FedEx tracking is a great way to figure out where your parcel is at each stage. Although it is a reliable service most of the times, the precision of the updates can still be influenced by factors such as the time of the scan, weather conditions, and if the package is going to or coming from another country.
Knowing the process of FedEx tracking will make you feel less anxious when the waiting for the next update seems longer as you will actually know where your package is.
The present guide serves as a means to getting acquainted with the questions around the validity of the FedEx tracking and how to utilize it maximally.
How FedEx Tracking Works
FedEx tracking is made simple for users to provide step by step updates regarding the location of their packages, which is logical at every stage of the journey. A package is scanned at multiple checkpoints, a record is made from the time it is taken, through the sorting facilities, to its final delivery place. Each recording updates the FedEx system, which is then reflected on the web.
Surely you can follow the course of your package through a tracking number that offers the shipment location, the estimated delivery date, and the current status (e.g., “In Transit” or “Out for Delivery”) as information.
To make sure every stage is recorded, FedEx employs barcodes and digital systems. To be exact, this is a real-time tracking system, which is very helpful to the sender and the receiver to be constantly updated during the whole shipping process.
How Often FedEx Updates Tracking Information
FedEx tracking details get changed several times during the whole shipping process, basically every time the package goes to a new checkpoint. These are basically operations at pickup, sorting facilities, customs (for international shipments), and final delivery.
Most of the time, the local real-time or nearly immediate tracking updates can be seen after the respective scans. In the case of domestic shipments, updates are usually more frequent as the package goes through fewer checkpoints. Whereas, international shipments may have intervals of quiet between updates due to customs and longer transit times.
Just by using your tracking number, you are always allowed to know the status of the package through FedEx website or app. The continuous updates make it possible for the customers to get an accurate idea of the exact location of their package and the time of the delivery.
Real-Time vs. Delayed Tracking Updates
FedEx tracking is typically accurate, but you need to know what is meant by real-time and delayed changes. Most of the time, the tracking information is updated immediately after each scan, so you get a view of the location of your package that is almost real-time. This is what usually happens when a package is moved between facilities or goes out for delivery.
On the other hand, there may be delay in updates sometimes. This will be the case if the package is on the way between the next checkpoints and has not yet been scanned or if there is a network delay in uploading the scan information.
Delays are becoming increasingly frequent during busy shipping seasons and are also common for international shipments that have to pass through customs. Delayed update is not that your package is lost. It might be just that it is on the way or waiting to be scanned at the next facility.
Why FedEx Tracking May Sometimes Be Inaccurate
FedEx tracking is generally dependable; however, there can be instances when the data is not completely accurate. A typical misunderstanding of the situation is that the package is “missing a scan” at a checkpoint. So the system stays at the last known location until the following scan.
Moreover, there might be a reason for “network or system delays” which in turn can cause tracking information to update slowly online. “Weather conditions, high shipping volumes,” and “unforeseen route changes” can also be the factors that affect the speed of the updates.
Sometimes, a package could be “misrouted” or held up at a local facility, causing the recorded information to be confusing or stale. Such scenarios, however, are temporary in nature, and the tracking details usually change to the next checkpoint when the package is there.
How Weather and Logistics Affect Tracking Accuracy
FedEx tracking depends a lot on weather and logistics for its accuracy. A delay in transportation due to extreme weather can happen at any point, and not only will the loading/unloading of the package be delayed, but also the scanning of the package at different checkpoints will be delayed.
Therefore, it is possible that your tracking information will be the same for a long time although your package is going through the system.
Delays in logistics such as aircraft delays, truck rerouting, or congestion at sorting facilities can also slow down the pace of tracking updates. In such cases, the package is on the way, but it has not been scanned at the next facility.
Their delays do not imply that the tracking system is broken; rather, they indicate that delivery times and update times are subject to temporary fluctuations due to real-world factors. Usually, the tracking information gets updated when the package is at the next checkpoint.
Differences in Tracking Accuracy for Domestic vs. International Shipments
FedEx tracking accuracy is subject to change based on whether the shipment is domestic or international. In the case of domestic packages, tracking is usually more accurate and frequent as the shipment goes through fewer checkpoints and does not have to go through customs.
Therefore, the updates are mostly in real-time or close to it, and thus, it becomes very convenient to know the exact location of your package.
However, for international shipments, tracking may occasionally be slower or less detailed.
The primary reasons for this are customs inspections, longer transit times, and delays between countries. It is also possible that there are no updates when the package is being flown or when it is being processed by customs authorities. However, to both types of shipments, FedEx offers tracking that is still dependable. The updates on international shipments may just be delayed for a short while, especially when the package is temporarily out of the FedEx network.
How to Verify or Cross-Check FedEx Tracking Information
In case you ever wonder whether your FedEx tracking updates are correct, there are straightforward methods to check or confirm the data with another source. The very first thing is to reload the tracking page or try the FedEx mobile app because the update may have been made but not yet displayed to the user.
Moreover, you can register to use FedEx Delivery Manager that keeps you posted about the latest events of your shipment almost instantly and also provides a lot more details than the regular tracking page would show. In case your shipment is a joint venture with another shipping partner (a.k.a. an international delivery), sometimes the postal service website of the recipient country, when used with the same tracking number, can let you know a bit more.
In the end, if the package tracking has not been updated for a very long time and looks like it is going to be a dead end, it is still possible to get help by asking FedEx customer service who can get you the freshest information from inside the system.
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