FedEx has an excellent reputation for delivering quickly and on time. In fact, reliable, speedy delivery is one of the main reasons consumers choose FedEx over other delivery services.
While this reputation is certainly well-deserved, it would be dishonest to say that FedEx is perfect. Like other companies, FedEx has its share of delayed deliveries. In this article, you’ll learn why these delays happen, how to deal with them, and how to prevent them!
FedEx Delayed Delivery In 2024
Approximately 15% of FedEx packages are delayed and arrive late as of 2024. Common explanations for delays include seasonal weather, power outages, or staffing shortages. Packages covered by FedEx’s money-back guarantee are eligible for a refund if the delivery’s late. Customers can prevent delays by checking the shipping and return addresses and avoiding shipments during the holidays.
We’ve got a lot more information to share with you about delayed deliveries at FedEx, so finish this entire article!
What Does It Mean When My FedEx Package Is Delayed?
If you see a message on your tracking information that says “Scheduled Delivery Pending” or something similar, it means that an unexpected event has occurred.
As a result, your FedEx package is going to be delayed past the original delivery date and time estimate.
In some cases, FedEx may be able to make up the time and deliver on schedule. In others, your package could be delayed by a day or more.
Why Would A FedEx Delivery Be Delayed?
It’s annoying to admit, but there are many reasons why FedEx deliveries get delayed.
For example, some common explanations for delays include seasonal weather events (e.g., winter storms or wildfires), power outages, national emergencies, and high package volumes.
What Percentage Of FedEx Deliveries Are Late?
Based on an end-of-year study from 2021, FedEx had an on-time delivery percentage of 84.8%, meaning just over 15% of the company’s deliveries are delayed.
What Happens If My FedEx Package Is Delayed?
What happens if your FedEx package is delayed depends on which service your item was sent with.
For instance, if your package was sent through an express service like Overnight or International Priority, you’re entitled to a refund if it’s delivered late.
On the other hand, if your package was sent through a service like 2Day, Ground, or Home Delivery, there’s not much you can do in the event of a delay.
That’s because these services do not include FedEx’s money-back guarantee.
If they’re delayed, all you can do is keep an eye on your tracking information and be patient while you wait for delivery.
How Long Can A FedEx Package Be Delayed?
In most cases, FedEx packages are only delayed by a day or two. That being said, plenty of customers have experienced delays that last a week or longer.
Does FedEx Compensate For Late Delivery?
Depending on the service your package was sent through, you may be able to request a refund or an adjusted invoice in the event that your package arrives late.
Indeed, under FedEx’s money-back guarantee program, customers are eligible for a refund of their shipping costs if their package arrives after the quoted delivery time, even if only by a minute.
With that, services that come with the money-back guarantee include:
- FedEx Overnight (First, Priority, Standard, Extra Hours)
- FedEx International (First, Priority, Priority Express, Priority Freight)
Also, if your package was sent through another FedEx service like Ground, Home Delivery, or Freight, you will not be compensated for late delivery.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that even included services may not be covered in every circumstance.
For example, packages that have address issues, are considered undeliverable, or are shipped during the holiday season are exempt from the money-back guarantee.
What’s more, FedEx can suspend, modify, or revoke the guarantee at any time and without prior notice.
How Do I Get A Refund For A Late FedEx Delivery?
If you’ve determined that your package is eligible for a refund under FedEx’s money-back guarantee program, you’ll need to file for a refund. Naturally, online is the fastest way to file.
That said, here are the steps for filing a refund online:
- Head to the FedEx claims webpage.
- Click “Start a Claim.”
- Enter your tracking number and claim type. For late deliveries, select “Shipment not received.”
- Click “Continue.”
- Provide pictures and other details related to your case.
- Submit your claim and write down the case number for reference.
After filing, you can check the status of your claim by logging into your FedEx account and entering the case number.
How Can I Prevent My FedEx Package From Being Delayed?
Unfortunately, many reasons FedEx packages get delayed (e.g., severe weather, staffing shortages, or a national emergency) are unavoidable.
Still, there are some things you can do as a FedEx customer to prevent your package from being delayed.
Perhaps the most important thing you can do is double-check your shipping information before dropping off your package.
In fact, one of the main reasons packages get delayed is because of incomplete or incorrect addresses.
Also, another way to avoid delays is to invest in a faster shipping service.
Express services, especially those with the money-back guarantee, are prioritized more highly and usually don’t suffer from delays as much as other FedEx services.
Lastly, if you can avoid sending packages during the busy holiday season (between Thanksgiving and New Year), you can avoid a lot of delays.
To know more, you can also read our posts on FedEx delivered to the wrong address, FedEx Australia delivery times, and FedEx delivery instructions.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, delayed deliveries are a part of FedEx’s day-to-day operations.
While the company does its best to stick to its delivery schedule, things like inclement weather, staffing shortages, and national emergencies can interfere.
As a customer, you can avoid the worst of these delays by planning your shipments in advance, shipping through an express service, and double-checking the delivery address.
