# An Post Tracking: Complete Guide

> Track An Post parcels and letters in Ireland. Get real-time delivery status for domestic and international An Post shipments.

- **URL**: https://trackingadvice.com/carriers/anpost/
- **Carrier website**: https://www.anpost.com/
- **Region**: europe
- **Last verified**: 2026-04-11

An Post is Ireland's national postal service and a commercial state company wholly owned by the Irish state. Established in 1984 following the separation of postal and telecommunications services from the Department of Posts and Telegraphs, An Post delivers to over 2 million addresses across the island of Ireland. An Post operates 900+ post offices and provides postal, financial (An Post Money), and travel services. Track at anpost.com or call 01 705 7600.

## Quick facts

| Fact | Detail |
| --- | --- |
| An Post tracking uses | An Post tracking uses UPU S10 format ending in 'IE' (e.g., EE123456789IE). |
| An Post is Ireland's | An Post is Ireland's national postal operator, delivering to 2+ million addresses. |
| An Post delivers Monday-Saturday; | An Post delivers Monday-Saturday; no standard Sunday delivery. |
| Click and Collect and | Click and Collect and Parcel Motel services allow convenient parcel pickup. |

## An Post Tracking Number Formats

| Service | Format | Example | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| character alphanumeric | 2 letters + 9 digits + IE |  | Valid starting letter pairs include RA, RE, AY, EE, VV, CX, LA. Ends in IE for Ireland. |
| character alphanumeric | 2 letters + 9 digits + IE |  | AY prefix is heavily used for Amazon deliveries fulfilled via An Post. |
| character alphanumeric | EE + 9 digits + IE |  | E prefix indicates EMS priority service. |

## How to Track a An Post Package

1. **Find the tracking reference on your An Post receipt, shipping label, or email notification**: Find the tracking reference on your An Post receipt, shipping label, or email notification.
2. **Open https://track.anpost.ie**: Go to https://track.anpost.ie.
3. **Enter the tracking reference**: Enter the tracking reference.
4. **View the delivery status and expected delivery date**: View the delivery status and expected delivery date.
5. **An Post also provides SMS and email notifications for tracked items**: An Post also provides SMS and email notifications for tracked items.

## An Post Tracking Statuses Explained

| Status | Meaning | What to do |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Item Advised | Electronic shipment data has been received from the sender but An Post has not yet physically scanned the item into their network. |  |
| Package Information Received | An Post has received the sender's shipment data and the item is expected to enter the network. |  |
| Package Accepted | The item has been received and scanned at an An Post facility, confirming it is now in their possession. |  |
| Pending | The package is awaiting sorting or further processing at a facility. Typically updates within 3 business days. |  |
| In Transit | The package is moving through the An Post network toward its destination. It may be on a vehicle, awaiting sorting, or transferring between hubs. |  |
| Processed at Delivery Unit | The package has been processed at the local delivery office and is being prepared for the final delivery round. |  |

## An Post Shipping Services Compared

| Option | Best for | Main tradeoff | Typical cost |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Standard Parcel | Everyday shipping | 2-3 days | Quote-based |
| Express (Parcel Connect) | Everyday shipping | 1 day | Quote-based |
| Registered Mail | Everyday shipping | Transit times vary by route | Quote-based |
| International Tracked | Cross-border shipments | 5-10 days | Quote-based |
| International Economy | Cross-border shipments | Customs and route variability | Quote-based |

## An Post Delivery Times by Service

| Service | Time | Geography | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Express (Parcel Connect) | 1 day | domestic | Next business day within Ireland |
| Standard Parcel | 2-3 days |  | 2-3 business days |
| Registered Letter | 2-3 days |  | 2-3 business days |
| International Tracked | 5-10 days | international | 5-10 business days (EU), 7-20 business days (global) |
| EMS International | 3-7 days |  | 3-7 business days |

## Common An Post Tracking Problems

| Issue | Cause | What to do | When to escalate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Tracking stuck on 'Item Advised' for several days | The sender has submitted label data but may not have physically posted the item, or the first scan is delayed. | Allow 2-3 business days after the expected posting date. Confirm with the sender that the item was physically handed to An Post. | Contact An Post at anpost.com/Help-Support if no physical scan after 5 business days. |
| International tracking stops after 'Item Exported' | An Post tracking only covers the Irish portion. Once exported, updates depend on the destination country's postal operator. | Use the same tracking number on the destination country's postal service website (e.g., USPS for USA, Royal Mail for UK). | If no update in the destination country for more than 20 days, contact An Post to open an international inquiry. |
| Missed delivery with no card left | DIB cards can be misplaced or not left if the letterbox is inaccessible. | Check tracking for which office is holding the item. Collect within 7 days using a photo ID. | If the collection deadline passes, contact An Post to arrange a further hold or redelivery. |
| Tracking not updating due to weather or seasonal delays | An Post volumes spike during Christmas and public holiday periods causing processing delays. | Allow extra time during peak periods. Check anpost.com for service alerts. | If more than 10 business days without movement, contact An Post customer service. |

## An Post Tracking FAQs

### How do I track an An Post parcel?

Go to track.anpost.ie and enter your tracking reference. Registered letters and tracked parcels are trackable; standard post is not.

### What is the An Post tracking number format?

International An Post items use UPU S10 format (e.g., EE123456789IE). Domestic parcels may use alphanumeric codes starting with 'PN' or registered letter numbers in UPU format.

### How long does An Post Express take?

An Post Express (Parcel Connect) delivers the next business day for most Irish addresses.

### What is CollectPoint?

CollectPoint is An Post's parcel pickup network with 1,100+ retail locations (Supervalu, Circle K, etc.) where you can collect parcels if you are not home during delivery.

### What customs duties apply to imports into Ireland?

Ireland follows EU customs rules. Non-EU imports over EUR 150 are subject to customs duty, and VAT (23%) applies to all imports over EUR 22 in value. An Post handles customs clearance for the recipient.

### What happens if An Post cannot deliver my parcel?

An Post leaves a 'while you were out' card. You can collect at the post office listed for up to 16 business days, or rebook delivery at anpost.com.

### Does An Post deliver on Saturdays?

Yes, An Post delivers Monday-Saturday. There is no standard Sunday delivery.

### How do I file an An Post claim for a missing parcel?

File a claim at anpost.com/help within 12 months. For international items, within 6 months of posting. Provide the tracking number and proof of value.

### Does An Post deliver to Northern Ireland?

An Post delivers within the Republic of Ireland. For Northern Ireland (UK), packages are handed to Royal Mail or another UK carrier. Some An Post services cover all-island delivery in partnership with UK carriers.

### What is An Post Registered Mail?

An Post Registered Mail is a tracked letter service requiring a signature on delivery. It provides proof of posting and delivery and includes compensation for loss.

## Get Help from An Post

- **Phone**: 01 705 7600
- **Hours**: Mon-Fri 8 AM-6 PM, Sat 8 AM-1 PM
- **Help**: https://www.anpost.com/

## About An Post

An Post was established in 1984 following the dissolution of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs. The company operates as a commercial state enterprise under the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983. An Post has adapted to declining letter volumes by expanding its parcel and financial services divisions. The company operates more than 900 post offices, many of which serve as community hubs in rural Ireland. An Post's financial services brand, An Post Money, provides banking and payment services.

## Sources

- [An Post track and trace](https://www.anpost.com/Post-Parcels/Track/Search), An Post
- [An Post official website](https://www.anpost.com/), An Post
- [An Post Help & Support - Track and Trace](https://www.anpost.com/Help-Support/Track-and-Trace), An Post