As an avid online shopper and self-proclaimed retail therapy expert, I know the feeling of anticipation (and sometimes anxiety) that comes with waiting for a FedEx package to arrive. Will it come today or tomorrow? Is it still on track to meet the estimated delivery date? Why does it seem like the tracking hasn‘t updated in days? Where is my package?!
If you‘ve ever asked yourself these questions while compulsively refreshing your FedEx tracking page, you‘ve come to the right place. As a veteran of the e-commerce retail industry, I‘ve gained plenty of insider knowledge on how carrier tracking works. In this ultimate guide, I‘ll demystify the FedEx tracking system and equip you with the tools to become a true tracking aficionado.
We‘ll cover everything you‘ve ever wanted to know (and more) about FedEx tracking, including:
- A behind-the-scenes look at how package scans work
- Typical timelines and frequency of tracking updates by shipping speed
- Side-by-side comparison of FedEx, UPS, and USPS tracking
- Expert tips for getting the most accurate, up-to-date tracking information
- Troubleshooting common tracking issues and delays
- How tracking updates impact customer satisfaction in e-commerce
Whether you‘re a casual shopper or a small business owner frequently shipping FedEx, this guide will give you total confidence in understanding and utilizing tracking updates. Get ready to level up your FedEx tracking game!
Tracking 101: How Do FedEx Scans Work?
At the foundation of the FedEx tracking system are package scans. Each time a FedEx package moves to a new phase in its shipping journey, it‘s scanned by a FedEx employee or machine. These scans are logged in FedEx‘s internal system and reflected in the customer-facing tracking.
While it may seem like tracking updates appear by magic, they are actually the result of individual packages being physically scanned at FedEx facilities across the globe. The process looks like this:
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Origin Scan (Label Created): Your package‘s first scan happens when the shipping label is created, either by you, the merchant, or a FedEx employee. This initial scan indicates FedEx has received the package details, but not yet the physical package itself. That‘s why you may see this scan appear days before your package actually starts moving.
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Pickup Scan: The first physical scan of your package, this update means FedEx has taken possession of the package, either from the merchant or a drop off location. For packages picked up by FedEx, you‘ll see a "picked up" scan. For packages dropped off by the shipper, you‘ll see a "dropped off" scan.
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In Transit Scans: Once picked up, your package will receive in transit scans any time it arrives or departs a FedEx sorting facility en route to the final destination. The frequency of these scans varies widely based on your shipment‘s Origin.
- Fun fact: The average package is scanned 13 times between pickup and delivery!
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Destination Scan: This scan indicates your package has arrived at the FedEx facility responsible for final delivery in the destination area, often called the "local delivery center". The destination scan is a key milestone signaling your package is close to arriving in your hands.
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Out For Delivery Scan: The most exciting update of all! An out for delivery scan means your package has been loaded onto the truck for delivery to your address, usually the same day. Note: Not all packages receive an out for delivery scan, so don‘t panic if you see yours go straight from destination scan to delivered.
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Delivery Scan: The final scan indicating your package has been delivered to the recipient address. Congrats, your wait is over! The delivery scan will include the exact time, date, and sometimes location of the delivery (e.g., "left at front door").
These six core scans form the backbone of FedEx‘s tracking system. By logging each package‘s physical journey, FedEx keeps shippers and recipients informed of packages‘ whereabouts from door-to-door. Pretty nifty, right?
How Often Does FedEx Scan Packages?
According to FedEx, packages receive an average of 10-15 scans between pickup and delivery in the U.S., with most of those scans happening once the package arrives at the destination facility for local delivery.
However, the exact number and frequency of scans your package receives depends on a few key factors:
- Shipping speed: Generally, the faster the service, the more scans. FedEx Priority Overnight shipments are scanned more frequently than FedEx Ground shipments traveling to the same destination.
- Distance: Packages traveling a longer distance will typically receive more in transit scans as they pass through more FedEx sorting facilities.
