Direct Link tracking

What is Direct Link?

Direct Link is an international e-commerce logistics company operating as a fully owned subsidiary of PostNord, the merged national postal operator of Sweden and Denmark. Founded in 1986 as the international operations arm of the Nordic postal system, the company was built to extend the reach of the Swedish and Danish posts beyond their domestic borders and to provide global shipping infrastructure to businesses needing to reach international customers. With its headquarters in Solna, Sweden, and regional offices across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Direct Link delivers to over 190 countries daily and focuses primarily on business-to-consumer shipping solutions for online retailers and marketplace sellers.

The company's history runs parallel to the growth of cross-border e-commerce. From its founding in 1986, Direct Link progressively built partnerships with postal operators and last-mile carriers in destination countries, allowing merchants to access international markets without managing individual carrier contracts in each location. Over the following decades, the company expanded its office network to regional hubs in Germany, Poland the United Kingdom, the United States, Brazil, Singapore, and China, creating a distributed operational structure suited to managing gateway functions and local delivery partnerships on a regional basis.

A significant organizational change in Direct Link's recent history was the consolidation of PostNord's international business units. PostNord merged Direct Link, PostNord Germany, and PostNord Worldwide Connect into a single organization called PostNord International, with the Direct Link brand brought under the PostNord umbrella from October 1st of the rebranding year. In 2024, Direct Link also announced a commercial partnership with e-CROSS enabling merchants on that platform to access its global logistics network, and Direct Link's UK operations launched the UK Global service, a new cross-border shipping product aimed at helping UK-based retailers reach key international markets.

• Founded: 1986, as the international operations arm representing the national posts of Sweden and Denmark
• Headquarters: Solna, Sweden, with additional offices in Germany, Poland the United Kingdom, the United States (New Jersey and California), Brazil, Singapore, and China (Hong Kong, Shanghai, Shenzhen)
• Parent company: PostNord, the merged postal operator of Sweden and Denmark, of which Direct Link is a 100% owned subsidiary
• Rebranding: Consolidated into PostNord International alongside PostNord Germany and PostNord Worldwide Connect, with operations now carried under the PostNord brand
• Global reach: Delivers to over 190 countries and territories daily
• Platform integrations: Official integration with ShipStation for US and UK accounts, and with ShipEngine for automated shipping workflows
• e-CROSS partnership: Announced November 2024, giving merchants on the e-CROSS platform access to Direct Link's international delivery network

Direct Link's position in the logistics market is that of a middle-ground carrier for high-volume B2C shippers. The company targets online retailers and marketplace sellers who need cost-effective international shipping with tracking visibility and customs handling, without paying full express courier rates. Its connection to PostNord's Nordic infrastructure provides access to more than 18,000 delivery points and over 19,000 Service Points and parcel lockers across Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland adding strong domestic delivery capability alongside its primarily international service focus.

Which countries does Direct Link deliver to?

Direct Link's delivery network covers over 190 countries and territories, making it one of the more geographically broad carriers in the e-commerce logistics sector. The company structures its operations around three major regional hubs covering Asia-Pacific, the Americas, and Europe-Middle East, with a head office in Solna, Sweden, coordinating the overall network. This regional structure allows Direct Link to manage gateway operations, customs processing, and last-mile partnerships locally in each major market rather than routing everything through a single centralized point.

In the Nordic region, Direct Link benefits directly from PostNord's domestic infrastructure spanning Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland. PostNord's combined network includes more than 18,000 delivery points and over 19,000 Service Points and parcel lockers across the four countries, giving Direct Link access to dense last-mile coverage in its home markets. For the United Kingdom, Direct Link's local operations launched the UK Global service with initial coverage for the United States, Italy, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, with planned expansion to Israel, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Spain, Portugal, and Ireland.

For international markets, final-mile delivery is carried out by local carrier partners in the destination country. A parcel shipped through Direct Link to the United States, for example, is handed over to a postal or commercial last-mile carrier for delivery to the recipient's address, depending on the service level selected. This model is standard in international postal logistics and allows Direct Link to maintain broad geographic coverage without operating proprietary delivery infrastructure in each of the 190-plus countries it serves. For the US market specifically, Direct Link offers both postal-network and commercial final-mile solutions.

• Nordic region: Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland with full coverage via PostNord's domestic network of over 18,000 delivery points
• UK Global service (at launch): United States, Italy, Australia, New Zealand Canada
• UK Global planned expansion: Israel, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Spain, Portugal, Ireland
• Asia-Pacific: Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, China including Hong Kong and mainland Australia, New Zealand and other destinations in the region
• Americas: United States, Canada, Brazil, and other destinations across North and South America
• Europe-Middle East: Germany, Poland United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and other destinations
• Total coverage: Over 190 countries and territories across all inhabited continents

What are the Direct Link services and delivery times?

Direct Link's core service offering is fully tracked global delivery for business-to-consumer e-commerce shipments. The company distributes goods ranging from lightweight mail-order items delivered directly to customers' mailboxes to heavier parcels requiring attended door delivery. All services are designed for merchants shipping at scale, with access to Direct Link's international carrier network managed centrally rather than requiring the shipper to hold contracts with individual carriers in each destination country. This centralized access model is the primary practical advantage of using Direct Link for cross-border volume shipping.

The UK Global service is one of Direct Link's more recent product introductions, created specifically for UK-based online retailers. It occupies a pricing bracket above standard untracked postal mail and below full express courier services, offering faster transit times, customs clearance support, and access to local last-mile carriers in covered markets. The service launched with the United States, Italy, Australia, New Zealand and Canada as initial destinations, with additional markets planned for subsequent rollout. Beyond parcel delivery, Direct Link also offers fulfillment services including pick-and-pack operations, allowing e-commerce businesses to outsource warehousing and order preparation as part of an integrated logistics setup.

Returns management is available as a distinct service within Direct Link's portfolio, which is particularly relevant to international e-commerce operations where cross-border returns involve complex logistics and customs considerations. Through PostNord's parent network, Direct Link clients also have access to International Parcel services, EMS International Express for priority documents and packages, and domestic Nordic services including PostNord Express Parcel for next-day delivery within Sweden.

• Nordic countries (standard): Approximately 1 to 3 business days; within Sweden, Service Point parcels are typically delivered within 1 to 2 business days
• Key European markets (from Sweden): Generally 2 to 6 business days, depending on the destination and customs processing
• Broader Europe (international postal): Up to 14 business days via standard postal channels
• Rest of world (standard): Up to 18 business days via standard postal channels
• UK Global: Expedited transit with priority customs processing; specific day ranges vary by destination country within the service
• EMS International Express: Priority handling for time-sensitive documents and packages, priced at a premium relative to standard postal products
• Fulfillment and returns: Pick-and-pack fulfillment and cross-border returns management available as standalone services

What are the Direct Link rates and maximum dimensions accepted?

Direct Link operates a contract-based pricing model aimed at business clients, meaning rates are not published as flat figures accessible to individual or occasional senders. Costs are calculated based on weight, dimensions, and destination zone, with the precise rate determined by the volume and nature of a given shipping account. The further the destination and the heavier or bulkier the parcel, the higher the freight cost. Dimensional weight calculations are also applied, meaning that large but lightweight packages may be billed based on their volumetric size rather than their actual physical weight if the volumetric figure is the higher of the two.

Weight limits within the PostNord network underpinning Direct Link's services follow a tiered structure depending on the service type and customer category. International parcel services accommodate shipments up to 20 kg. For domestic Nordic parcel services, customers with service agreements can ship items up to 31.5 kg, while customers paying at the time of shipment without a prior agreement are limited to 20 kg. The UK Global service is positioned as a more economical alternative to express couriers while offering better tracking and reliability than basic untracked postal mail.

• Pricing model: Contract-based B2B pricing negotiated per account, with rates calculated based on weight, dimensions, and destination zone
• International parcels (PostNord network): Up to 20 kg per shipment
• Domestic Nordic parcels (service agreement customers): Up to 31.5 kg per shipment
• Domestic Nordic parcels (direct payment customers): Up to 20 kg per shipment
• Dimensional weight: Applied when the volumetric weight exceeds the actual weight; the higher of the two values is used as the billable weight
• UK Global positioning: Priced between standard postal mail and full courier services, targeting cost-conscious international shippers seeking tracked delivery

What are the Direct Link delivery options?

Direct Link and the PostNord network offer multiple delivery and reception options, recognizing that e-commerce recipients are not always available to accept parcels at home during regular business hours. The full range of PostNord delivery modalities is available for shipments within the Nordic countries, while delivery options in international markets depend on the capabilities of the local carrier partner handling final-mile delivery in each destination country.

In the Nordic countries, PostNord Home Delivery brings parcels directly to the recipient's door. Recipients can choose both the delivery day and a specific time window, with advance notification sent by SMS or email before the delivery attempt. For recipients who prefer to collect at their own convenience, PostNord operates over 19,000 Service Points and parcel lockers across Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland located at partner venues such as grocery stores and convenience shops. Recipients have up to 7 days to collect their parcel from a Service Point before it is returned to the sender.

For round-the-clock access, PostNord operates over 6,000 Parcel Lockers across the Nordic region. These automated lockers can be opened at any time of day using the PostNord app and a Bluetooth connection, removing the need to coordinate with shop opening hours. Most locker units offer compartments in three sizes, small, medium, and large, with some expanded units providing up to 32 compartments including slim variants. Parcel Lockers can also be used for parcel returns, adding a self-service return option for e-commerce customers.

