Tracking numbers

Tracking numbers (also called carrier or container tracking numbers) are IDs used by carriers to monitor individual freight movements.

For example: Parcel carriers need to assign an individual carrier tracking number for each container when multiple containers are shipped.

You can enable the container tracking option on the General screen of the Tariff/Service property sheet. If enabled, this option designates that separate IDs are generated for each container in a shipment. If the option is not enabled, a single carrier tracking number is assigned to the entire shipment leg. This applies to shipment legs only; for built loads, one tracking number is generated regardless of whether the container tracking option is enabled or not.

The tracking numbers, and how they are used, depends on the type of carrier you are dealing with. Most LTL carriers assign a single carrier tracking number to an entire shipment (called a pro-bill number, pro-number, or billing of lading), while parcel carriers usually assign a separate number to each container being moved. Truckload carriers usually assign a single tracking number to the load (called a Master Bill of Lading).