- Time in transit: Scans can only happen when a package is physically at a FedEx location. So packages traveling on planes or trucks between facilities may go 24 hours or more between scans. That‘s why you may see long gaps in tracking on cross-country or international shipments.
Here‘s a quick breakdown of how often you can expect your package to be scanned based on the shipping speed you selected:
| Service Level | Typical Transit Time | Average # of Scans | Scan Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| FedEx Same Day | 1 calendar day | 6 scans | Every 1-3 hours |
| FedEx Priority Overnight | 1 business day | 8-10 scans | Every 2-4 hours |
| FedEx Standard Overnight | 1 business day (afternoon) | 8-10 scans | Every 2-4 hours |
| FedEx 2Day | 2 business days | 5-7 scans | Every 4-8 hours |
| FedEx Express Saver | 3 business days | 3-5 scans | Every 8-12 hours |
| FedEx Ground | 1-5 business days | 7-10 scans | Every 8-12 hours |
| FedEx Home Delivery | 1-5 business days | 7-10 scans | Every 8-12 hours |
| FedEx SmartPost | 2-7 business days | 5-8 scans | Every 12-24 hours |
| FedEx Freight | 1-5 business days | 3-5 scans | Every 24 hours |
Data based on FedEx Service Guide and Tracking Support
Keep in mind these are averages, and the actual number and frequency of your package scans may vary based on origin, destination, and even the day of the week. Packages picked up later in the week will see fewer/less frequent scans over the weekend than those shipped Monday-Wednesday.
When Does FedEx Update Tracking?
FedEx‘s tracking system updates in real-time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As soon as a package is scanned by a FedEx employee, the tracking information is immediately uploaded to FedEx‘s internal network. From there, it typically takes anywhere from 2-10 minutes for the external customer-facing tracking to reflect the new scan.
"FedEx tracking is a real-time snapshot of a package‘s movement through our network. Our goal is the keep our customers as up-to-date as possible on their shipments, while still ensuring the accuracy of all tracking updates."
-Robert Groff, VP of IT, FedEx Services
However, there are a few exceptions to this "instant updates" rule:
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High volume periods: During peak shipping seasons (think: holidays), the influx of packages can sometimes create a backlog of tracking updates. While packages are still being scanned as normal, it may take 12-24 hours for external tracking to reflect new scans.
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Final delivery: Once your package is out for delivery, you likely won‘t see another tracking update before it‘s actually delivered. That‘s because couriers scan packages at the beginning and end of their delivery route, not while driving or walking up to your door.
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System maintenance: On rare occasions, FedEx may perform system maintenance that temporarily delays tracking updates across the board. In these cases, shipments continue to move and receive physical scans, which are uploaded all at once when the system is back up.
The FedEx tracking page displays a message when your tracking is up-to-date based on the most recent scan. If you do not see this message and it has been over 24 hours since you received a tracking update, please contact FedEx Customer Service at 1-800-GoFedex.
:class: tip
Sign up for a free FedEx Delivery Manager account to receive tracking updates in your preferred channel - email, SMS text, or the FedEx Mobile app. You can customize your notifications and even select a 2-hour delivery window for certain shipments.How Does FedEx Tracking Compare to UPS and USPS?
Now that you‘re a pro on FedEx tracking, let‘s see how it stacks up against the other major carriers, UPS and USPS:
| Carrier | Tracking System | Typical Update Frequency | Delivery Scan? |
|---|---|---|---|
| FedEx | Real-time scans logged at each stage of the shipping journey, from label creation to final delivery. Customers can access tracking via FedEx.com, mobile app, SMS, or customer service hotline. | Every 8-12 hours on average, depending on shipping speed and distance. | Yes |
| UPS | Real-time scans logged at each stage of the shipping journey, from label creation to final delivery. Customers can access tracking via UPS.com, mobile app, SMS, or customer service hotline. | Every 4-6 hours on average, depending on shipping speed and distance. | Yes |
| USPS | Real-time scans logged at each stage of the shipping journey for Express and Priority Mail. First Class Mail and some other services are not scanned at every facility. Customers can access tracking via USPS.com, mobile app, SMS, or customer service hotline. | Every 8-10 hours on average for Express and Priority. Updates can be sporadic or nonexistent for non-trackable services. | No, except for Express and Signature Confirmation services. |
As you can see, FedEx and UPS offer very similar tracking technology, with real-time updates every step of the way and delivery confirmation scans for all shipments. If you‘re used to the robust tracking of these two carriers, USPS tracking may leave something to be desired. However, USPS does offer some unique benefits like free package pickup and Saturday delivery on select services.
