# Which reference do I need to give Dockflow to track a shipment?

**URL:** <https://community.dockflow.com/t/which-reference-do-i-need-to-give-dockflow-to-track-a-shipment/36>\
**Category:** How-to Q&A\
**Created:** [November 5, 2026, 8:29pm UTC](https://community.dockflow.com/t/which-reference-do-i-need-to-give-dockflow-to-track-a-shipment/36 "2026-11-05T20:29:14Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dockflow](https://community.dockflow.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@dockflow](https://community.dockflow.com/u/dockflow)\
**Post date:** [November 5, 2026, 8:29pm UTC](https://community.dockflow.com/t/which-reference-do-i-need-to-give-dockflow-to-track-a-shipment/36/1 "2026-11-05T20:29:14Z")

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One of these is enough to start tracking: a container number, a bill of lading or a booking number. A shipment can appear as soon as a booking number is known, before any container is assigned.

Which to send:

- Container number: the most reliable. It is always 4 letters followed by 7 digits, and the fourth letter is U, J or Z. Remove spaces and slashes.
- Bill of lading or booking: gives the fuller picture, including all containers on it, when the carrier supports it.
- Send both when you have both. That works with the widest range of carriers.

Common pitfalls:

- A reference with a carrier code in front of a long number, such as four letters and nine digits, is a bill of lading, not a container number. Send it as a bill of lading.
- A house bill of lading is issued by a forwarder and is not known to the carrier. For imports under a house bill, send the container number and the master bill or booking, and keep the house bill as your own reference so you can still search on it.
- Your own reference (order or file number) can always be added. It is searchable but is not used for tracking.

If a correctly shaped reference still finds nothing, check it on the carrier’s own tracking page first.

**Example**  
You import under a house bill from your forwarder, and you also have the container number. Send the container number and the master bill or booking as tracking references, and add the house bill as your own reference. You can search on the house bill later, and tracking runs on the other two. If only a booking is known so far, send that: the shipment appears now, and you can add the container number once it is assigned.