USPS and Fedex are completely different companies evn though they offer a similiar (if not almost the same) service.
But that got us wondering, can you return a FedEx package to USPS? We looked into it and this is what we found….
Does USPS Accept FedEx Returns?
The USPS will accept FedEx returns through the FedEx Ground® Economy shipping service. FedEx Ground Economy (which used to be called FedEx SmartPost) is a shipping option which uses the USPS for the final leg of the destination.
This article takes a look at return shipping options through USPS and FedEx: what they are, how they work, and how to use them.
Who are USPS and FedEx, And What Do They Do Exactly?
Briefly, The United States Postal Service (USPS) is an independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government, and FedEx Corporation is an American multinational conglomerate which focuses on transportation and e-commerce services.
The USPS has a monopoly on “letter” delivery within America but has to compete against private package delivery services, such as United Parcel Service, FedEx, and Amazon.
FedEx’s primary competitor is the United Parcel Service (UPS), but its other main competitor is the United States Postal Service.
How Does FedEx Ground Economy Shipping Work?
If you’re interested in the FedEx Ground Economy shipping service, you need to make an account with them in order to discuss your options.
This is because Ground Economy is a service primarily for small and medium sized businesses. FedEx claim that the service is cost efficient, streamlined and convenient. It caters for packages which are low weight, low value and non-urgent.
Delivery time is between 4 and 7 business days (depending on the destination), and delivery days are Monday to Sunday. The ideal package weight is 1–10 lbs.
There are some items which are not available for FedEx Ground Economy. These include:
- Collect on delivery
- Money-back guarantee
- Declared value
- Address correction
- Signature of delivery
- Evening, appointment, or date-certain delivery
- Hazardous materials service
- Redirect to hold at a FedEx location
- Delivery redirects requested by shipper
Your customers can return your goods quickly and easily using prepaid return shipping labels and easy drop offs at any FedEx location or any US postal location.
Does FedEx Take USPS Returns?
Unfortunately, only FedEx shipments can be processed at FedEx locations. FedEx returns can include FedEx Ground, FedEx Express and FedEx ground economy shipping.
If you present a different shipping service label, for example, USPS, Amazon, or UPS, then FedEx will not be able to process or return your package.
Where Can I Drop Off A FedEx Package?
FedEx have excellent support pages which provide answers and locators for all your returning item questions and drop off needs.
You’ll find out about return labels and QR codes, how to create shipping labels, find packing solutions (including reusable packaging), handling, tracking, and drop off locations.
When it comes to dropping off your FedEx packages, you’ll be pleased to see that they have more than 60,000 retail and contactless FedEx drop box locations.
These include:
- FedEx offices – offering packing and shipping services, packing holding, printing, and convenient passport services.
- FedEx Ship Centre – will also ship certain dangerous goods
- FedEx at Walgreens – some locations open 24 hours
- FedEx at Dollar General
- FedEx Office in Walmart (over 300 stores)– packing, shipping, and printing
- Office Depot and OfficeMax – over 1000 stores, packaging supplies
- FedEx Authorized ShipCenter – these are independently owned and operated and they manage both international and domestic shipments
- FedEx drop boxes – there are thousands of these nationwide and are available for 24/7 drop off, useful for returning online orders (using FedEx packing)
Conclusion…
FedEx and USPS are large companies which provide a multitude of services. It can be confusing to work out how to use them and how specifically to merge them. Fortunately, they do cooperate through one service: the FedEx Ground Economy Shipping.