Articles on: Tracking & Status

How to Perform Bulk Shipment Search

Platforms: All platforms


Overview


The Bulk Search feature in AfterShip Tracking enables merchants and logistics teams to search and monitor multiple shipments simultaneously, improving operational efficiency and saving time on repetitive lookups.


You can manually search up to 200 tracking numbers directly or upload a CSV file containing up to 200,000 tracking numbers for high-volume shipment tracking. The latest update adds support for more flexible search parameters like Order ID, Last mile tracking number, and Destination Postal code for easier integration with your OMS or ERP system.


What you’ll learn



Feature overview


Module

Feature

Description

Plan Limitation

Shipments

Manual entry search

Input up to 200 tracking numbers directly in the search field for bulk tracking

Available on all plans

Shipments

Upload CSV search

Upload a CSV file when searching for more than 200 tracking numbers (up to 200,000 rows)

Available on Enterprise or above


Feature details


1. Manual entry search


Plans: Pro, Premium and above


Manual entry search allows you to quickly look up up to 200 shipments at a time by pasting tracking numbers directly into the search field. This is ideal for smaller batches or one-time checks without needing to prepare files.


How to use:


  1. Navigate to Shipments in your AfterShip Tracking admin.
  2. Select Bulk search > Manual entry search.



  1. Paste or enter your tracking numbers directly into the input box (separated by commas, spaces, or line breaks).
  2. Click Search to retrieve the current shipment status for each tracking number.
  3. The results will display shipment information such as carrier name, delivery status, delivery date, and any exceptions.





Plans: Enterprise and above


For larger operations or batch tracking needs, Upload CSV Search is designed to handle up to 200,000 tracking numbers per upload.


This feature allows Enterprise users to upload a CSV file and retrieve real-time shipment data in bulk, making it easier to manage warehouse dispatches, customer service escalations, or performance audits.


How to use:


  1. Navigate to Shipments in your AfterShip Tracking admin.
  2. Select Bulk search > CSV upload search.
  3. Click Add file and drag your file into the upload box and click Upload file.
  4. Ensure your CSV file:


  • Contains a single column of tracking identifiers (e.g., tracking number, order ID, postcode).
  • Does not exceed 20MB in file size.
  • Has no empty rows or formatting errors.


  1. Once uploaded, AfterShip will process your data and display shipment updates for all valid entries.
  2. Use filters to refine by carrier, status, destination, or delivery time.




Error message reference



If your file upload fails, you’ll see a clear error message indicating the cause. Use the table below to troubleshoot:


Scenario

Error Message

Resolution

Incorrect file format

Upload failed: Invalid file format. Please ensure the file is in a valid CSV format.

Save your file as .csv and remove any formatting errors.

File size exceeds the limit

Upload failed: File exceeds the maximum size limit of 20 MB.

Split your CSV file into smaller chunks under 20MB.

Too many rows

Upload failed: File exceeds the maximum limit of 200k rows.

Reduce the number of entries per upload to under 200,000.

File contains no data

Upload failed: Empty file.

Ensure your CSV file contains valid tracking numbers.



3. Additional bulk search parameters


AfterShip will allow users to select from multiple identifiers as search parameters, beyond just tracking numbers. You can now use:


  • Tracking number
  • Order ID
  • Order number
  • Shipment title
  • Customer name
  • Customer email
  • Customer phone number
  • Destination postal code
  • Last mile tracking number


How it works


  • Manual Entry Search: Click the dropdown in the bulk search section and choose your desired search parameter. Enter your identifiers accordingly.



  • CSV Upload Search: Before uploading your file, select the appropriate parameter from the dropdown. AfterShip will filter the uploaded data based on your selection.




This flexibility makes it easier for teams that rely on internal order references or regional postal codes to cross-check shipment performance or investigate delivery issues.


Use cases


Feature

Use Case

How to Use Bulk Search

CSV upload bulk search

The user wants to check the delivery status of all shipments that left the warehouse on October 29.

Export the tracking numbers from your OMS as a CSV file and upload it in Bulk Search. AfterShip will automatically process the file and display the latest shipment updates for all listed tracking numbers.

CSV upload bulk search

The user prefers managing shipments by Order ID rather than tracking number.

Export a CSV file from your OMS containing the Order IDs, select Order ID as the search parameter in Bulk Search, and upload the file. AfterShip will show all shipments linked to those Order IDs.

CSV upload bulk search

The user wants to review delivery performance by specific ZIP/postal codes.

Prepare a CSV file with the destination postal codes, choose Destination postal code as the search parameter when uploading, and submit it. AfterShip will return all related shipments, which you can further filter by carrier, delivery status, or region.


FAQs


1. Can I track more than 200 tracking numbers manually?

 

No. Manual entry search supports a maximum of 200 tracking numbers per session. Use the CSV upload option for larger datasets.


2. What format should my CSV file be in?


Your file should be a clean .csv with a single column of identifiers (tracking numbers, order IDs, or postcodes). Avoid using headers or extra columns.


3. What happens if there are invalid tracking numbers in my file?


AfterShip will process valid entries and skip invalid ones, logging errors for entries that failed validation.


4. Can I re-upload the same CSV to refresh tracking data?


Yes. You can re-upload your CSV anytime to fetch the latest tracking updates for the same list of shipments.


5. Are bulk search results downloadable?


Currently, search results are view-only in the dashboard, but you can filter, sort, and export shipment data from the main Shipments view.



The CSV upload bulk search feature is available on Enterprise and higher plans.


Key takeaways


  • You can now search up to 200 tracking numbers at once using the manual entry option.
  • For larger tracking lists, simply upload a CSV file (up to 200,000 rows or 20MB) to pull shipment updates in bulk.
  • Bulk search shipments by additional parameters like Order ID, Customer phone number, and Destination Postal code, not just tracking numbers.
  • Clear error messages will guide you through fixing any upload issues,  like incorrect file format or size limits.







Updated on: 12/11/2025