Finding your FedEx package in your mailbox after trying to locate it for days can be frustrating and irritating. You know that only Usps is supposed to put packages in your mailbox so why did FedEx?
FedEx cannot legally deliver packages to your mailbox. By law, only you and the USPS are allowed to use your mailbox, since your mailbox is considered USPS property. FedEx can however have the USPS handle final delivery to your mailbox when FedEx Ground Economy Shipping is used.
Since this can be a confusing situation, we spoke directly to a FedEx representative to answer all of your FedEx questions and help you receive your packages in the least stressful way possible.
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Having a decent security system like a Ring Video Doorbell or Outdoor Security Cameras (both on Amazon) will make your life a lot easier when tracking down exactly where your packages were placed when delivered.
You can easily check your video footage to see where your packages were placed and avoid any unnecessary confusion.
Can FedEx Deliver to a Mailbox?
By law, only USPS is allowed to deliver to a mailbox since they own the physical mailbox. However, FedEx has a new partnership with Usps called FedEx Ground Economy Shipping which allows them to also deliver to a mailbox.
But only when this service is being used, can FedEx deliver to a mailbox. In all other instances, they are legally not allowed to touch a mailbox since it is owned by Usps. Besides, FedEx delivers small and large packages which usually don’t fit in a mailbox.
Does FedEx Deliver to Apartment Mailboxes?
FedEx does indeed deliver to apartment mailboxes. They will make three attempts to deliver to you before they leave a pick-up notice in which you will then have to pick up the package at your closest FedEx office.
You can choose if you want your package delivered to your concierge (if you have one) or delivered straight to your door. Depending on your apartment complex, the driver will either have keys to enter the building or you will have to be home to let them in.
Be sure to check with your apartment management to find out the best way to receive your FedEx package.
Will FedEx Deliver to a UPS Mailbox?
If you have a UPS mailbox, you are able to receive packages from all major carriers, including FedEx.
The amount you will pay for your UPS mailbox will depend on the size of the mailbox. If you frequently receive larger packages, then you should purchase a mailbox that is big enough. If your mailbox is not big enough, UPS will still hold your package but will charge you for the holding.
You might also enjoy our post on Can I Put My Neighbor’s Mail in Their Mailbox?
Can FedEx Use Your Mailbox?
FedEx is not allowed to use your mailbox by law. The United States Postal Service owns your mailbox so only the owner of the property and Usps is allowed to touch the mailbox.
In a case where FedEx did use your mailbox, it’s possible that there was a partnership with the shipping service between FedEx and Usps. FedEx’s Ground Economy Shipping is an express service in which packages are handed over to USPS for the last leg of the delivery.
In this case, Usps will be delivering your package. However, the package will still have FedEx’s branding on it which could make you think that FedEx delivered it, but, in reality, it was Usps.
You might also enjoy our post on What to Do if Your Neighbor Hits Your Mailbox
Does FedEx Have Personal Mailboxes?
FedEx does not have personal mailboxes at the moment. But, if you would like to have your packages delivered to a mailbox then you can purchase a personal mailbox through UPS.
With a UPS mailbox, you can have all of your FedEx packages delivered and held there. You receive a real address, and not just a number like a PO box offers you.
Most carriers don’t ship to PO boxes so the UPS mailbox is extremely convenient and beneficial. The 24/7 locker service allows your packages to be held in a secure locker and picked up whenever you like.
Does FedEx Leave Packages at the Door or Mailbox?
FedEx, by law, has to leave your packages at the door. This is because only USPS owns your mailbox so any other carriers are legally not allowed to touch it unless they have a partnership with Usps.
Generally, FedEx has to leave your package at the door. Mailboxes are part of the Usps mail service and no other company is allowed to use them. However, FedEx does have a service, called “Ground Economy Shipping”, in which they are partnered with Usps.
Usps deals with the last leg of the delivery. In this case, they are allowed to put your FedEx package in your mailbox.
You might also enjoy our post on Can UPS Deliver to Mailboxes?
Does FedEx Ship to Private Mailboxes?
FedEx does ship to private mailboxes, as long as it is not a PO box, which can be easily confused. Since a private mailbox is an actual address, that is no problem for FedEx.
Private mailboxes are beneficial for small businesses or someone who wants to keep their actual address private. Thankfully, FedEx delivers to these addresses since they are real addresses.
However, do not confuse a private mailbox with a PO box. A Po box will not be accepted as a shipping address by any major carrier.
Does FedEx Deliver to Your Door?
FedEx will deliver to your door as long as your address is correct. If a signature is not required, they will simply drop off your package at your door. If a signature is required and you are not home to provide it, they will leave your package at their local office.
FedEx only delivers to your door and not to your mailbox. In some cases, FedEx partners up with Usps to deliver packages more efficiently and Usps will deliver your FedEx package in your mailbox, if it fits.
You might also enjoy our post on How to Stop Neighbors From Stealing Your Packages
FedEx Put a Package in My Mailbox
If you found your missing FedEx package in your mailbox, there are a few possibilities as to why this happened. Either the carrier was being lazy and didn’t want to walk up to your house OR Usps delivered the package on behalf of FedEx due to a partnership.
