FedEx released a Corporate Fact Sheet in May 2019 that says they handle and ship about 15 million packages all over the world every day. About 250 million packages are also tracked every day by users.
FedEx recently made RepTrak’s list of the “100 most trustworthy companies in the world” for 2019. It is without a doubt one of the safest and most reliable shipping companies in the world.
Here is a step-by-step guide to sending something with FedEx in the United States:
Before Sending Out
Before you can ship something with FedEx, you need to check off a number of boxes. Here’s what you should watch for:
Make sure it’s okay to send the item to the U.S.
FedEx decides whether or not to handle a package based on a number of factors. Is the package dangerous? Could people who handle it get hurt? Is it something you can’t get another way? Will it cause other packages to get hurt? When you send something with FedEx, you need to think about all of these things.
Some of the things that FedEx can’t take care of are:
- Pharmaceuticals
- Medicine and drugs
- Things that could be flammable or acidic
- Precious metals like silver and gold in jewelry or any other form, like residue, sulfides, and powder
- Cargo that is needed for important projects with a lot at stake
- Central Processing Units (CPUs) and mobile phones all use microchips.
- Medical tools
- Foods that are fresh
- Flowers
- Art, artifacts, and artifacts from the past
- Agents and vectors of human disease that are biological or cause disease
- Gems
- Anything with lithium in it
- Items that can’t be replaced and are worth between $250,000 and $500,000
- Guns and ammunition were put to rest.
But it’s important to know that even if something can’t be shipped, as long as the right paperwork is provided, it can still be sent. Before FedEx will deliver your package, you must also have a contract with a regular and steady volume.
Packaging
You can put the item in a corrugated cardboard box, an envelope, or a shipping tube. Use bubble wrap to protect things that might be fragile. Close the package and make sure it’s secure by taping all the seams (if it’s a cardboard box) or using the glue strip that comes with some envelopes.
You could also go to a FedEx store and have them package it the way they like. You could also buy supplies for packing online. People who are shipping something for the first time should go to a FedEx store for help to avoid problems like the wrong weight and wrong packaging.
Once you’ve seen how FedEx usually does it, you can try it yourself the next time you ship something.
What’s the cheapest way to ship something: FedEx, USPS, or UPS?
Fill in the address on the label.
For an in-country shipment, you will need to give the name, address, and phone number of both the sender and the recipient. You also need to give details about the item being shipped and an estimate of its value and weight.
Filling out a form on the FedEx website and printing it or filling it out by hand at any FedEx store will give you all the information you need. When you fill out the form at home, make sure the information you give is correct. This is especially true for how much the package weighs and how much it costs.
Put a label on the box
Once you’ve filled out the shipping label form, attach the label firmly to the side of the shipping container that is the largest and flattest. You can use strong glue or tape to do this. Make sure that everything is clear and not hidden in any way.
To keep the paper from getting torn or messed with, cover the label with plastic or put it in a plastic bag. Then tape it to the container. If the package is too small to fit the whole shipping label on one side, put the address of the recipient on one side and the barcode on the other.
Paying To Have It Sent
Choose the right shipping plan.
FedEx has different delivery plans that you can choose from based on what you want to ship and how quickly you want it to get there. Here are some of the plans for shipping within the country:
- FedEx First Overnight: Your package will be delivered by 9:30 a.m. at the latest on the next business day. Delivery is done by 5 p.m. the next day in remote and faraway places. Delivery on Saturday is available for an extra fee. All 50 states except Alaska and Hawaii can use this service.
- FedEx Priority Overnight: Most addresses are delivered by 10:30 a.m., and most rural addresses are delivered by noon. Saturday delivery is possible for an extra fee.
- FedEx Standard Overnight: If you choose this option, your package will be delivered the next day by 3 p.m. in easily accessible areas, by 4:30 p.m. in rural areas, and by 8 p.m. in residential areas. This service is available in all 50 states where FedEx priority overnight delivery is made by 10:30 pm or by noon.
- FedEx 2-day a.m.: This service lets you get your package the next day by 10:30 a.m. in all US states except Hawaii.
- FedEx 2 Day: Delivery by 4:30 p.m. on the second business day. Available in all 50 states.
- With FedEx Express Saver, your package will arrive by 4:30 p.m. on the third business day. Alaska and Hawaii are not able to use this service.
