4-72 tracking

National postal service of Colombia

4-72, officially Servicios Postales Nacionales S.A., is the national postal carrier of Colombia. The company was created in 2006 to succeed the former state postal service Adpostal, which was in liquidation. In 2008, the company adopted the commercial brand 4-72, referring to the geographical coordinates of the center of Colombia (4° North latitude, 72° West longitude). This new visual and strategic identity modernized the image of the Colombian postal service while maintaining its public service mission. Since its founding, 4-72 has experienced continuous growth and transformations to improve its operations, financial health, and service quality. Today, it is a central player in the postal and logistics sector in Colombia.

While evolving, 4-72 has maintained the continuity of postal services in the country. As the official postal operator, it has expanded its offerings beyond traditional mail to include express courier and modern logistics solutions. Its recent history is marked by efforts in technological and organizational modernization, including a comprehensive restructuring plan approved in 2024 to ensure its sustainability. Over the years, 4-72 has strengthened its capabilities to adapt to the changing needs of citizens and businesses, establishing itself as the national pillar in mail, parcel, and digital postal services distribution.

Institutional status and national role

4-72 is a Colombian public company, attached to the Ministry of Information Technologies and Communications (MinTIC). Although organized as a public limited company, it operates as an industrial and commercial enterprise of the State, with administrative, financial, and budgetary autonomy. Its capital is entirely public, making 4-72 the designated operator to ensure universal postal service throughout Colombian territory. As such, the company must guarantee all citizens access to basic postal services, even in remote areas, in accordance with national public service obligations.

As the official postal operator of Colombia, 4-72 represents the country in international postal organizations. It is the Colombian member of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), which commits it to comply with international standards and norms for mail delivery in the 192 countries of the global postal network. 4-72 is also affiliated with the Postal Union of the Americas, Spain, and Portugal (UPAEP), the regional organization facilitating logistical cooperation between the posts of the Americas. Its institutional status thus confers a dual role: providing competitive postal and logistics services in the national market while fulfilling a public service mission and representing Colombia in the global postal system.

Comprehensive range of postal and logistics services

4-72 offers a wide range of postal, courier, and logistics services, tailored to both individuals and businesses:

• National Mail: distribution of letters, documents, and postcards within Colombia. This service includes regular mail as well as certified or registered mail options, ensuring traceability and proof of delivery for important shipments.
• National Parcels and Packages (Encomiendas): handling and delivery of parcels throughout the country. 4-72 ensures the reliable transportation of goods of various sizes, with timelines adapted to distances and tracking solutions to inform customers of their package's journey.
• International Mail and Parcels: shipping of letters, documents, and parcels to over 190 destinations abroad, via the global postal network. As an operator part of the UPU, 4-72 offers international postage for standard mail (classic postal delivery) as well as tracked shipments. International parcels (paquetería internacional) benefit from tracking in cooperation with the destination country's postal service, according to bilateral agreements and local tracking availability.
• Express Mail Service (EMS): express mail and parcel service operated under the brand PostExpress (EMS) by 4-72. This priority service, available both nationally and internationally, guarantees reduced delivery times and enhanced tracking. It is designed for the urgent dispatch of documents or goods, with expedited processing in sorting centers and priority during air or road transfers.
• Financial Postal Services: as the official postal provider, 4-72 offers money transfer services by mail. This includes national postal money orders (internal postal mandates allowing funds to be sent across the country) and international mandates in partnership with foreign postal networks. Additionally, 4-72 partners with global money transfer providers, such as MoneyGram, offering users the ability to send or receive money from its agencies.
• Logistics and E-commerce Solutions: 4-72 develops integrated logistics services for businesses, particularly in the context of e-commerce. This includes warehouse management, order preparation, capillary distribution, and last-mile delivery. The operator offers, for example, the Exporta Fácil program, a simplified service helping Colombian small and medium-sized enterprises export their products abroad via the postal network, with streamlined customs formalities. Moreover, 4-72 has implemented a Virtual Locker service (virtual mailbox abroad) allowing Colombian customers to purchase goods on international sites (notably in the United States) and have them delivered to Colombia through a dedicated forwarding address.
• Electronic and Specialized Services: in response to evolving needs, 4-72 also offers services such as certified email (to give legal value to emails and SMS, similar to an electronic registered mail) or the sale of philatelic products (commemorative stamps, etc.) on behalf of the State. The operator is also the only one authorized in Colombia to perform certain official tasks such as the distribution of judicial notifications (legal summons, procedural acts) ensuring their secure and traceable delivery.

