eBay/USPS reusing tracking numbers after only a few weeks!?!

[ohdeercustomdolls]

I shipped out 20 packages today - June 21st - and had a buyer email me saying they just got a notification that their package was delivered on May 28th to an address is a different state. I checked the tracking, and sure enough, they're right. I double checked the labels I printed today and 6 out of the 20 labels have tracking that shows the packages were delivered to various addresses in May of 2025. It appears that tracking numbers are being recycled extremely quickly which is causing concerned buyers.

I hope that tracking eventually updates with the correct information. I'll post updates.

[toysaver]

Three out of 6 packages I have waiting to drop at the PO this morning have tracking that shows they were already delivered a few days ago, .   One is GA other 2 are Priority.  

[timelord_science]

Having the same issue on 3 packages (out of 12) that have already been dropped off/show delivered already. Hopefully this issue fixes itself.  😞

[camocow200]

Yup, all the labels I printed over the weekend tracking shows delivered, I haven't dropped the packages off yet to the post office, tried to cancel labels, but past the 24 hours...   

[modulok!]

Is this still happening for labels purchased today Monday 6/23/25?  Or has it been solved?  Anyone?

[ohdeercustomdolls]

Voiding the labels is also a risk since they would potentially show as used since the tracking shows delivered.

[ohdeercustomdolls]

I had already dropped off all of the packages before being alerted to the issue by one of my buyers who said they received a notification that their package was delivered. The good news is that the packages have been moving through the network as usual and the tracking shown on eBay either on the app or the website is updating normally.

My buyers have been understanding once I send them a photo of the actual label I used showing their address and the tracking number, and include a screenshot of the current tracking progress reflected on eBay.

[oldcolt45]

I had 2 packages today as well like that. Never had it happen before. I’m wondering if it’s a “today” sort of problem. I expect to see more of these posts today if that’s the case. Hopefully it will get fixed because I don’t know what to do about it…..

[ohdeercustomdolls]

I'm not sure if it's still happening, but just to be safe, I've decided to print shipping labels via PirateShip for the next few days since only label I printed via eBay seem to be affected. My PirateShip and Etsy labels printed over the weekend were fine.

[ohdeercustomdolls]

UPDATE:

eBay is aware and has acknowledged the issue. Below is what is posted on the known issues thread of the technical issues board. Use the reference id below if you need to contact customer service with this issue.

Sellers purchased USPS shipping labels on eBay however tracking shows already delivered or in transit in USPS carrier site

Reference ID: ALERT16019

[toomuchstuffagain35]

Just because you haven't come across an issue doesn't mean it didn't happen.

Same thing happened in October last year and as far as I can recall has happened at least twice before that.

[lilwillyz233]

This happened to me today. I shipped an item today, our sub carrier didn't scan it. I got an email an hour later it was delivered in another state... sent the buyer a copy of the label, but went in and checked and sure enough this is a tracking number recycled from June 1st. Not even 3 weeks ago. I am going in to check the rest of our parcels now. 😭

[ohdeercustomdolls]

UPDATE: even after being delivered, the USPS tracking doesn't update. The previous delivery scan from several weeks ago is still shown. The tracking via eBay shows delivered to the correct zip code, so as a precaution, I've taken a screenshot of the eBay tracking in case an INR case is opened.