An Post Tracking – Track Your Parcels
Enter your An Post tracking id or order number to get real-time delivery status updates. You can track your An Post parcel instantly, anytime and anywhere in the world.
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Many people in Ireland also receive international parcels from the Philippines through LBC Express. If you’re expecting one of these shipments, you can use LBC Tracking to check your parcel’s latest delivery status, shipment history, and transit updates before or after it enters Ireland.
What is An Post Tracking?
An Post Tracking is a free online service that lets you track your parcel, registered letter, passport or international shipment in real time. Using the Track and Trace tool, you can check live delivery status updates with your unique tracking number whether you are sending within Ireland or to over 200 countries worldwide.
An Post was founded in 1984 and headquartered at the GPO on O’Connell Street in Dublin, is Ireland’s state-owned postal service and largest logistics network. In 2024, it delivered over 54 million parcels and 360 million letters to 2.47 million addresses, surpassing €1 billion in revenue for the first time, driven by strong eCommerce growth.
Serving around 1.7 million customers every week through more than 900 post offices and PostPoints nationwide, An Post connects Ireland to the world. When sending mail within Ireland always include the Eircode to ensure accurate and faster delivery especially in rural areas where addresses can be less precise.
How to Track an An Post Parcel Right Now
You can track any parcel in under a minute. Here is exactly how to do it:
- Go to anpost.com and click Track & Trace in the main navigation.
- Enter your 13-character tracking number in the search field.
- Click Track Item. Your parcel’s current status and scan history will appear immediately.
- Tracking updates throughout the day each time your item is physically scanned at a checkpoint.
You can also track via the free An Post app on iOS and Android. The app sends push notifications each time your parcel status changes and lets you set up a safe delivery spot for when you are not home.
Business senders can use the Commerce Track and Trace tool on anpost.com, which allows tracking of up to five shipments simultaneously, filtered by account or date range.
What Does an An Post Tracking Number Look Like?
An An Post tracking number is a unique 13-character code. The format is: two letters + nine digits + two letters. Example: RR123456789IE. This format follows the S10 standard set by the Universal Postal Union (UPU) the global framework used by all national postal services worldwide.
Tracking Number Prefix Guide
| Prefix | Service Type | Typical Use |
| R | Registered Post | Documents, passports, legal letters, high-value items requiring signature |
| E | EMS Express Post | International express-mail service, fast tracked delivery |
| C | Parcel Post | Parcels between 2 kg and 20 kg |
| L | Letter Post / Small Packets | Letters and small packets up to 2 kg |
| A | Other Tracked Letter Post | Various tracked letter services |
| V | Insured Letter / Value Post | High-value tracked items requiring additional insurance cover — unique to An Post and absent from most third-party guides |
The final two letters IE stand for Ireland and confirm the item originated from An Post. If the item was sent from another country, those final two letters will reflect that country’s ISO code instead (e.g., GB for UK, CN for China).
What Does AY, AW, or AZ Mean on an An Post Tracking Number?
Under the UPU S10 tracking standard, An Post uses different prefix codes to sort and manage items efficiently within its depots. Common prefixes include AY, AW, AZ, along with CE, CH, LI, LL, EP, RL, and SX for various tracked services. These prefixes help staff quickly identify the correct storage area without rescanning, speeding up collection for missed deliveries.
AY tracking numbers are the most commonly seen in Ireland, especially for Amazon deliveries handled by An Post. If your parcel has an AY code, it is a standard tracked item and can be checked on the official tracking system using formats like AY123456789IE
Where to find your an post tracking number:
Check your post office receipt, your shipping confirmation email from the retailer, or the label attached to the parcel. The Trans-Ref ID printed on some receipts is not a tracking number — it only records your payment transaction.
