Seeing the status “At Destination Sort Facility” can be frustrating when you’re expecting a FedEx package. This article will explain what that term means, when you can expect your package to arrive after an “At Destination” scan, and what to do if you think your package is stuck.
When you see “At Destination Sort Facility” in FedEx’s tracking updates, it means your package has arrived at the sorting facility nearest to the delivery address. This status indicates your package is close to being delivered, which is good news!
However, it does not necessarily mean the package will be delivered that same day. There are still a few steps before the package gets dispatched on a truck to your address. Let’s break down what happens once a package reaches the destination facility and what the typical delivery time is after this scan.
What is a FedEx Destination Sort Facility?
FedEx has hundreds of sorting facilities located strategically around the country. When a package is shipped FedEx Ground or Home Delivery, it travels through multiple sorting facilities on the way to the delivery address.
The destination sort facility is the last stop before delivery. It’s the facility nearest to the delivery location that sorts packages onto trucks for the final leg of transit.
Why Do Packages Go To Destination Facilities?
Packages go to destination facilities to be processed and sorted for the last mile of delivery. This allows packages headed to the same neighborhoods to all arrive at the same facility and be loaded efficiently onto trucks headed in that direction.
Without this step, trucks would need to visit every single FedEx facility across the country to pick up individual packages. It would be incredibly inefficient. Destination facilities allow FedEx to group packages by area so each truck only needs to visit one facility to pick up all packages for that truck’s route.
What Happens at the Destination Facility?
At the destination sort facility, FedEx workers scan each package as it arrives. This scan updates the tracking to show “At Destination Sort Facility”.
Workers unload all packages and put them through automatic sorting machines that scan the labels and divert packages down different belts. The belts carry packages to bins assigned to different zip codes, cities, or delivery routes.
Human workers also manually sort some packages by sight to ensure they end up in the correct bins. Their goal is to have all packages headed to the same neighborhood end up in the same bin so they can be efficiently loaded onto the correct truck.
How Long Until Delivery After Destination Scan?
Once your package gets the “At Destination” scan, how long does it take to actually get delivered?
The time varies, but the turnaround time is usually much faster than when it’s traveling between origin facility and destination facility.
- Same day: Some packages get loaded onto a truck and delivered the same day they arrive at the destination facility. This often happens if they arrive early in the day.
- Next day: For packages that arrive late in the day, most will go out for delivery the following day. If you see an “At Destination” scan in the evening, expect your package to arrive the next day before the normal delivery cutoff time in your area (often 6pm).
- 2 days: During peak times like the holidays, there can be high package volumes at destination facilities. Some packages may get sorted one day and then loaded and dispatched the next day.
- 3-5 days: In rare cases during the peak holiday rush, packages may sit for several days before leaving the destination facility. But the turnaround time is usually much faster than the multiple days packages spend traveling long distances between origin and destination.
What to Do If Your Package Seems Stuck
FedEx moves millions of packages every day, so the vast majority reach their destination on time even after the “At Destination” scan.
But occasionally a package does seem to get “stuck” at the destination facility if it’s not delivered as quickly as expected. Here are some tips on what to do:
- Wait 2 business days after the scan before worrying. Weekends and holidays do not count towards those 2 days.
- Check the tracking regularly to see if there are any new scans. Sometimes packages get sorted to the wrong bin and have to be re-sorted. New scans indicate it is moving.
- Call customer service if it’s been more than 2 business days with no delivery after the destination scan. They can investigate and provide an update on your tracking information.
- Request to hold package at FedEx Office for pickup if delivery continues to be delayed. This allows you to get your package sooner.
- Open a trace investigation if the package is lost or delayed beyond 5 days after the “At Destination” scan. This escalates it for formal tracking.
- Refuse any delivery attempts after 5 days of delay and request immediate return to sender so the shipper can open a claims process. The longer you wait, the harder it is to prove liability.
Common Questions About Destination Scans
Here are answers to some frequent questions about what “At Destination Sort Facility” means and what to expect:
Why does the tracking still show my package is at destination if it’s supposed to be close to delivery?
The destination sort facility scan means your package arrived at the sorting facility. But it takes additional time for it to be sorted, loaded onto a truck, and dispatched for delivery. Tracking will not update again until the package departs the facility. This lag time between arrival and dispatch varies based on volume.
Does arrival at destination facility guarantee same-day delivery?
No, arrival at the destination facility does not guarantee same-day delivery. It is still dependent on when in the day it arrived and when trucks dispatch for that area. Packages that arrive late in the day will often go out for delivery the following day.
If my package was at the destination last night why didn’t I get it today?
If your package reached the destination facility late evening or overnight, there is a good chance it missed the dispatch cutoff and will go out on a truck for delivery the following day. Some lag time is normal as they sort through high volumes.
How come packages sometimes depart immediately but other times sit for days?
During peak seasons, destination facilities can get inundated with packages. This leads to some sitting longer before they can be processed and loaded for delivery. In non-peak times, the process is much faster with less volume coming in.
What do I do if my package seems to be stuck at the destination?
If your package has not been delivered 2 business days after arriving at the destination, contact FedEx customer service. They can check into the status and help resolve any issues. You can also request hold for pickup or initiate a formal trace investigation after 5 days.
Key Takeaways: What “At Destination Facility” Means
When you see the “At Destination Facility” scan, keep these tips in mind:
- It means your package arrived at the sorting facility closest to the delivery address and is nearly ready for the final delivery.
- However, it does not guarantee same-day delivery. Most packages go out the next day, though peak season delays can extend to 3-5 days.
- Wait 2 business days after the scan before worrying your package is stuck. Weekends/holidays don’t count.
- If no delivery after 2 days, contact customer service for an update on your tracking.
- You can request hold at FedEx Office for pickup if delivery is delayed.
- If no delivery after 5 days, refuse delivery and request return so shipper can file a claim.
Now that you know what that destination scan means and what to expect, you can breathe easy knowing your package is nearing its final destination! With this knowledge, that status update won’t cause frustration about when your package will arrive.