Thanks to this diversified portfolio, 4-72 seeks to meet the multiple needs of its clientele. Whether to send a simple letter, ship a large parcel, transfer funds, or support the logistics operations of an online store, 4-72 offers an appropriate solution. The company continuously adjusts its services to remain competitive against other carriers while maintaining its mission of reliability and universal coverage.

Extensive national coverage across the territory

As the national postal network, 4-72 has an extensive presence throughout Colombian territory. The carrier operates in the 32 departments of the country and serves almost all municipalities (over 1,100 municipalities covered). Even rural and isolated localities benefit from its services, making 4-72 an essential vector of communication and economic exchange even in remote regions where it sometimes represents the only means of delivering mail and parcels.

The physical network of 4-72 relies on a set of its own post offices and partner contact points. There are nearly 200 post offices directly managed by 4-72 across the country, including main offices in departmental capitals and smaller agencies in secondary cities. In addition to these locations, there are over 900 affiliated agency points and postal counters (also called "allied" or franchised points) operated in partnership with local merchants. These partners, while operating under the 4-72 brand and standards, help densify coverage in localities without an official office. Thanks to this mixed model combining own agencies and a network of commercial allies, 4-72 ensures maximum capillarity and proximity to users, even in low-population-density areas.

To guide users to these service points, 4-72 provides an online tool for locating agencies and mailboxes. The network is structured to handle different volumes of traffic: large urban offices manage a significant daily flow of letters and parcels, while small partner sales points offer a drop-off and pick-up service in less frequented areas. In addition to fixed agencies, 4-72 also uses mobile or temporary solutions during specific campaigns (for example, mobile units during events, or seasonal staff reinforcement during holiday periods) to meet peak demand on the ground. This robust territorial organization allows 4-72 to fulfill its commitment to universal postal service accessibility in Colombia.

Modern and automated logistics infrastructure

To ensure the efficient delivery of mail and parcels, 4-72 relies on a substantial and modernized logistics infrastructure. At the heart of this system is the main Postal Processing Center, located in Bogotá, which serves as the national hub. Inaugurated in 2015, this centralized platform is the first fully automated postal sorting facility in Colombia. Equipped with state-of-the-art equipment imported from pioneering countries in the field (such as South Korea, France, or Germany), it is capable of sorting up to 7,200 documents per hour and about 4,000 parcels per hour. This high-tech center includes mechanical sorters (of the "Compaxorter" type for letters and "Posisorter" for parcels) that have multiplied sorting productivity by 10 to 15 times compared to previous manual processes. Thanks to this modernization investment, 4-72 has drastically reduced processing times in Bogotá, improving its national and international delivery times.

In addition to the capital's central platform, the company operates a network of about thirty regional operational centers scattered throughout the country. These secondary logistics centers, generally located in major cities (such as Medellín, Cali, Barranquilla, etc.), act as regional sorting centers: they ensure local sorting and distribution of shipments in their geographic area and transport postal bags to Bogotá (or receive from Bogotá) for their region. This star organization, with Bogotá as the pivot and interconnected regional centers, optimizes routes and relieves the national platform by distributing flows. Furthermore, 4-72 has specialized centers for certain services, such as a National Mail Center (for centralized management of regular mail) and an International Mail Center dedicated to handling incoming and outgoing postal flows of the country.