An Post Tracking Statuses Explained
When you enter your tracking number, you will see one of the following status messages. Here is a easy explanation of each:
| Status | What It Means | Action Required? |
| Item Details Received | An Post has received shipment data from the sender or retailer. The physical parcel has not yet arrived at an An Post facility. This is common with online orders where the retailer generates a label before handing the item to the postal operator. | Wait 1–2 days. If no update, contact the sender to confirm dispatch. |
| Item Received by An Post | Your parcel has been scanned into the network at a post office or hub. The delivery journey has officially started. | None. Your parcel is in the system. |
| Item in Transit | Your parcel is moving through sorting hubs between acceptance and delivery. Updates may pause between scan points. Gaps are completely normal, especially over weekends and bank holidays. | None. This is normal and expected. |
| Item Out for Delivery | Your delivery driver has your parcel on their route today. Delivery is expected within a few hours. | Be available or ensure your safe spot is set up in the An Post app. |
| Delivery Attempted | The driver called but no one was available. A Docket in Box (DIB) notice should have been left in your letterbox. | Arrange redelivery online at anpost.com or collect from your local Delivery Service Unit with photo ID. |
| Item Delivered | Your parcel has been delivered to your address or a neighbour/safe spot. | If you cannot find it, check your safe spot and neighbours. If still missing, contact Ireland’s national postal service. |
| Held at Customs | Your item is being processed by Irish customs. Applies to parcels from outside the EU (UK, USA, China, etc.). | Check anpost.com/customs for any charges due. See the customs section below for the current admin fee. |
| Return to Sender | An Post was unable to deliver the item and it is being returned to the original sender. | Contact the sender or retailer to arrange redelivery or a refund. |
An Post Registered Post Tracking
Registered Post is a secure delivery service with a tracking number starting with “R” and requires a signature on delivery.
You can track it on anpost.com Track & Trace using your receipt number to see all updates from dispatch to delivery confirmation.
It’s commonly used for important documents like passports, legal papers, and valuables, and provides proof of postage and delivery.
An Post International Tracking
Inbound International Parcels (Coming to Ireland)
Once an international parcel enters the An network in Ireland and receives its first scan, you can track it using your tracking number on anpost.com. Before it reaches Ireland, tracking updates are provided by the sending country’s postal service. An post publishes a list of international carrier links at anpost.com for checking the outbound leg of international shipments.
Outbound International Parcels (Sent from Ireland)
An Post can track your item while it remains within Ireland. Once the item leaves the country, tracking responsibility passes to the postal service of the destination country. It updates the system as soon as it receives information back from the receiving postal service, but response times vary by country.
UK Parcels and Brexit Customs Issues
Since Brexit, all parcels arriving from the United Kingdom are subject to full EU customs processing, including electronic customs data requirements. Many smaller UK retailers and specialist shops have not updated their systems to comply with these post-Brexit rules. If your parcel from a UK retailer is delayed or shows as held, it is often because the sender did not provide complete electronic customs declaration data. Their official guidance on this is available at anpost.com/customs.
An Post Passport Tracking
When you renew or apply for an Irish passport through An Post, your completed passport is returned to you via a tracked registered service. The Passport Office will provide a tracking number once your passport has been dispatched.
Enter that tracking number on the An Post Track and Trace page at anpost.com. You will see exactly where your passport is in the delivery process. Passport deliveries require a signature on delivery, so ensure someone is available to receive it.
An Post Tracking Not Updating: What to Do
Tracking statuses refresh only when your parcel is physically scanned at a checkpoint. Scans happen at key stages: acceptance, sorting hub, customs, and delivery. Gaps between scans are completely normal, especially over weekends, bank holidays, and peak periods like Christmas.
If your tracking has stopped updating beyond the expected delivery date, follow these steps:
An Post Customs Tracking: Non-EU Parcels
Parcels from outside the EU (UK, USA, China, etc.) go through customs in Ireland. An Post charges a €6.95 admin fee (from Feb 2026) if fees aren’t prepaid or data is incomplete. VAT applies to all eligible items, and orders above €150 may also include Customs Duty.
