FedEx News

Press Release

FedEx SmartPost Introduces Returns Service

Collaboration with U.S. Postal Service Will Provide Millions of Access Points for Customers Returning Packages

September 10, 2009

FedEx SmartPost announced today that it is introducing a new and convenient way for consumers to return items back to a retailer using the U.S. Postal Service for package pickup. Consumers will gain the convenience of Postal Service access points for a return pickup ” collection boxes, Post Offices, and Free Package Pickup from home or business addresses.

Launching in time for the busy holiday shopping and shipping season, FedEx SmartPost Returns Service, utilizing the Postal Service’s Parcel Return Service, will provide retailers and their customers an easy solution for returning merchandise. Retailers will include a prepaid label in the original shipment along with return instructions. Initially, the service will be available for shippers with high volumes of returns.

After packages are picked up, they will be consolidated into larger shipments at local Post Offices and picked up by FedEx for shipment to the original retailer.

The returns option is an expansion of the existing FedEx SmartPost cost-effective offering that utilizes the Postal Service for final-mile delivery of low-weight packages to residences.

“FedEx SmartPost has successfully created and operated an economical delivery option for the shipment of low-weight packages from catalogers, e-tailers and others to residences across the United States,” said Ward B. Strang, president of FedEx SmartPost. “Knowing that returns are an expected part of business, we wanted to create an option that is easy for the consumer and cost-effective for the retailer.”

The returns service will continue to maximize the advantages of both the Postal Service delivery network with its daily reach to every household in the country and the efficiency of the FedEx SmartPost package sortation and transportation network.

“Our presence at every household and business provides customers and merchants with the most convenient pickup and delivery of their packages,” says Jim Cochrane, vice president, USPS Ground Shipping. “Leveraging the strengths of both companies provides consumers with unparalleled convenience in the marketplace.”