At the transport level, 4-72 mobilizes various modes to deliver mail and parcels. For short distances or to connect rural areas, fleets of road vehicles (delivery vans, intercity transport trucks) are used daily. For long-distance connections within the country, 4-72 charters trucks or uses partner bus lines to transport the postal pouch to regional centers. Internationally, mail and packages primarily travel by air: 4-72 collaborates with commercial or cargo airlines to transport mail by plane from Bogotá's El Dorado airport to international sorting centers. A rigorous postal security system is in place, notably through a National Postal Security Directorate that oversees control and security processes at the airport and distribution centers: ensuring the integrity of shipments and compliance with regulations (air security, customs, etc.). This entire logistics infrastructure (modern sorting centers, regional centers, and multimodal transport means) gives 4-72 the capacity to handle large volumes while maintaining reasonable delivery times and a high level of reliability in its deliveries.

Organization of national and international shipments

For national shipments, 4-72 operates a structured routing scheme that ensures coverage of the entire country. When a customer drops off a shipment (mail or parcel) at a 4-72 office, it is taken in charge and directed to the nearest regional sorting center. After an initial local sort, the shipment is generally sent to the Bogotá processing center if its final destination is in another region. Once sorted in Bogotá (or in the originating regional sorting center), it joins the transport network to the destination region: transported by land if the distance is medium or by air for more distant or faster distribution. As it approaches the destination, the parcel/letter is handled by the local distribution center, which performs the final sort by delivery route or delivery round. The process concludes with delivery to the recipient (at home for parcels or by mail delivery to the mailbox). Throughout this internal journey, 4-72 manages the flow end-to-end, ensuring connections between the different centers and optimizing transit to avoid delays.

For international shipments, 4-72 relies on the postal exchange mechanisms defined by the UPU. A shipment destined for abroad first transits through the domestic network to the international exchange center in Bogotá. It is there that export customs formalities are carried out (customs declaration checks for parcels, verification of registered shipments, etc.) as well as dispatch to the correct transport link. Most international shipments depart by plane from Bogotá to a transit country or directly to the destination country. Upon arrival in the destination country, the parcel or mail is handled by the local postal operator, which then ensures final distribution according to its own processes. The shipment tracking is shared between 4-72 and the foreign partner carrier via interconnected status updates (thanks to UPU systems) so that the sender and recipient can track the complete journey. For incoming parcels in Colombia, the reverse scheme applies: 4-72 receives international postal bags at the airport, performs import and customs formalities (inspection by DIAN, the Colombian customs administration), then injects these parcels into its national network for delivery to the Colombian recipient.

Note that some regional postal flows benefit from specific logistical agreements. For example, after the reopening of postal relations between Colombia and Venezuela, 4-72 established a partnership with IPOSTEL (the Venezuelan postal service) to restore the land transit of mail and parcels between the two neighboring countries. Similarly, Colombia's strategic geographical position pushes 4-72 to develop a role as a regional platform: the company has presented a "sorting center of the Americas" project aiming to make Bogotá a postal logistics transit center for international e-commerce, connecting flows from Asia, America, and Europe via its network. Through these mechanisms and partnerships, 4-72 fully integrates Colombia into the global logistics network while striving to facilitate international exchanges for users (customs clearance, tracking harmonization, etc.).

Numbering and tracking system for shipments

All tracked shipments handled by 4-72 are assigned a unique tracking number, allowing the parcel or mail to be traced at each key stage of its journey. For international shipments and registered mail, 4-72 uses the standardized S10 format of the Universal Postal Union. This format consists of 13 characters: two initial letters indicating the type of shipment, followed by 9 digits, then two final letters corresponding to the ISO code of the country of origin (CO for Colombia). For example, a tracked international parcel may have a number in the form CP123456789CO (where "CP" is the type code for a postal parcel). Similarly, a registered letter will have a number starting with "RR" or "RA" and ending with "CO". This numbering system is harmonized worldwide, so that the same tracking code is recognized by the postal network abroad when the parcel transits in another country.

