We ’ve all buy something online , found out that UPS will give birth our package , and then proceeded to obsessively gibe the delivery status of our purchase order on the Web with a specific — and rather annoyingly long — chase after code . While you ’d be forgive for assuming that UPS tracking codification are generated every which way , those bit ( and letters ) actually contain a lot of information to insure that your parcel is delivered to the correct doorstep . So what do all those numbers ( and letters ) mean ?
The most mutual UPS tracking code data format for standard domestic U.S. packages contains 18 alphanumeric characters:1Z aaa aaa bb cccc ccc d. UPS has other trailing codes , which graze from seven to 20 character , but this format is the one you ’ll see most commonly . So how does it work out ?
Let ’s break it down:• The first set of quality indicate the style or type of tracking code . All codes in this format begin with1Z , which means that the package is a domesticated shipment.• The second and third sets of characters , aaa aaa , are the account number of the shipper , assigned by UPS for billing use . Both businesses and individuals can have an account with UPS.• The service code , bb , is the transport method acting of a package . A few codes :
( A full list of code and their meanings is uncommitted in the UPS Rates and Service Selection XML Tool [ PDF ] . )
• The next seven characters , cccc ccc , are the computer software identifier . This is customizable . It ’s a set of telephone number and missive a shipper uses to recognise a package ; many shippers use a truncate invoice number.• The balk digit , d , is used to detect misplay and to verify that all of the characters in an identification number are accede aright . check up on digit are also found in UPC codes , ISBNs , acknowledgment cards and routing transportation turn on U.S. bank accounts . This numeral is generate through a proprietary algorithmic rule . ( More on how see digits work . )
Mystery solved .
