Few things feel as satisfying as seeing your parcel’s tracking status finally update — and when you’re waiting on something important, every click matters, but with An Post moving over 700 million items every year across more than 4,000 post offices and outlets, keeping tabs on your delivery doesn’t have to be guesswork. This guide walks you through every official tracking method, explains what each status actually means, and tells you exactly what to do when something goes wrong.

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Annual mail volume processed by An Post: Over 700 million items ·
Post offices and outlets nationwide: More than 4,000 ·
Delivery days per week: Monday to Saturday

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact delivery time windows vary by route and volume (An Post Help & Support (official postal service))
  • Not all parcels have active tracking (e.g., standard letters) (An Post: Your guide to sending post and parcels)
3Timeline signal
  • Tracking updates can appear within minutes of scanning at sorting centres (An Post Delivery Management (official guide))
4What’s next
  • If a parcel doesn’t arrive, contact An Post customer service within 15 working days (An Post Delivery Management (official guide))

A quick look at the core facts you need before diving deeper:

Item Details
Official tracking page anpost.com/track
Tracking number format Usually 13 digits or alphanumeric (e.g., AB123456789IE)
Customer service hours Mon–Sat, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Delivery days Monday to Saturday

How do I track a parcel with An Post?

Using the An Post website tracking page

  • Visit An Post’s Track and Trace portal (official postal tracking tool) and enter your tracking number.
  • Tracking numbers are printed on the receipt or label you received when posting.
  • The system shows status updates from arrival at An Post right through to delivery.
Why this matters

Using the official tool means you see the same data An Post’s own staff rely on — no delay, no third-party filtering. For the most accurate view of where your parcel is, start here.

Tracking with your order number

If you don’t have a tracking number, some services let you track using the order reference from the sender. According to An Post’s help page (official customer guidance), you can enter the customer reference number from the postage label instead of the Track ID.

International tracking with An Post

For parcels coming into Ireland from abroad, An Post’s international carriers page (official handling instructions) advises starting with An Post Track and Trace while the item is still within Ireland. Once it leaves the country, the destination carrier’s tracking system takes over. Third-party aggregators like 17TRACK (multi-carrier tracking) and ParcelsApp (package tracking service) also support An Post numbers, but the authoritative status always comes from An Post or the final carrier.

Bottom line: An Post’s official Track and Trace portal is the single most reliable source for domestic and international tracking. International parcels switch to the destination country’s carrier after leaving Ireland. Third-party trackers can be convenient but should be used as a supplement, not a substitute.

The implication: for the fastest, most accurate updates, always start with anpost.com/track. Aggregators add convenience when juggling multiple carriers, but they don’t replace An Post’s own system.

How do I contact An Post about a parcel?

Phone and email support

  • Customer service number: 01 705 7600, available Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
  • Online contact form available at anpost.com/help (official support page).
  • Email inquiries can be submitted through the same help portal.

Visiting a local post office

Any of the 4,000+ An Post post offices and outlets can assist with parcel inquiries. Bring your tracking number or receipt to speed things up.

The catch

Phone lines are busiest between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM on Mondays. If your issue isn’t urgent, the online form or a mid-week visit to a post office will likely get you a faster response.

What this means: you have three equally working channels — phone, online, and in-person. Choose the one that fits your situation best, but always have your tracking number ready.

What time does An Post deliver from?

Standard delivery hours

Deliveries typically start at 9:00 AM Monday to Saturday, according to An Post’s delivery management page (official schedule). Rural routes may begin slightly later due to longer driving distances.

Saturday delivery schedule

Saturday deliveries follow the same 9:00 AM start. The same page confirms that Saturday is a regular delivery day for parcels.

Holiday exceptions

No deliveries occur on public holidays. The next working day after a holiday will resume the normal schedule.

The pattern: An Post’s delivery window is consistent across the week — 9:00 AM start, Monday to Saturday — with the only exceptions being public holidays. If you’re expecting a parcel after 9:00 AM, it’s reasonable to expect it that day.

Who to contact if a parcel is not delivered?

Reporting a missing parcel

An Post advises contacting customer service within 15 working days of the expected delivery date. Use the online form at My Deliveries page (official claims process) or call 01 705 7600.

Lost parcel compensation process

Compensation is available for registered parcels and express items when proof of value is provided. Claims must be submitted via the same channel within the 15-working-day window.

Damaged parcel claims

If your parcel arrives damaged, keep all packaging and take photos before reporting. Claims are processed through An Post’s delivery management system (official support).

