How FedEx Home Delivery Works (And How It's Different from FedEx Ground)

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Learn all about this flexible and convenient shipping service
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FedEx offers a ton of different shipping options, so it can be hard to figure out which service is best for you. If you want to ship something to a residential address, you need tracking, and you want the package to arrive after 5 pm or on a weekend, Home Delivery is probably the best option for you. Here, we’ll break down how the service works, what it includes, and when you’d choose it over some other option.

What Is FedEx Ground Home Delivery?

FedEx’s Home Delivery is their most cost-effective specialty service for residential shipping.[1] With Home Delivery, your package will arrive in 1-5 days. These deliveries are made 7 days a week and continue until 8 pm to offer more convenience and flexibility.

Section 1 of 6:

What is FedEx Home Delivery?

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  1. FedEx Home Delivery is their residential ground-only priority shipping service.
    If you’re going to ship something to a home, you’re shipping it in the domestic United States, and you require the package to arrive in 1-5 days, Home Delivery is likely an attractive option for you. Importantly, Home Delivery operates every day of the week and during the evenings, so it’s a great option if you want your package to arrive on a weekend or after 5 pm.[2]
    • You cannot ship to a business or PO box with Home Delivery.
    • Packages shipped via Home Delivery will not be placed on a plane. However, unlike USPS Ground Advantage, you cannot ship HAZMAT materials that require ground shipping with FedEx Home Delivery.
    • Packages cannot be shipped using Home Delivery if they’re bigger than 108 inches (270 cm) in length and 165 inches (420 cm) in length plus width and height.
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Section 2 of 6:

Features of FedEx Home Delivery

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  1. Step 1 1-5 day shipping
    With Home Delivery, your package is guaranteed to arrive within 5 days. And not just business days, either—FedEx will ship on the weekends with this service.
    • Shipping to and from Alaska and Hawaii may take 3-7 days.
  2. Step 2 Weekend deliveries
    FedEx does not take days off with Home Delivery. You can arrange to have your package arrive on the weekend, or simply ship an item with the expectation that it could arrive on a weekend.
    • This is ideal if you want to ship something to a friend or family member who tends to be very busy during the week but hangs out at home on the weekend.
  3. Step 3 Delivery after 5 pm
    With Home Delivery, FedEx will deliver your package as late as 8 pm. This is perfect if your recipient has a tight schedule and they’re only available after 5 pm.
  4. Step 4 Free tracking
    Like every other FedEx specialty service, you’ll get free tracking services with Home Delivery. You’ll be able to see where your package is at any time using FedEx’s tracking search tool or the FedEx mobile app.
  5. Step 5 Customizable add-ons
    FedEx offers a few adjustable options with Home Delivery. When you go to the FedEx store or fill out your online shipping slip, you’ll be able to choose from a few optional services:[3]
    • FedEx Date Certain Home Delivery: Have your package arrive on a specific date.
    • FedEx Appointment Home Delivery: Have your package arrive at a specific time on a specific date.
    • FedEx Evening Home Delivery: Have your package arrive after 5 pm when you know someone will be home.
    • Signature requirement: Like every other service option, you can include a signature requirement for delivery of your package with Home Delivery.
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Section 3 of 6:

FedEx Ground Service vs. FedEx Home Delivery

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  1. FedEx Ground Service is exclusively for businesses.
    Home Delivery is the residential version of FedEx Ground. FedEx Ground is identical to Home Delivery, except you can only ship to businesses with Ground. If you’re going to send something to a PO box, business, or corporate building, you must use FedEx Ground Service.[4] [5]
Section 4 of 6:

FedEx Ground Economy vs. FedEx Home Delivery

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  1. FedEx Ground Economy is a contract-only service for businesses.
    [6] Ground Economy (formerly known as SmartPost) is a contractual service that you can sign up for if you own a small business. Basically, it allows you to ship anything under 70 pounds (32 kg) in 2-7 days to a residential or commercial address. The pricing is negotiated in your contract, so reach out to a FedEx account rep for more information. Other potential shipping options include:[7]
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Section 5 of 6:

Other FedEx Shipping Options

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  1. Step 1 FedEx Overnight:
    Your package will arrive at your intended destination the next business day. It is the most expensive shipping option FedEx offers.
  2. Step 2 FedEx 2Day:
    FedEx 2Day is basically a cheaper version of FedEx’s Overnight program, except it’s usually half of the cost and will arrive in two days, not the next day.
  3. Step 3 FedEx Express Saver:
    Express Saver is identical to 2Day, except the package will arrive on the third day, not the second. We have no idea why Express Saver isn’t called 3Day, but that’s basically what it is.
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Section 6 of 6:

Is FedEx Home Delivery worth it?

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  1. Step 1 FedEx Home Delivery is ideal if your recipient is gone during the day.
    The most unique thing about Home Delivery is that FedEx will deliver your package during the weekend or after 5 pm. This is a big draw, especially in an age where packages tend to go missing during the day when porch pirates are running around.[8]
    • If the unique delivery times aren’t important to you, you’re probably best off just shipping the item using FedEx’s basic shipping service and then paying for tracking if you need it.
  2. Step 2 FedEx Home Delivery is a great option if you want cheap shipping.
    FedEx doesn’t publish up-to-date pricing tables, but Home Delivery does appear to be cheaper than their other options in most instances. It’s not as fast as FedEx 2Day, FedEx Overnight, or FedEx Express Saver, but it does seem to be cheaper most of the time.
  3. Step 3 FedEx Freight is much cheaper if your item is over 150 pounds (68 kg).
    If you’re shipping anything heavier than 150 pounds (68 kg), the additional costs add up very fast if you’re using FedEx Home Delivery. You’re much better off using FedEx’s commercial service for heavier items, FedEx Freight.[9]
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References

  1. ↑ Fahim and Seema Mojawalla. Shipping and Logistics Experts. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ https://www.fedex.com/en-us/shipping/home-delivery.html#when-to-use
  3. ↑ https://www.fedex.com/en-us/shipping/home-delivery.html#when-to-use
  4. ↑ Fahim and Seema Mojawalla. Shipping and Logistics Experts. Expert Interview
  5. ↑ https://parcelpath.com/difference-between-fedex-ground-and-home-delivery/
  6. ↑ Fahim and Seema Mojawalla. Shipping and Logistics Experts. Expert Interview
  7. ↑ https://www.fedex.com/en-us/shipping/ground/economy.html
  8. ↑ https://www.fedex.com/en-us/shipping/home-delivery.html#when-to-use
  9. ↑ https://www.fedex.com/en-us/shipping/freight.html

About This Article

Fahim and Seema Mojawalla
Co-authored by:
Fahim and Seema Mojawalla
Shipping and Logistics Experts
This article was co-authored by Fahim and Seema Mojawalla and by wikiHow staff writer, Eric McClure. Fahim and Seema Mojawalla are Shipping and Logistics Experts based in Grand Island, New York. They are the Co-Owners of Island Ship Center, a shipping depot, print shop, small gift boutique, and business center. Founded in 2006, Island Ship Center is now one of the top three FedEx Authorized ShipCenters® in the country (out of 4,600 locations), is a FedEx Spotlight Store, and has the honor of being a PRINTING United spotlight store. They are also a USPS Approved Postal Provider and a UPS Authorized Shipping Outlet. The award-winning business has served as a training center and model in their industry for years, so much so that Fahim and Seema created AYM High Consultants, a contemporary business coaching enterprise for fellow business owners and purveyors in the printing and shipping industry. From their palletized freight packing and shipping warehouse operation, to their store serving individual clients’ mailing and shipping needs, Fahim and Seema have developed Island Ship Center to be the “Spa of Shipping.” This article has been viewed 1,472 times.
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Co-authors: 5
Updated: April 12, 2025
Views: 1,472
Categories: Postal System
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,472 times.

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