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Parcelforce Worldwide tracking: statuses and redelivery

8 min read

Peek is an independent tracker, not Parcelforce Worldwide. It shows what Parcelforce Worldwide’s own tracking publishes.

Parcelforce Worldwide is Royal Mail's express parcel service, in the UK and abroad. It runs on one network with Royal Mail, so you track a Parcelforce parcel on Royal Mail's Track your item page or in the Royal Mail app, or paste the number in the box above. The number comes from the shop or sender, usually in the order confirmation email.

Parcelforce tracking number: where to find it

Parcelforce can't track by name or address, only by number. Look in the shop's order confirmation email, or ask the shop. If the driver missed you, the "Something for you" card has what you need to book a redelivery, and a customs "Fee to pay" card or letter carries the parcel's reference number. Lost it? See how to find your tracking number.

Parcelforce says its numbers can be 9, 11, 13, 14, 16 or 21 characters long, with letters and digits. Three shapes you may see:

Number (invented)What it is
EA123456785GBTwo letters (E and a letter, or CP or GI), nine digits and GB, with a check digit before GB.
PBAB1234567890A 14-character parcel number: PB, the consignment number and the parcel's place in it.
AB1234567A consignment number on its own: Royal Mail's tracker asks for each parcel's own number instead.

The 13-character shape is also Royal Mail's (RR123456785GB is Royal Mail, not Parcelforce), and some express48 parcels carry a Royal Mail number. Both are tracked on the same page, so that changes little for you.

Parcelforce tracking statuses explained

Royal Mail's tracker shows these lines in English (a Welsh version is one switch away). In the order a parcel usually meets them:

Tracking saysWhat it means for you
Sender has despatched itemThe sender has booked the parcel. Parcelforce doesn't have it yet.
Item CollectedPicked up from the sender.
Accepted at ParcelshopThe sender dropped it off at a Post Office or parcel shop.
Item receivedIt's in the network.
Customs charges raisedAn import from outside the UK owes VAT, duty or a fee before it's delivered.
Despatched to delivery officeOn its way to your local depot or delivery office.
Received at Delivery DepotAt your local depot. It isn't ready to pick up yet.
Out for deliveryWith the driver today.
Delivery attemptedThe driver couldn't deliver it. Look for the card.
Delivered byDelivered. The line goes on to name who signed.
Delivered to Neighbour/Reception byLeft with a neighbour or a reception desk, named in the line.
Returned to senderGoing back to the sender.

On parcels sent abroad, the history can show transit countries and the delivering partner's lines, such as Due to be delivered today. Parcelforce's help page speaks of In progress until delivery, and Royal Mail's glossary lists Fee to pay (a charge to pay before delivery) and Ready for redelivery or collection (a card was left).

Parcelforce redelivery, depot collection and missed deliveries

Delivery times. Parcelforce aims to deliver to UK zones 1 to 3 by 6pm, Monday to Friday, later in remote areas such as the Highlands and Islands. Not usually on bank holidays, and never to PO Boxes.

Before delivery. If the sender gave your email or mobile number, Parcelforce tells you when it will arrive, and you can pick another day, a neighbour, a Safeplace (not for parcels needing a signature), your local Parcelforce depot or a Post Office.

Missed it. The driver leaves a "Something for you" card and tries again automatically the next working day, unless the parcel went to a neighbour or a Safeplace. That makes two attempts. You can also book a redelivery on Royal Mail's site, free: to your address, another address or a Parcel Locker in your postcode area, or your local Post Office. Parcelforce needs 48 working hours' notice. In a hurry? Pick it up from the depot named on the card.

How long it waits. Parcelforce holds parcels for 18 calendar days for UK services and 21 days for international services and parcels with customs charges, then returns them to the sender. A Parcel Locker keeps a parcel 3 calendar days, then it goes back to the depot for 18 more.

What to bring. At a depot or Post Office: the card and an original ID in the addressee's name, such as a bank card, passport or driving licence. At a locker: the collection or QR code from the email or SMS. Signature parcels can't go to a locker.

No card, but tracking says they came? Parcelforce suggests checking the tracking or calling 03457 740 740.

Parcelforce tracking not updating, delayed or lost

No scans yet. The sender may have created the number before handing the parcel over. Parcelforce suggests trying later and checking the number. Its service updates page lists disruptions. More in why tracking stops updating.

Late, lost or damaged. If you bought online, Parcelforce asks you to contact the retailer, who is legally responsible for getting it to you. The sender holds the contract and makes the claim, online and not by phone. For UK services the claim is due within 30 days of despatch. For damage, keep the parcel, contents and packaging and take photos: Parcelforce may ask to inspect them.

Customs charges. Parcels from outside the UK go to Border Force, which works out the VAT and duty for HMRC. Parcelforce pays and leaves a "Fee to pay" card (more on customs); you pay online with Royal Mail's Pay a fee tool, which lists a £12 handling fee for Parcelforce products. Unpaid after 21 days, the parcel goes back. Questions about the duty itself go to HMRC on 0300 200 3700.

Parcelforce contact number and customer service

As listed on parcelforce.com on 11 October 2026:

  • Phone: 03457 740 740, Monday to Friday 8.00am to 6.30pm and Saturday 8.00am to 12.30pm, excluding UK public and bank holidays.
  • Relay UK: 18001 0345 266 0075, same hours. Welsh: 0345 746 8469.
  • Web form: on the contact page; Parcelforce aims to reply within 2 days.
  • Complaints by post: Parcelforce Worldwide, Correspondence Team, PO Box 486, Wakefield, WF1 9AG.

There is no live chat or email address for recipients.

Tracking Parcelforce parcels with Peek

Peek names Parcelforce at once for EA123456785GB-style numbers with a valid check digit and for 14-character PB numbers. A consignment number on its own isn't tracked. A parcelforce.com link with trackNumber= works, and so does a Royal Mail link ending #/tracking-results/ and a Parcelforce number.

Peek reads Parcelforce on Royal Mail's tracking site by opening it in a real browser on its server, so a check takes longer and can fail when the site blocks automated visits. Peek then tries universal tracking services, which hold little for Parcelforce.

Peek shows the status, each scan with its place (no postcodes), the expected delivery day, the delivery time and the destination country. It checks every 10 minutes, every 2 minutes once the parcel is out for delivery, puts each scan on a map and can notify you when the status changes. Statuses keep Royal Mail's English wording, and every delivered line shows as "Delivered", without the name of who signed. A scan from abroad that comes without a time zone isn't dated. For some destinations, an export with an EA123456785GB-style number can be followed to that country's national post once it shows progress there.

Questions about Parcelforce tracking

Is Parcelforce part of Royal Mail?

Yes. Parcelforce Worldwide is a trading name of Royal Mail Group Ltd, and its parcels are tracked on Royal Mail's site and app.

Why is my Parcelforce number not recognised?

The parcel may not have reached Parcelforce yet, or the number may be mistyped. Check it with the sender and try later.

How long does Parcelforce keep a parcel at the depot?

18 calendar days for UK services, 21 for international parcels and those with customs charges, then it goes back to the sender.

Does Parcelforce deliver on Saturday?

Sometimes. Its standard days are Monday to Friday, but when a delivery is expected on a Saturday Parcelforce aims to deliver by 6pm.

Sources