OCA tracking

What is OCA?

OCA, an acronym for Organización Coordinadora Argentina, is the leading private postal operator in Argentina and one of the country's most emblematic logistics companies. Founded in 1957 in the province of Córdoba by Tomás Kallos and Antonio Savid, this company began as an internal mail management service for the automotive factory Industrias Kaiser Argentina (IKA). From these modest origins linked to the automotive industry, OCA gradually transformed into a major player in the Argentine postal and logistics sector, capable of competing with the public postal service.

OCA's history reflects Argentina's economic and regulatory transformations over recent decades. In 1960, the company's headquarters were transferred to Buenos Aires, marking the beginning of an ambitious national expansion. The company then invested in its own fleet of vehicles and also used rail transport to ensure reliable delivery of mail and parcels over long distances across the vast Argentine territory. This combination of transport means allowed OCA to stand out through the quality and regularity of its services.

The 1970s brought major structural changes to the entire Argentine private postal sector. In 1973, the national government adopted Law 20216 (Correos Law), which replaced postal legislation dating from 1876. This new regulation led to the temporary nationalization of private courier services, forcing OCA to cede part of its traditional postal activities to the public sector. Nevertheless, the company managed to maintain its operations in the parcel and specialized services sector, demonstrating remarkable adaptability in the face of regulatory constraints.

• Date of creation: 1957, in the province of Córdoba, as an internal service for Industrias Kaiser Argentina
• Founders: Tomás Kallos and Antonio Savid, visionary entrepreneurs in the logistics sector
• Headquarters: Buenos Aires, Argentina, located at La Rioja 301, Capital Federal
• Status: Leading private postal operator in Argentina, in operation for over 65 years
• Workforce: The company employed up to 16,000 people at its peak, and currently preserves more than 8,500 direct and indirect jobs

With the liberalization of the postal market in the 1990s, OCA resumed sustained growth. In 1996, the company merged with OCASA (Organización Courier Argentino S.A.), a corporate messaging provider, thereby expanding its service offerings and professional customer base. This strategic merger allowed OCA to position itself as a complete player in the sector, capable of meeting the needs of both individuals and businesses.

The late 1990s were marked by major ownership changes. In December 1997, OCA was acquired by the Exxel group for 605 million US dollars. At that time, the company was part of Alfredo Yabrán's empire, an influential and controversial figure in the Argentine private postal sector. After the financial crisis of the early 2000s that struck Argentina hard, OCA came under the control of its ten creditor banks in 2002, in exchange for a debt of 230 million dollars. In 2004, the investment fund Advent International acquired the company, before selling it in 2009 to Alfredo Romero, then CEO of the company. In 2013, the Argentine group RHUO bought the share package from Romero, consolidating OCA's status on the national market.

Despite recurring financial difficulties, notably a bankruptcy declaration in 2019 linked to significant debt and irregularities dating back to the 1990s, OCA succeeded in continuing its operations through successive restructurings. The company is currently in concurso preventivo (judicial reorganization procedure) due to significant debt to ARCA (formerly AFIP, the Argentine tax administration), but its operations continue to function normally. This resilience testifies to OCA's strategic importance in the Argentine logistics ecosystem and the confidence that customers and partners place in it.

In which countries does OCA deliver?

OCA Argentina concentrates its operations primarily on Argentine national territory, where the company has unparalleled logistics infrastructure among private operators. The carrier serves all 23 Argentine provinces as well as the autonomous city of Buenos Aires, offering complete geographical coverage that extends from major metropolitan areas to the most remote rural areas of the country.

OCA's national network relies on more than 155 branches strategically distributed across Argentine territory. These agencies constitute key points for collection, sorting, and distribution of shipments. In addition to this network of its own agencies, OCA provides more than 1,500 partner relay points, called "Puntos OCA" or "Agentes Oficiales OCA", where customers can drop off or pick up their parcels. This extended infrastructure allows the carrier to ensure a local presence in virtually every locality in the country.

• Buenos Aires and metropolitan region: Intensive coverage with numerous branches and drop-off points in Greater Buenos Aires
• Central provinces: Córdoba, Santa Fe, Entre Ríos, with a dense network reflecting the economic activity of these regions
• Northern provinces: Tucumán, Salta, Jujuy, Misiones, Corrientes and other provinces of the Norte Grande
• Patagonia: Neuquén, Río Negro, Chubut, Santa Cruz, with timeframes adapted to significant distances
• Cuyo: Mendoza, San Juan, San Luis, wine-growing and industrial regions well served

It should be noted that there is an important geographic restriction: the province of Tierra del Fuego, located at the extreme south of the country, is not served by OCA for home delivery and branch modalities. This limitation is explained by the special status of this province, considered a Special Customs Zone (Área Aduanera Especial), which imposes specific documentary and regulatory requirements for the entry of goods.

