What is FedEx Ground Economy? FedEx Ground Economy, formerly known as FedEx SmartPost, is a cost-effective shipping service designed for U.S. residential deliveries. It is particularly well-suited for high-volume, lightweight, non-urgent shipments. It's a contract-based service, meaning businesses must have a specific agreement with FedEx to use it. Learn more about Ground Economy on the FedEx website.
Key features of FedEx Ground Economy include:
- Best for Small, Light Packages: This service is ideal for shipping small, lightweight items (under 70 lbs) and is designed to be a budget-friendly option.
- Residential Delivery Only: FedEx Ground Economy is exclusively for sending packages to residential addresses in the U.S. It also covers P.O. boxes, military addresses (APO/FPO), and U.S. territories. While FedEx handles the initial transport for military shipments, USPS completes the last-mile delivery to these specific addresses.
- Slower, But Cheaper: It's a non-urgent service, typically taking 2 to 7 business days for delivery. The trade-off for the longer delivery time is a lower cost, as it avoids some common surcharges.
- Contract Required: Unlike other FedEx services you can use on a whim, you must have a specific contract with FedEx to use this shipping option.
- Full Tracking: Despite its low cost and slower speed, the service includes full tracking, so both you and your customers can follow the package's journey.
How is FedEx Ground Economy different from other FedEx services?
Below is a comparison of various FedEx services, including delivery details and typical delivery days. For the most upto date information on FedEx services please refer to FedEx's site.
| FedEx Ground® Economy | FedEx Home Delivery® | FedEx Express Saver® | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ideal for | Low-weight, low-value residential shipments | Residential shipments | Time-sensitive shipments |
| Delivery Details | Typically delivered in 2–7 business days by end of day. Transit times determined by shipping distance. | Delivered in 1–5 business days by end of day. Transit times determined by shipping distance. | Delivered on the third business day. To businesses by 5:00 p.m. To residences by 8:00 p.m. |
| Delivery Days | Monday–Sunday | Monday–Sunday | Monday–Friday |
| Weight Limit | Up to 70 lbs. | Up to 150 lbs. | Up to 150 lbs. |
| Maximum Package Size | Up to 130" in length plus girth | Up to 108" in length, 165" in length plus girth (L+2W+2H) | Up to 119" in length, 165" in length plus girth (L+2W+2H) |
| Contractual | Yes | No | No |
| Learn More | FEDEX GROUND ECONOMY | FEDEX HOME DELIVERY | FEDEX EXPRESS SAVER |
How do I get my FedEx Ground Economy rates in ShipHero?
To see your FedEx Ground Economy rates in ShipHero, the following conditions must be met:
- You have a contract with FedEx for FedEx Ground Economy services, and it is enabled on your FedEx account.
- Your FedEx account with FedEx Ground Economy enabled is connected to ShipHero.
- The package is within FedEx's shipping guidelines for Ground Economy services.
Below are the FedEx shipping guidelines for using the FedEx Ground Economy services:
FedEx Ground Economy Service Levels
| Service Level | Description | Max Weight | Max Dimensions (Length + Girth) |
|---|---|---|---|
| FedEx Ground Economy | This is the general service for packages that qualify for Parcel Select by the USPS. It's the standard for most e-commerce shipments. | 70 lbs. | 130 in. |
| FedEx Ground Economy Bound Printed Matter | This is for printed materials, such as books, catalogs, or directories. The content must be bound and not contain advertising or personal correspondence. | 15 lbs. | 108 in. |
| FedEx Ground Economy Media Mail | This service is specifically for educational materials like books, CDs, DVDs, and other media. | 70 lbs. | 84 in. |
| FedEx Ground Economy Returns | A contract-only service for high-volume returns. It provides a convenient return method for low-weight residential packages. | 70 lbs. | 130 in. |
| FedEx Ground Economy Parcel Select Lightweight | This is for packages that are typically very light. The maximum weight for this service is less than 1 pound. | < 1 lb. | 84 in. |