Printer-Friendly New FedEx® Delivery Signature Options

FedEx Express Residential Delivery Signature Policy Change
New FedEx Delivery Signature Options
FedEx Delivery Signature Options for Shipments to Residential Addresses
FedEx Delivery Signature Options for Shipments to Nonresidential Addresses
Integration With Electronic Shipping Solutions
Frequently Asked Questions

Updated Jan. 7, 2008
FedEx Express Residential Delivery Signature Policy Change

FedEx is changing the signature policy for FedEx Express® shipments to residences.

  • Beginning in fall 2005, FedEx will no longer require a signature for express shipments delivered to residences. This change will make our FedEx Express residential delivery policy consistent with our policy for FedEx Ground® and FedEx Home Delivery® shipments. If a signature is needed for a residential shipment, shippers must choose one of the new FedEx Delivery Signature Options.
Please note:
  • The policy for FedEx Express shipments to nonresidential addresses is not changing. FedEx will attempt to obtain a signature from someone at the delivery address or a neighboring address, and no fee will apply.

See the FedEx Express Terms and Conditions in the FedEx Service Guide for complete information about our residential delivery policy.

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New FedEx Delivery Signature Options
  • FedEx is introducing three new signature options to improve delivery commitments and provide a consistent experience for customers across the FedEx network. The three new signature options include Indirect Signature Required, Direct Signature Required and Adult Signature Required. These new options are designed to meet the varying needs of customers who seek greater flexibility and peace of mind for their shipping transactions.
  • The new options are available with FedEx First Overnight®, FedEx Priority Overnight®, FedEx Standard Overnight®, FedEx 2Day®, FedEx Express Saver®, FedEx Ground® and FedEx Home Delivery® services. Signature options will not be available with FedEx SameDay®. Some options may vary depending on the service used. See the FedEx Service Guide for details.
  • Shippers can still authorize a FedEx Express shipment to be left without a signature at nonresidential addresses by selecting Deliver Without a Signature. There is no fee for this service.
  • If no signature option is selected, FedEx may deliver FedEx Express and FedEx Ground residential and FedEx Home Delivery shipments without a signature.

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FedEx Delivery Signature Options for Shipments to Residential Addresses

For shipments to residential addresses, shippers can choose from three FedEx Delivery Signature Options. A fee applies.

Note: If the shipper does not select one of the three signature options, FedEx may deliver the shipment without a signature.

  • Indirect Signature Required. FedEx will obtain a signature in one of three ways:
    • From someone at the delivery address; or
    • From a neighbor, building manager or other person at a neighboring address; or
    • The recipient can sign a FedEx door tag authorizing release of the package without anyone present.
  • Direct Signature Required.  FedEx will obtain a signature from someone at the delivery address. If no one is at the address, FedEx will reattempt delivery. For FedEx Express shipments, the recipient may also choose to pick up the package at the location listed on the door tag.

    Note:     Direct Signature Required replaces FedEx Express Signature Required, FedEx Ground® Auto P.O.D., FedEx Home Delivery Auto P.O.D. and FedEx Signature Home DeliverySM services. Until Direct Signature Required is available, shippers can still choose FedEx Express Signature Required, FedEx Ground Auto P.O.D., FedEx Home Delivery Auto P.O.D. and FedEx Signature Home Delivery for an additional fee.
  • Adult Signature Required. FedEx will obtain a signature from any person at least 21 years old (government-issued photo identification required) at the delivery address. If no one is at the address, FedEx will reattempt delivery. For FedEx Express shipments, the recipient may also choose to pick up the package at the location listed on the door tag.

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FedEx Delivery Signature Options for Shipments to Nonresidential Addresses

For shipments to nonresidential addresses, shippers can choose from two of the FedEx Delivery Signature Options. A fee applies.

Note: The policy for shipments to nonresidential addresses is not changing.  If no one is available at the delivery address or a neighboring address, FedEx will reattempt delivery the next business day. Or FedEx will deliver the package without obtaining a signature if the delivery address has a signature release on file.

  • Direct Signature Required.  FedEx will obtain a signature from someone at the delivery address. If no one is at the address, FedEx will reattempt delivery.

    Note:     Direct Signature Required replaces FedEx Express Signature Required and FedEx Ground Auto P.O.D. services. The Direct Signature Required option overrides any recipient release that may be on file for nonresidential deliveries.

    Important notice:     Until Direct Signature Required is available, shippers can still choose FedEx Express Signature Required and FedEx Ground Auto P.O.D. for an additional fee.
  • Adult Signature Required. FedEx will obtain a signature from any person at least 21 years old (government-issued photo identification required) at the delivery address.

    Note:     The Adult Signature Required option overrides any recipient release that may be on file for nonresidential deliveries.

Shippers can still choose the Deliver Without a Signature option for express shipments for no fee.

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Integration With Electronic Shipping Solutions

You can choose one of the FedEx Delivery Signature Options from your electronic shipping solution. Electronic shipping solutions will be updated throughout the remainder of 2005 to reflect the new options. Please speak with your FedEx account executive or call a FedEx customer service representative at 1.800.GoFedEx 1.800.463.3339 for more information regarding specific electronic shipping solutions. Following is information about the availability of FedEx Delivery Signature Options with specific electronic shipping solutions.

  • FedEx Ship Manager® at fedex.com: All charges will appear on FedEx invoices and signature options will be available for on-screen selection beginning on July 10, 2005.
  • FedEx Ship Manager® API: All charges will appear on FedEx invoices and signature options will be available for on-screen selection beginning on July 10, 2005.
    Please note: The new options must be coded into each electronic shipping solution before they are available for on-screen selection. Contact your FedEx account executive if you have questions.
  • FedEx Ship Manager® Server: All charges will appear on FedEx invoices beginning on July 10, 2005. New signature options will be available for on-screen selection beginning in August and fully available by fall 2005.
  • FedEx Ship Manager® Hardware and Software: All charges will appear on FedEx invoices beginning on July 10, 2005. New signature options will be available for on-screen selection beginning in August and fully available by fall 2005.
  • FedEx® Certified Solutions Program: All charges will appear on FedEx invoices beginning on July 10, 2005. New signature options will be available for on-screen selection when the third party's software is certified by FedEx, released by the third party and uploaded by the customer. FedEx Certified Solutions Program releases are scheduled throughout 2005 and early 2006.
  • World PRO: All charges will appear on FedEx invoices beginning on July 10, 2005. New signature options will be available for on-screen selection as new software is released. The next World PRO release is scheduled for September 2005.

Signature Required Will Now Include a Fee
For all solutions, until the new signature options are available for on-screen selection, shippers can still select FedEx Express Signature Required for an additional fee.

Note: Your electronic shipping solution may be pre-set to request Signature Required. If you do not want to be charged this fee, please check the settings on your electronic shipping solution.
  • You can uncheck this option from your electronic shipping solution and, if you want a signature, you can check the Signature Required option on a per-shipment basis for an additional fee.
  • Or you can leave the option pre-set and uncheck it on a per-shipment basis when you do not require a signature.

Once the new signature options are available for on-screen selection, FedEx Express Signature Required will be replaced by Direct Signature Required for an additional fee. Remember that choosing a signature option overrides a recipient release.

Note: Shipments with a declared value equal to or greater than US$500 that are processed using a FedEx® electronic shipping solution upgraded after July 10, 2005, will require a direct signature at no additional fee. Shippers may choose to upgrade the signature service on these high-value shipments to Adult Signature Required for an additional fee.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are you changing the signature policy?
FedEx is introducing new signature options to improve delivery commitments and provide a consistent experience for customers across the FedEx network. These new options are designed to meet the varying needs of customers who seek greater flexibility and peace of mind for their shipping transactions.

How do I choose one of the FedEx Delivery Signature Options?
  • You can choose one of the FedEx Delivery Signature Options from your electronic shipping solution. Electronic shipping solutions will be updated in phases throughout the remainder of 2005 to reflect the new options. Use Get Rates & Transit Times under the Ship tab at fedex.com to obtain rate estimates with up-to-date signature options and fees. In addition, most FedEx Ship Manager® solutions will be updated by fall 2005. Go to Integration With Electronic Shipping Solutions for more information. Please speak with your FedEx account executive or call a FedEx customer service representative at 1.800.GoFedEx 1.800.463.3339 for more information regarding specific electronic shipping solutions.
  • You can also choose Indirect Signature Required and Direct Signature Required when completing a FedEx® US Airbill beginning in August 2005 for shipments to residences. Adult Signature Required will not be available on the FedEx US Airbill.
  • Indirect Signature Required is not available as an option for shipments to nonresidential addresses. If you do not select any of the options and the recipient does not have a release on file, FedEx will attempt to obtain a signature from someone at the address or at a neighboring address, and no fee will apply.