For shipments within Colombia, 4-72 also assigns tracking numbers, often alphanumeric. They may follow the same UPU standard or use an internal format specific to 4-72. For example, an internal express parcel may be identified by a code starting with the letter "E" (for Express) followed by numbers, or an economic shipment by another distinctive letter. In any case, the system guarantees the uniqueness of the number and allows its consultation in the 4-72 tracking database. Note that the numbering format may have evolved over time and with technological improvements, but 4-72 ensures compatibility between old and new formats so that users can always track their shipments.

The 4-72 tracking system is accessible online via the company's official portal. By entering the tracking number on the traceability page, the customer obtains information on the last known status of their shipment and the history of the stages crossed (handling, sorting centers passed through, customs clearance, etc.). 4-72 has invested heavily in modernizing its information systems to improve tracking accuracy and speed. For example, during the 2020 pandemic, the operator deployed a "cognitive capture" project: smart cameras and Artificial Intelligence algorithms automatically read the labels of incoming international parcels, instantly record the data (addresses, barcodes...) and trigger automatic sorting to the correct destination. This digital process, connected to the 4-72 central system, has significantly reduced data entry errors and tracking status update delays. Now, most parcels from global e-commerce are scanned and directed in seconds, offering near-real-time traceability and increased visibility to customers.

Internally, 4-72 uses an integrated postal information system (called SIPOST) that centralizes all tracking and logistics information. Each event (drop-off, arrival at a center, delivery attempt, etc.) is recorded by employees or automatically by scanners, then synchronized in the database. Customers can thus track their shipment not only on the 4-72 website but also via international tracking platforms, thanks to data exchange between 4-72 and partner postal tracking systems. The company encourages its customers to use these online tools and subscribe to notifications (email/SMS) when available, to stay informed in real-time of their parcels' progress. This transparency strengthens user trust and allows 4-72 to quickly address potential issues (stalled parcels, address errors) by involving the recipient or sender through shared tracking information.

Network of international and regional partnerships

As part of its mission, 4-72 relies on numerous partnerships and cooperation agreements, both nationally and internationally. Globally, its membership in the UPU and UPAEP facilitates the exchange of postal flows with all countries. Concretely, this means that 4-72 collaborates daily with foreign posts for the transfer of shipments: for example, La Poste in France, USPS in the United States, Correos in Spain, or China Post in China, are regular correspondents of 4-72 to ensure the reciprocal delivery of letters and parcels between Colombia and these countries. These collaborations follow standard protocols (such as CN transport documents and interconnected tracking systems) that ensure service continuity from one country to another.

In addition to this multilateral network, 4-72 establishes specific bilateral agreements when necessary. A notable case is logistical coordination with neighboring countries: with Ecuador and Brazil, 4-72 organizes regular land connections for cross-border mail. More recently, the reactivation of the postal connection with Venezuela led to a direct agreement between 4-72 and IPOSTEL, to reopen land routes for parcel and mail exchanges between Bogotá and Caracas (and vice versa). This type of agreement improves delivery times and reliability to these neighboring destinations, without relying solely on air transport.

On the internal logistics front, 4-72 works in concert with national carriers to transport mail. For example, the company may charter trucks from road transport companies to move large volumes between two sorting centers or reserve spaces on domestic commercial flights to speed up the distribution of urgent parcels. It also cooperates with public companies like Transporte de Valores (to secure the transport of certain sensitive cargoes) or other state entities for accessibility programs (such as the distribution of electoral materials or administrative documents throughout the country).

In the field of e-commerce, 4-72 forges links with major platforms and logistics integrators. For example, it is often the final relay in Colombia for AliExpress or eBay orders shipped from Asia via the postal network. Moreover, aware of the rise of e-commerce, 4-72 has initiated cooperations with postal operators in Central America and the Caribbean to position itself as a regional redistribution platform for international parcels (hence the "sorting center of the Americas" project mentioned earlier). This project also includes a partnership with the Panama post to facilitate the transit of shipments between the Asia-Pacific region and South America via Colombia.

