Shipping and Tracking Glossary

Plain-English definitions of common parcel, postal, customs, and delivery terms used by carriers worldwide.

Acceptance scan

The first physical confirmation that a carrier received the parcel.

A postal operator, courier, or logistics company responsible for part of the shipment.

The person or organisation named to receive the shipment.

The review that allows goods to enter or leave a customs territory.

A courier visit that did not result in completed delivery.

A forecast that may change as new shipment events are recorded.

The last part of the route from a local facility to the recipient or pickup point.

A transfer from one carrier or logistics partner to another.

A charge that may apply when goods enter a country or customs territory.

Electronic shipment information exists, but the carrier may not yet hold the parcel.

Long-distance transport between major hubs by road, air, rail, or sea.

A signature, photo, scan, or record used to confirm delivery.

A facility where parcels are scanned and routed to the next destination.

A shipment identifier used to retrieve carrier events and delivery information.

The period from carrier acceptance to delivery, usually measured in business or calendar days.

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