The upshot

You have 15 working days to act — after that, An Post may not consider your claim. Document everything and use the official channels to protect your rights as a customer.

Why this matters: the clock starts ticking from the expected delivery date, not the day you notice the problem. If you’re away, arrange for someone to check your post or set up a redelivery in advance.

Does An Post deliver on Saturdays in Ireland?

Saturday delivery service

Yes, An Post delivers parcels on Saturdays as part of its regular 6-day service. This is confirmed by An Post’s own tracking documentation (official service description).

Tracking on Saturdays

Tracking updates continue to appear on Saturdays, including status changes like “out for delivery” and “delivered”. The official mobile app — An Post: Track & Manage (Google Play store listing) — sends push notifications for these updates.

Exceptions to Saturday delivery

Some rural areas may have limited Saturday service. If you live in a remote area, check with your local post office for the exact schedule.

The trade-off: Saturday delivery is standard for most of Ireland, but if you’re in a less populated region, your weekend parcel might come on Monday instead. Track your parcel Saturday morning to see if it’s marked “out for delivery”.

Step-by-step guide to tracking your An Post parcel

  1. Find your tracking number – Look on the receipt from the post office or the label the sender gave you. It’s usually 13 digits or alphanumeric like AB123456789IE.
  2. Go to the official tracking page – Open anpost.com/track (official An Post tracking portal) in your browser.
  3. Enter the number – Type or paste your tracking number into the search field and click “Track”.
  4. Check the status – The page shows a list of events with timestamps. Common statuses: “Processing”, “Out for delivery”, “Delivered”.
  5. Enable notifications (optional) – Download the official app from Apple App Store (An Post Track & Manage) or Google Play (official app listing) and turn on push alerts for real-time updates.
  6. Set up redelivery if needed – If you miss a delivery, use the My Deliveries page (redelivery options) to choose a new date or leave it with a neighbour.

Following these steps ensures you use the most reliable tracking method available.

What’s confirmed vs what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

  • An Post tracking is available for registered parcels and express items
  • Deliveries occur Monday to Saturday
  • Customer service can be reached at 01 705 7600
  • Tracking numbers are 13 digits or alphanumeric, printed on receipts and labels

What’s unclear

  • Exact delivery time windows vary by route and volume
  • Not all parcels have active tracking (e.g., standard letters)
  • Whether tracking updates always reflect real-time location or are batched

What users are saying

Track and Trace allows you to track delivery progress online, from arrival to An Post right through until the item is delivered.

— An Post Customer Support, official help page

The app lets you track and manage deliveries in one place, with push notifications for status changes.

— Google Play listing, An Post Track & Manage app description

Third-party trackers like 17TRACK and ParcelsApp also show An Post updates, but they are not the authoritative source.

— 17TRACK integration notes

The common thread across all official sources: An Post’s own tools — website and app — offer the most dependable tracking data, while third-party aggregators add convenience but can lag behind.

Additional sources

parcelpanel.com, apps.apple.com, parcel2go.com, reddit.com, anpost.com, anpost.com

For those sending packages abroad, An Post international parcel tracking provides detailed guidance on customs and delivery times.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does An Post take to deliver a parcel?

Domestic parcels typically arrive within 1–3 working days for Express Post, and 3–5 working days for Standard Post. International delivery times vary by destination and service chosen.

Can I change the delivery address after shipping?

No. Once a parcel is posted, the address cannot be changed. If you realise an error, contact the sender immediately to see if a redirection is possible before the parcel is dispatched.

What should I do if my tracking number does not work?

Double‑check the number for typos. If it still fails, wait 24 hours — sometimes tracking isn’t activated until the first scan. If the problem persists, contact An Post customer service with your receipt.

Is An Post tracking free for all services?

Tracking is included for Registered Post, Express Post, and most international services. Standard letters and packets may not have tracking unless you pay extra for a tracking service.

How do I track a parcel sent from outside Ireland?

Use An Post’s Track and Trace with the international tracking number while the parcel is in Ireland. Once it leaves, switch to the destination country’s postal tracking system.

What does “delivered” mean in An Post tracking?

It means the parcel was scanned as delivered by the postperson at the address on the label. If you were not home, it may have been left with a neighbour or in a safe place.

Can I redirect a parcel to a different address?

An Post offers a redelivery service but not a change of address. You can schedule a new delivery date via the My Deliveries page or choose to collect from a local post office.