An Post Tracking
An Post Tracking lets you follow your letters and parcels across Ireland and around the world in real time. As the national postal operator of the Republic of Ireland, An Post handles everything from a stamped birthday card to a registered legal document or an international e-commerce parcel. Whether you are sending or receiving, An Post Track and Trace gives you clear visibility of where your item is and when it should arrive.
Tips for Tracking An Post Packages
To get the most accurate and timely updates, keep these tips in mind:
Double-check your tracking number to make sure every character is entered correctly.
Allow time for the first scan, as tracking usually activates once An Post accepts the item at a post office or mail centre.
Use the An Post app or website for live status updates and delivery notifications.
Track international items on a universal tracker like InstantParcels when your parcel crosses borders and changes hands between carriers.
How to Identify an An Post Tracking Number
An An Post tracking number is a 13-character code. You will usually find it:
On the receipt handed to you at the post office counter.
In the shipping or dispatch confirmation email from an online retailer.
On the label or docket attached to your parcel.
In your An Post account if you booked postage or a return online.
An Post Tracking Number Format
An Post uses a single, consistent tracking format based on the Universal Postal Union (UPU) standard. The number is made up of two letters, followed by nine digits, and ending in two letters. For Ireland the final two letters are always IE, the country code for the Republic of Ireland.
An example looks like this: AY 123 456 789 IE.
The first two letters indicate the service used:
RR: typically indicates Registered Post.
EE: typically indicates Express Post.
Other two-letter prefixes (such as RA, CP, or LK) are used for other tracked and parcel services.
No matter which prefix your number carries, you can always enter the full 13-character code into An Post Track and Trace or into the universal postal tracker on InstantParcels.
An Post Tracking Status Guide
Each status update tells you where your item is in its journey:
Pre-Advice / Information Received: An Post has received the electronic shipping details but has not yet scanned the physical item.
Accepted / Posted: An Post has taken possession of your item at a post office or mail centre.
In Transit / Sorted: Your item is moving through the An Post network toward the delivery office.
Out for Delivery: Your item is with a postal worker for delivery that day.
Delivered: Your item has been delivered to the address or recipient.
Awaiting Collection: Delivery was attempted or the item is being held at a local post office or delivery service point for you to collect.
An Post Tracking Services
An Post offers a range of tracked services for domestic and international mail. Tracking visibility is strongest on registered, express, and parcel products.
Registered Post: Adds a signature on delivery, full tracking, and compensation cover for valuable or important items.
Express Post: A faster, fully tracked option aimed at next working day delivery within Ireland.
An Post Parcels: Tracked domestic parcel delivery with notifications and collection options.
AddressPal: A personal shopping and forwarding service that gives you a UK, EU, or US address so you can shop with retailers who do not ship to Ireland, then have items forwarded and tracked to your door.
An Post International Tracking
An Post connects Ireland to destinations worldwide through standard, registered, and express international services, as well as the EMS network for priority items. When you send a tracked international item, your 13-character IE number follows it out of Ireland.
Once a parcel arrives in the destination country, it is usually handed over to the local postal operator (for example USPS in the United States, Royal Mail in the United Kingdom, or Deutsche Post in Germany). At that point updates may come from the partner carrier rather than An Post. A universal tracker like InstantParcels is helpful here, because it can pull updates from both An Post and the receiving carrier under one search.
An Post Registered and Standard Mail Tracking
Registered Post: Provides enhanced security, end-to-end tracking, proof of postage, and a signature on delivery, making it suitable for documents, valuables, and anything that must be confirmed as received.
Standard (ordinary) letter post: Regular stamped letters are generally not tracked. If you need visibility, choose a registered, express, or parcel service instead.
Summary Comparison Table
Service Name | Delivery Time | Tracking Included | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
Standard Post (domestic) | Next working day target | No (letters) | Everyday letters and cards |
Registered Post | Next working day target | Yes | Valuable or important items |
Express Post | Next working day target | Yes | Urgent domestic delivery |
An Post Parcels (domestic) | 1-2 working days | Yes | Domestic parcels |
International Standard / Registered | 3-7 working days | Yes (registered) | Cross-border letters and parcels |
International Express / Courier | 1-5 working days | Yes | Time-sensitive international |
An Post Delivery Time Estimates
Standard, Registered, and Express Post (domestic): next working day target across Ireland.
International Standard and Registered: typically 3-7 working days, depending on destination.
International Express and courier services: typically 1-5 working days.
Delivery windows are targets rather than guarantees, and customs clearance, weather, and peak seasons such as Christmas can extend transit times.
An Post and International Customs
For items entering or leaving Ireland from outside the European Union, customs clearance is a normal part of the journey. A parcel may show a status such as Held in Customs or Customs Clearance while charges are assessed. If duties, VAT, or An Post handling fees apply, the recipient is usually contacted to pay before delivery can be completed. Paying any requested charges promptly helps avoid further delay or return of the item.
An Post and E-commerce Deliveries
An Post is a major delivery partner for online shopping in Ireland. Many retailers and marketplaces dispatch orders through An Post, which means your order confirmation often contains an An Post tracking number. Features that support online shoppers include:
Delivery notifications by app, email, or SMS.
Redelivery and collection options when no one is home.
Easy returns through post offices and self-service points.
AddressPal forwarding for shopping with overseas retailers.
Delayed, Missing, or Lost Shipments
If your An Post item is delayed or appears to be stuck, you can:
Recheck the tracking status on the An Post website or app.
Allow extra time for international items passing through customs.
Contact An Post Customer Service with your tracking number to hand.
