Is FedEx Open on MLK Day?
Anish
March 20, 2024
FedEx (Federal Express) is one of the leading players in the shipping industry. It ranked 16th in Fortune’s Most Admired Companies in 2022, first among delivery companies worldwide.
This recognition was well deserved, as FedEx earned it through its tireless commitment to providing reliable and prompt mail and package delivery services that function even on the weekends.
That said, as much as FedEx strives to offer year-round convenience, it also takes specific days off throughout the year. Like many other carriers, including the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and UPS (United Parcel Service), FedEx honors several holidays.
On these days, FedEx may adjust or temporarily suspend its services, which is essential to understand if you rely on the company for your mailing needs.
With that in mind, does FedEx celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day? Is it open? This article discusses FedEx’s holiday schedule and service hours on MLK Day, shedding light on what you can expect during these observances and how to plan your shipments accordingly.
Are you also curious if you can use USPS as an alternative courier service during these FedEx off-days? Visit your local post office and talk to a Postal Service representative. Narrow the over 31,000 post office locations nationwide to those in your area with FindPostOffice.org.
What Are FedEx’s Business Days?
FedEx’s (Federal Express) standard operating days are from Monday to Friday. On the other hand, its working hours are from 8 AM to 8 PM. However, unlike other carriers in the U.S., FedEx goes above and beyond.
FedEx offers Saturday shipping to over 98% of the U.S. population via its residential ground service, FedEx Home Delivery. It also provides Sunday deliveries to more than half of Americans, whereas competitors like UPS (United Parcel Service) don’t.
In other words, you can expect FedEx’s business days to be nearly year-round, giving you shipping flexibility: whether you need to mail a time-sensitive document or fulfill a last-minute customer order as an eCommerce retailer.
Fortunately, if you need to send a parcel during the holidays, you can consider FedEx SameDay. It’s a service that lets you ship packages weighing up to 150lbs, 24/7, 365 days a year, and will be the only FedEx option exempt from holiday operation modifications.
Does FedEx Work on Holidays?
The answer to “Does FedEx work on holidays?” isn’t straightforward. To explain, let’s use the Christmas holiday season as an example. On Christmas Eve, various FedEx services, including FedEx Express and FedEx Ground, will be unavailable.
However, FedEx Trade Networks and some of FedEx’s mail delivery options, such as FedEx Home Delivery and FedEx Custom Critical, will remain operational. At the same time, FedEx Offices will have modified service hours.
Nearly all of FedEx’s offerings are unavailable on Christmas Day. FedEx Custom Critical is one of the exceptions, as it’s a mailing option specializing in transporting quality-, temperature-, and security-sensitive items, such as healthcare, government shipments, and HAZMATs (hazardous materials).
Therefore, whether FedEx works during the holidays depends on which specific company aspect or function you’re inquiring about. For a comprehensive look at FedEx’s holiday schedule, visit the FedEx website at FedEx.com or call its customer service at 1-800-GoFedEx (1-800-4633339).
Does FedEx Run on MLK Day?
When people talk about inspirational leaders, Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) will always be part of that conversation. He led a campaign that sought legal equality for African Americans.
Sadly, despite his nonviolent approach, he was assassinated. Fortunately, however, his efforts weren’t in vain, as his leadership achieved significant progress that you can still feel today.
To celebrate the life and legacy of this civil rights leader, the federal government declared MLK’s birthday a holiday. Martin Luther King Day is observed every third Monday of January.
Is FedEx Open on Martin Luther King (MLK) Day?
Like many other companies, FedEx recognizes Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a federal holiday, offering adjusted schedules for its popular mail delivery options, such as FedEx Express and FedEx Ground Economy (FedEx SmartPost).
Fortunately, while FedEx observes MLK Day, it’s still “business as usual” for many of its offerings, including FedEx Ground, FedEx Freight, and FedEx Home Delivery.
In other words, you can visit a FedEx Office to drop off your mailpieces or ask FedEx to pick them up at your home or office on MLK Day, and FedEx will ship them to their intended destinations like normal.
FedEx Hours on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
FedEx Express and FedEx Ground Economy operated with modified service during this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day. However, the rest of its services functioned normally. In short, pickups and deliveries were available between 8 AM and 8 PM.
That said, FedEx usually functions beyond 8 PM on holidays. These extended operating hours can be due to high mail volume and heavy traffic that usually accompanies these special days or because of unexpected events like inclement weather.
FedEx Holiday Service Schedule: What Days Are FedEx Closed?
