Please read with the understanding that there are No guarentees here, but just to give you all some information.

It appears that NVC uses DHL as their shipper for embassy packages bound for beneficiary's country embassy's. I know this is nothing new, but on the DHL website (www.dhl.com), you can search for packages based on reference and package number. The first thing you have to do is determine the package number that MIGHT contain your beneficiary's paperwork. As of this posting, this might help or this might drive you crazy. If NVC or DHL changes how they do things, this could all fall apart, but here goes....

Being good beaurcrats, NVC seems to usually code the reference with some form of the following: 'EXP 26 NOV 2007A' where the date is somewhere near (on or before by a day or two) the actual date of shipment. If you KNOW the date they shipped to the embassy (NVC told me and others) then you can adjust the date accordingly and search on reference. You'll see a list of shipments to each of the embassys they shipped to with that reference. For example, if you access the website and enter 'EXP 26 NOV 2007A' into the search by reference area, you'll see 3 pages of shipments. Make sure that the date range includes Nov 26 & 27, but it can be much wider.

You can then look down the list and click on the specific package going to the right embassy. It will contain all the current tracking information, as well as allow you to sign up for updates. Of course, there is no guarentee that you've got the exact package, because it doesn't list the contents. But you can be lulled into a hopeful state that it does, and at least know when THAT package gets to the embassy.

The only anomoly I found was there were packages shipped with 'EXPEDITE IV SECTION' as a reference. You can see an example by looking up shipment #8177298920. I found this one by doing a search by number and feeding in blocks of 25 shipment numbers, starting with the highest from the most recent day of shipment, based on the reference sequence. It appears that the shipment numbers are in order, but NOT sequential. This is probably due to the fact that they use pre-printed forms for shipping, with the numbers printed on them. However, there are gaps in the sequence so don't expect to get 25 returns for 25 numbers requested. There was a place where the number sequence made a HUGE change, but I attribute that to them running out of forms on one pre-printed pack of labels and some shipping guy just started with another set.

GOOD JOB POSTING IT ROUGUEWAVE!!

Very cool!! Good research. I will try this when the time comes. Should be soon....*rubs hands together*

Thanks for the information!

Thanks for your informative skills. You are appreciated.

Awesome, thanks rouguewave!

But gosh, doesn't it make you wonder... with the ability for individuals to track shipments all over the world made so easy these days, why can't they just email us our particular tracking number?! Is it so much to ask?

Yes, I guess it is.

Amazing!!!

Excellent information. Even though my package arrived in September I just found it

Thanks

Thanks rouquewave!! It worked like a charm.


With a 72 lbs. package there must have been one or two more petitions included in the shipment.

Great info! Ive got to try this once I know that NVC receives my packet and sends it..

Actually... (I'm an IT professional from a competitor of DHL)... tracking numbers ARE sequential... You just have to remember NOT to look at the last number since it is a check digit. That means, 9329627075, 9329627086, and 9329627090 ARE sequential (see the last 4 numbers? 7075, 7086, 7090 would be 707 708 709.... )

And of course this has LITTLE to do with the discussion of the topic, but thought I would let you know that they are NOT using handwritten airway bills, they are using an automated device to ship the items...

rlpolo78, that's a really cool avatar. How long is the loop? And how did you get that file to fit below the maximum size limit? Just curious...

Thanks!!! I think it has like 60 frames or something.. and each frame is about half a second so about 3 to 4 seconds I think. I had to post it in my website then used that to link it to VJ.com since their is a limit to 16kb if you upload it to VJ. If you can post your avatar to a site, just use that link so you can post your own image. Just make sure it its not bigger than 100px or else the image gets distorted.

Great information...thanks a lot!
Now if only CSC could DHL our packages to NVC, life would be so much easier!

[font="Comic Sans MS"]Hey rouquewave....can i get a little credit here...

I spent hours on DHL trying to crack this! [/font]

Yep, Byron spent hours trying to figure out how to find his honey's (Leidy) package so he could watch it when it left NVC. Based on his information, it took me less than 1 hour to find my honey's package when it left NVC. From that, I got the pattern locked down, wrote it up and posted it for others to use.

Not trying to get or steal any credit from my loud NY brother Just trying to help others along.

