Costco tracking

What is Costco?

Costco Wholesale Corporation is an American retail corporation that operates a chain of membership-only warehouse club stores. The business model is built around a deliberately limited product selection of approximately 4,000 SKUs per warehouse, a fraction of the 30,000 or more items typically stocked by a conventional supermarket. By concentrating purchasing volume on fewer products, Costco negotiates significant discounts with suppliers and passes those savings directly to its members. Access to both warehouse stores and the company's online shopping platform requires a paid annual membership, which generates a stable recurring customer base of approximately 129.5 million card members worldwide as of November 2023.

The history of Costco begins with Price Club, the world's first membership warehouse club, opened by Sol Price on July 12, 1976, in San Diego, California. Price Club initially served only business members, offering wholesale goods at deeply discounted prices. Jim Sinegal, who had worked under Sol Price, applied the same membership-based wholesale concept when co-founding Costco Wholesale with Jeff Brotman in 1983, opening the first Costco warehouse in Seattle, Washington. The company reached three billion dollars in sales in fewer than six years, a record in American retail at the time. In 1993, Price Club and Costco Wholesale merged to form PriceCostco, which was subsequently renamed Costco Wholesale Corporation.

• Date of founding: 1976, with the opening of Price Club in San Diego, California, the predecessor membership warehouse club
• Costco Wholesale established: 1983 in Seattle, Washington, co-founded by Jim Sinegal and Jeff Brotman
• Merger: 1993, creating PriceCostco from the combination of Price Club and Costco Wholesale, later renamed Costco Wholesale Corporation
• Headquarters: Issaquah, Washington, USA
• Stock listing: Publicly traded on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol COST
• Membership base: Approximately 129.5 million card members as of November 2023
• Global warehouses: 904 locations across 14 countries as of the 2025 SEC filing
• Product selection: Approximately 4,000 SKUs per warehouse, compared to 30,000 or more in a conventional supermarket
• Logistics subsidiary: Costco Logistics, formerly Innovel Solutions, acquired in 2020 for approximately one billion dollars
• Market position: Third-largest retailer in the world and largest retailer of beef, poultry, organic produce, and wine as of August 2024

A significant change in the company's logistics strategy came in 2020, when Costco purchased Innovel Solutions, a final-mile delivery and white-glove services company that had been built within the Sears organization, for approximately one billion dollars. Innovel was rebranded as Costco Logistics, bringing large-item in-home delivery under direct company control for the first time. The acquired network included 11 distribution and fulfillment centers, over 100 final-mile cross-dock centers, and approximately 1,100 trucks operating daily across the continental United States and Puerto Rico.

Costco's standing in the global retail market combines scale with a tightly controlled product selection strategy. The company is the third-largest retailer in the world and the largest retailer of beef, poultry, organic produce, and wine globally as of August 2024. Its e-commerce operations, which include a same-day delivery partnership with Instacart that was extended to France and Spain in January 2026, have grown alongside its physical warehouse network across 14 countries.

Which countries does Costco deliver to?

Costco operates physical warehouse locations in 14 countries, with the largest concentration by far in North America. The United States, including Puerto Rico, accounts for 623 of the company's 904 total warehouse locations. Canada is the second-largest market with 109 locations, and Mexico, where Costco has operated since 1992, has 41. In Asia, Japan hosts 37 warehouse locations following the company's entry into that market in 1999. South Korea has 19 locations and Taiwan has 14. Mainland China, where Costco entered more recently, has 7 locations as part of an early-stage expansion in that market.

In Europe, the United Kingdom is the most developed market with 29 warehouse locations. Spain, where Costco opened its first continental European warehouse in Seville in 2014, has 5 locations. France has 2 locations, and both France and Spain gained same-day delivery capability in January 2026 via locally operated storefronts powered by Instacart. Iceland and Sweden each have one warehouse location, with additional Swedish locations announced for the summer of 2025. Australia is also part of the international network, with new warehouse openings confirmed for April 2025, alongside additional openings in Japan during the same period.

• United States and Puerto Rico: 623 warehouse locations, with online delivery coverage for most products across the contiguous US via major third-party carriers
• Canada: 109 locations, with same-day delivery available via a dedicated Instacart-powered platform
• Mexico: 41 locations, operating since 1992
• Japan: 37 locations, operating since 1999, with new openings confirmed for April 2025
• United Kingdom: 29 locations, the largest European market by number of warehouses
• South Korea: 19 locations, with additional locations announced for summer 2025
• Taiwan: 14 locations
• Mainland China: 7 locations
• Spain: 5 locations, including the first continental European warehouse opened in Seville in 2014, with same-day delivery launched January 2026
• Australia: Existing locations plus additional openings confirmed for April 2025
• France: 2 locations, with same-day delivery launched January 2026
• Iceland and Sweden: 1 location each

For online delivery, the US platform ships to residential and business addresses across the contiguous United States and Canada via major third-party carriers. Alaska and Hawaii are excluded from the 2-Day Delivery grocery program. Same-day delivery via Instacart operates in select metro areas across the United States and Canada, and since January 2026 also in France and Spain. Each of Costco's international markets runs its own localized e-commerce and delivery setup, with carrier arrangements and delivery coverage determined by local logistics conditions and applicable regulations in each country.

What are the Costco services and delivery times?

Costco offers a layered set of delivery and shipping options that reflect the breadth of its product catalog, which spans small packaged goods, groceries, large appliances, furniture, and televisions. Standard parcel orders are shipped through major third-party carriers, primarily UPS, FedEx, and USPS, with the carrier determined by the product type, weight, and destination. A significant portion of general merchandise and electronics ships without an additional delivery charge, while carrier-calculated fees apply to some heavier or bulkier items. Delivery within this standard tier typically falls within a few business days for most addresses in the contiguous United States, with estimated delivery dates shown for each product at checkout.

The 2-Day Delivery program covers non-perishable grocery and pantry items and is available throughout the contiguous United States, excluding Alaska and Hawaii. A per-item delivery surcharge applies to orders in this category, though it is waived when the order subtotal meets the minimum threshold before taxes. Same-day delivery, powered by Instacart, can fulfill orders in as little as one hour from a nearby participating Costco warehouse, depending on shopper availability and local demand. This service is available to Costco members in select metro areas across the United States and Canada, and was extended to France and Spain in January 2026. Costco Executive Members in the United States and Canada receive a monthly credit toward same-day delivery orders as part of their enhanced membership benefits.

• Standard Delivery: Shipped via UPS, FedEx, or USPS based on product weight and destination. Many items in general merchandise and electronics ship at no additional charge. Delivery typically falls within a few business days for most contiguous US addresses.
• 2-Day Delivery: Available for non-perishable grocery and pantry items across the contiguous US, excluding Alaska and Hawaii. Per-item surcharge is waived above the minimum order subtotal before taxes.
• Same-Day Delivery via Instacart: Available in select metro areas in the US, Canada, France, and Spain. Orders can be fulfilled in as little as one hour from a nearby participating Costco warehouse.
• Curbside Delivery via Costco Logistics: Large or bulky items delivered to the customer's driveway or a designated outdoor area. Scheduled appointment required and a signature is collected at delivery.
• Threshold Delivery via Costco Logistics: Item placed at the first dry covered area of the property, such as a garage, covered porch, or just inside the front door. Appointment and signature required.
• Room of Choice Delivery via Costco Logistics: Item brought to any room designated by the customer, provided a clear and safe access path exists. Appointment and signature required.
• White Glove Delivery via Costco Logistics: Delivery to the room of choice, with full unpacking, inspection, and removal of all packaging materials. Typically offered for televisions, furniture, and major appliances.
• In-Home Installation via Costco Logistics: Available for built-in appliances including dishwashers, wall ovens, microhoods, range hoods, gas ranges, and gas dryers. Offered as a separate add-on to the delivery service.
• Freight Delivery: Available for oversized commercial or bulk orders. A dedicated freight tracking system handles these shipments separately from standard parcel orders.

All large and bulky item deliveries in the continental United States and Puerto Rico are handled by Costco Logistics, the company's in-house final-mile delivery network. The network operates from 11 distribution and fulfillment centers and over 100 final-mile cross-dock centers, with approximately 1,100 trucks on the road daily. Delivery times for in-home orders have improved since the 2020 acquisition of Innovel Solutions. Shipments that previously required approximately two weeks from order placement are now completed in roughly four days following the operational changes made after the network was rebranded as Costco Logistics.

What are the Costco rates and maximum dimensions accepted?

