Delivery Exception

A delivery exception is a term used in the shipping and logistics industry to describe any situation where a package or shipment is not able to be delivered as expected. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as incorrect address information, missing or damaged items, weather delays, or other issues.

What Is Delivery Exception?

A delivery exception is an alert that an unexpected event has occurred, disrupting the normal shipping process. It does not necessarily mean the package is lost or will be late. It means the parcel is temporarily delayed while the courier works to resolve the issue.

Common Causes

Typical triggers include:

  • Incorrect or incomplete address: a typo, missing apartment number or outdated address stops the parcel reaching its destination.
  • Weather: severe conditions can make roads unsafe or impassable.
  • Customs delays: missing or inaccurate documents, or a required inspection, on international shipments.
  • No one to receive it: deliveries that need a signature or handoff may be retried or returned.
  • Damaged or unreadable label: automated sorting cannot process it, so manual intervention is needed.

For a full guide, read our complete guide to delivery exceptions.

Frequently asked questions

A FedEx delivery exception means that an unexpected event is preventing your package from being delivered on its estimated delivery date. This could be due to weather conditions, an incorrect address, or customs delays. It does not mean your package is lost.