What is the primary purpose of a tracking number?

The primary purpose of a tracking number is to monitor location and delivery status. Tracking numbers are unique identifiers assigned to a package when it is shipped, allowing both the sender and recipient to follow the package’s journey from the origin to its final destination. This real-time visibility provides important information about where the package is at any point during the shipping process, including when it has been picked up, is in transit, and when it has been delivered.

While other aspects, such as calculating shipping costs, may involve tracking data indirectly, they are not the main function of a tracking number. Similarly, tracking numbers do not provide insurance information, nor do they serve as a tool for verifying the identity of the sender. These functions are typically handled by other systems or processes. Hence, the use of a tracking number is fundamentally about providing transparency and timely information regarding the status of a shipment.