Not only does FedEx employ a team of meteorologists to forecast weather conditions a week or more in advance, but the logistics company also has well-developed systems in place for rerouting packages and keeping deliveries on schedule, regardless of the weather.
However, as well as FedEx handles bad weather, the company isn’t perfect. If you’re curious about FedEx delivery standards, you might be asking, does FedEx leave packages in the rain? Here’s everything I discovered about that matter!
Does FedEx Leave Packages In The Rain Or Snow In 2024?
FedEx delivers in the rain and snow whenever possible as of 2024. Drivers do their best not to leave packages exposed to the elements, but it happens occasionally. Usually, drivers will look for a covered location to leave the box or cover the item with a plastic bag to protect it from weather damage.
If you still need information about FedEx’s delivery policies, then make sure you check out the rest of the article!
Does FedEx Deliver In The Rain?
Yes, FedEx continues to deliver even when it’s raining. In fact, rain isn’t something that even slows down deliveries most of the time.
That said, if the rain comes ahead of a tornado or hurricane watch, FedEx may cancel delivery service for the day, depending on how severe the storm is.
Does FedEx Deliver When It’s Snowing?
While rain is a relatively easy kind of precipitation for FedEx to deal with, snow is significantly more challenging. Still, FedEx does its best to keep trucks on the road during snowstorms.
Ultimately, whether or not to suspend delivery during a snowstorm comes down to local managers. If they deem a storm too risky, they’ll call drivers back from the field.
Moreover, keeping drivers safe is more important than customer complaints or late deliveries and pickups. In cases where drivers cannot deliver, FedEx may lift its delivery guarantee.
When this happens, FedEx can amend the delivery date by the length of time the vehicle (plane or truck) was grounded.
For example, if a package was delayed on a truck for one day because of snow, the delivery date would also get pushed back a day.
So, while customers aren’t usually in control of snowy deliveries, there are some things they can do to improve their chances of getting a package delivered.
Most importantly, they should keep driveways and walkways clear of snow. Also, it’s a good idea to put sand or rock salt down to improve traction for the courier.
Does FedEx Leave Packages In The Rain?
In general, FedEx drivers shouldn’t leave packages in the rain, but it does happen.
Usually, the courier will look for a porch, an awning, or other covered location to leave the package.
Failing that, they may cover the package in plastic wrap to protect it from water damage.
Where Does FedEx Deliver Your Package If It’s Raining Or Snowing?
FedEx trains its drivers to look for a delivery spot where packages will remain dry, regardless of whether it’s raining or snowing, which could be on a porch or under an archway or awning.
If none of these options are available, the driver will usually cover the package with a plastic bag and leave it in the most covered place possible.
Alternatively, they will leave a door tag and have the customer pick up the item at a nearby FedEx location.
How Can I Protect My FedEx Packages From Rain And Snow?
As mentioned above, FedEx drivers do their best to keep packages away from water damage, but this may not always be possible.
With that in mind, customers can do a few things to protect their items from rain and snow.
First, customers can sign up for the free FedEx Delivery Manager tool.
Using this tool, customers can leave delivery instructions (e.g., “Please leave my packages on the porch”), request a package hold, or have the package delivered to an alternate location.
With more control over deliveries, customers can better protect their packages from rain or snow damage.
Also, customers can invest in an outdoor storage box or secure parcel mailbox so that FedEx has a safe and reliable drop-off location, regardless of the weather.
What Should You Do If Rain Or Snow Damages Your FedEx Package?
Even if you did everything right, there’s still a chance that your package sustains some kind of damage due to rain or snow. So, what should you do?
Before anything else, make sure to document what happened. So, take pictures of where the package was left and the damage the box sustained.
Further, this is critical because FedEx won’t even think about resolving the case without this kind of proof.
After you have the pictures, share them with the individual or company who shipped the package to you because FedEx only deals with shippers when issuing refunds.
Usually, the seller will have to file an insurance claim with FedEx to receive the refund. Then, they will either refund your money or send a replacement product.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on whether or not FedEx delivers at night, FedEx tracking not updating, and does FedEx ever deliver early.
Conclusion
FedEx drivers are pretty good about not leaving packages outside in the rain and snow.
Usually, they will look for a covered location to deposit the package or cover it in a plastic bag to protect it from water damage.
Still, mistakes happen, and packages sustain water damage from time to time. If this happens, document the damage, send evidence to the shipper, and wait for your refund.
