1 The Problem: Every Carrier, Its Own System
DHL has a tracking page. DPD has one. UPS, FedEx, GLS – they all have their own systems with their own tracking numbers, their own status codes, and their own look. For customers, this means confusion. For retailers: effort.
The classic scenario:
- Package A (DHL): "The shipment has been loaded onto the delivery vehicle"
- Package B (DPD): "In delivery"
- Package C (UPS): "Out for Delivery"
- Package D (Freight): No information available
Each status basically means the same thing, but the customer has to visit four different tracking pages and understand four different formats.
2 The Bigger Problem: Freight Forwarders and LTL
With major parcel carriers (courier, express, parcel), tracking is well solved. APIs exist, status messages are standardized, integration is manageable. But what if you're shipping bulky goods?
The reality with freight forwarders:
- No standardized APIs
- Tracking often only available via phone or email
- Status updates come delayed or not at all
- Different systems at hub forwarders and delivery partners
- International shipments disappear into "black boxes"
This isn't a technical but a structural problem: The freight market is fragmented, many providers still work analog, and there's no economic pressure for digitalization – at least not in the B2B sector.
Honest assessment: If your business model heavily depends on freight tracking, you'll be disappointed. None of the current solutions cover this area satisfactorily. Plan for manual processes or direct communication.
3 What is Multi-Carrier Tracking?
Multi-carrier tracking is an abstraction layer over the tracking systems of various shipping providers. Instead of querying DHL, UPS, or DPD directly, you use a service that:
- Collects tracking data from all carriers
- Normalizes status codes
- Provides a unified tracking page
- Sends proactive notifications (email, SMS, push)
- Delivers analytics on delivery performance
4 Why Multi-Carrier Tracking Matters
Tracking isn't just a service – it's a critical touchpoint in the customer journey. The phase between "order placed" and "package received" is emotionally charged.
For Customers:
- Fewer "Where is my package?" inquiries
- Unified, understandable information
- Proactive updates instead of constant checking
- Better planning for receipt
For Retailers:
- Less support effort
- Data on carrier performance
- Marketing channel (tracking page as touchpoint)
- Early detection of delivery problems
5 Options for Multi-Carrier Tracking
There are various approaches – from SaaS services to custom development:
Aftership
The market leader with over 1,100 carrier integrations. SaaS model with tracking pages, notifications, and analytics.
Parcellab
German solution focusing on customer experience. Extensive personalization and branding options.
Shipcloud, Sendcloud & Co.
Shipping platforms with integrated tracking. Practical if you're already shipping through these services.
Custom Development
Direct integration of carrier APIs. Full control, but also full maintenance effort.
6 What Would an Ideal Solution Look Like?
The perfect multi-carrier tracking solution doesn't exist – but we can define what it would need to do:
Wishlist for the ideal solution:
- All relevant parcel carriers and freight forwarders
- Real-time updates (not just every 15 minutes)
- Fully customizable tracking pages
- GDPR compliant (EU hosting, no US data transfers)
- Fair pricing without per-shipment costs
- Open API for custom integrations
Currently, no solution meets all these points. Most fail on freight tracking or demand high costs at scale.
7 What to Consider When Choosing
Before choosing a solution, clarify these questions:
Which carriers do you use?
Check if your key carriers are supported. DHL, DPD, UPS – no problem. Regional freight forwarders or niche providers – check carefully.
How many shipments per month?
At 100 shipments, Aftership is affordable. At 10,000, it gets expensive. Calculate costs over 12-24 months.
How important is branding?
Is a standard tracking page enough or should it be part of your brand? For high demands, consider Parcellab or custom development.
GDPR requirements?
US providers mean data transfers to the USA. For some industries, this is critical – check with your data protection officer.
8 Integration with Existing Systems
Multi-carrier tracking must communicate with your shop, ERP, and potentially CRM. The typical integration points:
| System | Integration | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Shopware | Plugin or API | Transmit tracking no., link in customer account |
| ERP (Xentral) | Webhook or API | Receive status updates |
| Email system | Direct or via tracking provider | Shipping notifications |
| CRM/Helpdesk | API | Delivery issues as tickets |
9 ROI: Is the Investment Worth It?
Multi-carrier tracking costs money. Does it pay off?
Sample calculation:
- Cost: €500/month for tracking service
- Savings: 50 fewer support inquiries × €5 = €250
- Additional revenue: 2% more repeat buyers through better experience
- Time savings: 10h/month less manual tracking
Direct ROI is hard to measure. The greatest value often lies in better customer experience – and that pays off long-term.
10 Conclusion
Multi-carrier tracking is almost essential for retailers with multiple shipping providers. The challenge: The perfect solution doesn't exist – especially not for freight forwarders and LTL shipments.
Our recommendation:
- Parcel carriers only: Aftership or Sendcloud for quick start
- GDPR critical: Parcellab or European providers
- Freight forwarders: Plan for manual processes, don't expect miracles
- High volumes: Calculate costs carefully, consider custom development