# La Poste Tracking: Complete Guide

> Track La Poste and Colissimo packages in France. Get real-time delivery status for Colissimo, Chronopost, and international La Poste shipments.

- **URL**: https://trackingadvice.com/carriers/la-poste/
- **Carrier website**: http://www.laposte.fr/
- **Region**: europe
- **Last verified**: 2026-05-05

La Poste is France's national postal operator, founded in 1991 and operating as a public limited company since 2010. One of Europe's largest postal groups, La Poste serves all 66 million French addresses through its network of 17,000 points of presence. La Poste offers domestic and international parcel services through its flagship brand Colissimo, and express services via Chronopost. For tracking, visit laposte.fr/outils/suivre-vos-envois or call 36 31.

## Quick facts

| Fact | Detail |
| --- | --- |
| La Poste tracking | La Poste tracking numbers use UPU S10 format ending in 'FR' (e.g., 6A123456789FR). |
| Colissimo is La Poste's | Colissimo is La Poste's domestic and international parcel service, delivering to 160+ countries. |
| Chronopost is La Poste's | Chronopost is La Poste's express brand for next-day and international express delivery. |
| La Poste delivers Monday-Saturday; | La Poste delivers Monday-Saturday; no standard Sunday delivery for domestic services. |

## La Poste Tracking Number Formats

| Service | Format | Example | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Colissimo / Chronopost (domestic 11-digit) | 11 digits | 05645487941 | Used for some domestic Colissimo services. |
| Registered / Tracked (13-character) | 2 letters + 11 digits or 1 digit + 1 letter + 11 digits | QW12098345987 | Standard tracked letter/parcel format. |
| International (14-character UPU S10) | 2 letters + 9 digits + 2 letters | DE120984567FR | Last 2 letters are origin country code. |
| Colissimo large parcel (14 digits) | 14 digits | 29812376835672 | Used for larger Colissimo shipments. |
| International numeric (15-character) | 15 digits or 1 letter + 14 digits | 234098123487654 | Used for some international express services. |

## How to Track a La Poste Package

1. **Find the tracking number on your receipt, shipping label, or confirmation email**: Find the tracking number on your receipt, shipping label, or confirmation email.
2. **Open https://www.laposte.fr/outils/suivre-vos-envois**: Go to https://www.laposte.fr/outils/suivre-vos-envois.
3. **Enter the tracking number in the search field**: Enter the tracking number in the search field.
4. **Click 'Suivre' (Track) to see the delivery status and scan history**: Click 'Suivre' (Track) to see the delivery status and scan history.
5. **Download the La Poste app for push notifications and delivery management**: Download the La Poste app for push notifications and delivery management.

## La Poste Tracking Statuses Explained

| Status | Meaning | What to do |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pris en charge | La Poste has accepted the item and it has entered the postal network. |  |
| En cours de traitement | The parcel is being processed at a La Poste sorting platform. |  |
| En transit | The parcel is moving between La Poste sorting or transit hubs. |  |
| En cours d'acheminement vers le pays de destination | The parcel has left France and is in transit to the destination country. |  |
| Dédouanement en cours | Import or export customs formalities are underway for the shipment. |  |
| Droits de douane à acquitter | Customs duties and taxes have been assessed and must be paid before release. | Pay the customs duties as indicated in the notification to release the parcel. |

## La Poste Shipping Services Compared

| Option | Best for | Main tradeoff | Typical cost |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Colissimo | Everyday shipping | 2 day | Quote-based |
| Colissimo International | Cross-border shipments | 5-15 days | Quote-based |
| Chronopost | Everyday shipping | 1 day | Quote-based |
| Courrier suivi | Everyday shipping | Transit times vary by route | Quote-based |
| Lettre recommandee | Everyday shipping | Transit times vary by route | Quote-based |

## La Poste Delivery Times by Service

| Service | Time | Geography | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Colissimo domestic | 2 days |  | 2 business days (J+2) for major cities, J+3 for others |
| Chronopost express | 1 day | domestic | Next business day by 1 PM within France |
| Colissimo Europe | 3-7 days |  | 3-7 business days depending on destination |
| Colissimo International | 5-15 days |  | 5-15 business days (outside Europe) |
| Lettre Verte | 2 days | domestic | 2 business days within France |
| Lettre Recommandee |  |  | Same as Lettre Verte + signature |

