GLS Tracking: Track Your Parcel
Across Europe, in Real Time

Whether you are an online shopper tracking a delivery or an ecommerce merchant managing hundreds of GLS shipments, this guide covers everything — from reading tracking statuses to connecting GLS to ShippyPro's multi-carrier shipping API with 190+ carriers.

Step by step

How to track a GLS parcel

Three steps — whether you are a customer checking one parcel or a merchant tracking thousands.

1. Find your GLS tracking number. It is in the shipping confirmation email from the retailer, on the retailer's order page, or printed on the shipping label. If the seller uses ShippyPro, you will also find it in the branded shipping notification.

2. Track on the GLS website. Visit the GLS tracking page for the destination country — gls-italy.com for Italian shipments, gls-group.eu for a general lookup. GLS operates as independent country partners, so the destination country's site gives the most accurate results.

3. Track via ShippyPro (merchants). The Track & Trace dashboard pulls real-time GLS tracking data alongside every other carrier. One unified view — GLS, BRT, DHL, Poste Italiane — without switching between portals.

 
Real-time GLS tracking

Every shipment tracked so you are in control

See how many GLS shipments are in transit, in exception, or delivered. Download reports and monitor how your carriers are performing — all from one screen.

Full real-time overview across GLS and every other carrier. Filter by status, carrier, or marketplace. Download reports with full recipient details.

See it in action →
Format reference

GLS tracking number format

GLS tracking numbers are numeric codes assigned when a parcel enters the network. Format varies by country division.

GLS Italy
12345678901
10–14 digits · Numeric only
GLS Germany
1234567890123456
12–16 digits · Numeric only
GLS France
FR0012345678
12–14 chars · Alphanumeric

Common mistake: Confusing the GLS tracking number with the retailer's order reference. If your number contains letters (except a country prefix), it may belong to a different carrier. Check the shipping confirmation email for "tracking number."

Status reference

GLS tracking statuses explained

Each status update tells you where your parcel is and what happens next.

 
Parcel data received
GLS has received shipment information but the parcel has not been physically handed over yet. No action needed.
 
Collected / Picked up
Parcel collected from the sender or dropped off at a GLS depot. Now in the GLS network. Next update within 12–24 hours.
 
In transit
Moving through the GLS network. May repeat several times for long-distance or cross-border shipments. No action required.
 
At parcel centre
Arrived at a GLS sorting hub. For domestic shipments, this is often the last hub before final delivery.
 
Out for delivery
On the delivery vehicle — arriving today. Ensure someone is available or check for a delivery window notification.
 
Delivered
Successfully delivered. GLS records the recipient's name and timestamp.
 
Delivery attempt failed
Driver attempted but could not complete delivery. GLS will retry the next working day.
 
At parcel shop
Available for collection at a GLS ParcelShop. Collect within 7–10 working days with valid ID.
 
Returned to sender
Being sent back after multiple failed attempts or uncollected from ParcelShop.

Timing: "Parcel data received" can last up to 24 hours. Once in transit, domestic GLS shipments typically reach "out for delivery" within 1–3 working days. ParcelShop parcels are held 7–10 days.

By country

GLS delivery times across Europe

Standard domestic delivery estimates. Express services are faster.

🇮🇹
Italy
1–3 days
Next-day between northern cities. +1 day to Sicily & Sardinia.
🇩🇪
Germany
1–2 days
Dense depot network. One of the fastest domestic carriers.
🇫🇷
France
1–3 days
Next-day in Île-de-France. Rural zones may add a day.
🇪🇸
Spain
1–3 days
Mainland. 3–5 days to Canary & Balearic Islands.
🇬🇧
United Kingdom
1–2 days
Via partner network. Post-Brexit customs may add 1–2 days.
🇪🇺
Cross-border EU
2–5 days
No customs for intra-EU. Varies by origin & destination.
Integration guide

How to connect GLS to ShippyPro

ShippyPro is a carrier API aggregator — add GLS once, get labels, tracking, rates, and returns through a single ecommerce shipping API alongside 190+ other carriers.

1
Add GLS
Select from 190+ carriers
2
Enter credentials
Contract & API details
3
Set rules
Automate carrier selection
4
Ship & track
Labels + GLS tracking

Connect in under 5 minutes

What you need from GLS: Contract number, customer ID, and API credentials. For GLS Italy, this includes your Sede (branch) code. Each GLS country division issues its own credentials.

Once connected, orders flow from Shopify, WooCommerce, or Magento. GLS shipping labels generate automatically through ShippyPro's shipping label API. The same multi-carrier shipping API handles tracking, rate comparison, and returns.

By business size

GLS tracking for every stage of growth

The solution looks different at 50 shipments a month versus 50,000. Pick your tier.

