Royal Mail tracking
Royal Mail is the UK postal operator and handles the final mile for most international mail arriving in Britain, with Parcelforce covering heavier and express items.
Tracking number format
Two letters + 9 digits + GB
RM123456789GB
Tracked 24 and 48 services use the UPU format. Parcelforce uses its own alphanumeric references.
How long does delivery take?
1-3 days domestically
Inbound international parcels are held until any customs charges are paid, which commonly adds several days.
Things that look wrong but usually are not
- Delivery to a safe place or a neighbour is recorded as delivered without a signature.
Also known as
Royal Mail Tracked 24 · Royal Mail Tracked 48 · Parcelforce
Marketplaces that ship with Royal Mail
If you ordered from one of these, your parcel may well be travelling with Royal Mail even though the seller never said so.
Frequently asked questions
- What does a Royal Mail tracking number look like?
- Two letters + 9 digits + GB. Tracked 24 and 48 services use the UPU format. Parcelforce uses its own alphanumeric references.
- How long does Royal Mail take to deliver?
- 1-3 days domestically. Inbound international parcels are held until any customs charges are paid, which commonly adds several days.
- Why has my Royal Mail tracking not updated?
- Parcels are only scanned at fixed points along the route, and on economy services those points can be days apart. Silence of up to two weeks during international transit is normal. See what tracking silence means for how long is too long.
- Can I track a Royal Mail parcel without an account?
- Yes. Paste the number in the box above. Trackuo needs no account and stores nothing about you beyond the parcel itself.