Submit an enquiry or claim for registered and insured items that do not arrive.
How to Contact An Post Tracking Support
Online: Visit the An Post Help and Support centre at anpost.com.
Phone: Call An Post Customer Service on (353) 01-705 7600.
In person: Visit your local post office for help with posting, collection, or enquiries.
An Post Company History
An Post is the state-owned provider of postal services in the Republic of Ireland. It was established in 1984, when the postal and telecommunications functions of the former Department of Posts and Telegraphs were split into two separate state companies, An Post for mail and Telecom Eireann for telecommunications. The roots of the service, however, stretch back centuries through Ireland's postal history.
Today An Post operates one of the most extensive retail and delivery networks in the country, with post offices in cities, towns, and rural communities nationwide. Alongside traditional letter and parcel delivery, it provides financial services, bill payment, and the green An Post postboxes that are a familiar sight across Ireland.
No matter which An Post service you use, you can always track your item with our universal postal tracker. Simply enter your 13-character IE tracking number to see the latest updates in one place.
An Post Common Questions:
How do I track an An Post parcel?
Enter your 13-character An Post tracking number into the An Post Track and Trace tool at anpost.com, or use the universal postal tracker on InstantParcels. You can also track from the An Post app. Updates appear once An Post scans the item into its network.
What does an An Post tracking number look like?
An An Post tracking number has 13 characters: two letters, then nine digits, then two final letters. For items posted in Ireland the last two letters are always IE, for example AY123456789IE.
Where do I find my An Post tracking number?
You can find it on your post office receipt, on the label or docket attached to the parcel, in the dispatch confirmation email from an online retailer, or in your An Post account if you booked postage online.
What do the first two letters of my tracking number mean?
The first two letters indicate the service. RR usually means Registered Post and EE usually means Express Post. Other prefixes such as RA, CP, or LK are used for other tracked and parcel services. All of them still end in IE for Ireland.
Why is my An Post tracking not updating?
Tracking can appear stuck for several reasons: the item has not yet been scanned after posting, it is moving between sorting stages with no scan in between, it is held in customs, or it is an international item that has lost visibility after leaving Ireland. Allow one to two working days (longer for international), then contact An Post if there is still no movement. A universal tracker like InstantParcels can sometimes show updates from the receiving carrier that An Post does not display.
How long does An Post delivery take within Ireland?
Standard, registered, and express post within Ireland all target next working day delivery. An Post parcels typically arrive within one to two working days. These are targets rather than guarantees, and busy periods can add time.
How long does An Post international delivery take?
International standard and registered items usually take around 3-7 working days, while international express and courier services usually take 1-5 working days. Customs clearance and the destination country's postal service can affect the final timing.
Can I track standard (ordinary) letters with An Post?
No. Regular stamped letter post is not tracked. If you need tracking, choose Registered Post, Express Post, or a parcel service, which all include a tracking number.
What is An Post Registered Post?
Registered Post is a secure, fully tracked service that includes proof of postage, a signature on delivery, and compensation cover. It is recommended for valuable items, important documents, and anything you need confirmed as received.
What is An Post Express Post?
Express Post is An Post's fast, fully tracked domestic service aimed at next working day delivery within Ireland. It is a good choice for urgent letters and parcels.
What is AddressPal and can I track it?
AddressPal is An Post's personal shopping and forwarding service. It gives you a UK, EU, or US delivery address so you can buy from retailers who do not ship to Ireland, then have items forwarded to you. AddressPal deliveries within Ireland are tracked through An Post.
Why is my An Post parcel held in customs?
Items arriving from outside the European Union may be held for customs clearance. If duties, VAT, or An Post handling fees apply, you will usually be contacted to pay before delivery. Paying promptly helps avoid further delay or return of the parcel.
Can I track an An Post parcel sent from another country?
Yes. If an overseas seller shipped to Ireland and the item is being delivered by An Post, the foreign tracking number is often linked to An Post for the final leg. Entering the number into a universal tracker like InstantParcels lets you follow both the sending carrier and An Post in one place.
My An Post tracking says delivered but I have not received it. What should I do?
First check with other household members and safe or nominated delivery spots, and ask close neighbours. Then contact An Post Customer Service with your tracking number. For registered items you can raise a formal enquiry, since these are signed for on delivery.
What happens if I miss an An Post delivery?
If delivery cannot be completed, An Post usually leaves a notification and holds the item at your local post office or delivery service point for collection, or offers redelivery. The tracking status will often show Awaiting Collection.
How do I contact An Post about a tracking problem?
Visit the Help and Support section at anpost.com, call An Post Customer Service on (353) 01-705 7600, or call into your local post office. Have your 13-character tracking number ready so staff can locate the item quickly.
Is An Post tracking free?
Yes. Tracking is included at no extra cost on services that come with a tracking number, such as Registered Post, Express Post, and parcel services. You only pay for the postage service itself.
Does An Post deliver on Saturdays?
An Post generally delivers Monday to Saturday, with no standard delivery on Sundays or public holidays. Delivery days can vary by area and service, so check the expected delivery date shown in your tracking.
Where do I find my An Post tracking number?
- If you are sender: you can find your tracking number on the Post Office™ shipping receipt, that was given to you while registration.
- If you are receiver: your tracking number could be located in your shipment confirmation email, or in online store order page.
An Post package lost or stolen what to do?
If you think that your package was lost or stolen, you may contact directly with carrier contact center for investigation.
An Post contact information:- Website: http://www.anpost.ie/
- Phone: (353) 01-7057600
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