Suppose you’ve ever considered sending freight to or within the United States or Canada. In that case, chances are you’ve thought about Estes Express. The largest privately-held freight courier worldwide.
However, you must know where your Estes freight is to avoid the frustration of a missed delivery.
Below, I’ll define Estes tracking and cover the difference between status updates. Then I’ll explain how to find any issues and resolve them.
Estes tracking guide
If you’re waiting for Estes freight, you might wonder how to track it. Estes uses tracking numbers and bar codes — so finding your shipment should be easy once you know how.
Depending on where it's going from and to, your flight may travel through many checkpoints to its destination. Estes will scan it at each scheduled stop.
When someone from Estes scans your package, your tracking number will update Circuit Package Tracker with the location and status.
Here is a guide to tracking your Estes cargo and fixing any issues.
How to find your Estes package tracking number
Before using the Estes order tracking tool, you’ll need to find your tracking number. Your tracking number is a unique code associated with each item of freight.
When your shipment reaches an Estes facility, an Estes employee will scan it. This updates the tracking status in Circuit Package Tracker.
You can use seven different tracking numbers to find your package with Estes:
- Your Progressive Rotating Order or PRO number is a ten-digit number you can find on your bill.
- Estes will give you an Interline PRO number for international deliveries to track your package as it travels across different courier networks.
- You’ll also get a bill of lading when you book an order with Estes. This document lists your order's content and a unique bill of lading number you can use to track your package.
- Suppose you’re sending an order with several packages. In that case, Estes will give you a load order number you can use to track the entire order.
- You can book orders online and get a unique purchase order number to track your package.
- You’ll also get a unique pickup to ask for a number if you schedule a pickup with Estes. You can use this number to find when your pickup driver is arriving and to continue tracking your package once a driver picks it up.
- Some orders have an optional EXLA-ID number that you can use to track your package.
The best way to find your tracking number is to check the bill you got when you paid for the order.
Merchants can also log into their My Estes account to find recent orders and track freight.
Find your Estes freight location.
There are a few ways to trace your Estes shipment with your tracking number, but the easiest is to search at the top of this page.
To use Circuit, copy and paste your Estes tracking number into the search above and hit “Track package” or enter to get your freight’s status.
As a sender, you can also log into your My Estes account. There, you’ll find a list of your most recent orders.
You can also track your package with the online order tracking tool. Select the type of tracking number you want to use from the drop-down menu, enter your tracking number, and hit Search.
Lost Estes tracking number
Keeping track of every order’s detail can be challenging, primarily if you work with high volumes.
Thankfully, Estes Express has some tools you can use to track your package, even if you’ve lost your tracking number.
How to track an Estes package without a tracking number
Suppose you don’t have a tracking number for an Estes order. In that case, your best option is to log into your My Estes account or create a My Estes account if you don’t already have one.
You can also try entering different types of tracking numbers. If you don’t have a PRO number for your order, try finding your original pickup and ask for the number or load order number for your entire order.
Checking your mailbox for an email confirmation is also an excellent way to find a lost tracking number.
Solving Estes package tracking issues
Is the Estes Express tracking tool returning an error message? Read on to learn more about solving tracking issues with this courier.
Why you can’t track your Estes package
There are a few issues that could prevent you from Estes package tracking:
Wrong tracking number
This courier lets you use seven different types of tracking numbers. Double-check the number you’re using and make sure you have selected the correct type of number from the drop-down menu.
If your PRO tracking number doesn’t work, try your bill of lading or your load order number.
Inactive tracking number
You can schedule pickups with Estes . You’ll get a pickup to ask for a number immediately, but this number might not become active right away.
There is also a delay between when a driver picks up your package and when the tracking information becomes available, which could explain why your tracking number isn’t working.
Tech issues
Estes relies on a modern digital platform to track real-time orders. While this tool is reliable, tech issues can happen.
If you need help tracking a package, try again in a few hours. Clearing your browser’s cache can also resolve some tech issues.
If you cannot track your package, your best option is to contact Estes Express.
Why your Estes package is not updating or moving
Since Estes offers fast deliveries, including next-day delivery on 7,000 routes in North America, a package that is not updated or moving is unusual.
However, there are a few reasons this could happen—and lack of an update doesn't always mean your package got lost or stuck somewhere.
A common reason that packages stop updating is that they are on a freighter or plan to cross a large swath of ocean.
Workers don't scan packages in the air; although it may seem like they are stuck in one place, your packages are moving toward you.
However, it could also mean your package is stuck in customs, damaged, or temporarily lost. If you think this is the case, contact the sender first and Estes customer services if the sender cannot help.
Estes tracking status explained
When you use the Estes tracking order tool or log into your My Estes account, you’ll find the current status of your order.
The status will either say ‘in transit’ or ‘pending.’ Here is what these different statuses mean.
In transit
A package is in transit if it’s moving along its route. You’ll find the status as ‘in transit’ while your package is on a truck or through different terminals along its journey.
