Netherlands
Track PostNL packages with Paxlo and get real-time updates on deliveries across the Netherlands. Instant notifications for all your shipments in one app.
PostNL stands as the primary postal and parcel delivery service in the Netherlands, handling millions of shipments every week. Originally part of the Dutch postal monopoly TPG Post, the company rebranded to PostNL in 2011 and now serves as a public postal operator with deep roots in Dutch commerce and daily life. Beyond standard mail, PostNL operates an extensive parcel network that connects Dutch consumers with retailers, online marketplaces, and international sellers.
The company employs over 40,000 people and maintains thousands of pickup points throughout the Netherlands, making it nearly impossible to walk through a Dutch town without encountering a PostNL service point. This infrastructure enables same-day and next-day delivery options that have become standard expectations for Dutch online shoppers. PostNL also handles cross-border shipments, connecting the Netherlands with the rest of Europe and beyond through partnerships with international carriers.
PostNL offers multiple delivery tiers designed to accommodate different sender and recipient needs. Understanding these options helps you know what to expect when tracking your package through Paxlo.
The flexibility of pickup points particularly distinguishes PostNL in the Dutch market. Most residents live within walking distance of at least one collection location, and parcels typically remain available for pickup for seven days after the first delivery attempt.
While PostNL provides its own tracking system through its website and app, Paxlo brings your PostNL shipments together with packages from other carriers in a unified tracking dashboard. This becomes especially valuable if you shop from multiple retailers or receive both domestic and international deliveries.
Paxlo connects directly to PostNL tracking systems and translates technical status codes into clear, actionable updates. Instead of checking multiple websites or apps, you get a single notification stream that keeps you informed without overwhelming you with unnecessary details.
The app eliminates the frustration of missed deliveries by alerting you the moment PostNL updates your package status. If your parcel gets redirected to a pickup point, you will know immediately where to collect it and when it will be available.
PostNL tracking numbers typically consist of a combination of letters and numbers, often starting with "3S" followed by digits. International parcels coming into the Netherlands through PostNL may have different formats depending on the origin country and carrier partnership.
When you enter a PostNL tracking number into Paxlo, the app queries PostNL systems and presents the information in an easy-to-understand format. Common status updates include package acceptance at the sender location, arrival at sorting centers, out for delivery notifications, and final delivery confirmation or pickup point drop-off.
Some status messages indicate that PostNL attempted delivery but nobody was available to receive the package. In these cases, the parcel typically goes to the nearest pickup point automatically. Paxlo shows you exactly which location holds your package and provides the address and opening hours pulled from PostNL data.
The Netherlands has one of the highest e-commerce penetration rates in Europe, with Dutch consumers ordering frequently from both local and international retailers. This creates a tracking challenge when packages come from different carriers with different tracking systems and notification standards.
Paxlo solves this fragmentation problem. Whether your package ships via PostNL from a Dutch webshop, arrives through DPD from Germany, or comes via bpost from Belgium, everything appears in one feed. You stop juggling multiple tracking websites and get consistent, reliable updates formatted the same way regardless of the carrier.
For PostNL specifically, Paxlo adds value by translating the sometimes technical Dutch-language status updates into clear English when needed, making the app accessible to international residents and expats living in the Netherlands who may not be fluent in Dutch. The app also maintains tracking history, so you can reference past deliveries without digging through old emails or browser history.
Paxlo works on both iOS and Android devices, syncing your tracking information across platforms. Add a package on your phone during your morning commute, and check its status later on your tablet at home. The cross-device functionality means you never lose sight of your deliveries.
Open Paxlo and tap the add button, then enter your PostNL tracking number. The app automatically detects that it belongs to PostNL and begins pulling delivery updates. You can also forward your shipping confirmation email to your unique Paxlo email address, and the app extracts the tracking number automatically. Once added, you will receive push notifications whenever PostNL updates the package status.
PostNL delivers packages to pickup points when nobody is available to receive the delivery at your address or when you specifically chose pickup point delivery during checkout. Paxlo shows you the exact pickup point location, address, and opening hours. You typically have seven days to collect your package before it returns to the sender. Bring valid identification when picking up your parcel.
New tracking numbers sometimes take a few hours to appear in the PostNL system after the sender creates the shipping label. If Paxlo cannot find your tracking number, wait a few hours and try again. Also verify that you entered the complete tracking code without spaces or extra characters. For international shipments entering the Netherlands, the tracking number might change when PostNL takes over from the origin country carrier, though Paxlo usually handles these transitions automatically.
Standard PostNL parcel delivery typically takes one business day for packages sent before the cutoff time, usually around 3 PM. Packages sent later or on weekends get processed the next business day. Paxlo shows estimated delivery dates based on the current package location and typical PostNL transit times. During peak periods like holidays or major sales events, delivery may take an additional day.
Paxlo is a tracking app and cannot modify delivery instructions directly. However, once you see your package is in the PostNL system through Paxlo, you can visit the PostNL website or app and use your tracking number to request delivery changes like redirecting to a different address or choosing a specific pickup point. Some senders restrict these options depending on the service level purchased.
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First check if PostNL delivered to a pickup point instead of your address. Paxlo will show this in the tracking details. Also ask neighbors or household members if they accepted the package. If you still cannot locate it, contact PostNL customer service with your tracking number to open an investigation. Document the issue in Paxlo by adding notes to the shipment for your records, which can help with claims or disputes.
Yes, Paxlo tracks both domestic Dutch parcels and international shipments handled by PostNL. For packages coming into the Netherlands from abroad, tracking continues seamlessly as the parcel transfers from the origin carrier to PostNL for final delivery. The app shows the complete journey from origin country through Dutch customs and final delivery or pickup point drop-off.