Can I still have shipments delivered without a signature?
Yes. You can still choose Deliver Without a Signature for nonresidential shipments, available for free with FedEx Express services. Just check the Deliver Without a Signature box on your airbill or from the drop-down menu in your electronic shipping solution. This option is not available for FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery shipments.

What happens if I don't choose any of the options?
If you don't choose any of the FedEx Delivery Signature Options, shipments to residences may be delivered without a signature. For shipments to nonresidential addresses, FedEx will attempt to obtain a signature from someone at the delivery address or a neighboring address, and no fee will apply. Shippers can also still choose the Deliver Without a Signature option for shipments to nonresidential addresses, and that will override a recipient release.

What if I signed a recipient signature release?
Recipient releases will no longer be honored for U.S. domestic (U.S. to U.S.) shipments to residential addresses. However, they will continue to be honored for international shipments inbound to U.S. residential addresses. FedEx still honors recipient releases for shipments to nonresidential addresses unless the shipper requests a signature option. Shippers sending FedEx Express packages to nonresidential locations, and who do not have a recipient release on file, may also select the Deliver Without a Signature option in electronic shipping solutions when processing individual shipments.

What about international shipments?
  • Signature options are not available for international express shipments from the U.S.
  • Shipments to U.S. addresses from international locations may be delivered via one of the FedEx Delivery Signature Options depending on the nature of the shipment. Electronic shipping solutions will preselect the signature option based on the inbound U.S. shipment's characteristics (e.g., hazardous materials shipments will be delivered via Direct Signature Required; most other shipment types will be delivered via Indirect Signature Required), and no fees will apply.
  • FedEx International GroundSM shipments will be delivered via Indirect Signature Required and no fee will apply. Shippers can choose to upgrade to Direct Signature Required for a fee.
  • FedEx Express international shipments inbound to the U.S. will be delivered via Indirect Signature Required and no fee will apply.

Will FedEx Ground Acknowledgement of Delivery (A.O.D.) still be available?
No. The FedEx Ground A.O.D. option will be discontinued and shippers will be able to choose any one of the three new FedEx Delivery Signature Options.

Will there be any changes to FedEx Ground Auto P.O.D. (Automatic Proof of Delivery)?
  • Direct Signature Required will replace FedEx Ground Auto P.O.D. and customers will no longer be required to enroll prior to using a signature-required service.
  • Pre-existing FedEx Ground Auto P.O.D. reporting enrollments will continue to be honored. FedEx Ground Auto P.O.D. reporting will be provided for Direct Signature Required, Indirect Signature Required and Adult Signature Required shipments.
  • Customers who want to receive FedEx Ground Auto P.O.D. or FedEx Home Delivery Auto P.O.D. reporting must enroll prior to shipping signature-required packages. Contact your FedEx account executive to complete a new enrollment request form. The reporting enhancement is currently available only for FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery shippers.

Will there be any changes to FedEx Home Delivery options?
  • Direct Signature Required will replace FedEx Home Delivery Automatic Proof of Delivery (Auto P.O.D.). Customers will no longer be required to enroll prior to using a signature-required service.
  • Pre-existing FedEx Home Delivery Auto P.O.D. reporting enrollments will continue to be honored. FedEx Home Delivery Auto P.O.D. reporting will be provided for Direct Signature Required, Indirect Signature Required and Adult Signature Required shipments.
  • Direct Signature Required will also replace FedEx Signature Home Delivery. 
  • Indirect Signature Required will become available.
  • Adult Signature Required will become available.

Are there any exceptions to how the new signature policy will be applied?
Yes. We will still obtain a signature for all FedEx Express dangerous goods and FedEx Ground hazardous materials shipments. Some additional exceptions may apply. See Service Info at fedex.com or the FedEx Service Guide for details.

How can I get more information about these new signature options?
Call FedEx Customer Service at 1.800.GoFedEx 1.800.463.3339. You can also find information in the online FedEx Service Guide, which you can download from Service Info.

Note: In the event the information contained herein conflicts with the FedEx Express Terms and Conditions or the FedEx Ground Tariff in the FedEx Service Guide, the FedEx Service Guide will control.

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