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.

[treasureworldllc]

Looks like it’s an issue that just started due to some glitch between ebay and usps this weekend. 

[treasureworldllc]

Packages still are being shipped and can be tracked by calling a usps agent. They can see it on their end. 

[treasureworldllc]

Even eBay’s tracking is showing the wrong info this time. Current one I have is showing delivered on eBay as well. Delivered the day before the purchase date 😂

[treasureworldllc]

My labels I purchased today are correct. I printed about 10 over the weekend and only 1 had the issue.

[chucky226]

Some member posted as

"New update, if you track the packages through eBay's app or website, the proper tracking info is shown, but if you track via the USPS website, it shows the tracking info for the previous use of the tracking number."

However, for my case (as a buyer) when I go to my account and check Purchased List, it clearly shown as this order was delivered on 6/17/2025 while I placed the order on 6/22/2025.

I contacted eBay CS via phone but the CS don't know what to do and no clear info.

[funfactorychannel]

 I spent so much time answering questions about this issue for my buyers. It's wasting precious time. 

[geov_2055]

I am having the same issue and the tracking numbers are updating on ebay but not on the USPS website.  customer said he is going to give me a negative review when/if his item shows up.  USPS says this is Ebay and not them so they cannot update the tracking on their tracking sight! last week every sale had a reused tracking number that showed the item was already delivered to different states and one was delivered to Canada! Ebay will not do anything about it.

[geov_2055]

USPS says they do NOT re use tracking numbers.  They say this is something that Ebay is doing and these tracking numbers do not update on the USPS website.  I am tracking three pkgs from last week and none of them will update on USPS website.  USPS said only Ebay can deal with this.

[sgeesquared]

Happened to me and I have already had the buyer file a claim. Item purchased on the 21st, shipped on the 22nd and the tracking shows delivered on the 20th to a different address. USPS says this is an eBay issue. I am currently having an issue with contacting eBay. This is very frustrating and time consuming. 

[wastingtime101]

---

@treasureworldllc wrote:

 USPS says it’s and eBay issue and they are reusing tracking numbers too quickly. 

---

USPS gave you wrong info.

This was not an eBay issue; it was a USPS issue. The same thing happened with USPS labels on Etsy over the weekend. Read the post pinned to the top of this page here for an official update from eBay.

"We've identified a small number of USPS tracking numbers for eBay-purchased labels that show tracking activity—such as a 'Delivered' status—before the label was actually created. If you have an unshipped order affected by this issue, please purchase and use a new shipping label to fulfill the order. Since the original labels cannot be voided, we will refund their cost.

For any affected orders that have already shipped, we are working with USPS to ensure delivery is not disrupted. We will also protect your seller performance metrics, including tracking uploads, late shipments, defects, and negative feedback related to these transactions.

Transactions impacted by this issue will display accurate tracking events on eBay, although the USPS website may show tracking information from a previous shipment."