What is USPS Tracking Plus in 2024? A Comprehensive Guide
As a shipping logistics expert with over 10 years of experience, I often advise retailers that package tracking is an essential part of customer service and risk mitigation. With USPS delivering over 5.5 billion packages in 2022, providing accurate tracking should be a priority.
However, USPS only retains basic tracking data for a limited period – generally 3 months domestically and 6 months internationally. This is where USPS Tracking Plus comes in.
A Closer Look at USPS Tracking Plus
USPS Tracking Plus allows customers to purchase extended access to tracking records beyond the normal retention period. This offers the ability to reference detailed tracking history for up to a decade.
According to USPS records, over 15 million Tracking Plus extensions were purchased in 2022, highlighting growing demand for long-term tracking access.
Here is an overview of key Tracking Plus functionality:
- Extends tracking history access up to 10 years for domestic packages
- Offers up to 7 years of extended history for international
- Eligible for Priority Mail, First-Class, Parcel Select and most other shipping services
- Purchase prices range from $0.99 for 6 months up to $6.75 for 10 year access
- Provides official Tracking Statements and Signature Proof of Delivery letters
| Timeframe | Tracking Price | With Signature |
|---|---|---|
| 6 months | $0.99 | N/A |
| 1 year | $1.20 | $3.75 |
| 3 years | $1.50 | $5.75 |
| 5 years | $2.00 | $6.75 |
| 10 years (max) | $4.20 | N/A |
(See USPS Tracking Plus pricing for complete details)
As you can see, Tracking Plus represents an affordable way to access tracking data for an extended period, often for less than $5.
Key Tracking Plus Use Cases
While most residential consumers may not need decade-long tracking history, Tracking Plus caters to several important business and compliance use cases:
Legal Disputes – During contractual disagreements or court cases, long-term tracking records can provide vital evidence of delivery timing, recipients, and other details.
Regulatory Compliance – Heavily regulated industries like healthcare and finance may need to store tracking data to adhere to record retention regulations.
Fraud Investigations – Accessing past tracking details enables deeper forensic analysis for internal fraud claims or lawsuits.
Continuous Process Improvement – Analyzing multi-year tracking and delivery data allows logistics professionals to identify operational improvement opportunities.
Personal Archive – For valuable or sentimental items, some utilize Tracking Plus to have peace of mind by permanently documenting the chain of custody.
While Tracking Plus fills essential niches, every company should evaluate their specific data archival needs and policies before purchasing extensions.
Final Thoughts
As eCommerce volumes continue exploding, the ability to accurately track parcel movement and delivery status is more vital than ever. For most transactions, standard USPS tracking meets normal business needs. However, for clients with use cases requiring long-term access to granular tracking history, USPS Tracking Plus enables durable data retention at an affordable price point.
