The wait for a package is often a mix of excitement and mild anxiety. When a retailer uses Shippit to manage their shipping, they are utilizing a sophisticated logistics engine that aggregates dozens of different courier services into a single, streamlined interface. However, for the customer at the receiving end, understanding where the parcel is and what the tracking statuses actually mean can sometimes feel like deciphering a secret code.

Shippit acts as the connective tissue between the shop where you bought your item and the courier driver who ultimately knocks on your door. Because it is a multi-carrier platform, the tracking experience is unified, regardless of whether your package is being handled by Australia Post, DHL, CouriersPlease, or Allied Express.

Finding and Using Your Shippit Tracking Number

Before you can see your parcel's progress, you need your unique identifier. Unlike some shipping companies that use pure numerical strings, Shippit has a very specific format that makes its tracking numbers easy to spot.

Identifying the PP Format

Most official Shippit tracking numbers start with the prefix "PP". This is followed by a series of alphanumeric characters, such as PPABC123456789. This "PP" prefix is the hallmark of a Shippit-generated label.

If you received a tracking number that does not start with PP, it might be a direct tracking number from the courier (like a 13-digit Australia Post number). In those cases, while Shippit might still be managing the backend, you can often track those numbers directly on the specific carrier’s portal as well.

Where to Look for the Number

The tracking number is typically provided by the merchant, not Shippit itself. Check these three locations:

  1. Shipping Confirmation Email: This is the most common source. Look for a button that says "Track My Order" or a plain text string starting with PP.
  2. SMS Notifications: Many retailers send a text message once the courier has picked up the parcel.
  3. Your Store Account: If you created an account with the retailer, the order history section will almost always list the Shippit tracking ID once the item has been despatched.

How to Track Your Shippit Order

There are multiple ways to keep an eye on your delivery, ranging from manual checks to automated smartphone notifications.

The Official Shippit Tracking Portal

The most direct method is using the Shippit tracking website. This page is designed to be mobile-friendly and provides a chronological list of "scans" or "events." When you enter your PP number here, you are seeing real-time data pulled from the courier’s own system, but translated into the Shippit interface.

One key feature to look for on the official page is the Carrier Redirect. If a specific courier like StarTrack or Aramex is handling the "last mile" of your delivery, the Shippit page will often display a banner or a link. Clicking this can sometimes provide even more granular details, such as the specific depot location or the driver's current route progress.

Apple Wallet Order Tracking

In late 2023, Shippit introduced a significant upgrade for iPhone users: integration with Apple Wallet. This is a game-changer for those who dislike digging through their inbox for tracking links.

When you make a purchase from a participating retailer using Apple Pay, or if you click the "Track with Apple Wallet" button in your confirmation email, the order is added to your iPhone's Wallet app. This provides several benefits:

  • Proactive Notifications: You receive push notifications on your lock screen whenever the status changes (e.g., "Out for Delivery").
  • Security: The tracking information is end-to-end encrypted, meaning your shopping habits remain private.
  • Centralization: If you have multiple orders from different stores all using Shippit, they will all appear in one place within the Wallet.

Third-Party Logistics Aggregators

If you are someone who shops globally and has dozens of packages coming from various platforms (Shippit, YunExpress, Cainiao, etc.), you might prefer an aggregator like 17TRACK. These platforms allow you to paste your PP number into a universal search bar. While these are highly accurate (often up to 99.9%), they may lack the specific "Carrier Redirect" links or the branded experience provided by the official Shippit portal.

Decoding Shippit Status Updates

The most common source of confusion is the specific terminology used in tracking updates. Shippit uses a standardized set of status codes to ensure consistency across different couriers. Understanding these can help you manage your expectations regarding the delivery date.

The Preparation Phase

  • Order Placed: This is the starting point. It means the merchant has notified Shippit that an order exists, but the physical package has not yet been prepared. At this stage, a tracking number is generated, but if you search for it, you might see "No events found" or "Ready for Pickup."
  • Processing: This is an internal status. It usually indicates that the order is being moved between different stages of the merchant's workflow. If an order stays in "Processing" for more than 48 hours, it usually means the merchant is still picking and packing the items in their warehouse.
  • Despatch in Progress: This is a good sign. It means the merchant has confirmed the packaging size, assigned a courier, and printed the shipping label. The box is now sitting on a dock waiting for the driver to arrive.

The Transit Phase

  • Ready for Pickup: The merchant has "booked" the delivery. The courier has been notified to come and collect the parcel.
  • In Transit: This is the longest phase. It means the courier has successfully scanned the parcel into their van or truck. It is now moving through the network—either toward a local depot or between major distribution hubs. Note that "In Transit" does not mean it is on your street yet; it just means it is within the courier's infrastructure.
  • With Customs: Only applicable for international orders. This indicates the parcel has reached the destination country but is awaiting clearance. This process can take anywhere from a few hours to several days depending on the country's regulations.
  • With Driver: This is the status everyone wants to see. It means it is "Delivery Day." The parcel has been scanned onto the specific van that will visit your address today.

The Delivery and Exception Phase

  • Completed: The parcel has been successfully delivered.
  • Delivery Attempted: The driver tried to deliver the package but couldn't. This often happens if a signature was required and no one was home, or if there was no "safe place" to leave the item. Usually, a card will be left with instructions for redelivery or collection.
  • Awaiting Collection: The parcel has been taken to a nearby collection point, such as a post office or a retail hub (like a newsagency). You will need to go there personally with ID to pick it up.
  • Insufficient Address: This is a critical error. It means the driver cannot find your house based on the details provided. This could be a missing apartment number or a typo in the street name.

Understanding Logistics "Exceptions" and What to Do

Sometimes, the tracking doesn't go as planned. These "exceptions" are the most frustrating part of the e-commerce experience. Based on common logistics patterns, here is how to handle them.