Make sure the sender provides complete customs data — missing details can cause delays or returns.
How to pay customs charges:
Pay online at anpost.com/Post-Parcels/Receiving/Pay-Customs-Charge by entering your tracking number and your Customs Reference Number (also called the Master Reference Number or MRN), which appears on the Customs Charge Notification Card you receive by post. You can also pay at any local post office or directly within the An Post app. Delivery will not proceed until the charge is paid. Items held at customs are kept for up to 16 working days — after that, the item is returned to the sender.
How Long Does An Post Hold a Parcel After a Missed Delivery?
If a delivery is attempted and no one is home, An Post leaves a “Sorry We Missed You” notice (also called a Docket in Box or DIB notice) in your letterbox. Here is how long your item is held before being returned to the sender:
| Item Type | Hold Period |
| Standard Post and Express Post (domestic) | 5 working days |
| Items received from abroad (international parcels) | 16 working days (approximately 22–23 calendar days). You must pay any customs charges within this window. |
After the hold period expires, An Post will attempt to return the item to the sender. Your options after a missed delivery are:
- Collect from your local Delivery Service Unit — bring the DIB notice and a valid photo ID (e.g., driver’s licence or passport).
- Nominate an agent to collect on your behalf — the agent must bring the DIB notice (signed by you) and their own photo ID.
- Arrange free redelivery online at anpost.com — redeliveries take approximately 3 to 5 working days.
An Post Parcel Lockers and Click & Collect
This service operates free Parcel Lockers nationwide — a secure, self-service alternative to home delivery. You can use them to collect, send, or return parcels at a time that suits you, including outside normal post office hours where 24/7 access is available.
How An Post Parcel Lockers Work
When it delivers your parcel to a locker, you receive an SMS with a unique access PIN. Enter the PIN at the locker screen to open the compartment and retrieve your parcel. No queue, no waiting at home.
You can also redirect an incoming delivery to your nearest parcel locker using the app or your online account, choosing this option before the delivery attempt is made.
Parcel Locker Hold Times
| Situation | What Happens |
| Item delivered to locker | Held for 48 hours after delivery. You receive an SMS PIN to collect. |
| Not collected within 48 hours | Taken back to your local delivery depot, where it is held for a further 5 working days. An Post notifies you of this removal. |
| Collecting from depot | Bring your photo ID and the removal notice it sends you. |
Sending and Returning via Parcel Locker
You can also send parcels or drop off returns at a parcel locker. Scan your prepaid postage label or return label at the locker bank, place your item inside, and An Post collects it. Note: you must print your label before visiting a parcel locker. If you do not have a printer, use a post office instead — staff will print the label for you at no extra charge.
Click & Collect
Many Irish retailers offer Click & Collect via An Post post offices and parcel lockers. Select this option at checkout on the retailer’s website, choose your preferred collection location, and collect when you receive the ready-to-collect notification. You can track the inbound delivery using the tracking number provided by the retailer.
An Post Tracking App
Yes, it has a free app on iOS and Android. It is the most convenient way to manage deliveries without visiting the website each time. Key features include:
- Real-time tracking updates with push notifications as each scan event occurs
- Safe spot setup so your parcel is left securely when you are not home — proof of delivery photo is sent to your phone and available to view for 7 calendar days
- Redirect deliveries to a parcel locker or safe spot before an attempt is made
- Manage multiple deliveries and returns from a single dashboard
- Pay customs charges directly within the app
- Buy postage and generate shipping labels
- Access your An Post account preferences and delivery settings
Sign up at anpost.com using the same email address and phone number you use for online shopping. Doing this means incoming parcels automatically appear in your account without you needing to manually enter tracking numbers. Download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
An Post Delivery Performance: What the Data Shows
An Post’s delivery performance is independently monitored by ComReg (the Commission for Communications Regulation), Ireland’s postal regulator. ComReg sets mandatory quality-of-service standards and publishes annual results measured by Ipsos MRBI.
