You can change a FedEx delivery address, but timing and your shipping method matter

FedEx lets you change where a package goes, but only if you catch it before the driver leaves the facility for delivery. The exact steps depend on whether you shipped it yourself, someone sent it to you, or it's already in transit. The sooner you act after placing the order, the better your chances of success—once a package is out for delivery on the day it arrives, you cannot redirect it through the website.

The fastest way is through FedEx Delivery Manager, a free tool that works for packages headed to your address. If someone else sent you the package or you shipped it yourself, you have other options, but they require more steps and sometimes a phone call.

Key Takeaways

  • FedEx Delivery Manager, the free online tool, only works if the package is addressed to you and hasn't left the delivery facility yet.
  • If you shipped the package yourself, you can request a change through your FedEx account or by calling 1-800-463-3339 before the package reaches the delivery facility.
  • Packages already out for delivery on the day of arrival cannot be redirected online; you must call FedEx or wait for the driver and refuse the package.
  • Changing the address to a business location sometimes requires the recipient to be present, depending on the service level you originally chose.
  • If the new address is outside the original delivery area, FedEx may charge a fee or refuse the change entirely.

Using FedEx Delivery Manager for packages sent to you

FedEx Delivery Manager is the easiest route if the package is addressed to you. Go to fedex.com, click "Manage Delivery" in the top menu, and sign in or create a free account using your email address. Search for the tracking number of the package you want to redirect.

Once you find it, you'll see options to change the delivery address, hold it for pickup at a FedEx location, or request a specific delivery date. Click "Change Delivery Address" and enter the new street address. The system will show you whether the change is possible—if the package has already left the facility or is out for delivery, you won't be able to change it this way.

This method works only for packages addressed to you. If someone else is the recipient, they must make the change through their own FedEx Delivery Manager account, or you'll need to call FedEx directly.

Changing the address if you shipped the package

If you're the shipper and want to redirect a package you sent to someone else, log into your FedEx account at fedex.com. Find the shipment in your shipping history, click on it, and look for an option to modify the delivery address. This option only appears if the package hasn't reached the delivery facility yet.

If you don't see a modify option, or if the package is already in transit, call FedEx Customer Service at 1-800-463-3339. Have your tracking number ready. A representative can attempt to change the address while the package is still at a sorting facility, but they cannot may provide success if it's already left for delivery.

Some shipping methods, like FedEx Ground Economy, have stricter rules about address changes. Ask the representative whether your service level allows a redirect and whether there will be an additional charge.

What to do if the package is already out for delivery

Once a package is on the delivery truck for the day, you cannot change the address through the website. Your options at this point are to refuse the package when the driver arrives, or to contact the driver directly if FedEx provides that option in your area.

To refuse a package, be home or at the delivery address when the driver arrives and tell them you refuse it. The driver will return it to FedEx, and it will go back to the shipper. This takes several days and may result in a restocking fee depending on the sender's return policy.

Some FedEx locations offer a service called FedEx Delivery Manager Intercept, which can redirect a package even after it's left the facility, but this service is not available for all delivery types and may cost extra. Call 1-800-463-3339 to ask if your package qualifies.

Changing the address to a business or a different person

If you want to redirect a package to a business address instead of a home address, or to a different person entirely, the rules are stricter. Some FedEx services require the recipient to sign for the package, which means the new recipient must be available at the new address. If the original shipment was sent with a signature requirement, changing the address to someone who wasn't the original recipient may not be allowed.

Call FedEx at 1-800-463-3339 and explain the situation. A representative can tell you whether the change is possible based on the service level and whether the new recipient will need to be present. If the new address is far from the original one, FedEx may charge a fee or decline the change if it falls outside their delivery network.

Fees and restrictions for address changes

Most address changes within the same delivery area are free if you request them before the package reaches the facility. However, FedEx may charge a fee if you're changing the address to a location outside the original service area, or if you're requesting an intercept after the package has already left the facility.

International packages have their own rules. If a package is headed overseas, you generally cannot change the address once it's in the international shipping network. Contact FedEx when ready if you need to stop an international shipment.

Some promotional or discounted shipments cannot be redirected at all. If you used a special code or discount when shipping, ask FedEx whether that affects your ability to change the address.

Holding a package for pickup instead of changing the address

If changing the address isn't possible or practical, you can hold the package at a FedEx location for you to pick up. In FedEx Delivery Manager, select "Hold for Pickup" instead of changing the address. Choose a FedEx Office or FedEx Ground location near you, and the package will be held there for up to five business days.

This option is free and works even if the package is already in transit, as long as it hasn't been delivered yet. You'll need to show a photo ID when you pick it up. If you're picking up on behalf of someone else, bring a signed letter from the recipient authorizing you to collect it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the address after the package has been delivered?

No. Once FedEx marks a package as delivered, you cannot change the address through any FedEx system. If the package was delivered to the wrong address by mistake, contact FedEx Customer Service at 1-800-463-3339 with your tracking number and explain what happened. They can investigate and may be able to recover the package, but this is not may provide.

What if I don't have a FedEx account?

You can create a free FedEx account at fedex.com in a few minutes using just an email address. You don't need to be the shipper or the recipient—anyone can create an account and use FedEx Delivery Manager to track and redirect packages addressed to them. If you don't want to create an account, call 1-800-463-3339 and a representative can help you over the phone.

Will changing the address delay my package?

It depends on when you request the change. If you change it before the package reaches the delivery facility, there's usually no delay. If you request a change after it's already in transit, it may add one or two business days while FedEx reroutes it. An intercept after the package has left the facility can add even more time.

Can I change a FedEx package address to a PO box?

FedEx cannot deliver to PO boxes. If you try to change the address to a PO box, the system will reject it. You can hold the package for pickup at a FedEx Office location instead, or change it to a street address where you can receive mail.

What happens if FedEx can't change the address?

If the package is too far along in the delivery process, FedEx will tell you the change isn't possible. At that point, you can refuse the package when it arrives, hold it for pickup at a FedEx location, or contact the shipper to arrange a return. Refusing a package sends it back to the sender, which takes several days.