GLSGLS tracking
Europe's big road-parcel network — in the UK your parcel arrives with its partner, Parcelforce.
GLS is one of Europe's biggest parcel networks — 40+ countries, 860 million parcels a year — yet it has no UK depots, no UK website, no UK phone line and no UK ParcelShops. In the UK it exists only as a tracking number.
Track your GLS parcel
Enter your GLS parcel number (or the 8-character Track ID from the notification card). Add your destination postcode too — GLS tracking needs it.
No single fixed format — usually 11–14 digits (GLS Ireland's own page says 12 digits), for example 123456789012. The 8-character Track ID on the driver's notification card works too. Tracking also needs your destination postcode.
The courier that isn't in the UK
Your parcel travels on GLS's European road network and is handed to Parcelforce Worldwide for the last mile. GLS Group's own partners page names the UK route officially: “GLS partner in United Kingdom: Parcelforce Worldwide.” That is why a “GLS” parcel is delivered by a Parcelforce driver, why the tracker asks for a postcode, and why the retailer — not GLS — is the first call when something goes wrong.
Same family, different badge: GLS and Parcelforce are both IDS (ex-Royal Mail Group) companies. And the number depends on the country of origin, not the UK — a UK-bound parcel carries the origin country's GLS number.
Two more quirks. First, some GLS parcels from Spain arrive as Royal Mail Tracked 24 or 48 instead of Parcelforce. Second, every EU-to-UK GLS parcel crosses a customs border — GLS acts as customs intermediary — so a customs-clearance scan in tracking is a normal stage, not a problem.
Your GLS tracking number
No single fixed format — usually 11–14 digits (GLS Ireland's own page says 12 digits), for example 123456789012. The 8-character Track ID on the driver's notification card works too. Tracking also needs your destination postcode.
Example format: 123456789012 — that is a shape, not a real parcel. Enter your own number exactly as the sender gave it: a single wrong letter is the most common reason a tracker says “not recognised”.
The number depends on the country of origin, not the UK. If your number is 11–14 digits and the sender said “GLS”, it belongs here — even though the driver who delivers it will be Parcelforce.
GLS services & delivery times
The standard national parcel product; domestic parcels usually reach their destination in less than 24 hours.
Europe-wide parcels up to 40 kg. In Europe delivery times are generally between 24 and 96 hours.
Small, fragile parcels up to 3 kg carried separately in bags.
Parcels outside Europe, depending on destination.
Some GLS parcels from Spain arrive as Royal Mail Tracked 24 or 48 — delivery 24 or 48 hours from when Royal Mail receives the goods.
Delivery aims are the courier's stated aims for the service, not guarantees for every parcel. Bank holidays, bad weather and busy periods (especially Christmas) can add a day.
What happens at the UK border — and your delivery choices
Every EU-to-UK GLS parcel crosses a customs border. GLS handles clearance as intermediary, so a customs stage in tracking is expected — but missing recipient details (full address, email, phone) can delay it, so make sure the sender has yours right.
GLS also offers FlexDeliveryService on its network: an email before delivery, and you can choose a delivery date, an alternative address, drop-off permission, delivery to a ParcelShop or ParcelBox, self-collection from a depot, or decline acceptance. But there are no GLS ParcelShops in the UK and the UK last mile is Parcelforce's — so for UK collection options, use the Parcelforce page (Post Office or depot collection). There is no GLS locker network in the UK.
Receiving options across the GLS network are home delivery, Parcel Shops and drop-off boxes — in the UK, those last two mean Parcelforce's options, not GLS's.
What each GLS status means
| Status | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Label created | GLS has the pre-registration, but has not physically received the parcel yet. | Contact the retailer — only they can confirm when GLS will receive it. |
| Shipment collected by GLS | The parcel is inside the network; the delivery process is about to begin. | Nothing to do — the next scans follow the road journey. |
| In transit | Left origin, being transported to the delivery depot. | Cross-border parcels can sit quiet for 24–72 hours between scans — normal, not stuck. |
| Out for delivery | With the courier; you can see how many stops are left and an estimated delivery time. | Be ready — delivery is today. |
| Delivered | Handed over to you or a person authorised by you. | Check the notification card and neighbours if you can't find it. |
| Deposited at ParcelShop | The parcel is ready for collection at the named ParcelShop. | Collect within 7 calendar days with official ID — check your notification card. |
Parcel stuck or delayed — what to do
- “Label created” not updating after a few days: the sender has provided shipment information but the parcel has not entered the GLS network — contact the retailer directly; they can confirm when it will be handed over.
- No update in transit: cross-border parcels can sit quiet for 24–72 hours between scans during long-haul transport or customs clearance — normal, not necessarily stuck.
- Not arrived or missed delivery: check the notification card — the driver leaves instructions saying where the parcel is, usually a nearby ParcelShop. You have 7 calendar days to collect it before it is returned to the sender. If no neighbour could take it and no ParcelShop is nearby, GLS takes the parcel back to the depot and makes a second delivery attempt the next working day.
- “Delivered” but nothing there: check the notification card and Track ID, ask a neighbour, check the ParcelShop named on the card; then contact the sender — the sender is GLS's contracting party and must raise any enquiry or claim.
- Customs hold on a UK-bound parcel: parcels from the EU cross a customs border; GLS handles clearance as intermediary — a customs stage in tracking is expected, and missing recipient details (full address, email, phone) can delay it.
More detail: Parcel stuck in transit — the full step-by-step guide.
Contact GLS
Customer servicesGLS has no UK phone line — its UK partner is Parcelforce Worldwide, +44 344 800 4466. For anything about a parcel that hasn't reached GLS yet, contact the sender or retailer first — they are GLS's contracting party.
If you are the recipient and the parcel is lost or damaged, contact the retailer/sender first — most couriers only accept claims from the sender.
GLS tracking — FAQs
Is there a GLS UK website I can track on?
No. GLS has no UK site; use the GLS Group tracker at gls-group.eu/EU/en/parcel-tracking. Your parcel's last mile in the UK is handled by Parcelforce.
What does a GLS tracking number look like?
Usually 11–14 digits (GLS Ireland's own page says 12 digits). The 8-character Track ID on the driver's notification card also works.
Who will deliver my GLS parcel in the UK?
Parcelforce Worldwide, GLS's official UK partner. Some parcels sent from Spain arrive via Royal Mail Tracked 24/48 instead.
Why does GLS tracking ask for my postcode?
GLS needs the tracking number plus the destination postcode to show your parcel's status.
My parcel is stuck on 'Label created' — what do I do?
The sender has registered the parcel but GLS hasn't received it yet. Contact the retailer; only they can confirm handover.
My GLS parcel shows delivered but I don't have it?
Check the notification card, ask a neighbour, check the ParcelShop named on the card, then contact the sender — GLS deals with the sender, not the recipient, on claims.
Track with another UK courier
Not GLS after all? Your parcel may have changed hands — check the other couriers: