# PostNet South Africa Tracking API & MCP

URL: https://docs.lastscanned.com/carriers/postnet

Query live **PostNet** (`postnet`) package status and scan history in a single synchronous `GET` request or MCP tool call. PostNet numbers are not auto-detected: PostNet hands parcels to several couriers, so the numbers have no single shape; pass `?carrier=postnet`.

## Overview & Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| **Carrier slug (`?carrier=`)** | `postnet` |
| **Brand & service aliases** | PostNet, PostNet South Africa (`postnet.co.za`) |
| **Category** | South African franchise courier and parcel network |
| **Single-package REST endpoint** | `GET https://api.lastscanned.com/v1/track/{trackingNumber}?carrier=postnet` |
| **Batch REST endpoint** | `GET https://api.lastscanned.com/v1/track?numbers=ABC1234567,...&carrier=postnet` |
| **MCP server (`https://mcp.lastscanned.com`)** | `track_package`, `track_packages`, `list_carriers` (`claude mcp add --transport http lastscanned https://mcp.lastscanned.com`) |
| **Authentication & pricing** | `Authorization: Bearer lsk_live_...` · **1 free keyless lookup/day per IP** · **Free tier** (5 unique numbers/day, $0) · **Pro** ($4.99/mo for 1,000 unique numbers, unlimited re-polls, $0.015/extra) · **HTTP 402 Stripe MPP** ($0.50 for 25-number `lsk_pack_` key or $0.02/number in USDC on Tempo) |

## Why developers use `lastscanned` for PostNet

- **One lookup for the couriers PostNet uses**: the PostNet tracker asks DHL, Aramex, CIT, Sprint and Coastal in turn; `lastscanned` does the same and returns the first answer.
- **No session handling on your side**: the tracker's one-off token and cookie are fetched for every lookup.

## Tracking Number Formats & Auto-Detection

| Pass | Rule / Regex | Check Digit | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Pass 1 (`matches`)** | *None* | — | — |
| **Pass 2 (`mayMatch`)** | *None* | — | — |
| **Explicit (`?carrier=postnet`)** | Whatever number PostNet gave you | — | `ABC1234567` |

## Synchronous `GET` Request & Normalized JSON Response

### `curl`

```bash
curl -s "https://api.lastscanned.com/v1/track/ABC1234567?carrier=postnet" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $LASTSCANNED_API_KEY"
```

### JavaScript / TypeScript (`fetch`)

```ts
const res = await fetch("https://api.lastscanned.com/v1/track/ABC1234567?carrier=postnet", {
  headers: { Authorization: `Bearer ${process.env.LASTSCANNED_API_KEY}` },
});
const pkg = await res.json();
console.log(pkg.status, pkg.events[0]);
```

### MCP `track_package` tool call

```json
{
  "tool": "track_package",
  "arguments": {
    "tracking_number": "ABC1234567",
    "carrier": "postnet"
  }
}
```

### Normalized `TrackingResult` JSON response

```json
{
  "carrier": "postnet",
  "trackingNumber": "ABC1234567",
  "status": "in_transit",
  "statusDescription": "Departed facility",
  "service": null,
  "deliveredAt": null,
  "deliveredAtLocal": null,
  "signedBy": null,
  "destination": null,
  "events": [
    {
      "timestamp": null,
      "localTime": "2026-10-25T14:05:00",
      "status": "in_transit",
      "description": "Departed facility",
      "location": "Johannesburg",
      "code": null
    },
    {
      "timestamp": null,
      "localTime": "2026-10-24T09:12:00",
      "status": "in_transit",
      "description": "Arrived at facility",
      "location": "Cape Town",
      "code": null
    },
    {
      "timestamp": null,
      "localTime": "2026-10-23T16:40:00",
      "status": "label_created",
      "description": "Shipment information received",
      "location": "Cape Town",
      "code": null
    }
  ]
}
```

## Notes

- **Scan times** have no zone, so only `localTime` is set.
- **Each lookup makes six requests** (the page, then one per courier), so it is slower than most carriers.

## Related Resources

- **Live browser lookup tool**: [Track a PostNet package live on lastscanned.com/lookup/postnet](https://lastscanned.com/lookup/postnet)
- **Carrier hub**: [All supported carriers](/carriers)
- **Regex & check digits**: [Tracking number formats & auto-detection](/formats)
- **AI support workflows**: [WISMO AI agents & synchronous tracking](/wismo)