Solution for: #88: "No record of this item" with USPS tracking number with Amazon shipping

Amazon USPS shipping may actually be FedEx SmartPost

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- 92049143cabb7ba896d7c06e19906303_small yliu on March 10, 2010, 10:09 PM UTC

After some investigation, it turns out that it is probably true that USPS doesn't actually have the package yet. Amazon often ships its SuperSaver packages via FedEx Smart Post. In this system, FedEx handles and tracks the initial stage of the shipping, and hands over the package to USPS for the "last mile". In this case, the USPS won't have a record of the package until it arrives close to the delivery destination.

To check if this is the case, use the issued tracking number (that is supposedly a USPS tracking number) in the FedEx online tracking system. If Smart Post is being used, FedEx will return a detailed tracking log of the package until the point of hand-over to USPS.

FedEx is also where Amazon is magically getting its tracking information, when the USPS system reports "no record of this item".

A similar deal might be used with UPS, if it isn't FedEx. But I don't have first hand knowledge of that process.
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Comments

  1. Just wanted to say thanks-- I had this same problem and this is exactly right! I put the tracking number into FedEx's site and all the details were there. It even told me the actual location of the most recent scan instead of the "---" that Amazon had. And the estimated arrival date is two days earlier, which makes more sense.

     — astral on April 05, 2010, 08:05 PM UTC

  2. Awesome find! Thank you so much.

     — Srikanth on June 28, 2010, 08:10 AM UTC

  3. Answered my Q, too. Thanks for your informed answer.

     — Jeyjey on July 22, 2010, 01:09 PM UTC

  4. Thanks. Good find. Its Fedex..

     — Jav on July 27, 2010, 08:54 AM UTC

  5. THANK YOU! I really want to get my package before the weekend, and hadn't been able to figure out what was going on. I feel a bit more relaxed now after checking FedEx's site.

     — Joe on March 01, 2011, 05:47 PM UTC

  6. FedEx Smartpost is a bunch of crap...they made a mistake with delivering a package that was already in my hometown and then ended up in another state. This package contained time sensitive materials that are now on hold for another week. When questioned, they didn't want to admit to anything. Those working for FedEx are there just for a paycheck and don't want to admit and compensate for their mistakes. FedEx get real or get out....lousy service and a bunch of liars.

     — Ya Right on June 12, 2011, 06:58 AM UTC
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