GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026
Traceability System
The core purpose of a traceability system is to make the location, condition, and event history of a shipment available at any point in time.
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Source: https://www.gs1.org/standards/traceability
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Definition & Explanation
The core purpose of a traceability system is to make the location, condition, and event history of a shipment available at any point in time. It continuously collects data across the entire supply chain – from origin pickup to final delivery – and surfaces that information through a central platform or API. Freight forwarders and carriers rely on these systems to keep consignees proactively informed, catch exceptions early, and meet regulatory requirements for hazardous goods, cold-chain shipments, or dutiable cargo. Modern systems are built on barcode or RFID scanning, GPS tracking, and EDI connections to carriers and customs authorities. The term should not be confused with a basic track-and-trace portal, which merely displays shipment status to end customers: a full traceability system also covers internal warehouse events, custody transfer records, and statutory reporting obligations.
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