I ship packages by usps all the time. As soon as I print a label, I have tracking info. It will take a day to get in the system after they get the package, but you still get tracking before that happens. I don't believe people who say they don't have it until the package is picked up. If you don't have a shipping system and have to buy the stamp at the post office, you get tracking as soon as you buy the stamp. This works with FedEx and others as well. But you have to actually ship the package for anything to show up.