Beyond national borders, OCA also offers international shipping services through its OCA Internacional division (OCA Courier). This service allows the shipment of parcels, documents, and samples from Argentina to many destinations around the world. Concretely, a customer can entrust an international shipment to OCA, which will be handled locally and then routed to the destination country thanks to logistics agreements and partnerships with foreign correspondents.

For international shipments, OCA offers several options including parcel reception at a branch or pickup at the sender's home. Delivery times vary considerably depending on the destination, the type of service chosen, and applicable customs procedures. The carrier offers online tracking allowing the parcel to be traced throughout its journey, as well as specialized customer support to answer questions related to shipping procedures outside Argentine territory.

International destinations accessible via OCA cover the world's main commercial markets, although the service is primarily oriented toward shipments from Argentina rather than imports. Latin American, European, and North American countries are among the most frequent destinations. For each international shipment, OCA provides assistance regarding required documents and any restrictions applicable according to the country of destination.

What are OCA's services and delivery timeframes?

OCA offers a diverse range of logistics services tailored to the different needs of its customers, whether they are individuals occasionally shipping a parcel or companies managing significant daily shipment volumes. The service offering is structured around several speed levels and collection modalities, allowing everyone to find the solution that meets their expectations in terms of delivery times and budget.

OCA's standard service constitutes the most economical option for domestic shipments. With delivery times of 48 to 96 working hours depending on the distance between origin and destination, this service is perfectly suited for shipments with no particular urgency. The deadline calculation begins on the business day following receipt of the parcel by OCA, and delivery times may vary depending on the geographical area of destination as well as weather or logistical conditions.

• Standard Service (Estándar): Delivery in 48 to 96 working hours (2 to 4 days), ideal for non-urgent shipments at economical rates
• Priority Service (Prioritario): Delivery in 24 to 48 working hours, offering accelerated handling for shipments requiring faster delivery
• Urgent Service (Urgente): Delivery within 24 hours maximum, including air transport to guarantee receipt in the shortest possible time
• Express Home Delivery Service: Between 24 and 48 hours, with priority tracking throughout the journey

For urgent needs, OCA offers express and priority delivery services that significantly reduce delivery times. The priority service guarantees delivery within 24 to 48 hours, while the urgent service promises delivery within 24 hours thanks to air transport. These express options involve preferential handling at each stage of the logistics chain: immediate pickup, direct routing to sorting centers, and priority distribution by delivery teams.

It is important to clarify that the announced delivery times correspond to working days and exclude exceptional circumstances. Deliveries take place Monday to Friday, between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM. Factors that may influence delivery times include the geographic distance between origin and destination, unfavorable weather conditions (flooding, snow, impassable roads), and compliance with applicable postal regulations for the parcel contents.

OCA has also developed logistics solutions specifically adapted to e-commerce under its OCA ePak brand. This service integrates shipping systems with Argentina's main online sales platforms, allowing e-commerce merchants to simplify their order management. OCA ePak includes collection of parcels from sellers or their deposit at an agency, routing to distribution centers, and final delivery to customers throughout the country.

For the professional sector, OCA offers complete logistics services including storage, packaging, inventory management, and final shipment of products. The company notably manages dedicated logistics for the healthcare sector, with distribution of medicines and pharmaceutical products under the strict control and approval of ANMAT (Administración Nacional de Medicamentos, Alimentos y Tecnología Médica). This specialization testifies to OCA's ability to meet the strictest requirements in terms of traceability and transport conditions.

What are OCA's rates and maximum dimensions accepted?

OCA shipment pricing is based on several criteria that allow calculating the exact cost of each shipment. The carrier provides an online quoting tool on its website called "Calculá tu envío" (Calculate your shipment) that allows obtaining a precise rate estimate based on the parcel characteristics and destination. This calculator takes into account key variables such as weight, dimensions, and the type of delivery service selected (standard, priority, or urgent).

OCA rates vary primarily depending on parcel weight, its dimensions, the distance between origin and destination, as well as the type of service selected (standard, priority, or urgent). For e-commerce shipments, rates are generally more favorable thanks to preferential agreements negotiated with the OCA ePak platform. As an indication, prices can range from a few thousand Argentine pesos for a small parcel in standard delivery to larger amounts for voluminous or express shipments.

• Standard maximum weight: 25 kg per parcel, constituting the basic limit for light parcel services
• Weight overage: Acceptance of an additional 5 kg surplus, charged as excess kilogram
• Maximum dimensions per parcel: 70 cm length x 70 cm width x 70 cm height
• Alternative dimension rule: The sum of the three dimensions (length + width + height) must not exceed 2.10 linear meters
• Number of parcels: No limitation on the quantity of packages comprising a single shipment

OCA also applies the concept of volumetric weight (peso dimensional) for light but bulky parcels. The volumetric weight calculation uses a density coefficient of 250 kg/m³, meaning that one cubic meter of volume equals 250 kg for pricing purposes. The cost of the shipment is then calculated by comparing the actual weight and volumetric weight, the highest of the two being retained for billing. This method ensures fair pricing that reflects the space occupied by the parcel in transport vehicles.

