FedEx will hold a package at a pickup location for up to 5 to 7 days, depending on the type of location. After that window closes, the package is either returned to a FedEx facility or sent back to the shipper. The exact hold time varies based on whether your package is at a FedEx Office store, a FedEx Ship Center, or a retail partner like Walgreens or Dollar General.
Hold Times by Location Type
FedEx uses several types of pickup locations, and each has its own hold policy. FedEx Office and FedEx Ship Center locations typically hold packages for 5 business days. These are company-operated stores with dedicated staff managing package pickups.
Retail partners, which include Walgreens and Dollar General stores operating as FedEx OnSite locations, hold packages for up to 7 days. After that period, the package is returned to the nearest FedEx facility and your tracking information updates to show it is no longer being held for pickup.
If your package ends up at a FedEx facility (rather than a retail location) because of a failed delivery attempt, the hold window is generally 5 business days before FedEx returns it to the sender.
What Happens When the Hold Period Expires
Once the hold window passes without a pickup, FedEx moves the package out of the retail location or facility. In most cases, FedEx will attempt to return the package to the shipper. If the shipper provided return instructions, FedEx follows those. If not, the package may sit at a FedEx facility temporarily while the shipper is contacted.
You won’t get another chance to pick it up at the original location once it has been pulled. At that point, you would need to contact the shipper to arrange a reshipment or work with FedEx customer service to locate the package while it is still in transit back.
How to Extend Your Pickup Window
If you know you won’t be able to pick up a package within the standard hold period, FedEx Delivery Manager gives you a few options. You can redirect the package to a different FedEx location closer to where you will be, reschedule delivery for a specific date, or request delivery to a neighbor or alternate address.
For longer absences, FedEx Delivery Manager also offers a vacation hold feature. This suspends delivery on incoming packages for up to 14 days. Deliveries resume the day after your specified end date. This is useful if you are traveling and want to prevent failed delivery attempts from eating into your hold window before you get home. You need a free FedEx Delivery Manager account to use any of these features, which you can set up on the FedEx website or app with your residential address.
How to Track Your Hold Status
Your tracking number is the fastest way to check how much time you have left. When a package is being held for pickup, FedEx tracking will show the location name, the address, and a note indicating the package is available. Some tracking updates also display the date by which you need to pick it up, though this is not always shown.
If you set up FedEx Delivery Manager notifications, you will receive an email or text when the package arrives at the hold location. Keeping notifications turned on helps you avoid missing the pickup window, especially if the package arrives earlier than expected.
What You Need to Pick Up a Package
When you go to pick up your package, bring a valid government-issued photo ID that matches the name on the shipment. At FedEx Office and Ship Center locations, staff will scan your ID and have you sign for the package. Retail partner locations like Walgreens follow a similar process, though the pickup experience may vary slightly since these stores handle FedEx packages alongside their regular business.
If someone else needs to pick up the package on your behalf, FedEx generally requires that the authorized person bring their own photo ID along with a copy of yours, or written authorization with your name and tracking number. Policies on third-party pickups can vary by location, so calling ahead saves a wasted trip.