Royal Mail has an online Track and Trace service to track the shipments using 2D barcoded labels available here.


Linnworks records either the 'Eye-readable' 2D barcode, the customs barcode or the actual tracking number in the order tracking number field once a Royal Mail label has been printed from Linnworks. This is recorded depending on the selected shipping service as detailed below.


Royal Mail OBA

  • For non-tracked Domestic services, Linnworks records the "Eye-readable" form of the 2D barcode.
  • For recorded/tracked services (both Domestic and International) Linnworks records the Royal Mail tracking number.
  • For non-tracked International services, Linnworks records the customs barcode instead of the 2D barcode.


Royal Mail Tracked

  • For all services, Linnworks records the Royal Mail tracking number.


NB! Although Royal Mail provides 2D barcodes, the Track and Trace service is not implemented for all services as of now. Currently, Royal Mail Delivery Confirmation will only work for the following domestic services:
  • RM 24/48 (CRL) services with Parcel and Large Letter packaging,
  • 1st/2nd class (STL) services with Parcel packaging,
  • BPL services with Parcel packaging.


Enabling codes in Linnworks


For domestic services:


To have a 2D confirmation code saved in the tracking number field of an order, the respective settings must be enabled in the Royal Mail integration.


  1. Go to Shipping > Integration > Services on the required Royal Mail OBA integration.

  2. Find the service you want to enable 2D codes for and click Edit on the respective line.

  3. Find the 2D Barcode header and tick the 2D Tracking Number option to enable it and click Ok to save it.

  4. Repeat the process for each service that should allow using the 2D Tracking Number.


When the shipping label is printed for an order using a domestic service that has 2D barcodes enabled, the 2D code is added to the Tracking Number field on the order if no actual tracking number is provided by Royal Mail.


For international services:


To have a Customs Barcode saved in the tracking number field of an international order:


  1. Go to Shipping > Integration > Services on the required Royal Mail OBA integration.

  2. Find the service you want to enable Customs Barcodes for and click Edit on the respective line.

  3. Find the Customs Barcode header and tick the Save Customs Barcode option to enable it and click Ok to save it.

  4. Repeat the process for each service that should allow using the Customs Barcodes.


When the shipping label is printed for an order using an international service that has Customs barcodes enabled, the Customs barcode is added to the Tracking Number field on the order if no actual tracking number is provided by Royal Mail.


NB! Royal Mail 2D barcodes are available in Linnworks for 30 days, after which it is archived and no longer visible in the system. Reprinting a label for the order after 30 days will cause a new consignment to be generated, which will appear in the shipping manifest screen. Please refrain from doing so, unless a new label is actually required.


To retrieve the original 2D barcode for an order older than 30 days, please contact our Technical Support.