Costco's pricing structure for online delivery is product-specific rather than based on a single universal rate. Each product listing on the Costco website displays its associated shipping and handling fee where one applies. A large portion of general merchandise and electronics ships without any additional delivery charge. For the 2-Day Delivery grocery program, a per-item delivery surcharge applies to qualifying non-perishable products, but this surcharge is waived in full when the order subtotal meets the minimum threshold before taxes. For same-day delivery through the Instacart platform, delivery fees and service fees are set by Instacart and vary depending on the market and the selected delivery window.

For in-home delivery services through Costco Logistics, the cost depends on the delivery tier selected during checkout. Curbside, Threshold, Room of Choice, and White Glove deliveries each carry a distinct fee, which is displayed at the product or cart level before the order is placed. Installation services are offered as a separate add-on with their own associated charge. Costco does not publish a single maximum-dimensions chart applying to all product categories, as the applicable thresholds vary by carrier and product type. Large or heavy items that exceed the weight and size limits accepted by standard parcel carriers are routed automatically to Costco Logistics rather than being assigned to UPS, FedEx, or USPS.

• Standard Delivery pricing: Product-specific fee displayed on each listing page. Many items in general merchandise and electronics ship with no additional charge.
• 2-Day Delivery surcharge: Per-item fee applied to grocery orders, waived when the order subtotal meets the minimum threshold before taxes
• Same-Day Delivery fees: Set by the Instacart platform and vary by market and selected delivery window
• Costco Logistics delivery fee: Determined by the tier selected (Curbside, Threshold, Room of Choice, or White Glove) and displayed at the product or cart level during checkout
• Installation add-on fee: Separate charge for in-home installation of qualifying built-in appliances, shown at checkout
• Supplier packaging weight limit: Master case cartons intended for hand-lifting must not exceed 22.7 kg, per Costco supplier compliance standards
• Oversized item routing: Products exceeding standard parcel carrier thresholds for weight or dimensions are automatically assigned to Costco Logistics for in-home delivery

The routing between standard parcel carriers and the Costco Logistics network is handled automatically at the product level. Customers do not need to determine which delivery category applies to a given item, as the platform assigns the appropriate method based on the product's weight and dimensions. This distinction is reflected in the shipping options and estimated delivery dates shown at checkout, allowing the customer to select a delivery tier where more than one option is available for a given product.

What are the Costco delivery options?

For standard parcel orders, Costco ships to residential and business addresses across the contiguous United States and Canada. The company does not ship directly to APO or FPO military addresses, to international addresses outside the United States and Canada, or to freight forwarder and mail-drop locations. Same-day delivery via Instacart is available at participating warehouse locations and covers addresses in supported metro areas. Customers using the same-day service can provide delivery instructions, request contactless drop-off where the option is available, track their order in real time, and communicate directly with the assigned shopper through the Instacart platform.

For in-home deliveries managed by Costco Logistics, the customer must be present at the scheduled time and provide a signature at the point of delivery. Appointments are arranged through the Costco Logistics tracking portal, which also allows customers to reschedule if needed. Product categories eligible for rescheduling include appliances, furniture, mattresses, and televisions. On the day of the scheduled delivery, the portal updates to display an estimated time of arrival. Costco also sends opt-in notifications by text message and email at key shipping milestones, including when the item ships, when it arrives at the final-mile facility, and on the morning of the scheduled delivery day when the truck is loaded.

• Eligible delivery addresses (standard parcel): Residential and business addresses in the contiguous United States and Canada
• Excluded addresses: APO and FPO military addresses, international addresses outside the US and Canada, and freight forwarder or mail-drop locations
• Same-day delivery options: Delivery instructions, contactless drop-off where available, real-time order tracking, and direct shopper communication via the Instacart platform
• Costco Logistics appointment system: Customers select from available delivery windows, with rescheduling available for appliances, furniture, mattresses, and televisions
• Day-of-delivery updates: Estimated time of arrival displayed through the tracking portal on the scheduled delivery day
• Notifications: Opt-in text message and email alerts at key milestones including dispatch, arrival at the final-mile facility, and the day of delivery
• In-person returns: Online purchases can be returned at any Costco warehouse location, regardless of which warehouse the customer's membership is registered to

Costco does not operate a network of parcel lockers or third-party pickup points for standard e-commerce orders. Its network of 904 warehouse locations serves as a practical return channel for online purchases. Customers can bring online orders to any Costco warehouse for a refund assessment, and the return process at a warehouse typically results in an immediate refund that includes any shipping and handling fees paid on the original order.