It is important to note that the measurements declared by the sender when creating the shipment on the platform are verified by OCA branch staff upon deposit. If there is a difference between declared dimensions and actual dimensions observed, the user is informed at the counter of the measurement correction and corresponding tariff adjustment. This procedure guarantees consistency between system information and the actual characteristics of parcels.

Regarding content restrictions, OCA formally prohibits the shipment of certain merchandise categories for safety and legal compliance reasons. Prohibited items include flammable, corrosive, or explosive objects, perishable goods, cash and valuables (credit cards, lottery tickets), jewelry, liquids and fragile objects without appropriate packaging, infectious or hazardous substances, magnetic or radioactive materials, live animals, as well as controlled substances and any substance whose use or possession is criminally punishable.

For oversized shipments exceeding light parcel limits, OCA has a freight transport and bulk cargo service. This service is aimed at companies and shippers with logistics needs for pallets, merchandise containers, or industrial equipment. Pricing for these services is subject to personalized quotes taking into account the specifics of each logistics project.

What are OCA's delivery options?

OCA Argentina offers great flexibility in delivery modalities, allowing shippers and recipients to choose the option that best suits their constraints and preferences. The carrier has developed four main combinations of parcel pickup and delivery, thus offering complete customization of the logistics journey.

Door-to-door delivery (Puerta a puerta) constitutes the most complete and comfortable option. In this configuration, an OCA agent travels to the shipper's home to collect the parcel from their home or workplace, then the carrier ensures delivery to the recipient's address where the parcel is handed over in person. This service eliminates travel for both the shipper and recipient, offering maximum comfort.

• Door-to-door (Puerta a puerta): Pickup at shipper's location and delivery to recipient's home, complete service with no travel required
• Door-to-branch (Puerta a sucursal): Pickup at shipper's location and availability at an OCA branch for recipient pickup
• Branch-to-door (Sucursal a puerta): Deposit by shipper at an OCA branch and delivery to recipient's home
• Branch-to-branch (Sucursal a sucursal): Deposit and pickup at OCA branches, the most economical mode

The door-to-branch modality allows the shipper to benefit from home pickup while the recipient will pick up their parcel at the OCA branch of their choice. This formula offers more flexibility to the recipient who can visit the counter at a time convenient to them, during the branch's business hours. This is an option particularly appreciated by people whose work schedules do not allow them to be present at their home to receive a delivery.

Conversely, the branch-to-door service is aimed at shippers who prefer to deposit their parcel themselves at an OCA branch near their home or workplace. The carrier then handles routing and delivery of the parcel directly to the recipient's address. This option is frequently used by individuals making occasional shipments.

Finally, the branch-to-branch mode represents the most economical option. The shipper deposits their parcel at an OCA branch and the recipient picks it up at another branch located in their geographic area. This relay point-to-relay point system avoids the costs of home pickup and delivery, allowing more favorable pricing. The recipient must visit the branch with identification and the tracking number to claim their package.

If the recipient is absent during a home delivery attempt, OCA generally redirects the parcel to the nearest branch to the recipient. The latter is then notified and has a deadline to pick up their shipment at the branch. This procedure avoids multiple unsuccessful delivery attempts and offers the recipient a practical solution to retrieve their parcel at their convenience.

All these delivery modalities are accompanied by OCA's detailed tracking system. Whether the parcel is en route to an address or to a branch, both shipper and recipient can track its journey in real time thanks to the tracking number assigned when the shipment is created. Notifications are sent at key stages of transport, allowing everyone to be informed of delivery progress.

For e-commerce professionals, OCA offers advanced features via its ePak platform, including the ability to offer buyers the choice between home delivery and branch pickup directly during the ordering process. This integration with merchant websites simplifies the shopping experience while optimizing logistics management for sellers.

What should I do if my OCA parcel is lost or damaged?

When a parcel shipped or expected via OCA encounters a delivery problem, whether it is a loss, damage, or abnormal delay, it is essential to follow an appropriate procedure to assert your rights and obtain a satisfactory resolution. OCA has a claims service accessible through various channels, allowing customers to report incidents and request assistance.

Before initiating a formal claim, it is recommended to check the current status of your shipment on OCA's website using the tracking number provided at shipment. Certain statuses may appear concerning when they correspond to normal situations in the delivery process. A parcel marked "En tránsito" (in transit) without updates for 48 to 72 hours may simply be in transit between two distant logistics centers. Conversely, a status "En sucursal" (at branch) for several days without delivery attempts deserves particular attention.

