There’s nothing more frustrating than waiting days for your online order to arrive, only for it to get held up somewhere.
It’s even worse when your tracking information makes it seem like your package is out for delivery but never arrives.
In this article, we’ll explain FedEx’s tracking term “out for delivery,” give you some reasons why you still don’t have your package after seeing this update, and how you can find your parcel, so keep reading!
What to Do If a FedEx Package Marked “Out for Delivery” Never Came In [currentyear]
“Out for delivery” is a tracking term indicating that a parcel has been scanned and placed on a pallet to be loaded onto a FedEx truck for delivery in [currentyear]. Customers usually receive items by the end of the day after seeing this update. If not, the item was delayed due to high package volumes, employee absences, or bad weather.
This article provides a lot more information about what to do when your package should have been delivered but hasn’t arrived yet, so please keep reading for more facts!
What Does FedEx Out for Delivery Mean?
In this article, we’ll do our best to answer all of your questions about what to do when your tracking information says “out for delivery,” but your package never comes.
However, before doing so, it’s helpful to know what “out for delivery” means.
Out for delivery is a tracking term employed by FedEx. It indicates that a parcel was scanned by a package handler and placed onto a pallet to be loaded onto a FedEx truck for delivery.
Customers expecting a package will likely see this update, plus an estimated delivery time window.
Like FedEx’s other tracking updates, “out for delivery” is used to keep customers informed about their deliveries and to help them plan if they want to be home to receive the item.
Why Does My FedEx Package Say “Out for Delivery” But Never Arrived?
When customers see the term “out for delivery” on their tracking information, they (rightly) assume that they’ll receive their delivery by the end of the day.
While that’s usually true, there are plenty of reasons why you’ll see this update and not receive your package.
Let’s take a closer look at some possible explanations.
First of all, it’s important to note that within the FedEx system, “out for delivery” just means that a box was scanned by a package handler and placed onto a pallet for a driver to load.
This scan usually happens early in the morning. A box won’t get another scan until it’s delivered.
In this kind of situation, “out for delivery” just means that a package has made its way onto a truck, not that the truck will deliver the package soon.
On a similar note, it’s also possible that a package handler may put a box on the wrong pallet after scanning it.
If that happens, the package’s tracking information will indicate that it’s out for delivery, when in reality, it will be delayed due to the truck mix-up.
With that in mind, our advice is not to panic if you see “out for delivery” and don’t have your package the same day. Wait at least one more day before taking any kind of action with FedEx.
Another reason you may see “out for delivery” but not have your package is that your box received a scan but isn’t scheduled to go out until a later date.
That’s especially likely if you receive this update at the end of the week for a Ground or Express package.
Ground packages may be scanned and on a truck, but this service only delivers Monday through Friday. Therefore, the package will sit on a truck until the next delivery route on Monday.
Something similar can be said for Express packages.
While this service does offer Saturday delivery, it’s an add-on service. So, if you didn’t pay for it, your package will also likely get held up until the start of the next week.
What Should I Do If My FedEx Package Is Out for Delivery But Never Came?
If you’ve tried waiting and are still seeing “out for delivery” on your tracking information but haven’t received your package, head to the FedEx tracking page and do the following:
- Enter your tracking number or reference number
- Select Manage Delivery, then Report Missing Package.*
- Confirm that you’ve checked around your property where the package might have been left by clicking Yes.
- Enter your contact information, including your name, phone number, and email address.
- Indicate your preferred method of contact (text or email) and confirm that FedEx can contact you.
- Click Submit. You’ll receive a case number assigned to your report.
- Click Done. FedEx will contact you as soon as possible to help you locate your missing package.
Aside from these steps, you can also use the file a claim tool on FedEx’s website to start a missing package claim.
*If you aren’t logged in to a FedEx account, you’ll be asked to enter the original delivery address of your package. Enter that info, then click Continue.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on FedEx informed delivery, FedEx delivery instructions, and does FedEx deliver to PO boxes.
Conclusion
It can be tempting to wait by the door for your package when you see “out for delivery” pop up on your tracking information, but just be aware that this term only indicates that your item has made it onto a FedEx truck.
Sure, there’s a good chance it will arrive the same day, but it’s also possible that it gets held up somewhere and won’t come until the next day. If it still hasn’t arrived after 2 days, then it’s time to file a missing package claim with FedEx.