Why is my tracking not updating?

It is very common for a parcel to stay in the "In Transit" status for several days without a new scan. This usually happens when:

  1. Long-Haul Transport: The parcel is on a truck or train moving across the country (e.g., from Sydney to Perth). Scans only happen at major hubs, so there is a "black hole" while it is on the road.
  2. Missed Scans: Occasionally, a driver might forget to scan a parcel when moving it from one cage to another. The parcel is still moving, but the digital record hasn't caught up.
  3. High Volume Periods: During Black Friday or Christmas, depots become overwhelmed, and parcels may sit in a "backlog" for 24-48 hours before being sorted.

Recommended Action: If there has been no update for more than 5 business days for a domestic shipment, or 10 days for an international one, it is time to take action.

The "Delivered but Not Found" Scenario

This is the most common complaint in modern delivery. Your tracking says "Completed" or "Delivered," but your porch is empty.

  • Check the "Safe Place": Drivers are trained to hide parcels from "porch pirates." Check behind large pots, inside your electricity meter box, behind pillars, or even at the back door.
  • Check with Neighbors: Sometimes a driver accidentally delivers to number 42 instead of number 44.
  • The "Premature Scan": Some couriers scan all parcels as "delivered" when they are about to leave the depot or when they are 5 minutes away. If the status just changed, wait another hour; the driver might be just around the corner.

What is a "Pickup Failed" status?

If you see "Pickup Failed" on your tracking, do not worry—this is usually a message for the merchant, not the buyer. It means the courier driver went to the merchant's warehouse, but the package wasn't ready, the warehouse was closed, or the driver didn't have enough room in the van. Usually, the system automatically re-books the pickup for the following business day.

The Role of AI in Shippit Tracking

One of the reasons Shippit tracking is considered superior to basic courier tracking is its use of "Dynamic ETAs." Most couriers give you a vague window like "Expected Wednesday." Shippit’s AI engine analyzes millions of past deliveries across its entire carrier network to provide a more accurate estimate.

The AI considers:

  • Carrier History: How fast has this specific courier been performing in your specific postcode lately?
  • Seasonality: Is there a general slowdown in the logistics network?
  • Merchant Efficiency: How long does this specific retailer usually take to get a package from "Order Placed" to "Despatched"?

By combining these data points, the tracking page can proactively update the estimated arrival time, often giving you a revised date if a delay occurs upstream.

Tracking International Orders via Shippit

When you order something from overseas that uses Shippit, the tracking journey becomes more complex. The parcel will often change hands multiple times.

  1. The Origin Courier: A local courier in the source country (e.g., a Chinese or US domestic carrier) picks up the item.
  2. The International Hub: The parcel is moved to an airport or shipping port.
  3. Customs Clearance: This is represented by statuses like "With Customs" or "Customs On Hold." If duties or taxes are owed, you might see "Customs Awaiting Payment." In this case, you will usually receive an email or letter with instructions on how to pay.
  4. The Local Courier: Once it clears customs in your country, Shippit will hand it over to a local partner like Australia Post or Aramex for the final delivery.

The Shippit tracking page is designed to consolidate all these different legs of the journey into one timeline, so you don't have to visit multiple international websites.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shippit Tracking

Can I change my delivery address after the parcel has been shipped?

Generally, once a parcel is "In Transit," Shippit cannot change the address. You will need to wait for a "Delivery Attempted" scan, at which point you can often use the carrier’s redirect link to send it to a local collection point or a different address. Alternatively, contact the retailer immediately; they have the most power to intercept a package.

What if my tracking number doesn't work?

If you just received your tracking number 10 minutes ago, it likely won't work yet. It takes time for the merchant’s system to "talk" to Shippit’s system, and then for Shippit to "talk" to the courier’s system. Wait at least 4-6 hours after receiving your confirmation email before trying to track the parcel.

Does Shippit deliver on weekends?

Shippit itself is a software platform, not a fleet of vans. Whether your package arrives on a Saturday or Sunday depends entirely on the specific courier chosen for your delivery. For example, some premium or express services offer weekend deliveries, while standard postal services typically operate Monday through Friday.

How do I contact Shippit if there is a problem?

Interestingly, Shippit is a B2B (Business to Business) platform. While they provide the tracking interface, they do not own the warehouses or the vans. If your package is lost or late, your first point of contact should always be the Retailer (the store where you bought the item). They are the "owner" of the shipping contract and can initiate investigations with Shippit and the courier.

What is "Safe Drop"?

"Safe Drop" is an authorization given to the courier to leave the parcel at your property without a signature. If you aren't home, the driver will look for a location that is out of public view and protected from the weather. If you did not authorize a safe drop and the parcel is missing, you have much stronger grounds for a claim with the retailer.

Summary of the Shippit Tracking Experience

Navigating the world of online deliveries is significantly easier when you understand the mechanics behind the screen. Shippit provides a powerful, centralized way to watch your parcel move across the country or the world. By recognizing the PP tracking number format, utilizing tools like Apple Wallet, and understanding the difference between an "In Transit" scan and a "With Driver" scan, you can reduce the uncertainty of the post-purchase process.

Remember that while technology like Shippit’s AI ETAs provides excellent estimates, logistics is still a physical business subject to weather, traffic, and human error. If your tracking shows an exception like "Insufficient Address" or "Pickup Failed," don't panic—most of these issues are resolved automatically within 24 hours. Stay informed, keep your tracking ID handy, and always reach out to the original merchant if a delivery exceeds its expected timeframe by more than a week.

The goal of Shippit is to make the "last mile" of delivery as transparent as possible. With real-time updates and integrated carrier data, you are never more than a few clicks away from knowing exactly where your latest purchase is located.