What is a pro number in shipping?

A pro number, short for progressive number, is a tracking number used primarily in the less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping industry. It serves as a unique identifier for a specific shipment as it moves through the carrier's network.

  • Purpose: The primary purpose of a <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/pro%20number">pro number</a> is to allow both the shipper and the recipient to track the status of their shipment. It's essential for internal tracking purposes for the carrier as well.

  • Format: The format of a <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/pro%20number">pro number</a> usually consists of 7 to 11 digits (but may vary by carrier). It is not standardized across all carriers, which means that a <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/pro%20number">pro number</a> from one carrier will not work on another carrier's tracking system.

  • Usage: The <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/pro%20number">pro number</a> is typically found on the bill of lading (BOL) and other shipping documents. It can be entered on the carrier's website or used in their tracking API to retrieve shipment information.

  • Key Information Retrieved: Using the <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/pro%20number">pro number</a>, users can often find details such as:

    • Current location of the shipment
    • Expected delivery date
    • Origin and destination points
    • Status updates (e.g., "in transit," "out for delivery," "delivered")
  • Distinction from Tracking Number/Air Waybill: While the terms "tracking number" and "air waybill number" may be used interchangeably with "<a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/pro%20number">pro number</a>" in some contexts, it's important to note that <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/pro%20number">pro numbers</a> are most commonly associated with LTL freight carriers.