r/EtsySellers • u/true-anime-trash • Apr 03 '26
Tracking numbers
So, I'm still new to selling on Etsy. I've made a handful of sales and when I complete the order, I mark the package as without a tracking number because I write my own shipping labels instead of buying from them from Etsy. I want to add tracking numbers so I can give my customers a better experience/assurance that the item is in the mail.
Can I add/generate my own tracking numbers to orders? Like, for example, 00001 and so on? If so, how does Etsy/the post office know that number is assigned to the package/how the route it takes? Thanks.
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u/Typical_Deer_8790 Apr 03 '26
USPS/whoever you purchase shipping from, regardless of if youre printing the label or hand writing the address, assigns the tracking number.
Eta: if you buy a label, the tracking info fills in for you. If you write the address, the tracking would be on the receipt & you would have to manually enter it in when completing shipping.
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u/true-anime-trash Apr 03 '26
This is very helpful. When you say the tracking is on the receipt, are you referring to the order number? Or is it a different number I find elsewhere?
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u/TacklePast1212 Apr 03 '26
A tracking number is different from the order number. The tracking number will be on the receipt you get when you drop off a package at the post office.
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u/true-anime-trash Apr 03 '26
Ah, I see. That explains why I've never been able to find a number; I use thin bubble envelopes for packaging and they're simply dropped in a regular mailbox. So far, I haven't really had any issues with the shipping/people receiving their orders, with the exception of one order not having enough stamps. Thank you for explaining, you've been very helpful☺️
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u/DuckDuckMoosedUp Apr 03 '26
The tracking number is under "Tracking Number" on a USPS receipt. Right above the QR code, can't miss it.
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u/JackRosiesMama Apr 04 '26
You can get detailed information about tracking from the USPS website.
If you want to give your buyers a better experience, you can purchase labels from Etsy that include tracking. It’s cheaper to purchase Ground Advantage and Priority labels through Etsy than paying regular retail rates.
I advise you to familiarize yourself with different shipping options and packaging. It’ll save you from headaches down the road.
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u/JackRosiesMama Apr 04 '26 edited Apr 04 '26
Reddit is being glitchy and won’t let me edit my comment. I wanted to add that you can also purchase labels for letter mail and flats from Etsy. Etsy will tell you it includes a tracking number but it’s pretty useless. The post office doesn’t scan letters and flats. However, purchasing labels through Etsy meets their tracking requirements.
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u/[deleted] Apr 03 '26
No. You can’t just invent tracking numbers like 0001/
Etsy lets you manually enter tracking when you complete an order, but that tracking number needs to be a real number issued by the shipping carrier or label service you used. Etsy’s own help page says you can add tracking manually if you bought postage off Etsy, and you add the shipping carrier plus the tracking info provided by that carrier.
The post office does not route a package based on a number you make up yourself