FedEx tracking
FedEx tracking statuses explained
FedEx is one of the largest package carriers in the US, moving packages by truck and plane through sort hubs and local stations. Every scan (pickup, arrival at or departure from a facility, loading onto a delivery truck, delivery) adds a line to your tracking, and on long legs a package can go more than 24 hours without a new scan, which FedEx says is not unusual. When a delivery fails, FedEx may hold your package at a FedEx location or a partner store such as Walgreens or Dollar General.
Every FedEx tracking status explained
| Status | What it means | Should you worry? |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery exception | Something unexpected stopped FedEx from delivering your package on schedule, such as nobody available to sign, a… | Keep an eye on it |
| Shipment exception | An unexpected event is holding up your package somewhere in the FedEx network, such as bad weather on the route, an… | Keep an eye on it |
| Clearance delay | Your international package is still in customs and has not been released yet. | Keep an eye on it |
| Delay | Your package is running behind its original delivery estimate and will likely arrive later than planned. | Keep an eye on it |
| Delivered but not received | FedEx's system shows the package as delivered, but it is not in your hands. | Take action |
| Pending | FedEx no longer has a firm delivery date for your package, usually because of a delay. | Keep an eye on it |
| Future delivery requested | FedEx has moved your delivery to a later day instead of attempting it now. | Keep an eye on it |
| Delivery updated | The delivery date, or sometimes the delivery details, for your package changed. | Keep an eye on it |
| Incorrect address | FedEx could not deliver because the address on the label is wrong or incomplete, for example a missing apartment… | Take action |
| On the way | FedEx has your package and it is moving toward you, on a truck or plane or at a FedEx facility between legs. | Normal |
FedEx delays
Delays tend to build up in the weeks before Christmas and other peak periods, after severe winter storms or wildfires, and when a package reaches FedEx after the day's cut-off time, which often costs a day. FedEx lists large disruptions, such as storms, power outages and network problems, on its service alerts page.
Is your package from FedEx late or missing?
What goes wrong with FedEx
From 169 complaints about FedEx filed on Complain.biz. One complaint can mention several problems.
Who is responsible for a late or missing package from FedEx?
If you bought it online from a business, the seller is usually responsible until the package is delivered to you. The seller chose FedEx, paid for the shipping and is FedEx's customer, so a late, lost or damaged order is in most cases for the seller to put right, with a replacement or a refund.
If you sent the package yourself, your contract is with FedEx, under the terms in the FedEx Service Guide. FedEx's standard liability is $100 per package, included in the shipping rate, unless you declared a higher value and paid extra for it when you created the label.
Questions about FedEx tracking
Will FedEx try to deliver again after a delivery exception?
Usually yes. FedEx says it reattempts the following day, including weekends for many homes. A package needing a signature gets up to three attempts before returning to the sender, but for homes FedEx often moves it to a nearby FedEx location after the first miss.
How long does a FedEx shipment exception last?
It depends on the reason. A replaced label usually costs little or no time, while a weather delay lasts until roads and airports reopen. FedEx gives no fixed time, so watch for the next scan or a new delivery date.
How long does a FedEx clearance delay take?
FedEx gives no fixed time. Simple cases often clear within a few days, while missing documents, unpaid duties or extra checks can take a week or more. Supplying whatever FedEx asks for is the fastest fix.
Why is my FedEx package delayed?
FedEx's own reasons include weather, local events, higher volumes than usual, vehicle breakdowns, security restrictions and address problems. The line under the status in the travel history usually names the cause.
Why does FedEx say delivered when it's not?
The driver scanned the package as delivered, and usually it is somewhere nearby or with a neighbor. Less often it went to the wrong address, was scanned too early or was taken after delivery. The delivery photo, if any, shows where it was left.
Based on
- FedEx: What if my customer's package is lost, damaged or missing items?
- FedEx Service Guide
- FedEx: Declared value and limits of liability