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What Does It Mean When the FedEx Tracking System Says Schedule Delivery Pending?

Nov 21, 2020

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What Does it Mean when FedEx Tracking System Says Schedule Delivery Pending

I bought some stuff online recently, and it was shipped with FedEx. But, I noticed that it had the status of ‘schedule delivery pending’ when I used my tracking code. I didn’t know what it meant, so I looked it up and thought I’d put together this article to explain what it means.

So, what does it mean when the FedEx tracking system says schedule delivery pending? It means that they haven’t got an estimated date when your package will be delivered yet. But, they have your package. Once they have more information, they’ll update its status.

FedEx doesn’t have any information about this specific status on their website. But, many people have reported having this issue and explained what it means. So, read on where I’ll summarize what it means and what you should do when your package has this status.

How long will it take to get my package when FedEx tracking says schedule delivery pending?

It’s impossible to estimate how long it will take until FedEx updates the status of your package with new information. Many factors can influence how long it will take, such as whether it is at customs, what shipping method you chose, and factors beyond FedEx’s control.

My best advice is to be patient and wait for the next update. But if your package still has that status’ schedule delivery pending’ after a reasonable amount of time has passed, I would recommend contacting FedEx customer support to ask them if they have any more information.

I’ll give you a bit of background information about how packages are processed, so you have a better idea of what’s going on with your package.

How packages are processed

In general, packages are sent in containers or bags. That then arrives at a FedEx sorting facility. Each container or bag has a barcode label that is scanned when it arrives at a FedEx sorting facility.

The barcode label on the container or bag stores the tracking numbers of every item inside it. When it’s scanned, it updates the records to say that your package has arrived at the FedEx facility. And the status of your package will get updated.

However, FedEx hasn’t scanned in your specific package yet to confirm that’s it there. So, your status will only show ‘schedule delivery pending’, or ‘acceptance of your package is pending’.

This is what I can gather based on my research and my knowledge of the logistics industry.

There is no information available about what ‘schedule delivery pending’ means on the FedEx website.

FedEx doesn’t specifically list what’ schedule delivery pending’ means. So, in my opinion, this is a message so that the internal FedEx staff understand where it is if it’s taking too long, and you contact them.

There are comments from people online who say that FedEx doesn’t provide an estimated delivery date until it has cleared customs. This could be one reason why your package says ‘schedule delivery pending’.

However, with USPS, when it’s at customs, you get the status update ‘processed through ISC New York’ or whatever customs office it is at. There are 5 in the USA – Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco.

I wrote a whole article about how packages and mail are processed through customs and how long it takes. You can read it by clicking What does it mean when the USPS says the acceptance of your package is pending?

The error message’ schedule delivery pending’ is very different. So, in my opinion, it’s arrived at a FedEx facility but hasn’t been scanned in yet.

Once they’ve scanned in your individual package, they will group it with packages that are going to a similar location. And then your package will be ready for the delivery driver to pick up.

When the delivery driver is going to go out and deliver them individually, your package will get scanned again as they’re put on the truck. This will update the status of your package to ‘out for delivery’. This means that your package will be delivered that day unless there are some circumstances beyond the delivery driver’s control. For example:

A major traffic accident that causes long delays
Road closure due to an event
They were unable to get your signature for it, and it wasn’t safe to leave it at your property
They were unable to find your residence (some addresses are difficult because of unit numbers or a driveway layout).
Extreme weather

These are all rare except for when they were unable to get you to sign for it, or it wasn’t safe to leave it at your property.

This happens quite often, either because you weren’t home, or the driver thinks it’s unsafe to leave your package on your doorstep or in the letterbox because someone could steal it.

FedEx offers an excellent Delivery Manager service so that you can make sure you get your package the first time. You can organize to pick it up from a secure and convenient location in your neighborhood. Or, you can also redirect to another side of town, which is handy if you work across town.

According to the FedEx website, they can update up to 4 people about the status of your package – for example, family members or neighbors with an email. They say they will update you:

1. When a delay has occurred

This is when your package got delayed through their different sorting and clearing processes. Once, your package makes it through, you’ll automatically get an update.

2. The day before it is going to be delivered

This will send you an email the day before your package is scheduled to get delivered to you. So, you can be aware and ready to sign for it.

3. The item has been successfully delivered

This will let everyone you know that your package has been delivered and is either waiting at the local FedEx post office or on your doorstep.

So, it’s very handy, and I highly recommend signing up for it, so that you will get notified when your package is close. That way you won’t forget or have to check it all the time. FedEx will typically put an estimated delivery on your tracking number.

Is the FedEx estimated delivery date accurate?

When you put in your tracking number into the FedEx website to see where it is, towards the bottom, there should be an estimated delivery date. However, how accurate is it? Based on my research of customers’ comments online, it is very accurate.

However, there can be hiccups along the way. The good news is these are quite rare. If you aren’t there to sign for it, and it’s not safe to leave your package on your doorstep or in your letterbox, the courier will put it back on their truck and attempt to redeliver it the next day.

So, it’s a good idea to check the exact time and date that it is scheduled to be delivered that way, you can get it that day, and avoid any delays. Otherwise, you can organize for it to get sent to a convenient location, close to your work or home. I will typically reschedule the delivery date to when I know someone will be there to receive it, or I’ll be home to sign for it.

Who do I contact if my FedEx package is taking too long?

You’ll want to contact the FedEx customer support team. The exact phone number and email can differ based on where you’re located. For a list of their contact information, visit the official FedEx customer support page by clicking here.

What happens if my FedEx package gets lost in transit?

The company that you ordered the product from will typically give you a refund. But, the company will need you to provide proof that the package didn’t get delivered to you so that they can avoid fraud. This will be something from FedEx which shows that the package wasn’t delivered to you.

You should get a record of the tracking information with the dates. When a package is lost in transit FedEx will typically work with you to find the package in the first instance.

If you contact their support team, they will likely be able to locate your package, but if it isn’t, they will notify you that it has been lost in transit. In which case you can contact the company you ordered the product from, and they will advise you as to the next steps.

They may either file a claim with FedEx or ask you to make a claim. You can make a claim on this page of the FedEx website. But, in the first instance, it’s best to contact the company that you bought the product from or the person who sent you the item because they may handle the whole claim process.

I’m a fan of receiving mail, even if delayed, but not lost, of course. However, I am also a fan of sending packages. I say this because the majority of packages I’ve mailed are items that have sold online.

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