
For example, USPS, FedEx, and UPS all have tracking pages where you simply input the ID. This also works for any regional couriers handling the delivery.
Parcel Tracking Sites
Third party tracking aggregators like ParcelApp and PackageRadar compile data from carriers worldwide.
You enter your tracking number, and they display up-to-date information on your package‘s location and expected delivery right on a map. Handy when an order ships via multiple carriers.
What To Do If Your Package Is Late
Despite Amazon‘s sophisticated fulfillment operations, delays can occasionally happen.
If your order is ever late compared to the posted delivery date or misses the target delivery window for Amazon Prime (2 days), here are some steps you can take:
- Contact Amazon Customer Service via phone, chat, or email to report the issue
- Select the 2 Day Shipping option under Order Details to troubleshoot
- You may receive an automatic Prime membership extension depending on circumstances
- If order is lost by carrier, Amazon can initiate a trace or claims process
Tracking information related to your late/undelivered order is key when going through this resolution process with Amazon Customer Service.
Amazon Prime Shipping Policies
For anyone curious about the Prime 2-day policy and related shipping information, here are some further details:
Which Items Qualify?
Millions of products are Prime-eligible, sold directly by Amazon as well as third party sellers using FBA. Look for the Prime logo:
You can filter search results to only show items with Prime shipping too.
Do You Need A Prime Membership?
To get the free 2-day (or faster) shipping, you need an Amazon Prime membership. This costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year.
Beyond shipping perks, Prime includes access to Prime Video, Prime Music, Prime Reading ebooks, discounts at Whole Foods, and more.
After your 30 day free trial ends, Prime shipping rates only apply once you pay for membership.
Can You Share Prime Benefits?
Yes, Prime members can share select benefits like free shipping with another adult in their household. Set up Amazon Household to link accounts.
You can also share your login info with immediate family members or place orders for them yourself and enter their shipping address.
However officially only two adults and four teens+kids per household can fully access Prime member benefits.
How Long After Cancelling?
If you cancel your Prime subscription, Amazon grants a grace period where you can still take advantage of Prime shipping and features until the current billing cycle ends.
So if you cancel on day 5 of a new 30 day payment cycle, you‘ll still have 25 days of full Prime access before benefits are revoked.
In Closing
Tracking Amazon orders helps you monitor deliveries, prevent issues, plan your schedule, and hold carriers accountable when mishaps happen.
With built-in tracking via desktop, mobile app and email – plus ties to major shipping companies – Amazon makes the package tracking process straightforward for its millions of daily deliveries.
Hopefully this guide gave you a comprehensive overview of how to track orders from notification to final delivery, plus tips if something goes wrong. Happy package tracking & online shipping!