Finally, on the financial and technological front, 4-72 participates in international postal development programs. It collaborates, for example, with the UPU on postal network modernization projects, as well as with partners like the European Union or UNEX for quality measures (test letter programs to measure delivery times, etc.). It also maintains strategic partnerships with private sector companies: information technology providers (Microsoft Azure was a technology partner for its smart sorting project), logistics security companies (BASC certification obtained in partnership with the Business Alliance for Secure Commerce), and of course MoneyGram for money transfers. These various collaborations demonstrate 4-72's openness and integration into a global logistics ecosystem while enhancing its ability to innovate and effectively serve its customers.

Quality commitments and certifications

As a public operator and national service provider, 4-72 is committed to a quality approach aimed at continuously improving its performance and customer satisfaction. This commitment has been concretized by obtaining several international certifications that validate its management and security processes. Notably, 4-72 has obtained ISO 9001:2015 certification for its quality management system, attesting that the company has well-defined procedures to provide services that meet regulatory requirements and customer expectations. This standard covers aspects such as efficient handling of shipments, complaint management, and continuous improvement of postal operations.

On the environmental front, 4-72 is also ISO 14001:2015 certified, reflecting its commitment to reducing the ecological footprint of its activities. The company strives to optimize its routes to save fuel, recycle waste (cardboard, packaging plastics) from its logistics activity, and raise employee awareness of good environmental practices. Furthermore, in terms of occupational health and safety, 4-72 has implemented a system compliant with ISO 45001:2018 (formerly OHSAS 18001). This ensures that the company takes the necessary measures to ensure the safety of its 4,600 employees and contractors: training in job skills, safe handling protocols, protective equipment, etc., to minimize workplace accidents and occupational risks in sorting centers and during transport.

In addition to these ISO standards, 4-72 has obtained BASC (Business Alliance for Secure Commerce) certification. BASC is an international security standard aimed at securing the supply chain and preventing illicit acts (such as drug trafficking or smuggling) in the transport of goods. 4-72's adherence to BASC means that the company has implemented rigorous controls on its shipments (random inspections, security seals, warehouse surveillance) and actively collaborates with customs and police authorities to ensure that its postal network is not used for fraudulent purposes. This is particularly important in the context of international shipments, as it strengthens foreign partners' trust in the reliability and integrity of shipments from Colombia.

Furthermore, 4-72 participates in UPU and UPAEP quality evaluation programs, regularly receiving feedback on its performance (actual delivery times compared to standards, successful distribution rates, etc.). The results of these evaluations are used to identify areas for improvement. The company has set service quality objectives, such as a minimum rate of deliveries made within announced deadlines, and publishes certain performance indicators in its annual reports to play the transparency card with the public. Finally, 4-72 is also committed to social responsibility and citizen service actions: training campaigns for its staff, projects to improve service accessibility for people with disabilities, or partnerships with other public entities to provide postal services in areas affected by conflicts or natural disasters. All these commitments underline 4-72's desire to guarantee a quality, safe, reliable, and environmentally friendly postal service, in accordance with its universal service mission.

Modernization and recent investments

In recent years, 4-72 has undertaken extensive modernization projects to adapt to changes in the postal and logistics market. One of the major projects has been the digital transformation of its operations. As mentioned, the company has integrated Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies into its main sorting center to automate address reading and parcel routing. This system, deployed during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowed for compensating the sudden increase in parcel volumes related to the rise of online commerce. In just a few months, 4-72 was able to digitize almost the entire sorting process for international shipments: data from over 1.9 million parcels were automatically captured, reducing average processing times by 67%. These technological investments translate into better shipment visibility (fewer "lost" parcels en route, as they are better scanned) and increased productivity, without unsustainably increasing the human workload.

On the infrastructure front, 4-72 has also invested in new facilities. In addition to the modernization of the Bogotá center in 2015, the company has inaugurated new international logistics platforms in recent years. For example, a new logistics branch was commissioned near El Dorado International Airport, specifically dedicated to processing incoming e-commerce parcels (this site serves as an accelerated customs clearance and sorting area before injection into the domestic network). This capacity strengthening is part of the desire to make Colombia a regional platform: 4-72 is preparing to handle not only Colombian parcels but also potentially redistribute shipments to other countries in the region, taking advantage of the country's geographical position and varied air connections.

