If you’ve ever sent mail within Greece, chances are you’ve used Hellenic Post—the government-owned postal service transporting mail across the country.
ELTA Courier is the Hellenic Post's national and international courier service for packages weighing up to 35 kilos, delivering goods around Greece and the rest of Europe.
So it’s critical to know where your ELTA Courier package is to avoid the frustration of a missed delivery.
However, ELTA Courier tracking can be complicated (especially if you don’t speak Greek!)
Below, we’ll define ELTA tracking in English and cover the difference between status updates. Then we’ll explain how long they take to deliver and what to do if something goes wrong.
ELTA Courier tracking guide
Because of ELTA’s government funding, it’s one of the best ways to send or track a package within and from Greece.
ELTA offers delivery tracking with scannable bar codes, numbers, and an app for convenience.
So package tracking should be easy once you know how—here is how to do that!
A note before you dive in: You’ll find links to useful information on ELTA tracking throughout this guide. In each case, follow the link for an English page translated by Google.
How to find your ELTA tracking number
Like most courier services, ELTA uses a barcode and tracking number system. The first thing you need to follow a package is an ELTA Courier tracking number.
ELTA Courier gives all packages a tracking number. So you can track your package even if it’s small enough to fit into a regular envelope.
The seller will send your ELTA tracking number in a confirmation email if you place an order online. Contact the seller if they still need to send you one.
So how doe ELTA tracking work?
Depending on where it's going from and to, your package may travel through many checkpoints to its destination. ELTA Courier will scan it at each scheduled stop.
When an employee scans your package, your tracking number will update Circuit Package Tracker with the location and status.
How to track your ELTA location
You can find your package when you get your ELTA Courier tracking number.
There are a few ways to trace your ELTA package, but the easiest is to use the search at the top of this page.
You can also use the ELTA Shipment Search or download the ELTA Courier or Circuit Package Tracker apps.
To use Circuit, copy and paste the number from your confirmation email into the search above and hit “Track package” or enter to get your package's status.
Lost ELTA tracking number
How to track an ELTA package without a tracking number
Finding an ELTA Courier package is nearly impossible if you don't have your tracking number.
If you've already gone through your emails and still need help finding the number, the fastest solution is to contact the sender and ask them for it before you contact ELTA.
You can also contact ELTA Courier, but it’s usually a far slower process.
For this, you'll have to verify your identity, name, address, email, and phone number before ELTA Courier can help find your tracking code.
Solving ELTA tracking issues
No courier is perfect— you might have tracking issues for several reasons. Most are a simple human error, and a package is rarely lost forever.
However, there are several ways to diagnose and fix ELTA tracking issues.
Here’s why you might not track your package, why it is not updating or moving, and how to solve common tracking problems.
Why you can't track your ELTA Courier package
If you’ve placed an online order, the merchant should send you a confirmation email with your tracking information after ELTA Courier collects it.
However, ELTA may still need to start the delivery process. It usually takes around 48 hours for this to happen so that you can track it.
Other reasons you can’t track your ELTA Courier package include missed delivery, poor weather, or heavy traffic—especially with long-distance packages.
Also, if you're waiting for a package during the holiday season or at a time of year when there are a lot of orders and gift-giving, you can expect a longer wait time.
In a less likely event, ELTA Courier may have damaged your package or its label. ELTA will post it back to the sender, who will contact you if this is the case.
With international deliveries, ELTA may transfer a package to another courier once it reaches the destination country. In this case, you might not find any updates during that time.
Reasons include incorrect delivery addresses, customs holding the package for checks, and poor weather conditions delaying delivery.
You can search your ELTA tracking number in Circuit Package Tracker to find your latest status.
Why your ELTA package is not updating or moving
If Circuit Package Tracker registers your tracking number and ELTA last updated the status a while ago, it doesn't usually mean anything's wrong.
Your package may be on an extended part of the journey, between checkpoints and without ELTA scanning it.
However, customs may hold your ELTA package, or the postal worker may need to scan it at a checkpoint location.
Check your package in Circuit Package Tracker after a few days. Contact the sender or ELTA Courier for help if your status has stayed the same.
ELTA Courier tracking status explained
There are several tracking statuses for ELTA tracking shipments. These include sent in transit, pending, and out for delivery, along with other, less common status updates.
Although each tracking status update is self-explanatory, each is a part of the sending process. If you need a status update added to this list, check with your sending company or ask for a personal update.
Here is a guide to the most common sending status updates and their meaning.
In transit
If your package is “in transit,” this is good news–ELTA Courier has started its journey and is on the way!
The status of “in transit” will update as ELTA Courier scans your package at various locations and post offices along the route.
If you ordered a package from a different country, your ELTA package would likely be in transit for some time.
Why your ELTA package is still in transit
For international deliveries, if your ELTA package is in transit for a week or more without an update, it might delay the route—such as at a customs check.
However, a package with a consistent “In transit” status doesn’t necessarily mean something has happened.
Instead, it could simply mean that your package is in a freighter or airplane crossing the ocean, and it has been a while since anyone has scanned it.
For domestic deliveries, reasons you can’t track your ELTA Courier package include missed delivery or poor travel infrastructure—especially in a rural country like Greece.
Also, packages may be in transit for longer during the holiday season when there are many more orders for the Hellenic Post to handle alongside your regular mail.
In a less likely event, ELTA Courier may have damaged your package or its label. ELTA will post it back to the sender, who will contact you if this is the case.
How long an ELTA package can stay in transit
Depending on the ELTA service the sender has chosen, your package will stay in transit for up to six days.