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD A NEW YORKER THAT'S NOT LOUD?????????

Ah like a UPC barcode scanner.. thanks for that info..

So if i wanted to see the packages that were shipped on the 3rd december, i would search using this reference: EXP 03 DEC 2007A???
It comes back saying that no shipments are found
Im confused!

This part is very true - the shipping numbers will not run in order because not every number is used in a sequence. Most of the time shipping numbers will run every 11 digits and turn to 0 when the last digit hits 6 - if not the numbers will repeat themselves... example if a shipping number is 987654321 then the next number will be 987654332

I hope this helps a little

Nope, including my aunt and cousins from the West side.

That's why I live in Virginia, so I can hear New Yorkers at a normal volume.

Thanks that seemed to work!

Nope. Dec 3 would be your starting point. You can move forward or backward from there. First thing you need to know is the date your application was shipped from NVC. If you call them, they will usually tell you. All you need is a confident date when it shipped from their facility.

Then if you access the DHL website, select Track by Reference, and enter that date in the form 'EXP 03 DEC 2007A'. Just like you, when I entered Dec 3, it said No shipments found. But when I changed the date to 'EXP 04 DEC 2007A' then I saw that this reference was used on a whole BUNCH of packages that left on Dec 5. I'm guessing they use the Reference number for internal tracking purposes. If NVC did tell you Dec 3, then I don't know what to say. This is not a solid method for exactly tracking YOUR visa on its journey I'm suggesting here. It depends on the truth (from NVC), beauracracy, and procedures (deduced from NVC) as well as IT (thanks to DHL).

So, you need to call NVC and ask them when it shipped. If they say "Dec 5" or "Dec 4" then you're probably in the batch that just left and its on its way to your favorite embassy. If they don't tell you it shipped, or they don't tell you when it shipped then you won't be able to track it. Even if they DO tell you when it shipped, there is no guarentee here. Like I said in the beginning, this isn't an exact science.

Thanks alot, thats a great help!
I just called nvc actually and they said it was shipped 29th...good times!

hi,

I hope DHL doesnt read this post... LOL

Good info to try

Jigi

Very nice Thanks for the info

wowowowowowow that is SUPER COOL...i found my petition on there, sure enough, it arrived in naples on the 12/3...too bad i still have to wait for them to forward it to tirana (the correct consulate)...i wonder how i can track that shipment....

how the HELL did you figure this out?!?! i cannot even imagine.......

btw - I'M A NEW YORKER AND I'M LOUD TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

you can also call the Dept of State and give them your NVC Case number and ask them where your petition is at. they have computer access to that information. they have been very helpful when i call

I searched EXP 05 DEC 2007A and searched a few days' date ranges. I found pages and pages of lists of documents sent out from Portsmouth, NH. Every one I clicked on says "US Diplomatic Papers." I'm assuming this means immigration documents.

Thank you for the information about how to look this all up in DHL! It really works!

This was originally posted in The Colombia Club forum.....It had stoped working but I kept on trying and trying and trying...for like 3 hours and finally came with the way.....Rouqewave did a great job posting it and sharing it with everyone....Im so glad it is working for everybody

This little formula really works well. it only took me about 3 minutes to locate the package sent from NVC to Moscow. Its in Moscow now. Arrived on 12-08-07. Though it only says its at the Moscow facility for DHL. Perhaps they dont deliver to that embassy on Sundays. but I also noticed that DHL actually made a delivery to Bangkok, Thailand's embassy today, Sunday. So, who knows...The good news is that my petition is in a package that weighs only a few pounds. My petition alone weighed nearly 4 pounds! I would imagine this could mean a good chance for a quick interview. fewer petitions competing for dates.

Anyway, a very cool find!!

Holy cow! The package sent to The Philippines is 51 lbs!

Yep,

That's because we who want to bring in filipina's have to do a lot of convincing to get them to part with their Philippine Treasures (filipinas).

Sweet. Using your little DHL trick I have learned that my package is being delivered to the embassy as I write this...

Congratulations!!! Don't tell Byron you called it "my little DHL trick" or he'll come back here and start screaming again.

...AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Keep trying and expand the search dates! It does seem to work but I had to try 25 times probably!

