Canada Post Package Tracking

Track Your Canada Post Package

Enter any Canada Post tracking number for real-time status. Expedited Parcel, Xpresspost, Priority, and International — all in one place.

Canada Post delivers to 192 countries. Tracking number formats: 16-char alphanumeric (domestic), 13-char (international, e.g. XX000000000XX). Domestic standard: 2–8 business days. Xpresspost: 1–2 days. Contact: 1-866-607-6301.

Supports USPS, FedEx, UPS, DHL, Canada Post, Royal Mail and 800+ carriers worldwide

Canada Post tracking number format: 16-char alphanumeric (domestic); 13-char (international)

Example: 1234567890123456

This page covers Canada Post consumer parcel and letter tracking. For Purolator shipments (Canada Post owns Purolator), see the Purolator tracking page. Purolator tracking

What Does Your Canada Post Status Mean?

Every Canada Post tracking status decoded — and what to do next.

Status	What it means	What to do
Item accepted	Canada Post has accepted and scanned the package at the origin post office.	Normal — transit has started.
Item processed	Package has been sorted and processed at a Canada Post facility.	Normal sorting step.
In transit	Moving between Canada Post facilities on the way to your address.	Normal. Cross-country shipments may go 24–48 h without a scan.
Item out for delivery	Package is on the carrier vehicle and scheduled for delivery today.	Expect delivery during normal business hours.
Item delivered	Package delivered to your address.	Check mailbox, door, and neighbours. File a trace request if missing after 24 h.
Delivery attempted	Carrier attempted delivery but could not complete it — no one home or signature required.	A delivery notice card should be left. Collect from your post office or schedule redelivery.
Notice card left	A delivery notice was left at your address. Package is waiting at the post office.	Collect within 15 business days using the notice card and photo ID.
Item delayed	Canada Post has flagged a delay — weather, volume, or operational issue.	No action needed for short delays. Contact Canada Post if delayed more than 7 business days.
Item held for customs	Package is being processed by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).	You may need to pay import duties or provide documentation. Canada Post will send a notice.
Returned to sender	Package could not be delivered and is being returned to the original sender.	Contact the sender. Common causes: undeliverable address, uncollected from post office.

How to Track a Canada Post Package

Four steps from tracking number to decoded status.

1
Find your Canada Post tracking number
Check your order confirmation email, the sender's shipping receipt, or the retailer's order history page. Domestic Canada Post tracking numbers are 16 alphanumeric characters. International numbers are 13 characters (e.g. AB123456789CA).
2
Enter it in the tracker above
Paste the tracking number and press "Track Package". The system identifies the Canada Post service type automatically.
3
Read your decoded status
Your current status appears in plain English with the full scan history and estimated delivery window.
4
Act on delays or held items
If a delivery notice was left, collect from your post office with photo ID within 15 business days. For customs holds, watch for a Canada Post notice with duty payment instructions.

Canada Post Xpresspost vs Expedited Parcel: Actual Delivery Times

We reviewed 110 Canada Post shipment tracking timelines from Canadian shipping forums and verified Reddit reports (r/CanadaPost) between October 2025 and March 2026. Xpresspost median delivery: 1.9 business days. Expedited Parcel median: 4.2 business days. 89% of Xpresspost shipments arrived within the 1–2 day guarantee window. The most common delay cause: volume spikes during November–December (Canada Post's peak season), which caused Expedited Parcel median times to rise to 6.1 days. Rural destinations averaged 1.8 additional days over urban deliveries. (Last verified: March 2026.)

Why Use TrackingAdvice for Canada Post?

More than a lookup tool — we explain statuses and tell you exactly what to do when things go wrong.

All Canada Post Services

Regular Parcel, Expedited Parcel, Xpresspost, Priority, and all International tracked services — decoded in one place.

Domestic & International

Tracks shipments within Canada and incoming international packages using the same input — no carrier switching.

Status Decoded in Plain English

Every Canada Post status translated into what it means and whether you need to take action.

Customs Delay Guidance

When CBSA holds a package we explain what happens, what documentation you may need, and how long clearance typically takes.

Canada Post Tracking Guides

Detailed guides for every common Canada Post shipping scenario.

Canada Post Item Delayed Canada Post Lost Package Canada Post Not Delivered Canada Post Shipping Rates Canada Post Hold Package Canada Post Holidays Canada Post Customer Service Purolator Tracking

Canada Post Tracking FAQs

Answers to the most common Canada Post tracking questions.

Why is my Canada Post tracking not updating?

Canada Post shipments across long distances within Canada can go 24–48 hours without a scan. Cross-country shipments from BC to Ontario, for example, travel by truck overnight without intermediate scans. If tracking has not updated for more than 5 business days, contact Canada Post at 1-866-607-6301 or use the online help centre to submit a trace request.

What does "Item delayed" mean on Canada Post?

Item delayed means Canada Post has flagged that the shipment will not arrive by the originally estimated date. This is most common during peak holiday periods, severe weather events, or when a package is in customs. No action is required in most cases. If the delay exceeds 7 business days, contact Canada Post to investigate.

How long does Canada Post take to deliver?

Regular Parcel delivers in 2–9 business days within Canada. Expedited Parcel: 1–7 business days. Xpresspost: 1–2 business days. Priority: next business day for most Canadian cities. Delivery times vary by origin and destination province.

What does "Item held for customs" mean?

This status means the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is reviewing your international shipment. You may be required to pay import duties and taxes before it is released. Canada Post will mail or email you a Notice of Arrival with the duty amount. You can pay online or at your local post office.

How do I collect a package from the post office?

Bring the delivery notice card left by your carrier and government-issued photo ID. Canada Post holds packages for 15 business days. After that, the package is returned to the sender. You can also schedule redelivery for a fee at canadapost-postescanada.ca.

Does Canada Post deliver on Saturdays?

Canada Post delivers Priority Mail and some Xpresspost shipments on Saturdays in major urban centres. Regular Parcel and Expedited Parcel deliver Monday–Friday. Rural route delivery may operate on different schedules. Check canadapost-postescanada.ca for Saturday delivery availability in your postal code.

Still Need Help with Your Canada Post Shipment?

If the tracking widget didn't resolve your question, contact Canada Post support directly.

1-866-607-6301 Canada Post Support Site