GLS Tracking
GLS Tracking lets you follow your parcel across one of Europe's largest delivery networks in real time. Whether you are waiting on an online order, sending a business shipment across borders, or expecting a delivery to a GLS ParcelShop, tracking gives you a clear, up to date view of where your parcel is and when it should arrive. Enter your GLS tracking number on InstantParcels to see every scan in one place, even when your parcel passes between GLS and a partner carrier.
Tips for Tracking GLS Parcels
To get the most accurate and timely updates, keep these tips in mind:
Double check your tracking number to make sure every digit is correct before you search.
Allow time after the label is created, since tracking only goes live once GLS physically scans the parcel into its network.
Use a universal tracker like InstantParcels so cross-border parcels stay visible after the handoff to a local delivery partner.
Turn on notifications where the sender offers them, so you receive delivery and ParcelShop alerts by email or SMS.
How to Identify a GLS Tracking Number
A GLS tracking number (often called a parcel number or Track ID) is the unique reference assigned to your shipment when the label is created. You can usually find it:
In the shipping or dispatch confirmation email from the online store you ordered from.
On the parcel label itself, printed near the barcode.
In your account order history on the retailer's website.
On the receipt or drop-off slip if you sent the parcel yourself from a GLS ParcelShop.
GLS Tracking Number Format
GLS operates as a group of national companies, so the exact format of a tracking number can vary by country and service. Most GLS parcel numbers are numeric and commonly run to 11, 12, or 14 digits, although some shipments use shorter or longer references. Typical patterns include:
National parcel number: a numeric code, often 11 to 14 digits (for example, 12323323621 or 47150051801147).
Alphanumeric reference: some shipments, especially international ones, use a mix of letters and digits (for example, an 8 character code or a code that begins with letters and ends with a country code).
Country specific variants: GLS Italy commonly uses two characters followed by up to nine digits, while GLS France often uses an 8 character alphanumeric code or an 11 digit number.
Because formats differ between GLS national networks, the safest approach is to copy the number exactly as it appears in your confirmation and paste it into a universal tracker. InstantParcels recognises GLS numbers across countries and matches them to the correct network automatically.
GLS Tracking Status Guide
Each GLS status update tells you where your parcel is in its journey. The exact wording can vary slightly by country, but the stages are consistent:
Data received / Pre-advice: GLS has the shipment details from the sender but has not yet taken physical possession of the parcel.
Parcel collected / Picked up: GLS has scanned the parcel into its network at the origin depot.
In transit: The parcel is moving between GLS hubs and depots toward the destination region.
Arrived at delivery depot: The parcel has reached the local depot that will handle final delivery.
Out for delivery: The parcel is loaded on a delivery vehicle and is on its way to the recipient.
Delivered: The parcel has been handed to the recipient, left in a safe place, or delivered to a neighbour.
Delivered to ParcelShop: The parcel is waiting for collection at a chosen GLS ParcelShop.
GLS Services
GLS focuses on reliable ground delivery within Europe, supported by express options and flexible recipient services. The main services include:
Business Parcel: the core domestic and cross-border ground service for standard parcels.
EuroBusinessParcel: the international service for shipments between European countries, typically delivered within a few business days.
Express services: time-definite options that guarantee delivery by a set time on the next possible business day in selected regions.
FlexDeliveryService: lets recipients influence the date, time, or place of delivery while the parcel is still in transit.
ShopDeliveryService: delivers the parcel to a GLS ParcelShop chosen by the recipient, with collection notification by email or SMS.
GLS Summary Comparison Table
Service Name | Delivery Time | Tracking Included | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
Business Parcel | 1-2 business days (domestic) | Yes | Domestic and nearby parcels |
EuroBusinessParcel | 1-5 business days | Yes | Cross-border shipping in Europe |
Express (time-definite) | Next business day by set time | Yes | Urgent, time-sensitive parcels |
ShopDeliveryService | 1-3 business days | Yes | Pickup at a GLS ParcelShop |
FlexDeliveryService | Varies (recipient managed) | Yes | Flexible home delivery |
GLS Delivery Time Estimates
Delivery times depend on the service, the distance, and whether the parcel crosses a border:
Domestic Business Parcel: commonly 1-2 business days within the same country.