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

Costco applies one of the most generous return policies in the retail industry, extending a risk-free satisfaction guarantee on both merchandise and membership. The vast majority of merchandise can be returned for a full refund of the purchase price with no time limit on the return. Members who are not satisfied with their membership can also request a full refund of the annual membership fee. For online orders, the return process is initiated through the customer account by navigating to the Orders and Returns section, selecting the relevant order, and choosing the option to return or replace items. The platform walks the customer through the remaining steps from that point.

For orders that arrive damaged, the recommended process varies depending on the type of shipment. For large freight-delivered items, customers should retain the damaged item along with all original packaging materials and the bill of lading that accompanied the delivery, then bring those materials to a Costco warehouse for a refund assessment. Refunds processed at a warehouse are issued immediately and include any shipping and handling fees paid on the original order. For standard parcel orders that arrive damaged, the recommended course of action is to contact Costco customer service as soon as the damage is discovered, before returning or disposing of the packaging.

• Merchandise satisfaction guarantee: Full refund on most items with no time limit on returns
• Membership satisfaction guarantee: Full refund of the annual membership fee available to members who are not satisfied
• Online return process: Initiated through the Orders and Returns section of the customer account on the Costco website
• Damaged freight items: Retain the item, all original packaging, and the bill of lading, then bring those materials to any Costco warehouse for assessment
• Damaged standard parcel orders: Contact Costco customer service as soon as the damage is discovered
• Refund at warehouse: Issued immediately upon return assessment, covering the original purchase price plus any shipping and handling fees paid
• Customer support access: Available through the Costco Customer Service Center online, with phone-based support also available for members requiring direct assistance

For in-home deliveries handled by Costco Logistics, the dedicated tracking portal provides self-service tools for managing scheduling and tracking, which reduces the need to contact a customer support agent for delivery-related questions. Large or freight-delivered items follow a separate returns process outlined in Costco's customer service documentation. In all cases, retaining the original packaging and any delivery documentation at the time of receipt simplifies the resolution process if a claim needs to be filed afterward.

Does Costco handle international shipments and customs formalities?

The Costco online platform for US customers ships directly only to addresses within the United States and Canada. The company explicitly does not ship to APO or FPO military addresses, to international addresses outside those two countries, or to freight forwarder and mail-drop locations. Customers outside the United States and Canada who want access to products from the US platform have typically used third-party international parcel forwarding services, which receive packages at a US address and then arrange international forwarding with customs documentation and duties handled independently from Costco's own operations.

Costco does operate an Export Sales program for international bulk purchasing. This program targets business buyers and government purchasers and carries a minimum order threshold for each item. It is not accessible through the standard online checkout process, and parties interested in purchasing under the Export Sales program are directed to contact their nearest local Costco warehouse to discuss the available arrangements. The Export Sales program exists as a separate commercial channel from the consumer-facing online platform.

For its international warehouse operations in Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, Spain, France, and other countries, each national Costco entity operates its own localized e-commerce and delivery infrastructure, governed by local regulations and logistics conditions. These country-specific platforms are independent of the US platform and are not interconnected for cross-border shipping. Customs duties or import taxes applicable in any given country are determined by that country's laws and are not governed by a single Costco policy. Customers using third-party freight forwarders to access US products from abroad are responsible for verifying destination-country import restrictions with the forwarding service they use.

Understanding tracking statuses

Costco uses different tracking systems depending on the type of delivery. For standard parcel orders shipped via UPS, FedEx, or USPS, a tracking number is displayed in the order details section of the customer account. This number links to the relevant carrier's own tracking website, where status updates are provided by that carrier. There is no proprietary Costco tracking number format for standard parcel shipments, as the number and its structure belong to the assigned carrier. For in-home deliveries managed by Costco Logistics, a dedicated tracking portal separate from the main Costco website handles all scheduling, rescheduling, and delivery status updates for those shipments.

For freight orders, a separate freight tracking portal handles status updates independently from the Costco Logistics system used for in-home deliveries. Costco Business Delivery orders, which serve business customers purchasing through the business-specific platform, have their own dedicated tracking interface as well. Across all delivery channels, customers can opt in to receive email and text message notifications at key points in the delivery journey, including when the order ships, when it arrives at the final-mile facility, and on the day of the scheduled delivery when the truck is loaded. The tracking number for Costco Logistics shipments is provided in the scheduling confirmation email sent after the delivery appointment is arranged.