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FedEx tracking: numbers, statuses and missed deliveries

8 min read

Peek is an independent tracker, not FedEx. It shows what FedEx’s own tracking publishes.

FedEx is an express and parcel carrier. Track a parcel on fedex.com's tracking page, in the FedEx Mobile App or by pasting the number in the box above. FedEx says the number usually comes in the email or SMS it sends about your shipment.

FedEx tracking number: where to find it and how many digits

Look in the shop's shipping email or order page, in FedEx's own email or SMS, and at the bottom of the shipping label. FedEx's help box calls it "a 12-digit number"; its tracking FAQ says 12 or 13 digits.

Shape (invented)What it is
12345678901212 digits: the usual FedEx tracking number.
12345678901234315 digits: a shape Peek also files under FedEx.
6129000000000000001420 digits starting 6129 or 7489: FedEx Ground Economy (formerly SmartPost) in the US.

No number? On fedex.com, "Track by reference" works with the shipper's reference. Without either, FedEx says to contact the sender; see where else to find a tracking number.

Twelve digits also fit DPD France, Mondial Relay, BRT and several Asian couriers, and fifteen fit DPD France and BRT too. If fedex.com doesn't know the number, check which carrier the shop's email names.

What FedEx tracking statuses mean, including delivery exception

These are the English names on fedex.com. Its other country sites show them in their own language.

FedEx's statusWhat it means for you
Label createdThe shipper printed the label and is preparing the parcel. FedEx doesn't have it yet.
We have your packageIt reached a FedEx facility or a FedEx courier picked it up.
On the wayIt's moving towards you, in a vehicle or at a FedEx facility.
At our facilityIt's safe at a FedEx location. The status changes when it moves again.
Clearance in progressIt's going through customs.
Out for deliveryIt's on the van for delivery today.
Delivery updatedThe date or address changed, at the shipper's or your request, or because of an exceptional event.
Delivery exceptionSomething unexpected is delaying delivery.
Running lateIt probably won't arrive by the first estimate.
Ready for pickupIt's waiting for you at a FedEx location.
Returning to FedEx facilityIt was turned away at the door and is going back to a FedEx location.
DELIVEREDDelivered, with the date, time and who signed.

Delivery exception sounds worse than it is: FedEx's examples are a customs delay, bad weather, strikes, nobody at home or security restrictions, and it says there's nothing you need to do at that point. The detailed history may give the reason, such as Customer not available or business closed.

Returning to FedEx facility isn't a return to the shop yet. It means the recipient refused it, for example as damaged, and FedEx asks the shipper what to do.

Missed FedEx delivery, door tags and Delivery Manager

UK, Ireland and Europe. If nobody is in, FedEx may leave the parcel in a secure place. Otherwise the driver leaves a Missed Delivery Card with a QR code that opens your options: a later date, a neighbour, a safe place, a pickup point, another address or instructions for the driver, depending on your country and the shipment. After a missed delivery, you need to pick a new date in FedEx Delivery Manager for another attempt. Before the first attempt, use "Manage delivery" on the tracking page or the link in FedEx's email.

You can make changes until 4:00 am on the scheduled delivery day, after two-step authentication. The new date must fall within 5 business days of the original one; a parcel held longer may cost storage fees. High-value parcels, those needing a direct or adult signature and those whose sender doesn't allow it may not qualify. Redirecting can cost extra and never crosses a border.

In Europe only the sender can switch on Delivery Manager; its SMS or email then lets you change the date or place for free.

United States. A missed delivery leaves a door tag. If it was the first attempt, sign the tag and leave it on the door to authorise a next-business-day delivery; if the driver ticked "Final delivery attempt", the parcel is at a FedEx location. To pick it up, bring the door tag or tracking number and government-issued photo ID. Or redirect it to a FedEx location such as FedEx Office or Walgreens.

FedEx's finder at local.fedex.com lists pickup points and their hours. FedEx doesn't say how long a parcel waits there.

FedEx parcel delayed, held at customs or lost

No movement. For Delivery exception and Running late, FedEx says there's nothing you need to do. If it drags on, "Ask FedEx" offers "Report a delayed delivery".

Customs. When paperwork or information is missing, FedEx contacts you or the shipper; reply to its email with the documents. Duties and taxes fall on the recipient unless the shipper chose to pay them. FedEx may pay them for you and add a disbursement fee, listed on its rates page for each country. The bill can come after delivery, or the parcel may be held until you pay. Pay on FedEx's payment portal or with the unique link in its email or SMS. See parcels held at customs.

Delivered but not there? Check with neighbours, look at the proof of delivery on the tracking page, then choose "Manage delivery" and report the parcel missing. More in delivered but not received.

Damage or loss. FedEx's Conditions of Carriage set 21 days after delivery for damage, delay or missing contents, and nine months after FedEx took the parcel for loss or non-delivery. The shop or sender holds the contract with FedEx, so tell them first. Keep the contents, box and packaging: FedEx may want to inspect them.

How to contact FedEx customer service

FedEx's contact pages, read on 13 October 2026:

  • UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Portugal and Poland: "Ask FedEx" on the customer support page, with guest access for private users, answers and a way to speak to a person. These pages show no phone number. Claims and complaints go through FedEx's contact form.
  • United States and Canada: 1.800.GoFedEx (1.800.463.3339).

Tracking FedEx parcels with Peek

Peek recognises FedEx's 12- and 15-digit numbers when their check digit is right. Other carriers share those shapes, so the parcel is often named by a tracking service or after a short wait. A number that fails the check isn't offered to FedEx: pick the carrier with "Change". Ground Economy's 20-digit numbers are named FedEx at once, scanned label barcodes are read for the number inside, and fedex.com links with trknbr= or tracknumbers= work too. Peek doesn't track FedEx's 13-digit numbers.

Peek opens fedex.com's tracking page in a browser on its own server. When FedEx refuses, or asks for recipient verification, tracking services fill in.

It shows the status, each scan with its place and exact time on a map, the expected delivery day, the delivered time and, while the parcel waits, the FedEx location's name and address. It checks every 10 minutes, every 2 minutes once the parcel is out for delivery, and can notify you at every scan, at important steps or on delivery day only. It drops your name and address, the shipper, the signature, weight and dimensions. Scans show in FedEx's English, except the delivered one: FedEx's line names who signed, so Peek shows "Delivered".

Most Ground Economy parcels are delivered by FedEx itself. When FedEx says the US Postal Service has one, Peek follows it there ("Delivery with USPS").

Questions about FedEx tracking

Do FedEx tracking numbers start with 1Z?

No. A number starting 1Z is a UPS number. FedEx's are digits only.

Why does FedEx tracking show no delivery date?

FedEx shows an estimated date and time once its courier has the parcel, so Label created alone often has none. If a date disappears later, FedEx is updating it.

Can I get proof of delivery for a FedEx parcel?

Yes, from the tracking page, without an account. FedEx Express keeps signed proof for up to 18 months; without a signature, a home delivery shows a photo instead.

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