EuroBusinessParcel (neighbouring countries): often 1-3 business days.
EuroBusinessParcel (more distant European destinations): usually 3-5 business days, with remote areas reached within about eight business days.
Express services: next possible business day by a guaranteed time in covered regions.
These are typical estimates, not guarantees. Public holidays, customs checks, weather, and peak periods can all extend transit times.
GLS International Tracking and Cross-Border Handoff
GLS runs an integrated European road network, so many cross-border parcels stay within the GLS system from pickup to delivery, which keeps tracking continuous. For destinations outside the GLS network, or for the final leg in some countries, the parcel may be passed to a partner or local postal carrier. When that handoff happens, the GLS tracking number sometimes stops updating while a new local reference takes over. A universal tracker such as InstantParcels helps bridge that gap by linking the GLS scans with the partner carrier's updates so you keep a single, end to end view.
GLS and Customs
For shipments that cross into or out of the European Union, or between countries with different customs rules, parcels may be held for customs clearance. During this stage you might see a status such as held in customs or customs clearance in progress. Clearance times depend on the destination country and on whether duties or taxes are owed. If a payment is required, the carrier or customs authority will usually contact the recipient. Until any charges are settled, the parcel can remain on hold, so responding quickly to customs requests helps avoid delays.
GLS ParcelShops and Pickup Points
GLS operates a large network of more than 20,000 ParcelShops across Europe. These local pickup and drop-off points let recipients collect parcels at a convenient time and give senders an easy place to hand over shipments. With ShopDeliveryService, a parcel can be sent straight to a chosen ParcelShop, and the recipient receives a notification when it is ready to collect.
GLS Integration with E-commerce Platforms
GLS is widely used by online retailers and integrates with major e-commerce and shipping platforms. For sellers this means automated label creation, parcel number generation, and tracking updates that flow back to the customer, along with support for ParcelShop delivery and flexible recipient options at checkout.
Delayed, Lost, or Stuck GLS Parcels
If your GLS parcel is delayed or the tracking has not moved for a while:
Re-check the tracking number for typos and confirm it is the correct GLS reference.
Allow extra time around weekends, public holidays, and peak shopping periods.
Check whether the parcel is awaiting customs clearance on international routes.
Contact the sender or retailer first, since they hold the shipping contract with GLS and can open an enquiry.
Reach out to GLS customer service in the relevant country if the parcel appears genuinely stuck or lost.
How to Contact GLS Tracking Support
Online: visit the GLS website for your country and use its tracking and contact pages.
Phone: each GLS national company has its own customer service line listed on its local site.
Through the sender: for missing or damaged parcels, the sender or retailer is often the fastest route, as they are the contracting party with GLS.
GLS Company History
GLS (General Logistics Systems) was established in 1999 and built a pan-European delivery network by bringing together national parcel companies under a single brand. Headquartered in Amsterdam, GLS is owned by International Distributions Services, the group that also includes Royal Mail. Today GLS operates across nearly 40 European countries and parts of North America, handling hundreds of millions of parcels each year through its hubs, depots, and ParcelShop network. The company focuses on dependable ground transport, complemented by express and flexible recipient services.
Tracking a GLS parcel is simple. No matter which GLS country issued your number, you can always follow it with our universal postal tracker on InstantParcels.
GLS Common Questions:
How do I track a GLS parcel?
Copy the GLS tracking number from your shipping confirmation email, the parcel label, or your retailer order history, then paste it into the tracking box on InstantParcels. You will see every available scan in one place, including updates from any local delivery partner that handles the final leg.
Where do I find my GLS tracking number?
