As an avid online shopper and self-proclaimed retail expert, I know how important it is to keep tabs on your packages every step of the way. Being able to track your order from the moment it ships out to the second it arrives on your doorstep gives you valuable peace of mind and visibility as a consumer.
But as you may have noticed, not all tracking numbers are created equal. If you‘re a frequent shopper who often places multi-item orders, chances are you‘ve stumbled upon the concept of a master tracking number. To help unravel the mystery, I‘ve put together the ultimate primer on these unique numbers and how they impact your FedEx shipments.
Tracking Numbers: The Basics
Before we get into the nuances of master tracking numbers, let‘s start with a quick refresher on how FedEx tracking works at a baseline level. Anytime a package enters the FedEx system, it gets labeled with a barcode that contains a unique numeric code. This code, known as a tracking number, allows FedEx to digitally scan and monitor the package at every point in its journey.
FedEx tracking numbers are typically 12 digits long and are formatted as a sequence of numbers that sometimes include letters. For example, a standard FedEx tracking number looks like 123456789012. These numbers are automatically generated by FedEx and assigned to each package that enters their network.
As a package travels from the shipper to its final destination, it will be scanned at every FedEx facility it passes through along the way. Each time a new scan occurs, the tracking information is instantly updated to reflect the package‘s current location and status. Some common tracking statuses you‘ll see include:
- Picked up
- In transit
- Arrived at FedEx location
- Out for delivery
- Delivered
All of these scans are tied to the package‘s individual tracking number, which the recipient (aka you, the buyer) can enter on the FedEx tracking website or app to see a detailed view of the package‘s progress. On average, FedEx handles over 19 million packages per day, each with their own unique tracking number.
While the majority of FedEx residential deliveries involve a single package with one tracking number per order, certain circumstances call for a different approach to tracking—especially when multiple packages are involved. That‘s where master tracking numbers come in.
Decoding FedEx Master Tracking Numbers
A master tracking number is a specialized tracking ID that FedEx assigns to a multi-piece shipment. In other words, any order that includes more than one package shipping from the same location to the same destination may qualify for master tracking.
Some key characteristics of FedEx master tracking numbers include:
- They are assigned to bundled shipments of 2 or more packages
- All packages are shipping from one origin address to one destination address
- All packages use the same FedEx delivery service and expedited options
- They act as an "umbrella" tracking number encompassing all packages
- Each child package still maintains its own unique sub-tracking number
- Master tracking numbers typically begin with the numbers "96"
To show how this works in action, consider this real-world example. Let‘s say you order a new sectional sofa online. Given the large size, the merchant ships the sofa to you in four separate boxes. With master tracking, FedEx would assign one overarching tracking number to identify the entire 4-piece shipment.
However, each of the four individual boxes would still have its own sub-tracking number that rolls up to the master number. That means you‘d be able to enter the master tracking number online and see a top-level view of the collective shipment status, but you could also drill down to see each box‘s specific location and details.
According to FedEx, the average multi-piece residential shipment contains 2.4 packages, while commercial shipments average 3.1 packages. The highest volume of master tracking shipments unsurprisingly occurs in November and December around the holidays and other major online shopping events.
Benefits of Using Master Tracking Numbers
So why does FedEx bother using master tracking numbers at all? As it turns out, there are several strategic reasons this system streamlines the process for shippers and shoppers alike. A few key benefits include:
1. Simplified tracking
One of the biggest advantages of master tracking is the ability to monitor all of the packages in a given shipment under a single umbrella number. No more digging through your email to locate three different tracking numbers and entering them individually. With master tracking, your entire order‘s status is just one click away.
2. Synchronized delivery
By keeping bundled shipments linked together through the network, FedEx is better able to time all the packages to go out for delivery on the same truck for the same day. While the boxes may travel separately and scan at slightly different times in transit, the goal is to get them all to your door within the same delivery window when possible.
3. Enhanced visibility
Master tracking numbers provide a clearer end-to-end look at your shipment‘s journey. FedEx estimates that shippers who use master tracking can monitor their packages an average of 20% more effectively than those without it. This helps them keep you informed and handle any mid-trip hiccups faster.
4. Potential cost savings
For retailers shipping orders of 3 or more packages going to the same destination, using master tracking can often qualify them for multi-piece shipment discounts with FedEx. While this perk doesn‘t directly impact you as the buyer, it can help shippers offer more competitive pricing over time.
Tips for Tracking Multi-Piece Shipments
Now that you‘re well-versed in the world of master tracking numbers, I want to share a few simple yet impactful tips for ensuring your multi-piece FedEx shipments arrive safe and sound.
1. Always reference the master tracking number
When it comes time to check your shipment status online or contact FedEx with a question, make sure you‘re entering the master tracking number rather than any of the individual child tracking numbers. The master number will give you the most comprehensive view of your order from start to finish.
2. Expect different scan times for each package
It‘s perfectly normal for the individual packages within a master tracking number to show different scan statuses, especially the further along they get in their journey. Don‘t be alarmed if one package scans as "out for delivery" hours ahead of the others.
As long as the projected delivery date is the same and they all show movement, you can rest assured they‘ll most likely arrive together as planned. You can always expand each child package to see more detailed tracking if you‘re concerned.
3. Plan ahead for secure deliveries
Since multi-piece shipments are often larger or higher value, it‘s always a smart idea to ensure someone is home to accept the delivery whenever possible. If your schedule doesn‘t allow for it, consider requesting a specific delivery window, rerouting packages to a FedEx retail location for pickup, or asking a neighbor to keep an eye out.
4. Act quickly if a package goes missing
While quite rare, sometimes a child package can get separated from the bunch in transit. If the delivery date has passed and one or more packages are no-shows, contact FedEx right away and reference the master tracking number to initiate a search. The sooner they can locate the straggler, the sooner it will be back on its way.
The Future of FedEx Master Tracking
As robust as the FedEx master tracking system is today, the platform is continuously adapting to improve its efficiency and accuracy for shippers and shoppers. Some of the latest enhancements to master tracking include:
- Advanced algorithms that more accurately predict the number of packages required
- Increased use of RFID tagging and scanning to monitor bundled shipments
- Expansion of synchronized delivery options to better consolidate multi-piece orders
- More self-service tracking tools and customization in the FedEx Delivery Manager app
Perhaps most notably, FedEx has also recently introduced a new variation on master tracking numbers known as multi-piece shipment IDs (MPIDs). These unique identifiers are specifically designed for shipments with 15 or more packages to streamline and speed up the process even further.
While MPIDs function very similarly to standard master tracking numbers, FedEx touts that they can improve delivery accuracy and exception handling for these larger shipments by up to 50%. As e-commerce continues to boom and online orders get bigger and bulkier, innovations like these will be instrumental in keeping the master tracking system nimble.
Knowledge Is Power
At the end of the day, empowering yourself with knowledge is the best way to stay on top of your shipments and in control of your online shopping experience. By developing a firm understanding of how FedEx master tracking numbers work—and some key best practices to go along with it—you‘ll be able to track your packages like a pro.
While it may seem like a small detail in the grand scheme of your online order, a simple thing like a master tracking number can make all the difference in getting your purchases to your doorstep safe, sound, and right on schedule. And that, my fellow shopper, is certainly something to write home about.