Small Business Owner
 
5 min setup

Stop copying tracking numbers

· CEO / Founder

When you are the founder, logistic manager, and customer care all at once, you cannot afford thirty minutes daily on GLS's portal. ShippyPro connects to your GLS account in minutes — no developer needed. Every GLS tracking update flows automatically. Branded tracking pages replace the generic GLS portal. Automated notifications handle customer updates.

"ShippyPro eliminated the manual work entirely. We went from 3–5 minutes per label to bulk printing in seconds."
— Operations Manager, Fashion eCommerce
Bulk label printing Automated tracking Rate comparison 5 min setup
Start shipping now →
Midsize Ecommerce Director
 
Carrier analytics

Carrier performance that drives cost reduction

· eCommerce Director

At mid-market volume, GLS tracking is operational. Your director needs to know which GLS service delivers fastest per region. Your logistics manager compares GLS against BRT, DHL, Poste Italiane. Track & Trace flags exceptions automatically. The Optimizer surfaces KPIs so you renegotiate contracts with data.

"We now have full control over shipments and keep customers updated in real-time, ensuring excellent delivery performance."
— Sr. Logistics Manager, Retail & Wholesale
Shipping rules engine Branded tracking pages Carrier analytics WISMO reduction
Book a demo →
Enterprise Logistics Head
 
RESTful API

One carrier API aggregator — one integration

· Head of Logistics · CIO

Maintaining direct integrations with each carrier's API does not scale. ShippyPro's multi-carrier shipping API provides a single RESTful endpoint for label creation, rate comparison, GLS tracking, and returns across 190+ carriers. One API call retrieves tracking for every GLS country division. Data flows into Salesforce, Zendesk, SAP.

RESTful shipping API Custom webhooks Multi-warehouse White-label tracking SSO & roles
Talk to sales →
190+

The largest carrier library in European ecommerce

GLS is one of over 190 carriers in ShippyPro's multi-carrier shipping API. One carrier API aggregator replaces dozens of individual integrations.

integrations-chart

Italian
15+
GLS Italy · BRT · Poste Italiane · SDA · TNT Italy · Fercam
Pan-European
40+
DHL · DPD · Hermes · PostNL · Mondial Relay · Colissimo
Global express
20+
UPS · FedEx · TNT · DHL Express · Aramex
Last mile
30+
InPost · Packeta · Cainiao · GLS ParcelShop
Postal services
25+
Royal Mail · La Poste · Deutsche Post · Correos
Freight
15+
Palletways · Geodis · DB Schenker
 

One API, every carrier

ShippyPro's ecommerce shipping API generates GLS labels, fetches tracking, compares rates, and manages returns — one RESTful endpoint.

Browse all integrations →
Troubleshooting

What to do if your GLS parcel is delayed or lost

Allow two full business days beyond the estimated delivery date before acting. Delays happen during peak periods and on cross-border routes.

Stuck 48+ hours on a working day: Contact GLS customer service for the destination country. Each division operates its own support — GLS Italy handles Italian deliveries, GLS France handles French ones.

Officially lost (7+ days no update): The sender can file a compensation claim through GLS. Claims require proof of shipment value and take 2–4 weeks.

ShippyPro merchants: Track & Trace flags delayed shipments automatically. Set alerts for stuck shipments, failed attempts, and parcels at depots — intervene before the customer contacts you.

Frequently asked questions

How do I track my GLS parcel?
Visit the GLS tracking page for your destination country (e.g. gls-italy.com) and enter your numeric tracking number. ShippyPro users can track all GLS shipments from the Track & Trace dashboard.
What does "in transit" mean on GLS tracking?
"In transit" means your parcel is moving between GLS sorting centres. Standard status — no problem. May remain for 1–3 working days depending on distance.
How long does GLS take to deliver in Italy?
1–3 working days domestically. Northern city-to-city often arrives next day. Southern regions, Sicily, and Sardinia may take 2–3 days.
Can I track a GLS parcel without a tracking number?
No — a tracking number is required. Contact the sender or check your order history / shipping confirmation email.
Why is my GLS tracking not updating?
The parcel may not have been scanned at the next checkpoint. If no update for 48+ hours on a working day, contact GLS customer service.
Does GLS deliver on Saturday?
In Italy, GLS delivers on Saturdays in many areas. In Germany and other countries, Saturday delivery is a premium add-on.
Can I redirect a GLS parcel to a parcel shop?
Yes, in most European countries via GLS FlexDeliveryService. After a failed attempt, GLS may deposit it at the nearest ParcelShop automatically.
How do I connect GLS to a multi-carrier shipping API?
Add your GLS credentials in ShippyPro's Carriers section. ShippyPro acts as a carrier API aggregator — one ecommerce shipping API handles GLS alongside 190+ other carriers.
What is the best multi-carrier management platform for GLS?
ShippyPro is the leading multi-carrier management platform for GLS in Europe, supporting all country divisions through one integration.

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