FedEx tracking status
FedEx “Pending”: what it means
The short answer
Keep an eye on itFedEx no longer has a firm delivery date for your package, usually because of a delay. The package is still being worked on, and a new date appears once FedEx sets one. If it was never scanned, FedEx may simply not have it yet.
When to act: If your package is at least 1 day past its original date and still pending, file a complaint and we send it to FedEx.
Also shown as: “Scheduled delivery pending” · “Scheduled delivery is now pending” · “Delivery now pending” · “No scheduled delivery date at this time”
What to do now
- 1
Check the travel history for the last real scan and any exception line. That shows why the date was removed.
- 2
If there is no pickup or drop-off scan at all, FedEx probably does not have the package yet. Check the shipping date the seller gave you in your order confirmation.
- 3
Sign up for tracking alerts or FedEx Delivery Manager so you see the new date as soon as it appears.
- 4
Save a screenshot of the travel history and the original delivery date. It shows how long the package has been stuck.
- 5
Still not sorted? File your complaint here. We write it with you and send it to FedEx, so you do not have to chase it yourself.
What does “Pending” mean?
FedEx says a pending status means it changed the delivery time because of a delay and is still working to deliver as soon as possible. Delivery commitments shift with the type of delay and what FedEx does to work around it, so the date is left open instead of guessed.
'No scheduled delivery date at this time' is close: FedEx says the estimate may not be available yet, or FedEx may not have the package in its possession yet. If your tracking shows only a label and no pickup or drop-off scan, the package is probably still with the shipper.
Why does FedEx show it?
- A weather or operational delay somewhere on the route
- An exception that has to be resolved first, such as an address problem
- A customs hold on an international package
- Very high volume at a hub or a local station
- The shipper created a label but has not handed the package to FedEx yet
How long does it last?
Pending usually turns into a new estimated date or a fresh scan once the delay clears, often within a few days. If the package was never handed over, the status changes when FedEx receives it.
Other FedEx statuses
- Delivery exceptionKeep an eye on it
- Shipment exceptionKeep an eye on it
- Clearance delayKeep an eye on it
- DelayKeep an eye on it
- Delivered but not receivedTake action
- Future delivery requestedKeep an eye on it
- Delivery updatedKeep an eye on it
- Incorrect addressTake action
- On the wayNormal
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 “Pending”
What does pending mean on FedEx tracking?
The delivery date is on hold. FedEx changed the delivery time because of a delay and has not set a new date yet. If tracking shows a pickup or drop-off scan, the package is still in the FedEx network.
Is my FedEx package lost if it says pending?
Not usually. Pending means the date is unknown, not that the package is gone. A package with no new scans for several days is the real warning sign.
Why does my FedEx tracking say pending before the package has shipped?
If there is no pickup or drop-off scan yet, FedEx may not have the package. FedEx says 'No scheduled delivery date at this time' can mean it does not have the package in its possession yet. In that case the package is still with the seller.
How long does FedEx pending last?
FedEx gives no fixed time. Delays from weather or high volume often clear in a few days. If it lasts longer with no new scans, file a complaint on Complain.biz and we send it to FedEx.
Based on
- FedEx: What does the delivery now pending status mean?
- FedEx: Tracking and managing your deliveries
- FedEx: Understanding tracking terms and delivery status
- FedEx: How do I get support for a delayed package?
- FedEx: What if my customer's package is lost, damaged or missing items?
- FedEx Service Guide
- FedEx: Declared value and limits of liability