## Common La Poste Tracking Problems

| Issue | Cause | What to do | When to escalate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Delivery notice left but no pickup slot available | Post office hold capacity reached or recipient not checking tracking promptly. | Visit laposte.fr to request online redelivery, or collect from the branch within the 15-day hold period. | If parcel is returned to sender before the hold expires, contact La Poste support at aide.laposte.fr. |
| Customs duties notice received for international parcel | Import value exceeds duty-free threshold or commodity requires inspection. | Pay assessed duties via the La Poste or customs notification link before the payment deadline. | If duties seem incorrect, contact French Customs (Douane) directly to contest the assessment. |
| Tracking not updating in transit | Sorting hub scans can be infrequent; parcels may go 2-4 days without a scan. | Wait 3-4 business days; check laposte.fr tracker. Domestic parcels typically deliver within 2-5 business days. | If no update after 10 business days, open a trace request at aide.laposte.fr. |
| Parcel marked delivered but not received | Left in a safe place, letterbox, or with a neighbour without a signature. | Check with neighbours and building concierge; check letterbox. File a claim via aide.laposte.fr. | If unresolved after 5 business days, escalate to a formal complaint; La Poste may launch a delivery investigation. |

## La Poste Tracking FAQs

### How do I track a La Poste or Colissimo shipment?

Go to laposte.fr/outils/suivre-vos-envois and enter your tracking number. You can also track via the La Poste app.

### What does 'Avis de passage depose' mean?

It means a delivery attempt was made but no one was home. A notice card was left with instructions to pick up at a post office or relay point, or to rebook delivery.

### How do I pick up my Colissimo parcel from a relay point?

Go to the Pickup Point (Relais Colis/Pickup) shown on your notice card or the tracking page with the notice slip and your ID. Items are held for 14-15 days.

### What is Chronopost?

Chronopost is La Poste's express parcel brand, offering next business day domestic delivery and express international shipping.

### How long does Colissimo take within France?

Colissimo delivers in 2 business days (J+2) to most French addresses, and J+3 for some remote areas.

### What is the La Poste tracking number format?

Colissimo domestic numbers are 13-character alphanumeric. International items use UPU S10 format (13 characters ending in 'FR'). Chronopost starts with 'CP' or '8Y'.

### Can I reroute my Colissimo to a pickup point?

Yes, if you are not home during delivery. Use the La Poste app or the link in your tracking SMS/email to redirect to a nearby relay point before the delivery attempt.

### Does La Poste deliver on Saturdays?

Yes, La Poste delivers letters and parcels on Saturdays in most areas. Colissimo and standard mail are delivered Monday-Saturday.

### How do I file a claim for a lost Colissimo parcel?

Contact La Poste at 36 31 or via the online claim form at laposte.fr within 30 days of the expected delivery date. Provide your tracking number and order details.

### What customs fees apply to La Poste international deliveries into France?

Imports over EUR 150 may attract EU customs duties, and VAT applies to all imports (including items over EUR 22). La Poste may collect these on behalf of customs before releasing the parcel.

## Get Help from La Poste

- **Hours**: 8:30 AM-7 PM
- **Help**: http://www.laposte.fr/

## About La Poste

La Poste traces its history to the royal postal service created by Louis XI in 1477. The modern La Poste was created in 1991 when it separated from France Telecom. La Poste became a public limited company in 2010 and has diversified into banking (La Banque Postale), mobile services, and digital trust services. La Poste Group employs approximately 170,000 people in France and internationally. Its GeoPost subsidiary (including DPDgroup and Chronopost) is one of Europe's leading parcel networks.

## Sources

- [La Poste official website](https://www.laposte.fr/), La Poste
- [La Poste tracking portal](https://www.laposte.fr/outils/suivre-vos-envois), La Poste
- [La Poste help and contact](https://aide.laposte.fr/), La Poste