Losing packages is a major concern for shippers, as it can lead to unhappy customers and financial losses. In this blog, we look at FedEx tracking capabilities to see how they protect their customer’s shipments from losses and damage.
FedEx tracking is a facility that FedEx provides its customers to help them see the progress of their shipment from the time it is picked up to when it is delivered. Tracking is beneficial to both the carrier and the shipper/recipient:
For FedEx, it reduces customer service inquiries since the concerned parties can easily view the status of their small parcel shipment by themselves. For the shipper and recipient, tracking gives peace of mind as they can see where exactly their package is and when it will arrive. It is especially beneficial for online sellers since the tracking updates help them to provide better customer care.
To track your FedEx package, all you need is a tracking number, reference number, transportation control number (TCN), FedEx Office order number, or the number from your door tag. If you don’t have one of those numbers, you can use any reference number related to your package or any purchase order number. Then use one of these methods:
Apart from the above tracking methods, there are other ways to track your FedEx package, depending on the service you use. These are detailed below:
FedEx tracking involves a series of stops and scans as the package wakes its way to the final destination. It can be summarized in the simplified process below:
Below is a table explaining various ‘statuses’ you may see when tracking your FedEx package.
|
Package status |
Meaning |
|
“Your package is in transit.” |
‘In transit’ means your package is on its way to its final destination. It doesn’t necessarily mean your package is in a moving vehicle like an airplane or truck. It might be at one of our facilities. |
|
“Your package is out for delivery.” |
“Out for delivery” means your package was scanned by a package handler and placed on a pallet to be loaded on a vehicle for delivery. You can check the estimated delivery window online. |
|
“There is no scheduled delivery date at this time.” |
“No scheduled delivery date at this time” means we don’t have a delivery estimate or we don’t have the package yet. You might see this status if your shipment is delayed or there’s a FedEx shipment exception. (See below for exception examples.) |
|
“Your scheduled delivery is now pending.” |
“Scheduled delivery is now pending” means the delivery date has changed based on a delay of some kind. Know that we’re still doing everything we can to deliver your package as soon as possible. |
|
“Delivery exception.” |
“Delivery exception” means an unexpected event is preventing us from delivering your package. Some examples include customs delays, holiday closures, missing documentation, and security restrictions. |
|
“No status available.” |
FedEx has not taken possession of your package yet. A delivery date will be added as soon as we get your package. |
|
“Cancelled.” |
The shipper canceled this package and won’t show tracking information anymore. |
|
“At drop-off point.” |
This shipment has been dropped off at an authorized retail location and has yet to be received by FedEx. |
|
“We have your package.” |
This shipment has been dropped off at a FedEx Office location and is being processed. |
A FedEx tracking number is typically a 12- to 14-digit number, such as '1234 5678 9012.'
However, it's important to note that FedEx employs various tracking number formats, which can include alphanumeric codes containing both letters and numbers. These formats may differ based on the specific shipping service utilized and the region of origin.
When you track a FedEx package using their online tools, they typically provide an estimated delivery time within a 4-hour window. For instance, you may see that the delivery is expected between 10 am and 2 pm.
This window provides a buffer for unforeseen circumstances and potential delays.
The time between receiving Fedex live tracking updates can vary. This is because FedEx packages are scanned at different points during their journey from origin to destination. As a result, it's not uncommon for a package to go more than 24 hours without an update, particularly when it's traveling long distances.
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