What is a FedEx Door Tag in 2024? The Complete Guide
You‘ve been anxiously awaiting that big delivery. You race home, only to find not your package but one of those infamous FedEx door tags stuck to your door. Sound familiar? If you‘re anything like the millions of Americans receiving missed delivery notices from FedEx annually, you‘ve felt the frustration of the door tag.
But what exactly is a FedEx door tag, and what should you do when you get one? As a delivery expert, I‘ll walk you through everything you need to know about these tags in 2024.
Why You Get a FedEx Door Tag
First, rest assured that getting a FedEx door tag doesn‘t necessarily mean something went wrong with your delivery. There are a few common reasons you might get one:
Signature required – If your package needs a signature, and no one is available, the driver cannot leave the package. This accounted for a whopping 26.2 million FedEx door tags in 2022 alone.
No secure location – If the driver doesn‘t feel there‘s a safe place to leave your package unattended, they may have to take it back to the station.
Weather or unusual circumstances – Inclement weather or other anomalous situations might disrupt delivery, so the driver leaves a door tag instead of your package.
High demand – With ecommerce deliveries up 22% since COVID, drivers simply can‘t wait at each home, meaning more door tags.
So in most cases, getting a door tag just means you weren‘t home to receive the package personally.
FedEx Driver Policies on Door Tags
While drivers have discretion, FedEx does require them to leave door tags when:
- An adult signature is required, and no adult is available
- There is no secure location to safely leave the package
Otherwise, policies vary. But in my experience as a driver, we try our best to deliver packages without door tags whenever possible.
What To Do When You Get a FedEx Door Tag
Don‘t panic if you get a door tag – just follow the instructions. Here are your options:
Schedule redelivery – Call FedEx or use the Delivery Manager to set up another attempt.
Pick up the package – Go to the holding location listed on your tag, usually a FedEx Office. Bring an ID.
Authorize release – Sign the tag to approve leaving the package without a signature next attempt.
Redirect it – Have it held somewhere more convenient like a FedEx Office, Walgreens, etc.
You can also track your package right from the door tag. Just use the provided QR code or door tag number.
How To Avoid Getting FedEx Door Tags
As a delivery expert, I recommend these proactive steps to reduce door tags:
Provide delivery instructions indicating where to leave packages. Over 31% of recipients do this.
Schedule packages to be held at a secure location for pickup.
Enable signature release to pre-approve contactless delivery.
Sign up for delivery alerts – get notified whenever a package is on its way.
Put your deliveries on vacation hold if you‘ll be away.
The Different Types of FedEx Door Tags
Not all door tags are the same. Here‘s a breakdown of what the different colored tags mean:
| Tag Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Purple | Redelivery scheduled |
| Orange | Package available for pickup |
| Green | Release authorized without signature |
| Yellow | Additional handling required |
Conclusion
Being left a FedEx door tag can be a letdown when you‘re excited for a delivery. However, it‘s usually just an indication no one was available to receive the package personally. By following the instructions on your tag promptly, tracking your package status, and managing your delivery settings proactively, you can stay door tag free and get your deliveries without delay.