Your GLS tracking number (also called a parcel number or Track ID) is usually in the dispatch confirmation email from the store you ordered from, printed near the barcode on the parcel label, or in your account order history. If you sent the parcel yourself, it is on the GLS receipt or drop-off slip.
What does a GLS tracking number look like?
Most GLS parcel numbers are numeric and commonly run to 11, 12, or 14 digits, though some are shorter or longer. Because GLS operates as a group of national companies, formats vary by country: GLS Italy often uses two characters plus up to nine digits, and GLS France often uses an 8 character alphanumeric code or an 11 digit number.
How long does GLS delivery take?
Domestic Business Parcel shipments are usually delivered in 1-2 business days. EuroBusinessParcel deliveries to neighbouring European countries often take 1-3 business days, while more distant destinations typically arrive within 3-5 business days. Express services deliver by a guaranteed time on the next possible business day in covered regions.
My GLS tracking is not updating or stuck. What should I do?
First, re-check the number for typos and confirm it is the correct GLS reference. Tracking can pause for normal reasons: weekends and holidays, peak periods, or customs clearance on international routes. Cross-border parcels can also go quiet during the handoff to a local delivery partner, which is why a universal tracker like InstantParcels helps. If the parcel has not moved for several business days, contact the sender or retailer first, since they hold the contract with GLS, then GLS customer service in the relevant country.
What is EuroBusinessParcel?
EuroBusinessParcel is GLS's international service for shipments between European countries. It moves parcels over the integrated GLS road network and typically delivers within 1-5 business days depending on the route, with full tracking included.
What is a GLS ParcelShop?
A GLS ParcelShop is a local pickup and drop-off point in the GLS network of more than 20,000 shops across Europe. You can collect parcels there at a convenient time, or hand over parcels you are sending. With ShopDeliveryService, a parcel can be delivered directly to a ParcelShop of your choice.
What is GLS FlexDeliveryService?
FlexDeliveryService lets the recipient influence the date, time, or place of delivery while the parcel is still in transit. For example, you can redirect a parcel or arrange a more convenient delivery, often before the first delivery attempt.
Does GLS deliver internationally?
Yes. GLS operates across nearly 40 European countries and parts of North America. Many cross-border parcels stay within the GLS network from pickup to delivery. For destinations outside the network, the final leg may be handled by a partner or local postal carrier.
Can I track a GLS parcel that was handed to another carrier?
Yes. When GLS passes a parcel to a partner or local postal carrier for the final leg, the original GLS number may stop updating while a new local reference takes over. A universal tracker such as InstantParcels links the GLS scans with the partner carrier's updates so you keep a single, end to end view.
Why is my GLS parcel held in customs?
Parcels crossing into or out of the European Union, or between countries with different customs rules, can be held for clearance. You may see a status like held in customs or customs clearance in progress. If duties or taxes are owed, the carrier or customs authority usually contacts the recipient, and the parcel stays on hold until any charges are paid.
What does the GLS status In transit mean?
In transit means your parcel has been scanned into the GLS network and is moving between hubs and depots toward the destination region. It is a normal stage, and the status will update again when the parcel reaches the local delivery depot or goes out for delivery.
How long after I get a tracking number can I track my GLS parcel?
Tracking goes live once GLS physically scans the parcel into its network, not when the label is created. It can take from a few hours up to a day for the first scan to appear, so allow some time before the number shows progress.
My GLS parcel says delivered but I did not receive it. What now?
Check around your property and with neighbours, since GLS may leave a parcel in a safe place or with a neighbour. Look for a card or notification about a GLS ParcelShop. If you still cannot locate it, contact the sender or retailer, who can open an enquiry with GLS as the contracting party.
How do I contact GLS about my parcel?
Each GLS national company has its own website and customer service line, so use the GLS site for the relevant country to find tracking and contact details. For missing or damaged parcels, contacting the sender or retailer first is often fastest, as they hold the shipping contract with GLS.
Where do I find my GLS 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.
GLS 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.
GLS contact information:- Website: https://gls-group.eu/EU/en/home
- Phone: 44 247 621 3455
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