• Main telephone number: 0800-999-7700, free line accessible Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• Online contact form: Available on the official website www.oca.com.ar in the Contact section
• Help center: Dedicated section for frequently asked questions and claims procedures on the website
• Branches: Possibility to file a claim in person at one of OCA's 155 agencies across the country

For parcels purchased from e-commerce, the claims procedure is slightly different. In this case, the end customer should first contact the seller or online sales platform, as the shipper (the merchant) is the contractual customer of OCA and must initiate the formal claim with the carrier. The seller can then generate the corresponding claim and track its processing with OCA.

In case of a lost parcel, it is necessary to communicate to OCA all information allowing identification of the shipment: complete tracking number, shipment date, origin and destination addresses, content description, and declared value if applicable. OCA will then open an internal investigation to attempt to locate the parcel in its logistics network. Resolution time varies depending on case complexity, but the company generally strives to provide a response as quickly as possible.

For a parcel that arrives damaged, it is imperative to report the problem immediately, ideally at the moment of receipt if damage is visible on the outer packaging. It is advisable to preserve the original packaging and photograph the damage observed on both the parcel and its contents. These pieces of evidence will be essential to support the claim and allow processing of the compensation request.

OCA offers an optional insurance service called "Seguro sobre Valor Declarado" (Insurance on declared value) that covers parcel contents in case of loss or damage. The insurance premium corresponds to 2% of the declared amount, to which applicable taxes are added. For example, for a parcel with a declared value of 10,000 pesos, the insurance premium will be 200 pesos plus VAT. This protection is strongly recommended for valuable shipments or fragile merchandise.

If OCA does not respond satisfactorily to a claim, or if the processing time seems excessive, Argentine customers have the option to contact Defensa del Consumidor (consumer protection) to assert their rights. It is then advised to keep all evidence of actions taken: screenshots of tracking, claim numbers, email exchanges, or recorded calls if available.

Does OCA handle international shipments and customs procedures?

OCA Argentina offers international shipping services allowing the shipment of parcels, documents, and samples from Argentina to many destinations around the world. This activity is managed by the OCA Internacional division, also known as OCA Courier, which relies on agreements with foreign logistics partners to ensure final delivery in destination countries.

OCA's international service offers several options for handling outgoing shipments. Shippers can choose to deposit their parcels at one of the OCA branches enabled for international shipments, or request a retiro a domicilio (home pickup) for an additional fee. Once the parcel is picked up, OCA ensures its routing to the departure point from Argentine territory, then transfer to the partner carrier responsible for delivery in the destination country.

• Types of international shipments: Documents, commercial samples, various merchandise, and personal parcels
• Deposit modalities: At branch or with home pickup depending on availability
• International tracking: Tracking available with updates depending on destination country
• Customer assistance: Specialized support for questions relating to shipments outside Argentina

International delivery times vary considerably depending on several factors: geographic destination, transport mode used (air or land for neighboring countries), and applicable customs procedures. Shipments to neighboring South American countries generally benefit from shorter timeframes than those destined for Europe, North America, or Asia. OCA provides time estimates when quoting the shipment, while clarifying that these indications do not constitute an absolute guarantee given potential international transport contingencies.

Regarding customs procedures, it is important to understand the Argentine regulatory framework. ARCA (Agencia de Recaudación y Control Aduanero, formerly AFIP) governs international shipments entering and leaving Argentina. For exports, shippers must provide accurate content description, commercial value, and intended use. Depending on the nature and value of goods, additional documents may be required: commercial invoice, certificate of origin, export license for certain products.

International shipments routed through OCA may be subject to customs inspections both upon departure from Argentina and upon entry to the destination country. Customs duties, import taxes, and clearance fees in the destination country are generally borne by the recipient, unless otherwise agreed between the parties. OCA can provide advice on documents to prepare, but final responsibility for compliance with customs regulations rests with the shipper and recipient.

For the particular case of shipments to the Argentine province of Tierra del Fuego, considered a Special Customs Zone (Área Aduanera Especial), special documentary requirements apply even for domestic shipments. Commercial merchandise requires specific documentation validated by customs and ARCA. This particularity explains why OCA does not market certain delivery modalities to this southern province.

Recently, ARCA expanded weight limits for international courier shipments to facilitate Argentine foreign trade. This regulatory evolution aims to simplify procedures for small and medium-sized businesses wishing to export their products. OCA supports these changes by adapting its services and training its teams on new applicable provisions.

Understanding tracking statuses

When you track an OCA parcel online, different statuses may appear to inform you of your shipment's progress through the carrier's logistics network. Each status corresponds to a specific stage in the parcel's journey, from its initial pickup to its final delivery. Here are the main statuses and their meanings: