Direct Link – A Global Logistics Company Specializing in E-commerce Solutions and Its Tracking

Direct Link: The Strategic Partner for Global E-commerce Deliveries

Direct Link is not a household name like FedEx or UPS, nor is it a national postal service. Instead, it’s a global logistics company that specializes in providing efficient and reliable shipping solutions for cross-border e-commerce, primarily serving businesses that ship goods internationally. A fully owned subsidiary of PostNord (the postal service of Sweden and Denmark), Direct Link leverages its parent company’s extensive postal network and its own global partnerships to offer tailored, cost-effective, and trackable shipping options from various origins to destinations worldwide.

Direct Link positions itself as a “bridge” for e-commerce, streamlining the complexities of international shipping, customs, and last-mile delivery, particularly for businesses looking to expand their reach across borders.

A Strategic Arm of PostNord for Global Reach

Direct Link was established as a strategic move by PostNord to cater specifically to the growing demands of international e-commerce. It recognizes that traditional postal services, while having broad reach, sometimes need more specialized and integrated solutions for high volumes of e-commerce parcels.

Key aspects of Direct Link’s operations include:

International Network: Direct Link doesn’t operate its own fleet for end-to-end delivery globally. Instead, it builds a vast network of partnerships with:
- National Postal Operators: Leveraging their universal service obligations for efficient last-mile delivery in destination countries.
- Private Courier Companies: For express options or specific routes.
- Airlines and Freight Forwarders: For international line-haul (air transport).
E-commerce Specialization: They offer services specifically designed for online retailers, focusing on features like customs clearance facilitation, consolidated shipments, and various tracking levels.
Global Presence: With offices and operations in key e-commerce hubs (e.g., Europe, Asia, North America), Direct Link manages logistics flows from major origin countries (like China, the USA, Europe) to consumer markets globally.

Direct Link aims to simplify international shipping for businesses, offering solutions that balance cost, speed, and tracking visibility based on the specific needs of the e-commerce seller and their customers.

Common Services Offered by Direct Link

Direct Link provides a suite of services primarily for business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce:

Direct Link Mail: For sending smaller, lighter items and documents internationally.
Direct Link Parcel: For standard international parcel delivery. This is a popular option for e-commerce.
Direct Link Express (or similar expedited options): For faster, time-sensitive international shipments, leveraging premium air services and potentially more direct routing.
Direct Link with Tracking: Many of their services offer end-to-end tracking, providing visibility from origin to destination, often through the local postal service.
Direct Link without Tracking: More economical options for very low-value items, where tracking might be limited or cease after leaving the origin country.
Consolidation Services: Aggregating multiple small shipments into larger freight batches for more efficient international transport.
Customs Management: Providing expertise and solutions for navigating international customs regulations and duties.

Tracking Your Global E-commerce Shipment: Mastering Direct Link Tracking

Tracking a Direct Link package is generally effective, especially for services that include end-to-end tracking. Since Direct Link often hands off packages to local postal services for the final leg, using a universal tracking platform that can follow the package through these transitions is highly recommended.

How to Track Your Direct Link Package:

Locate Your Direct Link Tracking Number:
- Format: Direct Link tracking numbers can vary. They often start with “UD” (e.g., UD123456789XX), but can also be longer numeric or alphanumeric sequences specific to their internal systems or partner carriers (e.g., a number that later becomes a standard postal tracking number like LX, RM, or CP from a national post).
- Where to find it:
  - Your order details on the e-commerce marketplace (e.g., eBay, Amazon, Etsy).
  - The shipping confirmation email/SMS from the seller.
Use the Official Direct Link Tracking Website:
- Go to www.directlink.com/track-and-trace/ (or navigate to their tracking section).
- Enter your tracking number into the designated field.
- Click “Track.”
Utilize Reputable Third-Party Universal Tracking Sites (Highly Recommended):
- These are often the best tools for tracking Direct Link packages, as they seamlessly integrate with PostNord and numerous other national postal services worldwide. They can provide a consolidated view of your package’s journey.
- Popular options include: 17TRACK, AfterShip, ParcelsApp, PKGE.net, etc.
- Simply paste your Direct Link tracking number; the site will usually auto-detect Direct Link and any subsequent local carriers.

Decoding Common Direct Link Tracking Statuses:

Flyt Express tracking statuses provide updates on the package’s movement through its network and during international transit, often indicating the handover to the final delivery carrier.

“Shipment information received” / “Item pre-advised”: The sender has created the shipping label and shared data with Direct Link. The physical package has not yet been collected.
“Received by carrier” / “Item received at origin”: The package has been physically collected by Direct Link or its initial partner.
“Processed at origin sorting center” / “In transit”: The package is moving through sorting facilities.
“Departed from sorting center” / “Departure from office of exchange”: The package has left a sorting facility, potentially for international transport.
“Sent to destination country” / “Exported”: The package has left the origin country for international transit.
“Arrived at destination country” / “Arrived at destination Post”: The package has reached the destination country’s customs or postal exchange point.
“Customs clearance started” / “Customs cleared”: The package is undergoing or has successfully cleared customs.
“Handed over to local delivery carrier” / “Received by destination mail carrier”: This is a critical update, indicating that Direct Link’s international leg is complete, and the package is now with the national postal service (e.g., USPS, Royal Mail, Canada Post) for final delivery.
Subsequent updates will come from your local postal service. You might then see statuses like:
- “Arrived at local Post Office.”
- “Out for Delivery.”
- “Delivered.”
“Delivery failed” / “Delivery exception”: An issue occurred during delivery.

Important Considerations for Direct Link Tracking:

Transit Times: Direct Link’s services are generally more economical than premium express couriers, meaning transit times can range from a few days to several weeks, depending on the service and destination.
Final Delivery: Always remember that your national postal service will likely perform the final delivery for most Direct Link packages.
Customs: International shipments are always subject to customs clearance, which can cause unpredictable delays.

The Smart Link in Global E-commerce

Direct Link acts as an intelligent intermediary, simplifying the complexities of international shipping for e-commerce businesses. By leveraging PostNord’s robust network and strategic global partnerships, it offers reliable and trackable shipping solutions that enable online retailers to efficiently reach customers around the world. Understanding its role and utilizing effective tracking tools are key to a smooth international online shopping experience.