How do parcel companies track parcels?

[Good-Person]

There are many parcel companies out there that send and receive parcels around the world. They are basically courier companies. However, they also enable customers to track the parcels online, so how do they do that?

 

[Grant]

With a bar code that shows the tracking updates. Usually a tracking code that the shipper provides to you after you purchased something. Your purchase is than packaged up, a label is taped to it, and it's sent off. When it hits new sort centers or post offices, it'll usually give you an update of where it is at that moment. It doens't always state the exact location, it may say "in transit to" or "arrived at post office, but hasn't been delivered" etc.

Those delivering your package, will use a scanner to scan your tracking bar code, marking where it is now located. And it's done like this until final delivery is made.