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ShipmentVisibility

PRO number tracking for every LTL carrier in one list

Paste one PRO number or a whole column of them. ShipmentVisibility matches each PRO to its LTL carrier where the format is unambiguous, follows every pickup, terminal and delivery event and alerts you when freight stalls. No more opening a different carrier site for each line of the shipping log.

Track a PRO number

The PRO format is checked instantly, and live events show after you create your account.

What a PRO number is

A PRO number is the tracking number an LTL or truckload carrier assigns to a shipment when it accepts the freight. The term is commonly read as short for progressive number, because carriers issue them in sequence from preprinted label stock. The PRO follows the shipment on every document the carrier creates: the freight bill, the delivery receipt, the proof of delivery and the invoice. It is also the number the carrier asks for when you call about a delay or file a claim.

Where to find the PRO number on the BOL

  • On a barcode sticker the driver applies to the bill of lading at pickup, usually near the top right
  • On matching stickers placed on each pallet or handling unit
  • In the pickup confirmation, if the carrier assigns the PRO when the pickup is booked
  • On the carrier's freight bill and invoice after the shipment moves

If you only have the bill of lading number, add it with the carrier and see bill of lading tracking for how the two numbers relate.

PRO formats vary by carrier

There is no industry standard for PRO numbers. Each carrier sets its own length, prefix and, in some cases, a check digit, and the same carrier may change format over the years. That is why one PRO pasted into the wrong carrier's site returns nothing, or worse, someone else's freight.

  • Most PROs are between 7 and 11 digits, sometimes with a prefix that identifies the origin terminal
  • Some carriers add a check digit, which lets ShipmentVisibility confirm the number before a lookup
  • When a pattern belongs to one carrier only, the carrier is detected automatically
  • When several carriers share a pattern, the result reads "LTL PRO, choose carrier" and your choice is saved with the shipment

You can track PROs from national and regional carriers such as ODFL, Estes, Saia and XPO in the same list.

Milestones behind a PRO number

Each PRO opens a timeline with the time and terminal of every handoff.

  1. Picked up and arrived at the origin terminal
  2. Departed on linehaul and arrived at each relay or break bulk terminal
  3. Arrived at the destination terminal
  4. Delivery appointment set or rescheduled
  5. Out for delivery, delivered, POD available
  6. Exceptions: refused, missed appointment, OS&D, held at terminal

LTL freight tracking without carrier websites

The shipping clerk's morning check of every open PRO becomes one sorted list.

  • Every PRO in one table, sorted by predicted delivery or by exception
  • Bulk add from a CSV export of your shipping system, bulk export for carrier reviews
  • PROs next to your freight tracking for FTL loads, container tracking and air cargo tracking
  • A branded tracking page from Growth, so your customer follows the delivery without calling you
  • Lane level on-time scorecards on Pro, built from the PROs you track

The full LTL picture, including exceptions and appointments, is on the LTL tracking page.

Alerts and ETA for every PRO

ShipmentVisibility compares each PRO's events with the expected path. When freight misses a departure, sits at a terminal longer than usual or loses its appointment, an alert goes out by email, and from Growth also to Slack or a webhook. The predicted ETA shows a confidence range and updates with every scan. The real time shipment tracking features page and the freight visibility platform overview cover the rest.

Which plan fits your PRO volume

Each PRO counts as one shipment toward the monthly limit for parcel, LTL, FTL and air. Limits count shipments added in the billing period, and deleting one never returns quota. Yearly billing saves 50 percent.

Starter

$49 a month or $24 a month billed yearly

100 shipments a month

Growth

$149 a month or $74 a month billed yearly

750 shipments with predicted ETA and customer emails

Pro

$499 a month or $249 a month billed yearly

4,000 shipments with scorecards, API and ERP or TMS integrations

Enterprise

$1,499 a month or $749 a month billed yearly

15,000 shipments with SSO and an uptime SLA

Every plan is self-serve, with no contract. Details on shipment tracking software pricing.

PRO number tracking questions

What does PRO stand for?

It is commonly read as progressive number, because carriers issue PROs in sequence. In practice it simply means the carrier's tracking number for the shipment.

Is the PRO number the same as the bill of lading number?

No. The bill of lading number is the shipper's reference, and the PRO is assigned by the carrier. Both often appear on the same BOL.

Why did my PRO number return no results on a carrier site?

Either the carrier has not scanned the freight yet, or the PRO belongs to a different carrier with a similar format. ShipmentVisibility asks you to choose the carrier when the format is shared.

When is a PRO number assigned?

Usually at pickup, when the driver applies the PRO sticker to the BOL. Some carriers assign it when the pickup is booked.

Can I paste many PRO numbers at once?

Yes. Paste up to five on the site, or upload a CSV of any length into your account within your plan's monthly limit.

Do truckload carriers use PRO numbers?

Some do, but most FTL moves are tracked by load number or a shipper reference. See freight tracking for how loads are followed.

Start PRO number tracking now

Paste your PROs and see the carrier and format check right away. Create your account to follow every event and the delivery ETA.

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