At the end of the day, all three carriers provide a way to keep tabs on your shipment from point A to point B. Some just require a bit more patience and creative troubleshooting than others! Speaking of which…
Troubleshooting FedEx Tracking Issues
Even with the most sophisticated technology, tracking hiccups are sometimes inevitable. If you notice your FedEx tracking seems stuck or you‘re not receiving regular updates, here are a few common culprits and solutions:
1. Your package is moving, not scanning. Remember, your package has to be physically scanned by FedEx equipment or personnel to generate a tracking update. So if your package is in transit on a long haul or went more than 24 hours without passing through a FedEx facility, you won‘t see any new scans – but that doesn‘t mean it‘s not still moving!
What to do: Wait 24-48 hours to see if your package receives a new scan. If it has been 48+ hours with no update, contact FedEx Customer Service for additional assistance.
2. Severe weather has created a backlog. Blizzards, hurricanes, floods – mother nature can wreak serious havoc on carrier networks, sometimes halting operations for days at a time.
What to do: Check the FedEx Service Alerts page for information on weather-related delays. Expect tracking gaps and significantly reduced frequency of scans in the impacted area(s) until operations resume.
3. It‘s a weekend or holiday. FedEx operates with a reduced staff and schedule on weekends and major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. Packages will still move and be scanned, but likely much less frequently.
What to do: Be patient! Expect to see a flood of new scans the following business day when FedEx is back to full capacity. Bonus – this also means you might receive a delivery on Sunday or a holiday, when no movement was previously logged.
4. Split shipments and transfers If you have a multi-piece shipment or a FedEx SmartPost package being handed off to USPS for final delivery, you may see tracking for certain pieces differ or seemingly get "stuck".
What to do: Always review the detailed tracking view for each unique tracking number associated with your shipment. For multi-piece shipments, some packages may take a different route or move slower than others. For SmartPost, use your USPS tracking number to review the final delivery status.
5. Human and technical error. At the end of the day, the FedEx network relies on individual people to scan individual packages. Once in a blue moon, a package may be missed or scanned incorrectly.
What to do: If there are no scans for 7+ days and the scheduled delivery date has passed, contact FedEx Customer Service to open a trace on the missing package. Be prepared to provide your tracking number, shipment contents, and any details that may help FedEx locate the package.
These are just a few examples of the many oddities that can occur in the world of carrier tracking. When in doubt, remember the golden rule: wait 48 hours before worrying about a tracking gap unless your delivery date has passed.
The Bottom Line
The more you know about how tracking works, the less stressful the experience of waiting for your FedEx package will be. FedEx invests heavily in its scanning and visibility technology to give shippers and shoppers near real-time updates on packages‘ whereabouts.
As a consumer, taking the time to understand FedEx‘s tracking system – and how to troubleshoot it – can eliminate hours of frustration and unnecessary customer service calls. And as an e-commerce merchant, robust shipment tracking is paramount to business success and customer satisfaction.
"Up to 97% of consumers expect to be able to monitor their orders throughout every step of the shipping process…The more transparent and forthcoming you can be about shipping status and tracking, the better chance you have at securing a lifelong customer."
-Krish Iyer, Director of Industry Relations, ShipStation
At the end of the day, we all just want our packages to arrive on our doorstep safe, sound, and on time. So here‘s to fewer refreshes of the tracking page and more happy deliveries!
