How To Track Packages
You've made your holiday purchases online, but how can you track your packages? Reuters

You’ve already done the wallet damage during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. By now, you’ve unboxed, rewrapped, repackaged and sent off your holiday gifts with a courier to be shipped to your loved ones.

But when will they reach their final destination and will it be in time for Christmas?

Whether packages are going through the U.S. Postal Service, United Parcel Service, FedEx or some other shipper, it’s easy to track them from the instant you order to the delivery moment, and all points in-between.

Google

If you’ve made an online purchase using your Gmail account, Google can “instantly fetch” data to help track your packages through its latest feature. Simply search “when will my package arrive?” and Google automatically finds current orders and tracking info for individual packages as well as keeps track of all your recent order histories and shipments.

Once your results are displayed, you can review the order summary, view the email receipt and track the shipment, no matter which carrier is delivering.

But don’t worry, the results are safe and only visible to you; Google displays the secure information only if you’re signed in to your Google account.

Hint: You can also search “track my package,” “where is my package” or “how to track packages” to utilize this feature.

USPS

The USPS announced this holiday season that it will offer free online tracking for lightweight international packages for select countries, including: First-Class Package International Service, Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Boxes. The service applies to items sent to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Great Britain, Germany, France, Netherlands, Croatia, Denmark, Spain, Switzerland, Israel and Brazil. Tracking info shows when it left the U.S., when the package arrive in the country, and when it was delivered or a delivery attempt was made.

Users can track their packages using the tracking number here.

The postal service also announced its mail-by dates for shipments to be received by Dec. 25.

Dec. 2

International First-Class Mail

Dec. 2

Priority Mail International

Dec. 10

Priority Mail Express International

Dec. 14

Parcel Post

Dec. 17

Global Express Guaranteed

Dec. 20

First-Class Mail

Dec. 21

Priority Mail

Dec. 23

Priority Mail Express

FedEx

Through FedEx, you can track shipments through a tracking number, reference number or transportation control number here. You can also track your packages when you’re on the go with the mobile app.

DHL

Whether you’re the sender or the one receiving the package, you can use the tracking system here. You can also call DHL at 1-800-CALL-DHL (800-225-5345).

UPS

It's similar to all other sites, so you can track the shipment of your package here.

However, UPS offers additional services that are unique in parcel delivery. If you become a member, you can receive delivery notifications via text, email or phone; manage your deliveries on a calendar; sign for packages online; hold packages at will call at your local UPS facility; and even give your UPS driver instructions on how or where to leave your packages.

You can also change a future delivery, reschedule, re-route to a new address or send it to your local UPS store here on the site, whether you’re the sender or the receiver. However, these services are $5 per request or free for UPS Premium Members.

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