Canada Post air packets to USA. Not trackable in CP website but shows tracking in Ebay

[mbprates]

Hello Everyone,

Have a strange question. I know Canada post air packets to USA is not a trackable item. But however, Ebay were able to pull up scanning history. Wonder how is that possible?

I asked CP and they say do not believe Ebay as they are inaccurate. Which doesn't make sense.

Thanks.

[pjcdn2005 · Accepted solution]

My guess is that eBay has access to some  scans that are for usps internal use only and that don't show on the usps or CP websites.  It's good that we do have access to it on eBay....it doesn't really matter why.:)

[femmefan1946]

I think you mean Small Packet - either Air or Surface.

USPS workers sometimes take the bar code number, which is actually an internal bookkeeping code, and enter it as tracking.

And sometimes they don't.

As a practical matter, do record those numbers, but assume that if there were an Item Not Received dispute, you will not be covered.

However, seeing the number does reassure our American friends who passionately believe tracking somehow protects the buyer.

Tracking is only a Seller Protection.

[pjcdn2005]

Small packet surface no longer exists to the US

[mbprates]

I kind of wonder that USPS actually did their job and did some scans. Now will need to find out if I can call USPS directly to find out if they put their own tracking numbers.

Thank you all for the replies!

[femmefan1946]

Please don't tell them they are mistaking a bookkeeping number for a tracking number.

Their mistake is our benefit.

Shhhh.

Just know it is not tracking and don't depend on it in a Dispute.

[intimewithmusic]

  Here's my 2 cents. It would be great if everyone would finally stop calling Small Packets Air Trackable which it isn't.  so much time is wasted on this "Is SP tracked or not? "  It's not. 

   Those of you who defend workarounds for UNTRACKED small packet shipments as being "TRACKED" are misleading Sellers who wish to ship items valued more than $30. 

  There are no "buts". 

  If you want tracking pay for tracking.  It's called Tracked Pacet USA or Tracked Packet International. It cheap. For USPS 200 grams from Wisconsin to BC 1st class w tracking is $21 cad. The same from BC to Wisconsin is $18.53cas incl S&H. 

  If you sell under $30 items keep using it and promoting it if it make you feel better but please don't say it's tracked becasue it's not for Seller Protection and for folks who bring above $30 items to the table. 

ITWM

[pjcdn2005]

Sorry I'm not sure why you would call usps.   It is actually not their 'job' to scan small packet labels...it says right on the label that there is no delivery scan but they often scan it anyway. Small packet is not a trackable service so if there is a scan and it shows on ebay, it's a bonus.... usps is not going to have another tracking number for you to check elsewhere. 

[mbprates]

We all know that they are not trackable and I have already mentioned in the post. Now the question is why ebay shows them but not in USPS and wonder if they will post a new tracking from USPS.

When EMS post arrives Canada, Canada will issue a Xpresspost tracking to replace the EMS tracking.

[ypdc_dennis]

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@mbprates wrote:

We all know that they are not trackable and I have already mentioned in the post. Now the question is why ebay shows them but not in USPS and wonder if they will post a new tracking from USPS.

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USPS scans are of the small Packet bar code that Canada Post puts on the label.

USPS does NOT add another number.

Since the tracking is not paid for, any Small Packet USA scans are hidden from view on the Canada Post and USPS websites.

eBay appears to have access to any scans made by USPS, but not to any scans that Canada Post makes for Small Packet. Canada Post does make scans. A few years back, after a Canada Post website update, the Small Packet scans were visible if entered in the tracking search, that lasted for a couple of months before the scans were hidden again.

[pjcdn2005]

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@mbprates wrote:

We all know that they are not trackable and I have already mentioned in the post. Now the question is why ebay shows them but not in USPS and wonder if they will post a new tracking from USPS.

When EMS post arrives Canada, Canada will issue a Xpresspost tracking to replace the EMS tracking.

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When I've checked tracking for a Tracked Packet or Expedited Parcel on the USPS, it shows the original tracking number...I have no idea if that is different in the other direction.  Regardless, the USPS is not going to issue a new tracking number for a package that does not come with tracking. 