I tracked the package to the consulate in Canada and today it says "Recipient refused delivery" Is this normal?

Just for the benefit of others, our case was delivered a few hours after it was shown as refused. Apparently this is normal practice at some of the consulates where DHL shows delivery refused and then delivered.

I have also discovered their use of different references. I'm sure one shipping person has their standard, and another has theirs. Instead of EXP 14 DEC 2007 A, I've found 14 DEC 2007A and other various schemes.

Search away... all I know is mine left NVC 17 DEC. By the time I find it, Manila will have it, I'm sure.

Sorry I didn't add this to the original reply. Also have seen reference: JAN 2008A and JAN 2008B.

you can also enter a B and sometmes C after the year i.e. 2007B, 2007C

Rougue, you've inspired a MONSTER.....

Working in Information Technology for a DHL competitor (dang I wish they used us for shipping packages, I could track EVERYONE's package), I have found a methodology for tracking anyone with Excel can use.

STEP 1) Determine a tracking number for the date NVC says your package left their facility. A call to NVC and a nice lady (Rose) told me my package left their building Dec 17. Using rougewave's modified method, I found some tracking numbers to begin my search.

STEP 2) Create a range of tracking numbers, so you can track by NUMBER instead of reference. I didn't want to hit and miss guessing tracking numbers, so, you need to generate numbers with the correct 'check digit'. This is where Excel comes in. I made 3 columns, 1 for the "seed" number, one for the check digit, and one for the tracking number which is the "seed" and the check digit combined (CONCATENATE is the Excel function.) I know, very techy stuff, but it works.

STEP 3) Copy 25 of the generated track numbers into the "Track By Number" at www.dhl.com. Repeat until you find your package. This method allows you to see more than just the ones with a certain reference.

If you need any clarification, I'd be happy to answer questions directly.

I'm dreaming of a wonderful St. Valentine's Day.

Dang... why don't I use PREVIEW instead of POST?????

Here is a modified, and more accurate STEP 2:

STEP 2) Create a range of tracking numbers, so you can track by NUMBER instead of reference. I didn't want to hit and miss guessing tracking numbers, so, you need to generate numbers with the correct 'check digit'. This is where Excel comes in. I made 3 columns, 1 for the "seed" number, one for the check digit, and one for the tracking number which is the "seed" and the check digit combined (CONCATENATE is the Excel function.) I know, very techy stuff, but it works. The check digit is created by taking the seed number, which is the tracking number you found in STEP 1, with the last digit removed, i.e. 9341421994 becomes 934142199. In the check digit column, put the formula MOD(934142199,7), which result in this case is 4. This generates the check digit. In the tracking column, concatenate the SEED and the CHECK DIGIT. Now you have a valid tracking number. Copy this formula for as many times as you'd like tracking numbers generated. For DEC 17, I have generated over 250 tracking numbers.

I'm going to blame this on LACK OF SLEEP FROM TRACKING SO MUCH!!!!

Can you explain how to track the packages by reference then? I am having no luck following the instructions given. And, would you know whether they send things regularly or only on an intermittent basis?

Thanks for your help.

Hi Aussie,

From the main DHL page, at the top there is a header called "Track". Hover your mouse over this and you will see a selection called "Track by Reference". Click on this.

Once you are on the reference page, enter the reference as given in the first post in this thread, like: EXP 26 NOV 2007A - change the date range below that to ensure it starts before Nov 26th - once you try this you should get the hang of it.

You will need to call NVC to find out when they shipped your actual file - and change the reference date and date ranges accordingly - good luck!

Also, as Derrel&lai mentioned, you might have to try using a B or C at the end of the reference number as well.

Thanks, Trailmix, et al. I have tried to do as explained, but I must have to try other configurations. You know how it is--any scrap of information seems to make things better, at least for a minute or so....

Off to call NVC.

Anybody know if NVC ships on Saturdays?

My NVC interview notice is actually dated on a Saturday, but no it didn't go into the mail until the following Monday (which is still very fast). Neither the mailroom nor the customer service department work on Saturdays, nice shot though!

this is so cool. we just got our NOA2 this month so there's some months to go before we get to track our package from NVC to the embassy but i just tried it out for the fun of it and it's awesome. thanks for sharing!