In 2024, facing financial and operational challenges, 4-72 launched, in concert with the Colombian government, a restructuring and recapitalization plan. The state approved an injection of 70 billion Colombian pesos to strengthen the company's equity and finance improvements. This plan includes a 10-year extension of 4-72's concession as the official postal operator (ensuring the company institutional stability for the coming decade) and the use of a specialized consulting firm to rethink internal organization. The goal is to achieve cost savings without affecting user service, notably by optimizing the management structure and reviewing certain processes. This plan also aims to refocus 4-72 on promising segments such as parcels and e-commerce, improving its efficiency to face competition from private couriers.

In the wake of this modernization, 4-72 unveiled in 2025 a new digital ecosystem called "4-72 Conecta Más". It is an integrated platform that aims to group online services for customers: enhanced shipment tracking, rate calculator, appointment scheduling for home parcel pickups, mobile app alerts on delivery statuses, etc. This portal, supported by the Colombian government, symbolizes 4-72's desire to offer a modern and connected customer experience, at international standards. With these investments and recent projects, 4-72 demonstrates that it intends not only to preserve the viability of the historical operator it is but also to innovate to remain a leading player in logistics in the digital age.

Key player in e-commerce logistics in Colombia

The development of e-commerce has profoundly transformed 4-72's activity over the past decade. More and more Colombians are ordering products online, whether on national marketplaces or international sites, and 4-72 plays a crucial role in delivering these parcels to final customers. As the national postal service, 4-72 is often the provider responsible for last-mile delivery for orders from abroad. For example, a parcel shipped from China via the postal network (China Post) will arrive in Colombia and be handed over to 4-72 for final distribution to the local recipient. Thus, the rise of Alibaba/AliExpress, Amazon, or eBay in Colombia has resulted in significant additional flows managed by 4-72, with peaks during global sales periods (such as "11.11" or Black Friday).

To meet this rapidly growing demand, 4-72 has adapted its organization. The company has increased the number of its parcel delivery rounds in urban areas, mobilizing more vehicles and dedicated personnel. It has also adjusted the working hours of its sorting centers to process e-commerce parcels often arriving in bulk (by entire containers) and avoid congestion. On the technological front, as mentioned, the adoption of automatic label reading has significantly shortened the time between the arrival of a batch of imported parcels and their delivery. Additionally, 4-72 collaborates with Colombian customs to expedite the clearance of small parcels from online commerce: simplified procedures (notably for low-value shipments below the taxation threshold) and prior electronic data exchanges (CEPA) allow for processing a large volume of packages with minimal delay.

4-72 also seeks to proactively leverage e-commerce. Through its 4-72 Virtual Locker service, it encourages Colombians to shop on North American or European sites: the user obtains a receiving address in Miami or Madrid, where 4-72 consolidates their purchases and then ships them to Colombia, optimizing costs. This service has made 4-72 an ally of Colombian consumers to access products not available locally, while maintaining competitive rates compared to private carriers. Furthermore, the company offers Colombian online sellers integrated solutions, such as batch parcel pickup at the merchant's location, online postage with label printing, and professional rates for mass shipping. These offers aim to support the growth of local e-commerce platforms and small artisanal businesses selling online, by providing them with tailored logistics.

Internationally, the "sorting center of the Americas" strategy mentioned earlier aligns with the boom in cross-border e-commerce. 4-72 aims to make Colombia a gateway for parcels destined for Latin America, taking advantage of a central location and regional trade agreements. If this project materializes, an Asian merchant could ship a batch of parcels to Bogotá for redistribution to other Latin American countries via the 4-72 network and partner posts. This will require deepening cooperation with other postal operators in the region, but would position 4-72 as an essential logistics link in continental e-commerce. In short, e-commerce, while representing a logistical challenge due to its volumes and speed requirements, has become one of the drivers of 4-72's evolution. The company strives to accompany this trend by innovating and investing, aware that its ability to meet the e-commerce challenge largely determines its future in the parcel delivery sector.

Shipment tracking statuses