[zee-chan-jpn-books]

It's not a trackable service, PERIOD. If you need tracking, upgrade to Tracked Packet USA. eBay actually isn't supposed to show this info, and there is no reason why small packet info should show on USPS. 

Please do us a favour, and don't phone  USPS about this. Don't break something when it's working so well! I'm sure one of the reasons why we get these updates with eBay is that the postal workers are simply too busy so they just scan almost every parcels with a barcode. Better scan everything than to risk missing one that actually paid for a trackable service, right? And then USPS's website is probably programed to only provide info from true trackable services. 

[intimewithmusic]

🤔 🤗

[intimewithmusic]

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@zee-chan-jpn-books wrote:

It's not a trackable service, PERIOD. If you need tracking, upgrade to Tracked Packet USA. eBay actually isn't supposed to show this info, and there is no reason why small packet info should show on USPS. 

Please do us a favour, and don't phone  USPS about this. Don't break something when it's working so well! I'm sure one of the reasons why we get these updates with eBay is that the postal workers are simply too busy so they just scan almost every parcels with a barcode. Better scan everything than to risk missing one that actually paid for a trackable service, right? And then USPS's website is probably programed to only provide info from true trackable services. 

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I agree. I think your point is important for new sellers to hear. The "faux tracking" for Small Packet has in the past, been helpful for Canadians to compete by being able to ship without tracking and have the number show up on the USA side.  I understand their dissappointment that "faux tracking" is going away. Considering the new technologies with scanning and partner data sync, and that USPS is overwhelmed most of the time, it's not a big surprise. I think that this "workaround" has run it's course. 

New sellers who read these threads may walk away thinking Small Packet has tracking. It's important to state it does not. There's no Seller Protection, no delivery confirmation, and no insurance available unless you use a 3rd party and follow their specific rules. 

[pjcdn2005]

New sellers who read these threads may walk away thinking Small Packet has tracking. It's important to state it does not.

From the op " I know Canada post air packets to USA is not a trackable item. "

Plus I think that every other post mentions that it is not trackable but that sometimes the

scanning info does show up on eBay.   I think that it is better for 'new' sellers to have that information

than not to have it.    If there is some time of workaround most of us are willing to share it...there is nothing wrong with that as long as all the facts are given.  From there they can make their own decision as to whether they want to take a chance and charge $10 for a $10 item and risk an inr claim or spend $18 and only risk the claim if the item actually gets lost.

[intimewithmusic]

@pjcdn2005 

Hundreds of people read this information so I agree they should have the facts. Let's let Canada Post define "Tracking" 

What is Track and how does it work?
"Track is our online tracking tool. It lets you use the tracking number from your email notification, mailing label or receipt to find out where your package is, when it is expected to be delivered and to confirm when it is delivered.

To confirm delivery of your parcel, you can use your tracking number, delivery notice card number, or reference number. Learn more about where to find your tracking number.
Items with barcodes can be tracked.
Track is not available for inbound Registered Mail™ International, Small Packet™ USA – Air, Small Packet™ International – Air, and Small Packet™ International – Surface. Tracking information for international parcels (air or surface) is only available for the period when the parcels are in Canada."

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According to CP tracking includes delivery confirmation, estimated date of delivery and item location.  Trackable services have included insurance and other optional features.  

You're not talking about tracking. It's an "investigative workaround" that has worked in the past albeit intermittent and unreliable. It may or may not work today or tomorrow. I don't see how calling it tracking is helping new sellers. If they can capitalize on it that's great but call a spade a spade. 

Let's hope with the increase in shipping from Canada and the integration of new data syncing practices CP Small Packet WILL have tracking in the future. It doesn't have it now. 

 What you are talking about is a flaw with USPS. If we call it "tracking" it will help to confuse people about what tracking can do for them.  Is this workaround going to support the new businesses of the new sellers who are reading these posts today for years to come? 

You're right about deciding but it's easier to decide if you have the facts. Photo attached.

Better to lobby Canada Post to offer tracking on all of our packages. 

ITWM

[marnotom!]

My understanding is that USPS will scan “untrackable” items for their own internal record-keeping purposes. What’s possibly happening is that this in-house information is being transmitted to eBay rather than the publicly viewable version that we see on the USPS and Canada Post websites.