When can I start tracking a UPS package?

About 5 minutes after someone (or some thing) at UPS scanned it for the first time. Generally by 9pm (Local Time where it was shipped from) it should have been scanned by UPS.

If the package is being shipped by one of the Mega-Online Sellers/Shippers it can be deposited at any point 24x7 into the UPS System in some locations. (It could also have a UPS tracking number by moved by the shipper, via 3rd party transportation, and deposited into the UPS system near the delivery point,