Pak Post Tracking Glossary: Terms Explained
Quick Answer
A plain guide to the words you see on a Pak Post tracking page: UMS, EMS, RGL, the S10 barcode format and post office words like "article" and "GPO". For what each status means, see the status meanings guide.
Article
Pakistan Post’s word for any item you post, whether it is a letter, a parcel or a registered document. A courier would say "shipment"; the post office says "article".
UMS (Urgent Mail Service)
Urgent Mail Service, Pakistan Post’s fast service for mail and parcels within Pakistan.
EMS (Express Mail Service)
Express Mail Service, the fast service for sending documents and parcels abroad. It uses the 13-character S10 barcode, not the UMS number style.
S10 Barcode
The Universal Postal Union’s standard tracking number: two letters, nine digits and a country code (ending in PK for items sent from Pakistan). EMS items often start with EE, and parcels with CP.
RGL (Registered Letter)
Registered mail. Used for legal papers, certificates and official letters. You get a receipt, and delivery is recorded, usually with a signature.
GPO
General Post Office, the main post office in a city. Complaints and collecting held items usually go through your local GPO.
Transit Mail Office
A sorting office that an item passes through on its way. A scan here shows it is moving, even before local delivery starts.
Value Payable (COD)
Cash on delivery: the receiver pays the postman when the item is delivered. Pakistan Post offers UMS COD and Value Payable Post (VPP).
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