Apart from Martin Luther King Jr. Day, FedEx observes several other holidays. Knowing when and what mail services will be closed or operate in a limited capacity is essential for planning your shipments accordingly.
Here’s an overview of what you can expect from FedEx during specific holidays based on FedEx’s 2023 holiday schedule:
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is often one of the busiest American holidays, with many traveling to celebrate the year’s blessings with their families and friends. FedEx will halt its services on Thanksgiving Day (November 23, 2023) except for FedEx Custom Critical packages.
Note that FedEx Offices and FedEx Express will have adjusted service hours on November 22, 2023. As such, you may want to plan your mail shipments accordingly.
Christmas
On Christmas Day, FedEx will be unavailable. Except for FedEx Freight, which will have modified service, regular operations will resume the following day. However, the Christmas season starts early for FedEx.
Expect changes in FedEx’s operating schedule in the days leading up to Christmas Day, starting from December 16, 2023. For a more detailed look at FedEx’s schedule during the Christmas season, contact its customer care hotline at 1-800-GoFedEx (1-800-4633339).
New Year’s Day
FedEx won’t accept, pick up, or ship packages on New Year’s Day, except for FedEx Custom Critical mailpieces. However, you can expect FedEx to be 100% operational on January 2, 2024.
It’s worth noting that FedEx will limit its functions and services on specific days leading up to the New Year, like Christmas. For instance, FedEx Express will have modified service hours as early as the 29th.
President’s Day
As its name implies, President’s Day is a holiday honoring past and present U.S. Presidents. That said, it “officially” commemorates George Washington’s birthday.
The U.S. observes President’s Day every third Monday of February yearly. FedEx adjusts its services for FedEx Express and FedEx Ground Economy.
Good Friday to Easter
Good Friday and Easter Sunday fall on different dates yearly. During Good Friday, FedEx modifies FedEx Express and FedEx Freight services.
On the other hand, FedEx makes most of its offerings unavailable on Easter Sunday, with FedEx offices operating on limited hours. However, FedEx Custom Critical remains available.
Memorial Day
As part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, enacted on June 28, 1968, several public holidays were moved to Mondays to provide more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers.
As a result of this legislation, the U.S. observes Memorial Day on the last Monday of May. In 2023, FedEx commemorated the U.S. military service members on May 29 by suspending most of its services and adjusting the service hours for its offices.
Independence Day
Independence Day, observed on the fourth of July annually, memorializes the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Generally, most federal agencies and private companies suspend their operations on this day. FedEx is no exception.
FedEx Offices were on a limited timeframe, and most FedEx services were unavailable this past July 4th, barring FedEx Custom Critical. If you expect to use FedEx next year, note that it may also function at a lower capacity in the days leading to the federal holiday.
For up-to-date information on FedEx’s holiday schedule, visit the official FedEx website or talk to a customer service representative at 1-800-GoFedEx (1-800-4633339).
Labor Day
Many of the country’s laws regarding the treatment of workers can trace their roots to the labor movement. To mark the progress of that campaign, the U.S. celebrates Labor Day every first Monday of September.
This year, Labor Day was observed on September 4, and apart from FedEx Offices and the FedEx Custom Critical service, FedEx temporarily suspended its operations.
Columbus Day
Although it’s officially a federal holiday commemorating Christopher Columbus’ founding of the “New World,” Columbus Day is a non-widely observed holiday.
FedEx altered its services for FedEx Express and FedEx Ground Economy this 2023. The rest of FedEx’s mail delivery options and functions remained operational.
Veteran’s Day
Armistice Day or Veteran’s Day celebrates the end of World War I and honors those who died in the country’s service. When Veteran’s Day falls on a weekend, the federal government usually designates the closest weekday as an extension of the holiday.
For instance, in 2023, November 11 falls on a Saturday. In other words, the federal observation day is on November 10, Friday. On the 10th, FedEx Express and FedEx Ground Economy have modified services.
On November 11, FedEx pauses shipments for FedEx Ground Economy, FedEx Ground, and FedEx Freight. Conversely, FedEx offices, FedEx Express, FedEx Home Delivery, FedEx Custom Critical, and FedEx Trade Networks stay open.
Valentine’s Day
While Valentine’s Day is widely recognized and celebrated throughout many countries, it’s not an official U.S. holiday. However, it is a day of love where you send flowers and gifts. And who better than FedEx to handle these exchanges?
Fortunately, FedEx typically functions normally on Valentine’s Day, as it did this 2023. However, it may help if you ship ahead of time next year, as February 14 and the days leading up may lead to high mail traffic.