Check your package for any Usps stamp or sticker that will determine if Usps delivered your parcel. If not, call your local FedEx office and inform them of the situation. They will be able to further escalate the issue and find out why the carrier illegally placed your package in your mailbox.
Why Is FedEx Putting Packages in My Mailbox?
FedEx may be placing your packages in your mailbox because they have partnered with USPS to deliver the package quickly or the carrier was being lazy and didn’t want to walk up to your door.
However, it is illegal for a carrier to place a FedEx package in your mailbox since your mailbox is owned by the Usps, and not to mention, frustrating. You look for your FedEx packages on your doorstep, not your mailbox.
If this happens, contact your local FedEx office and they should be able to track who delivered your package and figure out why they didn’t leave it at your doorstep.
Does FedEx Smartpost Deliver to Mailboxes?
FedEx Ground Economy Shipping (formerly called FedEx Smartpost) does deliver to mailboxes but only when Usps delivers it. This delivery service is a partnership with Usps where Usps handles the last leg of the delivery.
FedEx is the main carrier for Ground Economy Shipping but utilizes Usps for the last leg of the delivery to decrease delivery time. So, in this case, Usps is placing the package in your mailbox on behalf of FedEx.
How Are FedEx Smartpost Packages Delivered?
FedEx Ground Economy Shipping (formerly called FedEx Smartpost) is an efficient service for small and medium businesses within the United States that allows for easy returns.
This service is for low-weight packages that need to be tracked and allow for easy returns, typically used by small and medium businesses. The packages are tracked and mainly handled through FedEx.
If need be, the package will be transferred to Usps to allow for quicker delivery. In this case, your package will be delivered to your mailbox since Usps has the right to do this, unlike FedEx and other carriers.
Is FedEx Smartpost Delivered by FedEx or Usps?
Usps handles the final delivery for FedEx Ground Economy shipments (formerly called FedEx Smartpost). This allows for a quicker delivery time.
If you are confused as to why your FedEx package ended up in your mailbox, it is because Usps actually delivered it. With this partnership, Usps is responsible for handling the final delivery of the package to allow for a faster delivery time.
You might also enjoy our post on Can My Neighbor Move My Mailbox?
Is It Illegal for FedEx to Put Packages in Mailboxes?
It is illegal for FedEx to put packages in your mailbox since the mailbox is owned by the Usps. Only the property owner and Usps are allowed to touch the mailbox.
You may find a FedEx package in your mailbox if it was sent by FedEx Ground Economy Shipping which uses Usps to handle the final delivery.
Or, your carrier may have been having a lazy/busy day and didn’t want to walk or drive all the way up to your door.
How Does FedEx Smartpost Work?
FedEx Ground Economy Shipping (formerly called FedEx Smartpost) is an efficient service for small and medium businesses that need to ship low-weight packages with tracking and have an easy return service for their customers.
With FedEx Ground Economy Shipping, you are able to create and print your shipping label directly online. You will then receive a tracking number after you pay for the shipping label.
FedEx will then handle the whole delivery until the final leg when it will be transferred to Usps for final delivery. Usps is then allowed to put the FedEx package in your mailbox.
You might also enjoy our post on Can Amazon Deliver to Mailboxes?
What Should I Do if FedEx Puts My Package in the Mailbox?
First, check if there is a Usps sticker or stamp on your package to determine if it was actually Usps that delivered it- this is allowed for certain services provided by FedEx. If there is not, you can call FedEx’s customer service line at 1-800-463-3339 and file a complaint.
If you want to avoid some long wait times on the phone, you can call your local FedEx office, or visit, and ask if they are able to track who delivered your parcel and file a complaint directly about the driver.
Why Did FedEx Put My Package in the Mailbox?
FedEx may have placed your package in your mailbox because the delivery driver was either very busy or very lazy and didn’t want to drive up to your door OR your FedEx package was actually delivered by Usps who is legally allowed to leave packages in your mailbox.
FedEx and Usps have a partnership service called FedEx Ground Economy Shipping in which Usps handles the final delivery of your FedEx package.
Usps is the only company allowed to touch your mailbox, so they are legally allowed to leave your FedEx package there.
Can I Stop FedEx From Putting My Packages in the Mailbox?
You can stop FedEx from putting your packages in the mailbox by filing a complaint through FedEx’s customer service center and bringing the issue to their awareness.
FedEx will investigate why your packages are ending up in your mailbox since this is illegal. They will be able to track who the delivery driver was and speak to them directly regarding the issue. In due time, the issue should get resolved.
You might also enjoy our post on Can DHL Deliver to Mailboxes?
Can I Tell FedEx Where to Leave My Packages?
Through your tracking portal, you are able to tell FedEx where you would like them to leave your package; For example, at your front door or the back door or hold at an office.
If you won’t be home to sign for a package, you can even electronically sign online for your package so the driver will drop off your package while you’re not home.
This is only possible online once you enter your tracking information. When the driver scans your package, he will receive the instructions.
Final Thoughts
Before taking any drastic measures and complaining to FedEx, be sure to check if Usps actually delivered your FedEx package. This will save you time and headaches on the other end.
If, however, this is not the case, complain away. It can be very frustrating thinking your package was lost when, in fact, your delivery driver was just being lazy and didn’t want to walk or drive up to your door.
