With the eCommerce industry bigger than ever and the cost of fuel constantly on the rise, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find affordable shipping options. Luckily, FedEx offers a very affordable option called Ground Economy (formerly known as SmartPost).
You might have heard of SmartPost before, but perhaps you shied away from it because it seemed complicated or too good to be true. In this article, we’ll break down exactly what SmartPost is, how fast it is, and how it compares to competitors!
How Fast Is FedEx SmartPost In [currentyear]?
Deliveries through FedEx Ground Economy (formerly SmartPost) typically take 2 to 7 business days within the contiguous United States in [currentyear]. Delivery to Alaska and Hawaii could take as long as 10 to 14 days. These delivery times are 1.5 days slower on average than standard FedEx Ground shipping but could be up to 5 days slower.
We have a lot more information to share with you about FedEx SmartPost, so please keep on reading for more useful facts and tips!
What Is FedEx SmartPost?
We’re eager to share everything we know about SmartPost shipping times, but before we do, it’s essential to understand exactly what SmartPost is.
For starters, it’s worth mentioning that FedEx changed the name from SmartPost to Ground Economy in 2021.
Still, to avoid confusion, we’ll refer to this service as SmartPost from here on out.
SmartPost is a hybrid shipping service offered through a collaboration between FedEx and USPS.
FedEx picks up packages from shipping locations, then hands them off to the Postal Service for the “final mile” delivery to the end customer.
Because USPS is handling the most expensive part of delivery (up to 28% of the total shipping cost), FedEx is able to keep costs down and offer a cheaper shipping option for customers.
SmartPost packages have a maximum weight of 70 lbs and maximum dimensions of 130” long.
They can be delivered to all USPS addresses (including PO boxes). Packages sent through this service are not eligible for FedEx’s money-back guarantee.
How Long Does FedEx SmartPost Take?
On average, deliveries sent through FedEx SmartPost take 2 to 7 business days to arrive (the average is 4 days).
Keep in mind that this is an estimate for deliveries within the 48 contiguous United States. Deliveries going to Alaska and Hawaii could take 10 to 14 days to arrive.
Is FedEx SmartPost Slow?
Answering this question is very subjective. Ultimately, it will depend on how fast you need an item to arrive and what your expectations are for shipping.
If you’re in no rush and want to prioritize cost over speed, then you might be okay with SmartPost’s 2- to 7-day delivery time.
On the other hand, if you’re in a hurry, you might find this delivery time quite long. Ultimately, it’s a matter of perspective.
That being said, SmartPost delivery time is slower than standard FedEx Ground shipping by about 1.5 days on average. This will likely be even longer when shipping to Alaska or Hawaii.
Is FedEx SmartPost Faster Than FedEx Ground?
FedEx SmartPost is not faster than FedEx Ground. Indeed, Ground shipments tend to arrive in 1.5 days on average, whereas SmartPost deliveries take 4 days on average.
In some extreme cases, SmartPost packages could take a full 5 days longer to arrive than those sent through FedEx Ground.
These longer lead times are the result of the package hand-off between FedEx and USPS. This part of the delivery process adds at least a day to the package’s journey.
It’s also possible that FedEx may delay dropping off packages at the Post Office until it has enough volume to make the delivery worth it.
In other words, a SmartPost package could end up sitting around for a couple of days until enough other SmartPost packages accumulate and FedEx makes a trip to the Post Office.
Is FedEx SmartPost Faster Than USPS Priority Mail?
USPS Priority Mail promises package delivery in 1 to 3 business days.
Compare that with SmartPost’s advertised 2- to 7-day delivery times and it becomes pretty obvious that SmartPost isn’t faster than Priority Mail.
Is FedEx SmartPost Faster Than UPS SurePost?
Like SmartPost, UPS’ SurePost is a budget shipping option that uses USPS for the final mile of deliveries.
These services are similar in many ways, perhaps the most notable of which is their delivery times.
Both offer delivery in 2 to 7 business days. We recommend checking with both companies for their delivery estimates and pricing to help you make your final decision.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on how fast is FedEx International Priority, how fast is FedEx Home Delivery, and FedEx shipping restrictions.
Conclusion
FedEx’s SmartPost service certainly won’t be winning any awards for speed, but what it lacks in rapidity, it makes up for in price and reliability. Indeed, SmartPost is an excellent budget option for customers who can be patient while their packages arrive.
