FedEx Shipment Exception: What It Means & How to Get Help

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Learn why your package is delayed and what you can do next

Co-authored by Fahim and Seema Mojawalla and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: July 11, 2024 Fact Checked

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"Shipment Exception" FedEx Explained

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Causes of Shipment Exceptions

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Will you still get your package?

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What should you do?

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Avoiding Shipment Exceptions

So, you’re waiting for a FedEx package to arrive. But when you track the package, the status says “Delivery Exception.” What does that even mean? Will you still get your package? A FedEx delivery exception is a common occurrence, and all it means is that your package will arrive a bit later than expected due to unexpected or unavoidable circumstances. Read on to learn the most common causes and who you can contact for help.

FedEx Delivery Exception Meaning

A FedEx shipment or delivery exception is when a package is delayed due to unforeseen conditions. Packages are often delayed due to bad weather, holiday closures, or a missed delivery. If your package has a delivery exception, it will most likely still be delivered.

Section 1 of 5:

What does a FedEx shipment exception mean?

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A shipment exception is a temporary delay in your package’s delivery. If you track a FedEx package and the package’s status says “Delivery Exception,” something has likely delayed transit. This typically happens when there’s inclement weather, a natural disaster, holiday closures, or a vehicle issue.^{[1]
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- See the status of your FedEx package by clicking “Get Status Updates” after entering your tracking number on FedEx’s tracking webpage.

Section 2 of 5:

Causes of Shipment Exceptions

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The most common reason for a shipment or delivery exception is bad weather. If a truck cannot deliver your package safely due to rain, snow, or other weather conditions, FedEx will delay or hold the package delivery until conditions improve.^{[2]
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Incorrect or incomplete address In some cases, FedEx will hold packages that don’t have a correct address on them. They’ll contact you or the sender and wait to ship the package until the right information is provided.
- Change the address on your package by selecting “Manage Delivery” and “Edit Delivery Address” on the FedEx tracking page.^{[3]
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If a package is being sent internationally, there might be delays or exceptions if it doesn’t have the clearance to go through customs. In this case, the package would be sent back to the sender.^{[4]
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Missed delivery attempted If a package requires a signature and no one is available to receive it, it’ll likely be marked with a “delivery exception.” Typically, FedEx will try to deliver the package again up to 3 times.^{[5]
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- If you missed a delivery, FedEx will leave a door tag with instructions on how you can locate and receive your package.^{[6]
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Section 3 of 5:

Will you still get your package?

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If your package has a delivery exception, you’ll likely still get your package. Even with the delay, you'll probably receive your package on time or maybe slightly later than usual.
- While FedEx promises to make every effort to ensure your package arrives on time, there’s no guarantee that your package will arrive (even with a longer delay).^{[7]
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- Visit FedEx’s Customer Support page for personalized help and details, or call their Customer Service Team at 1(800) 463-3339.

Section 4 of 5:

What to Do If You Have a Shipment Exception

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The best thing you can do when this happens is to be patient. The package will usually still be delivered with a slight delay. Keep an eye on the tracking status, and if there are no updates within a day or two, contact FedEx’s customer support at 1(800) 463-3339 or through their online chat feature.

Section 5 of 5:

How can you avoid a shipment exception?

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Avoid shipment exceptions by taking possible delays into account. While there’s no sure way to avoid shipment delays, planning ahead can help keep your package delivery on track. FedEx advises to:^{[8]
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- Keep holidays, inclement weather, and possible employee strikes in mind when sending out a package or expecting a delivery.
- Make sure someone is home or at the delivery address when the package arrives if it requires a signature.
- Ensure that all shipping documents and addresses are correct and up to date.