Retrieve tracking information

Use the Retrieve tracking information for a parcel endpoint to retrieve a parcel’s current status and full tracking timeline using its tracking_number. This endpoint works for:

Parcels created via Sendcloud shipments
External parcels registered for tracking via the Create an external parcel for tracking endpoint

Calling the endpoint

To retrieve tracking information, send a GET request including the tracking number in the path:

Example request method and URL

GET https://panel.sendcloud.sc/api/v3/parcels/tracking/{tracking_number}

Response

If successful, the API returns:

HTTP 200 status code
A Parcel Tracking object containing:
- Parcel lifecycle timestamps:
  - created_at — When the parcel tracking object was created in Sendcloud
  - announced_at — When the parcel was handed to the carrier
  - updated_at — Last time tracking information was updated
- details: Additional context such as expected_delivery_date, integration_id, service point indicators, return flags
- tracking_numbers: Carrier tracking identifiers associated with the parcel.
- events: A chronological list of tracking events representing delivery milestones.
- parent_status: carrier status messages standardized into a consistent Sendcloud status. This allows you to reliably interpret the parcel’s delivery state across different carriers.

Each event has a single source. However, the full timeline may contain both carrier events and internal Sendcloud events (see Parcel Tracking Key Concepts). The parcel’s current status can be derived from the most recent event in the timeline. If the tracking number is invalid or unknown, the API returns an error response instead of a parcel object.

See the API reference for the full response schema.

Status definitions

Sendcloud consolidates all the variations of status messages received by different carriers into a readable format. This corresponds with the parent_status field in the response.

Status	Description
Address invalid	The provided address details are not correct.
Announced	The shipping label has been announced at the carrier.
Announced: not collected	The label is announced, but not yet collected by the driver.
Announcement failed	The label was not successfully announced at the carrier.
At customs	The parcel is passing through customs checks at the border.
At sorting centre	The parcel has arrived at the carrier sorting hub.
Awaiting customer pickup	The parcel has been delivered to a service point and is awaiting collection by the end customer.
Being announced	The shipping label is awaiting annoucnement at the carrier.
Being sorted	The parcel is being sorted at the carrier sorting hub.
Cancellation request	Cancellation has been requested for this parcel.
Cancelled	The label was successfully cancelled at the carrier.
Cancelled upstream	The label been cancelled upstream and is awaiting status Cancelled to be returned by the carrier.
Delivered	The parcel has been delivered to the end customer.
Delivery address changed	The delivery address has been modified.
Delivery attempt failed	The end customer was not home to accept the delivery.
Delivery date changed	The delivery date for this parcel was changed.
Delivery delayed	The delivery will take place at a later time or date.
Delivery method changed	The method of delivery has been modified.
Driver en route	The driver is on the way to deliver the parcel.
En route to sorting center	The driver is on the way to the sorting centre.
Error collecting	The parcel could not be collected by the driver.
Exception	There has been an exception with the parcel.
No label	There is no label attached to the parcel.
Not sorted	The parcel has not been sorted at the carrier sorting hub.
Parcel en route	The parcel is on the way to be delivered.
Ready to send	The label has been generated and announced, and the parcel can be picked up or taken to a service point to be delivered to the end customer.
Refused by recipient	The end customer refused to accept the delivery.
Returned to sender	The parcel is being returned to the sender.
Return payment failed	Payment for the return label for this parcel has not been processed.
Shipment collected by customer	The end customer has collected the parcel from a service point.
Shipment picked up by driver	The driver has collected the parcel from the service point or requested pickup location.
Sorted	The parcel has been sorted for delivery at the carrier sorting hub.
Submitting cancellation request	Cancellation has been requested and is being processed.
Unable to deliver	The parcel could not be delivered to the intended address or service point.
Waiting for the return payment	The carrier must receive payment for the return label before it is returned to sender.

Real-time event notifications

Instead of polling this endpoint for status changes, you can receive push notifications whenever parcel events occur. The Event Subscriptions API lets you configure webhooks or third-party integrations to be notified automatically.

The Event Subscriptions API is currently in BETA.

Getting started

Shipments

Addresses

Orders

Dynamic Checkout

Returns

Service points

Parcel tracking

Marketplaces

Archive

Calling the endpoint

Response

Status definitions

Real-time event notifications

​Calling the endpoint

​Response

​Status definitions

​Real-time event notifications

Calling the endpoint

Response

Status definitions

Real-time event notifications