The regulatory standards require An Post to achieve 94% next-day delivery (D+1) and 99.5% delivery within three working days (D+3) for domestic single-piece priority mail. Here is how performance has trended:
| Year | D+1 Next-Day (Target: 94%) | D+3 Three-Day (Target: 99.5%) | Notes |
| 2019 | 90% | 99.3% | Pre-pandemic high — closest to D+1 target |
| 2020 | 82% | ~98% | COVID-19 impact; monitor suspended Apr–Jun 2020 |
| 2021 | 84% | ~98% | Pandemic recovery year |
| 2022 | 85% | 98.3% | Post-pandemic recovery continues |
| 2023 (Jan–Nov) | 89% | 98.8% | 2% improvement over 2022; best D+3 since 2019 |
| 2024 | TBC by ComReg | TBC by ComReg | 54m parcels delivered; eCommerce revenue +12.6% |
An Post Delivery Times
If you want to check complete about opening hours and timings, visit the An Post opening hours guide.
| Service | Delivery Time | Tracked? | Signature? | Saturday? |
| Domestic Standard Post | Next working day (most addresses) | Yes (if purchased) | No | No |
| An Post Express Post | Next working day nationwide (guaranteed) | Yes | Optional | No* |
| An Post Same Day (Dublin only) | Same day — selected Dublin post offices | Yes | No | No |
| Registered Post (Domestic) | Next working day | Yes | Yes | No |
| International Standard | 3–7 working days (varies by destination) | Yes | No | N/A |
| EMS Express to Europe | Under 72 hours | Yes | No | N/A |
| International Express Post | 1–5 working days | Yes | No | N/A |
| International Courier (DHL) | Next day to EU; 1–3 days rest of Europe; 1–5 days worldwide | Yes | Yes | N/A |
An Post Customer Service and Contact Details
If you cannot resolve your tracking issue using the Track and Trace tool or the Help Hub, contact An Post directly. Always have your 13-character tracking number ready before contacting — it is the fastest way to get a resolution.
| Contact Method | Details |
| Phone (within Ireland) | 01 705 7600 — Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 5:30 pm; Saturday and bank holidays, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm |
| Phone (outside Ireland) | +353 1 705 7600 |
| Available Monday–Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm via the Help & Support Hub at anpost.com — for Mails and Parcels enquiries | |
| Webchat | Available Monday–Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm; Saturday, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm — via the Help & Support Hub |
| OscarBot (Chatbot) | Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via the An Post Help and Support Hub |
| Online Contact Forms | anpost.com → Help and Support → Contact Us |
| Social Media | An Post official accounts on Facebook; DM @postvox on X (Twitter) |
| Postal Address | An Post Customer Services, GPO, O’Connell Street Lower, Freepost, Dublin 1, D01 F5P2 |
An Post Returns Tracking
An Post handles returns for hundreds of Irish and international retailers including ASOS, H&M and Lifestyle Sports. Label, free returns can be dropped off at over 900 post offices nationwide, with no printer required staff print the label for you at the counter.
Check complete guide about an post returns tracking and stay updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts
An Post tracking gives you clear, reliable visibility over every domestic and international shipment. Use Track and Trace at anpost.com or the free app to check your parcel status at any time. Know your tracking number format (two letters + nine digits + IE), understand what each status update means, and use the right contact channels when you need support.
In 2024, the service delivered 54 million parcels and 360 million letters to 2.47 million Irish addresses, recording its highest-ever revenue of over €1 billion. Independent ComReg data confirms An Post delivers over 98% of domestic parcels within three working days. Whether you are using An Post tracking for a registered letter, a returned passport, a parcel locker delivery, a returns package, or an international order, everything you need is available through anpost.com or the app. Always include your Eircode on all Irish addresses to ensure accurate delivery routing.