When the sender hands your package to ELTA Couriers, the tracking status will say “Sent.” The status will change to “In transit” from when it starts its route until it arrives at your doorstep.
Pending
Another standard ELTA tracking status is “pending.”
Pending means that something has paused your package from moving forward in its journey.
Usually, ELTA needs to scan your package into the system at a new location or—for international deliveries—a new courier needs to register it in their tracking system.
It’s worth noting that ELTA Courier gives a tracking status of “Pending” when customs hold your package at a destination country. In this case, ELTA will mention a “Pending” status as a precautionary measure before notifying you.
However, “Pending” can mean that ELTA has lost your package. They will try to find it before letting you know that your package is missing and refund you.
Check your package in Circuit Package Tracker after a few days. Contact the sender or ELTA Courier for help if your pending status remains unchanged.
ELTA Courier delivery times
Depending on the sender’s chosen delivery service, domestic ELTA services should reach you within one to two business days—and sometimes on the same day!
Plus, you can pay for delivery and collection on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays: at selected service points of the ELTA Courier network.
However, if your package has to travel to another country, you can expect to get it within one to six business days from when ELTA Courier collects it.
ELTA delivery times: What time will your package arrive?
Live in Greece? Your ELTA package will come with the rest of your daily mail, usually within three working days.
However, that means the time your package will arrive depends on your local post office hours, usually between 7 am and 10 pm.
ELTA Courier offers the following services and delivery times:
- Domestic DOOR-DOOR Service—same-day to two-day delivery within Greece.
- Foreign Express Mail Service (EMS)—one to six-day delivery through international postal networks.
- Foreign Service Special Priority Mail (SPM)—one to five-day guaranteed international delivery.
- Foreign Service Fast Parcel Cyprus (FPC)—next-day delivery to and from Cyprus.
Outside of Greece, ELTA is not the primary postal courier, and delivery times might work differently. ELTA still has its courier and delivery trucks in some European countries.
However, American, South American, Australian, and Asian deliveries might rely on international partners or your local mail company.
In this case, your tracking status will tell you which courier company is delivering your package—then you can research their delivery hours and prepare for your package.
How late ELTA delivers
You can pay extra for a late-night delivery up to 10 pm for domestic ELTA Courier packages, depending on where you live.
Internationally, ELTA Courier uses a network of delivery partners and post offices to make the final delivery to your doorstep—including Royal Mail, Poste Italiane, Deutsche Post, and more. Most will deliver up to 5 pm, some as late as 8 pm.
International ELTA delivery times
You can expect the delivery times for international ELTA delivery services to be the same as Greek deliveries, up to 10 pm for some services.
If ELTA does not have courier services in the destination country, they will partner with a national courier or your local post office to deliver your package.
You may need to contact your local post office to find out when their delivery hours are, whether they deliver on the weekend, and how late they will deliver.
However, regional post offices usually deliver up to 8 pm.
Lost and missed ELTA deliveries
If you’ve waited for your ELTA delivery for several weeks, you might be worried about whether it got lost in the mail.
Alternatively, you might have received a notification that it was delivered and couldn’t find it on your porch.
Either way, these are issues. You want to get your package and enjoy your order from ELTA without losing it. Here is a guide on what to do if your package gets lost or you miss the delivery.
What happens if you miss an ELTA delivery
Suppose you miss a domestic ELTA Courier delivery. In that case, the driver will either leave it on your porch or a note saying they attempted delivery—telling you whether they will try again, how long they will hold a package, and where to go to pick up your delivery.
If ELTA doesn't deliver in the destination country, they'll partner with a nearby company or local post office to make sure your package is delivered. In this case, that company will tell you what to do if you miss your delivery.
You can use your ELTA Courier tracking number with Circuit Package Tracker to find out the status of your delivery.
How long will ELTA hold a package?
If you miss a delivery within Greece, ELTA will hold your package for up to two weeks. You can also ask your local postal service to hold your mail.
ELTA Courier relies on a network of courier companies to deliver your international orders from Greece. The companies will each have terms for how long they will hold a package—so check with them directly.
What to do if you haven't got your ELTA package
If ELTA Courier is late to deliver your package and Circuit Package Tracker hasn’t updated for some time, you must first contact the sender as the fastest solution.
If your ELTA Courier tracking says they delivered your package when you don’t have it, you must report it to your local postal service. You will likely get a refund or replacement item.
However, ELTA is responsible if your package gets lost in the mail. They will contact you and let you know, and you should get a replacement package or product.
ELTA tracking FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about ELTA courier tracking and their answers. Hopefully, they will answer your questions and help you track your package!
Is ELTA delivery fast?
ELTA delivery is the standard postal service in Greece. It’s one of the most reliable and quickest ways to get your packages to where they are going, even if you don’t pay extra for priority sending. ELTA Courier delivers most domestic packages within three business days.
It takes longer outside of Greece due to customs and a longer distance for your package. However, ELTA Courier delivers most international services within six business days.
Can I track ELTA Courier packages by address?
You cannot track ELTA Courier packages by address, and ELTA cannot track your package without a tracking number.
The fastest way to find a lost tracking number is to contact the sender and ask for it.
How do I know if my ELTA package is stuck in customs?
Does Circuit Package Tracker say customs are holding your package? In this case, the customs office will send you a letter with more information. You may get one or all of the following:
- An ELTA Courier email notification.
- An email from your seller.
- Find “Pending” as your tracking status after your package enters another country.
Customs can take a few hours to several weeks to clear your package for many reasons—including an incorrect delivery address, unpaid fees, package contents, and more.
If customs hold your package for more than 72 hours, contact your local customs office (Word, 24.4 KB) for more information.
