Why does my Etsy USPS First Class Mail label show no tracking for envelopes?

Question

I sell small sticker orders and ship them in standard letter envelopes using Etsy’s USPS First Class Mail preset. I purchased the label through Etsy and it generated a tracking number, but when I check it with USPS it says tracking isn’t available (even though the mail was picked up).

Is this normal for letter/envelope postage, and what’s the best way to make sure my future shipments have reliable tracking if I need it?

Answer

Hi! Yes—this is totally normal for Etsy “USPS First-Class Mail” letter/envelope labels. Those labels use a Pitney Bowes tracking system (based on USPS sorting-machine scans), not true USPS package tracking, so the number often won’t work on the USPS tracking page and updates can be sparse or look weird (stuck in “pre-transit,” or marked “delivered” when it reaches the last processing center rather than the mailbox).

If you want **reliable, USPS-trackable tracking**, you’ll need to ship it as a **package service** (not a letter). Here are your best options:

- **Upgrade the shipping method to a tracked package**: Use a rigid mailer or small bubble mailer and buy a label that’s a package service (commonly USPS Ground Advantage). That tracking will show on USPS normally and tends to get more consistent scans (including delivery confirmation).
- **Offer it as an upgrade in your Etsy listing**: Keep the cheap untracked/limited-tracking letter option for low-cost sticker orders, and add a “Tracked Shipping” upgrade buyers can choose at checkout.
- **Make sure your envelope truly qualifies as a letter/flat**: If it’s too rigid or lumpy (extra-thick sticker stacks, cardboard insert, freebies, etc.), USPS can treat it as non-machinable or even as a package, which can lead to delays, surcharges, or inconsistent scanning.

For your current orders, the best place to check these envelope labels is usually **inside Etsy** (open the order and click the tracking), since that’s where the Pitney Bowes tracking events show up—even when USPS says “tracking not available.”