If you‘ve ever shipped a package with the United States Postal Service (USPS), you‘re likely familiar with the basic tracking that is included with most services. It allows you to keep tabs on your shipment‘s progress and confirm delivery. But did you know that the tracking information doesn‘t remain accessible forever? In fact, USPS reuses tracking numbers on a regular basis due to the sheer volume of packages they handle.
Consider this: the USPS processes and delivers 173.1 million pieces of First-Class Mail each day (source). That‘s a lot of tracking numbers! To keep this system running smoothly, tracking data is only retained in the USPS database for a set period of time based on the mail class before those numbers are recycled. For example, Priority Mail tracking details are kept for between 4 months to 2 years, while First-Class Package Service has a shorter retention period of just 60-90 days (source).
But what if you need to maintain a record of a USPS shipment for longer than that? Enter: USPS Tracking Plus. This premium service enables customers to access a specific tracking number‘s history for up to 10 years. It‘s a game-changer for individuals and businesses that need a long-term, reliable way to reference USPS shipping and delivery details.
How Does USPS Tracking Plus Work?
Think of USPS Tracking Plus as an optional "add-on" to the standard tracking that is already included with your USPS shipment. According to the USPS website, "USPS Tracking Plus gives you up to 10 years of tracking information for your important packages and documents, making it easy to retrieve signature proof of delivery and more."
The process is quite simple:
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Check if your shipment is eligible for Tracking Plus by looking for a "USPS Tracking Plus Available" message on the regular tracking page.
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Select the desired timeframe for extended tracking history retention (6 months up to 10 years).
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Pay the associated one-time fee and complete the purchase.
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Access your Tracking Plus data anytime by logging into your USPS.com account and entering the tracking number.
Once you‘ve added Tracking Plus to a particular USPS tracking number, you‘ll have the full history and key details at your fingertips for the length of time selected. This includes the date and time of all tracking events, from acceptance to delivery, along with the delivery address and any available signature information.
Having this data so readily available in your online account is extremely useful for keeping accurate records, verifying deliveries, filing insurance claims, and more. Plus, you can request add-on documents like a Statement of Tracking or Signature Letter to serve as official, permanent records of the tracking history.
Tracking Plus Pricing: How Much Does Extended USPS Tracking Cost?
Given the immense value and peace of mind that USPS Tracking Plus can provide, you might expect it to be expensive. But in reality, it‘s surprisingly affordable – especially when you consider the cost relative to the importance of your shipment.
Here‘s a look at the current pricing for USPS Tracking Plus:
| Tracking Duration | Price | Price with Signature |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Months | $0.99 | n/a |
| 1 Year | $1.20 | n/a |
| 3 Years | $1.50 | $3.75 |
| 5 Years | $2.00 | $4.75 |
| 7 Years | $3.00 | $5.75 |
| 10 Years | $4.20 | $6.75 |
As you can see, the base price ranges from as low as $0.99 for 6 months of access to just $4.20 for a full decade of tracking history. And for a few dollars more, you can add signature retention as well. These are one-time fees – there are no recurring or hidden charges.
When you consider what you likely paid for shipping in the first place, tacking on a dollar or two for Tracking Plus is a nominal expense. And in many cases, it can pay for itself many times over by helping to avoid and resolve costly shipping mistakes and issues down the road.
Which Businesses and Industries Need USPS Tracking Plus?
While anyone who regularly ships via USPS can potentially benefit from Tracking Plus, there are certain types of businesses and organizations that tend to get the most value from the service. These include:
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Ecommerce retailers and online sellers – Maintaining accurate records of all shipments is a must for any ecommerce business. Tracking Plus provides indisputable proof of delivery in case of any customer disputes or chargebacks. This is especially critical for higher-value items.
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Medical suppliers and pharmacies – Shipments containing medications, medical devices and other healthcare items are often extremely time and temperature-sensitive. They may also be subject to strict regulations around tracking and delivery confirmation. Tracking Plus offers a secure way to pull up tracking details even years later if needed for compliance, auditing or legal reasons.
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Financial and legal firms – Financial documents, legal notices, and other important paperwork sent via USPS should have the utmost standards in terms of record-keeping. Law firms and financial institutions use Tracking Plus as a reliable system of record.
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Art and collectibles dealers – High-value items like artwork, collectibles and antiques require extra TLC when shipping. Tracking Plus provides peace of mind and protection to both the shipper and recipient in these situations.
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Subscription box services – Subcom businesses live and die by the reliability and timeliness of their monthly boxes. Tracking Plus lets them quickly investigate and resolve any shipping snafus or missing deliveries.
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Electronics and high-tech manufacturers – Expensive smartphones, laptops, servers, and electronic components are a common target for shipping fraud or theft. Senders rely on Tracking Plus as evidence of item acceptance and delivery.
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Government agencies – From local municipalities to federal offices, government entities are often required to keep meticulous shipping records for compliance and accountability. They turn to Tracking Plus for easy access to historical tracking details.
Of course, these are just a few examples – any individual or organization that places a high value on their USPS shipments can benefit from Tracking Plus.
Real-World Use Cases for USPS Tracking Plus
To better illustrate the importance of USPS Tracking Plus, let‘s walk through a handful of specific, real-world scenarios where having extended tracking could make a huge difference:
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An industrial parts supplier sends a $5,000 custom-fabricated component to their customer via USPS. The buyer later claims they never received the item. Without Tracking Plus, the seller may be unable to prove delivery after the standard ~120 days after the delivery date. But with Tracking Plus, they can pull up definitive confirmation of delivery, complete with the delivery address, signature, and timestamp. This mitigates the risk of financial loss due to fraud.
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A collector purchases a one-of-a-kind, autographed baseball card via an online auction, shipped via USPS Registered Mail. Nine months later, they decide to sell the card, but the potential buyer asks for proof of the card‘s provenance and delivery as part of their due diligence. With Tracking Plus, the collector can access the original delivery details and provide the necessary documentation to support the value and legitimacy of the card. This instills confidence in the buyer.
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A niche subscription box company sends out 5,000 boxes to customers via USPS Priority Mail. Several customers contact them saying they never received their box. The subscription company looks up the Tracking Plus records, which show confirmed delivery for each of those customers on the expected date. They send the concerned customers screenshots showing the delivery confirmation to their address. The customers then realize their boxes were delivered but accidentally picked up by a neighbor, resolving the situation.
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An attorney mails a time-sensitive notice to a client using USPS Certified Mail. A year later, the client claims they never received the notice on time, jeopardizing the outcome of their case. The lawyer logs into their USPS account, pulls up the Tracking Plus documentation showing the delivery date, time, and the recipient‘s signature. They are able to refute the claim and show proper protocols were followed.
In each of these situations, having quick access to a complete record of USPS tracking activity was invaluable. Tracking Plus empowers individuals and businesses to protect themselves, justify actions, settle disputes, and validate important details around the shipping and receiving of goods.
Digging Into the Details: USPS Tracking Plus FAQ
To wrap up our deep dive into the ins and outs of USPS Tracking Plus, let‘s address some of the most common questions and final key details around the service:
Q: Which mail classes are eligible for Tracking Plus?
A: Most domestic USPS services that include tracking can be upgraded with Tracking Plus: Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, First-Class Package Service, Parcel Select, Media Mail, and more. For international shipments, Priority Mail Express International and Priority Mail International are eligible for up to 7 years retention.
Q: How do I access my Tracking Plus history?
A: It‘s easy – just log into your USPS.com account and enter the tracking number. You can view all the details online or print out statements/records as needed.
Q: What if I need access to Tracking Plus after it expires?
A: You can proactively purchase extensions to your Tracking Plus term. Otherwise, you won‘t be able to access expired tracking details. We recommend adding Tracking Plus as close to the original shipment date as possible to maximize your access window.
Q: How long do I have to add Tracking Plus?
A: Tracking Plus must be added before your shipment‘s standard tracking expires from the USPS database. Don‘t delay, as this varies by mail class, and can be as short as a few weeks in some cases.
Q: How does Tracking Plus help with filing shipping insurance claims?
A: If you need to file a USPS insurance claim for a lost, damaged or missing package, you‘ll need to provide proof of the item‘s value along with proof of mailing and delivery. Without access to the original tracking number details, your claim may be denied. Tracking Plus ensures you have ample time to gather documentation and submit a claim.
Q: Can I get a refund for Tracking Plus?
A: No, USPS Tracking Plus is non-refundable. Be sure to double-check the tracking number and selected retention period before completing your purchase.
The Bottom Line: Is USPS Tracking Plus Worth It?
So when is it a smart idea to add on USPS Tracking Plus, and when can you get by without it? Of course, the answer depends on your unique needs and shipping situation. But here are some of my top recommendations as a postal industry expert:
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If you‘re shipping anything with a value over $200, spring for Tracking Plus. The small upfront investment is well worth it for the added protection and peace of mind.
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Businesses that ship more than 20 packages per week should consider adding Tracking Plus to all shipments. It will streamline record-keeping and make dispute resolution much easier.
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Items that are extremely time-sensitive or require strict chain of custody (medications, legal docs, perishables, etc.) deserve the upgrade to Tracking Plus.
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Online sellers and merchants should have Tracking Plus on all high-value shipments, international orders, or items/buyers with a higher risk of fraud.
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If you‘ve had issues in the past with lost or missing USPS shipments, Tracking Plus offers an extra layer of protection and assurance.
On the other hand, if you‘re just mailing everyday items with no urgency or critical value, you can feel confident sticking with the standard USPS tracking. I also don‘t typically recommend adding Tracking Plus for low-value items under $50, unless the recipient is known to be problematic or it‘s an especially important delivery.
Ultimately, USPS Tracking Plus is an excellent tool for savvy individuals and businesses to manage and monitor their important USPS shipments. While it‘s not needed for every package, having the option to extend access to your tracking history for up to 10 years is a huge value-add. The USPS has done a great job keeping the service affordable and easy to use.
The next time you‘re preparing a USPS shipment, I encourage you to take a moment to consider if it‘s Tracking Plus-worthy. It just might end up saving you time, money and major headaches in the long run!