• Home Delivery (PostNord Home): Direct delivery to the recipient's door with selectable delivery day and time window, and advance notification by SMS or email
• Service Points (pickup points): Over 19,000 locations across the Nordics at partner stores; recipients have up to 7 days to collect before the parcel is returned to sender
• Parcel Lockers: Over 6,000 automated lockers throughout the Nordics, accessible 24/7 via the PostNord app and Bluetooth, with compartments in small, medium, and large sizes; also usable for returns
• International markets: Final-mile reception options depend on the local carrier partner in the destination country; for US shipments, both postal-network and commercial last-mile solutions are available

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

Claims for lost, damaged, or delayed shipments handled through Direct Link and PostNord can be filed online through PostNord's claims portal. Two submission pathways are available depending on the customer type. Direct payment customers and service agreement customers without a portal account can submit a complaint through the public-facing claims form. Service agreement customers who hold an active portal account can log in for a process that pre-fills their details and allows them to view the status of previously submitted claims alongside new ones.

After a complaint is filed, PostNord sends a confirmation of receipt to the person who submitted the claim. If additional documentation is needed to support the investigation, such as purchase receipts, invoices, or photographs of visible damage to the parcel or its contents, the customer will be contacted with a request for those materials. Once the investigation concludes, the customer is notified of the outcome. For disputes that cannot be resolved through standard support channels, PostNord maintains a Customer Ombudsman function to handle escalated cases.

• Claims portal: PostNord's online claims portal, available to both direct payment customers and service agreement customers
• Service agreement portal users: Can log in for a process with pre-filled account details and claim status tracking for previously submitted complaints
• Confirmation: A confirmation of receipt is issued automatically after each submitted complaint
• Supporting documents: Receipts, invoices, or photographs of damage may be requested during the investigation process
• Sweden telephone support: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., reachable at +46 771 33 33 10 for international callers
• Business portals: Dedicated support portals available for Sweden, Denmark, and Finland
• Customer Ombudsman: Available for escalated disputes that have not been resolved through standard support channels

Does Direct Link handle international shipments and customs formalities?

International shipping is the foundation of Direct Link's business. The company was established specifically to serve cross-border e-commerce shippers, and with more than 40 years of operational history it has developed experience in customs regulations, international postal rules, and last-mile delivery partnerships across over 190 countries. Customs clearance for import shipments into Sweden and the Nordic countries is managed through PostNord's customs service, and outbound customs documentation support is available for international shipments departing the network.

For international parcels, shippers are required to prepare appropriate customs declarations depending on the declared value of the goods. Lower-value shipments typically require a CN22 customs form, while higher-value shipments require a CN23. Commercial invoices are required for business shipments. The responsibility for import duties and taxes depends on the incoterms agreed between the seller and the buyer. Recipients importing goods into Sweden or other EU countries from outside the European Union may be liable for VAT and import duties on shipments above applicable threshold values. PostNord Denmark offers a customs payment service that allows recipients to settle any applicable charges before the parcel is delivered.

Prohibited and restricted items are governed by international dangerous goods regulations. Spontaneously combustible substances, materials that emit gas on contact with water, and goods with toxic or harmful properties that could cause risk if they leaked during transport are prohibited across Direct Link's network. A limited exception applies to surface mail shipments of lithium batteries, with up to 2 batteries or 4 cells permitted if they are installed in equipment and packed in compliance with ICAO regulations under PI 967 or PI 970, Section II. Air shipments are subject to stricter restrictions on hazardous materials overall, and shippers with questions about specific regulated goods are directed to the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency for guidance.

• Customs forms: CN22 for lower-value goods, CN23 for higher-value shipments, and commercial invoices for business shipments
• Duties and taxes: Responsibility determined by incoterms between seller and buyer; EU recipients may owe VAT and import duties on goods arriving from outside the EU above applicable thresholds
• Customs payment service: PostNord Denmark allows recipients to pay applicable duties before delivery
• Prohibited items: Spontaneously combustible substances, substances that emit gas on contact with water, and materials with toxic or harmful properties
• Lithium batteries (surface mail): Up to 2 batteries or 4 cells permitted if installed in equipment and compliant with ICAO PI 967 or PI 970, Section II
• Dangerous goods guidance: Shippers with questions about regulated items are directed to the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency

Understanding tracking statuses

Direct Link uses PostNord's tracking infrastructure for shipment updates. Parcels can be followed through the Direct Link tracking portal, which continues to operate under the legacy Direct Link domain following the rebranding to PostNord International. Tracking is also available through third-party aggregators including as well as through ShipStation and ShipEngine for merchants using those platforms. Tracking numbers typically follow a 13-character format consisting of 2 letters, 9 digits, and a 2-letter country code suffix, consistent with Universal Postal Union conventions. Some domestic services use longer numerical formats ranging from 9 to 35 digits.

Tracking updates may temporarily pause during weekends, customs processing periods, or carrier handover events between Direct Link's network and a last-mile partner in the destination country. This kind of temporary gap is particularly common on international shipments where the parcel moves from Direct Link's custody into the hands of a local postal or courier operator for final delivery. Not all service tiers include tracking; economy mail products without tracking will not generate scan events, while fully tracked services produce multiple updates at each stage of the parcel's journey.