- FedEx Ground: This means delivery in 1–5 business days in 48 states and 3–7 business days in Alaska and Hawaii.
- FedEx Same Day: This service is for people who need to ship time-sensitive packages within the same 24 hours. It is a door-to-door service that is offered all year long in all 50 states.
Spend money on insurance
If you lose or damage the item, you want to be able to get a new one or a full refund. For items worth less than $100, you only need to write the item’s value on the shipping label, and FedEx will give you a refund to replace the item.
For items worth more than $100, you have to pay $0.90 per extra $100 to have the item insured. Before FedEx will give you a refund, though, you have to show proof of the item’s value and fill out a claim form that you can find on the FedEx website.
FedEx will then check if they need to and get back in touch with you. Keep the item’s original packaging until your claim is completely taken care of.
Pay the full cost of shipping.
The size and weight of the package, as well as the delivery plan you choose, will affect how much it costs to ship. If you choose to label your package at a FedEx store, you can pay with cash, a credit/debit card, or a check. If you fill out the form online, you can only pay with a credit/debit card or an electronic funds transfer before you print out the label.
The Shipment Itself
Put the package down.
If you can get to a FedEx store, you can just leave the package there after you’ve labeled it and paid for everything. You can also go to a FedEx store and pay for the delivery there. Then you can just hand over the package to be sent.
Some stores have also made deals with FedEx so that customers can leave packages there and FedEx will pick them up and deliver them. Some grocery stores and Walgreens are among these stores. FedEx also has a number of drop-off locations that are open around the clock.
Set up for a courier to pick up the package.
You can arrange to have the item picked up from your home or office if that’s easier. Call 1-800-463-3339 and say “Schedule a pickup” to have it picked up. You could also schedule a pickup on the FedEx website by making a customer account and then filling out the pick request form.
If you need FedEx to pick up packages from your home or office on a regular basis, you can arrange for free express shipping and recurring delivery. This is better than going to a FedEx store every time you have something to send.
Follow the Mail
The tracking ID or reference number can be found on the receipt, which can be used to find out where the item is. Just go to the FedEx website and type in the number. Tracking information shows where the package is now and where it has been in the past.
FedEx has been around since 1971, and since then it has always been able to give its customers fast and efficient services. Most companies and organizations that offer their services internationally and within specific time frames trust FedEx to handle and deliver their goods and services.
Even though FedEx handles a lot of packages, it has made sure that packing and sending items is easy and convenient for all of its customers.
Questions that are often asked (FAQs)
What does “dimensional weight” mean, and how do I figure it out?
Dimensional weight is the weight of a shipment based on the dimensions given by the actual mass. The formula for figuring out the dimensional weight is (length x width x height) / 5.000. The rate for a package is based on its size and weight, except for items that come in packaging provided by FedEx.
Can I set the tracking number myself?
As long as it’s a FedEx Express package, you can find out your own tracking number. You can use the item’s billing number, invoice number, or any other code you choose as the tracking number. On the bill, the given reference number will be shown.
Can I follow a package even if I don’t have an account?
With the Alternate Reference Tracking, you can track your shipments even if you don’t have a tracking number. You can also use FedEx Insight, a free service that gives you more information about where your package is. It tells you the current status of your shipments and lets you know about any delays, failed deliveries, or proof of delivery.
Can I change where the package will be sent?
The destination of a package can only be changed once per package, and the sender is the only person who can do this. Rerouting includes changing from one street to another within the same city or state, from “hold at FedEx location” to “delivery,” and from “hold at FedEx location” to “delivery.”
Contact FedEx customer service with your tracking number and the new address to ask for a reroute. If a shipment is rerouted, it may cost more and take longer to get to its destination. Hold at current FedEx location requests don’t cost you anything extra.
What Happens If No One Is Home When the Delivery Is Made?
The courier will leave information about when the next delivery attempt will be made. You can also change the date and time of the delivery by filling out a form on the FedEx website.
You can also track your package to find out when it will arrive and arrange for someone else to get it. The person who gets the package must show that they are who they say they are with a valid ID and sign for it.
One Last Thing
FedEx is always getting better, and technology is a big part of that. Smart sensors connected to the Internet of Things that are built into delivery packages let both the company and its customers know where a package is at all times.
Embedded sensors give senders visibility from beginning to end, which is very important when shipping sensitive items like fresh produce. Users can make smart decisions in real time based on data like location and temperature that is analyzed in real time.