It‘s always frustrating to get the dreaded "sorry we missed you" tag on your door from FedEx. Whether you had to step out unexpectedly or the delivery came earlier than anticipated, a missed FedEx delivery can really throw a wrench in your plans.
The big question is: how many more chances will you get? Will FedEx try again tomorrow? Will your package get sent back to the shipper if you miss it again?
Don‘t panic. While FedEx‘s official policy on delivery attempts can seem a bit complicated, we‘re here to break it down for you. By the end of this post, you‘ll know exactly what to expect if you miss a FedEx delivery in 2024 and what you can do to make sure your package ends up in your hands as quickly and conveniently as possible.
FedEx‘s Delivery Attempt Policy: The Basics
According to FedEx‘s official policy, the maximum number of delivery attempts depends on the service you selected and whether a signature is required.
For FedEx Express packages, the driver will make up to three attempts. After the third attempt, your package will be returned to the shipper.
FedEx Ground and Home Delivery packages can receive up to three delivery attempts if a signature is required. But if no signature is needed, FedEx will deliver your package on the first attempt without ringing your doorbell. The driver will simply leave the package in a safe place, like on your porch or with a neighbor.
It‘s important to note that for ground shipments, FedEx doesn‘t have to make three attempts. The driver may choose to reattempt delivery or just hold your package for pickup after the very first attempt, especially in residential areas.
What to Expect After Each Missed Delivery Attempt
Here‘s a timeline of what typically happens after each missed FedEx delivery attempt:
1st missed attempt: The driver leaves a door tag with the date and time of the attempted delivery. They will either try again the next business day or hold your package for pickup at a nearby FedEx location. The door tag will specify the plan.
2nd missed attempt: If a second attempt is made, you‘ll get another door tag with updated details. At this point, your package is even more likely to be held for pickup rather than out for another delivery attempt.
3rd missed attempt: Very few packages make it to a third delivery attempt. If you receive a third door tag, your package will almost certainly be held for pickup as a last resort before getting returned to the sender.
The door tags left by your FedEx driver are your key to tracking down your package after a missed delivery. Always read them carefully and follow the instructions to retrieve your package.
Managing Your Delivery When You Know You Won‘t Be Home
Of course, the best defense against missed deliveries is a good offense. If you know ahead of time that you won‘t be available to receive a package that requires a signature, you have a few options through FedEx Delivery Manager:
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Redirect to a secure location: You can provide special delivery instructions for the driver to leave your package in a specified location, like with a concierge or behind a gate.
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Hold at FedEx location: If you won‘t be home for a while, you can have your package held at a nearby FedEx Office location for a limited time.
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Reschedule delivery: Choose a new delivery date up to 14 days in the future. You can even select a specific 2-hour delivery window for a small fee.
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Sign electronically: Digitally sign for your package online and authorize FedEx to deliver it without anyone present.
Using these options with Delivery Manager is the most effective way to avoid the hassle of missed delivery attempts. Even if you‘ve already missed one attempt, you can still use these features to control what happens next.
How to Pick Up Your Package from FedEx After Missed Deliveries
If your package does end up being held for pickup after one or more missed delivery attempts, don‘t worry. Retrieving it is usually a quick and easy process.
First, check the tracking information or most recent door tag to find out which FedEx location has your package. Usually, it will be a FedEx Office store or one of their local shipping centers.
Next, gather a government-issued photo ID and your door tag (if you have it). You don‘t have to have the door tag to pick up your package, but it can speed up the process.
Finally, go to the FedEx location during their business hours and provide your ID, tracking number, and door tag. A team member will retrieve your package and have you sign for it if necessary.
Keep in mind that FedEx will hold ground shipments for up to 7 days and express shipments for up to 5 days before returning them to the sender. So make sure to collect your package within that window.
How FedEx Stacks Up to Other Shipping Carriers
FedEx‘s delivery attempt policy is fairly standard across the shipping industry. Most of their major competitors follow a similar protocol:
UPS will make up to three delivery attempts on packages that require a signature. Just like FedEx, they may choose to reattempt delivery or hold for pickup after the first attempt.
The USPS will leave a notice after each missed delivery. If the item fits in your mailbox, they will attempt redelivery the next mail day. If the item is too large, they will hold it for pickup at the post office after the first attempt.
With DHL, up to three delivery attempts can be made for packages that require a signature or payment. Additional attempts or alternate delivery options may be available by contacting DHL customer support.
Across all carriers, you‘ll have a limited window of time (usually 5-7 business days) to retrieve your package after the final delivery attempt before it‘s returned to the sender.
Tips for Successful FedEx Deliveries on the First Try
While dealing with FedEx‘s delivery attempts isn‘t as scary as it seems once you understand the process, avoiding missed deliveries altogether is still the best approach. To boost your chances of a successful delivery on the first try:
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Sign up for FedEx Delivery Manager so you can keep tabs on your package‘s progress and make any necessary adjustments before the delivery date.
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When possible, choose a shipping speed that allows you to be home for the delivery. For example, opt for FedEx Home Delivery rather than FedEx Express, as HDE delivers Tuesday-Saturday.
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If you know you won‘t be home, provide a safe place for the driver to leave packages that don‘t require a signature, like a covered porch or lockbox.
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For packages that do require a signature, take advantage of the electronic signature option if you trust FedEx to deliver without you there.
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If you‘re expecting multiple FedEx packages over time, consider signing up for their vacation hold service while you‘re away so nothing is returned to sender.
The Bottom Line on FedEx Delivery Attempts in 2024
While FedEx reserves the right to make up to three delivery attempts on packages that require a signature, it‘s most common for packages to be reattempted just once (if at all) before being held for pickup.
After each missed delivery, FedEx will leave a door tag with instructions on the next steps. By the final attempt, your package will almost certainly be redirected to a nearby FedEx location for you to pick up in person.
To avoid the missed delivery cycle altogether, sign up for FedEx Delivery Manager to closely monitor your package‘s progress and adapt the delivery plan as needed. Provide a safe place for dropoff, sign for your package electronically, or put a vacation hold on your deliveries if you‘ll be out of town.
By understanding how FedEx handles delivery attempts—and taking proactive steps to work with their system—you can ensure every FedEx package makes its way to you on the very first try.