You should also find an estimated delivery date for your order and the latest terminal or node it reached.
Why your Estes package is still in transit
Your Estes Express package will stay in transit until it reaches its destination. It’s the default tracking status as your package travels and shows it is following its planned route.
Note that transit can take longer than anticipated if the courier runs into delays or has to make changes to the route your order is following.
How Long an Estes package can stay in transit
Suppose you’re sending a package to North America. In that case, Estes can ship your package to millions of destinations within a day or two.
Most domestic packages and orders sent to Canada and Mexico will stay in transit for 24 to 48 hours.
If you’re sending a package abroad, you should count on your order being in transit for four to seven days, depending on the destination.
You will get an estimate of how long transit will take when you book an order with Estes.
You can also use the courier’s transit time calculator tool before booking your order.
Pending
A ‘pending’ status shows that your order isn’t moving or that the courier is waiting for more information.
Why your Estes package may be pending
A ‘pending’ status doesn’t necessarily indicate an issue with your order. Several scenarios can cause the track Estes order tool to show a ‘pending’ status:
- You will find a ‘pending’ status while you wait for the courier to pick up your package or before you drop off your package at the courier's location after creating an order online.
- It’s common to find a ‘pending’ status early in your package’s journey while the courier figures out the best route.
- You can also find a ‘pending’ status if the courier has to make changes to your package’s route.
- The status can show as ‘pending’ if the courier cannot deliver your package and is rescheduling the delivery or attempting to contact you.
- For international orders, ‘pending’ can indicate that your order is going through customs.
- Estes hands over packages to third-party couriers for international deliveries. You will likely find a ‘pending’ status while Estes waits for tracking information from a global partner.
Estes delivery times
Estes will send you an estimated delivery time as your freight gets closer to its destination and delivers most packages between 8 am and 5 pm.
However, delivery times can vary based on the route and how many packages the driver has to deliver.
Estes offers a Time Critical Guaranteed service where you can choose to have a package delivered before 10 am., at noon, or at 5 pm, but at a cost.
International Estes delivery times
If you send a package outside North America, a third-party courier will deliver your package to the destination country. Delivery times will vary based on how this courier plans deliveries.
The best way to find the delivery time for your international order is to track your package with Circuit as it gets closer to its destination.
Lost and missed Estes deliveries
Sometimes, orders get lost. Several things can happen to your package from transit to the airport and then from the airport to the final destination.
Here is a guide on what to do if your Estes package gets lost or you miss the delivery.
What happens if you miss an Estes delivery?
Suppose you can’t collect your Estes delivery. In that case, you might find a note from the courier, and they will attempt delivery at another time.
After Estes have attempted delivery at least twice, the courier will leave a new note saying that the warehouse will hold your package for you to collect.
How long will Estes hold a package?
Estes doesn’t share how long it will hold a package on its website.
Your best option is to contact Estes to find out if they can hold your package if you miss a delivery and need to collect it.
What to do if you haven’t got your Estes package
If your tracking says "delivered," but you haven't got your package, there might be a few reasons for this.
The first is that your package got put on the incorrect doorstep or in the wrong mailbox.
In the unlikely event that your package got lost in the mail, you should report it to Estes and the sender for a replacement or refund.
The least likely reason you haven’t got your Estes package is that porch pirates stole it off your doorstep. If you think this has happened to you, report it to the courier for reimbursement.
Estes tracking FAQs
Here are some commonly answered questions about Estes tracking. For more general Estes questions, check out their website FAQs.
Is Estes delivery fast?
Yes, most deliveries in North America happen the next day or within two days.
Estes also offers delivery within four to seven days to some international destinations—including most places in Alaska and Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean Islands.
To help estimate the transit times, Estes has a handy free Transit Time Calculator for any two points between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Can I track the Estes package by address?
The answer is no. You’ll need to use one of the following tracking numbers to find your Estes shipment:
- PRO Number
- Bill of Lading Number
- Pickup Request Number
- Purchase Order Number
- Interline PRO Number
- Load Order Number
- Optional EXLA-ID Number
How late does Estes deliver?
Delivery times with Estes vary based on your chosen service and the local courier partner delivering to your location.
However, you can expect most Estes deliveries between 9 am and 5 pm from Monday to Friday.
Depending on the shipment's contents, you can arrange a specific delivery time with Estes to get a guaranteed delivery time of 5 pm, but at a cost.
What happens if Estes loses my package?
If you think Estes lost your package, you claim lost freight through your MyEstes account or visit the Claims page for more information.
How do I know if my Estes package is stuck in customs?
If your package is going through customs, you should find the tracking status as ‘pending.’
If customs decide to hold your freight for checks, they will send you a letter with more information. You may get one or all of the following:
- A Estes email notification.
- An email from your sender.
- Find “air shipping” or “at destination” as your tracking status for a few days.
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.
Contact the sender and Estes for help if customs hold your package for 72 hours or more.