Cyber Monday
The first Monday after Thanksgiving Day is Cyber Monday. This 2023, it falls on November 27. While FedEx has no service modifications and suspensions planned on this date, expect a high mail volume traveling FedEx’s network, as many retailers offer significant sales.
Black Friday
Like Cyber Monday, Black Friday is a special occasion, filled with discounts and online shopping, that occurs the day after Thanksgiving Day. This 2023, it falls on November 24.
FedEx Express features a modified service. At the same time, FedEx temporarily closes operations for its FedEx Freight option. Other services run as normal.
What Other Holidays Does FedEx Close for?
Apart from the holidays mentioned, FedEx doesn’t have plans to alter or pause its domestic services. However, if you plan to ship a package to an international address, FedEx may observe local occasions.
If you want to know if FedEx delivers on a specific date, it’s best to refer to the FedEx website or call its customer service hotline at 1-800-GoFedEx (1-800-4633339).
If you want information on using the U.S. Postal Service as an alternative on FedEx’s off days, visit your local post office. Use FindPostOffice.org’s facility locator to find your area’s nearest post office location.
FedEx Holiday Shipping Deadlines to Know
Awareness of FedEx’s holiday schedule is essential if you’re planning to ship packages during specific times of the year. Doing so ensures you can plan ahead so your shipments won’t get delayed due to the holiday rush and reach their destinations on time.
FedEx Holiday Surcharges
As mentioned, high mail volume typically accompanies holidays. FedEx charges extra for the increased demand. Expect to pay $6.95 per package starting October 2, 2023, until January 14, 2024, for additional handling. FedEx will tack on $73 per oversized parcel.
FedEx will also levy additional charges based on the demand for its residential deliveries. Here’s a look at your potential extra costs when shipping to a residential address during the holidays:
| >105% – 125% | >125% – 150% | >150% – 200% | >200% – 300% | >300% – 400% | >400% | |
| FedEx Ground | $1.35 | $1.85 | $2.10 | $2.65 | $4.50 | $6.35 |
| FedEx Express | $2.40 | $2.90 | $3.15 | $3.70 | $5.55 | $7.40 |
For a complete list of holiday surcharges, visit the FedEx website or consult a customer service representative at 1-800-GoFedEx (1-800-463-3339).
Fortunately, FedEx isn’t your only option for sending mail and packages on a holiday. USPS’ Priority Mail Express can be a worthy alternative, especially considering that it only charges, as of October 2023, $12.50 for holiday deliveries.
Head to your local post office to learn how the U.S. Postal Service handles mail and package delivery during the holiday season. You can quickly find your area’s most convenient USPS facility with FindPostOffice.org.
Things to Consider
FedEx strives to provide the best possible service, even during the holidays. However, there are several considerations you must make, including the following:
FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery
While FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery typically operate on standard business days, with the latter even offering weekend shipping, holiday service availability and hours may differ. It’s best to contact FedEx to confirm the schedule for these services during the holiday season.
FedEx Freight
If you’re using FedEx Freight for larger shipments, you must remember that holiday service hours may vary. FedEx may also temporarily suspend this specific mailing option days before some holidays, such as December 30 and 31 this year.
Thanksgiving FedEx Money-back Guarantee Exception
Under normal circumstances, FedEx offers a money-back guarantee if your FedEx Express shipments don’t arrive at their intended destination on time. However, it won’t refund 90-minute-late mailpieces scheduled for delivery the day before Thanksgiving.
Christmas FedEx Money-back Guarantee Exception
FedEx laid out a 10-day schedule for the Christmas season, covering December 16 up to December 26 to help mailers plan their shipments accordingly.
Note that FedEx won’t provide compensation if your package’s estimated delivery date falls within seven days before Christmas Day and arrives by the end of the day.
USPS Business Hours on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
The U.S. Postal Service observes 11 holidays yearly. USPS will be unavailable during these days for your mail and package shipping needs. Unfortunately, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is one of these occasions.
UPS Hours on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Like FedEx, UPS operates as usual on MLK Day. You may want to consider choosing UPS over FedEx for small shipments, as it specializes in domestic ground deliveries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does FedEx deliver on federal holidays?
FedEx doesn’t deliver on federal holidays like Christmas and New Year’s Day. However, it may operate normally on other federal holidays like Juneteenth.
To determine which holidays FedEx suspends its services and functions, visit its official website or talk to a FedEx customer care representative at 1-800-GoFedEx (1-800-4633339).
What holidays do FedEx Ground employees get off?
FedEx often has a modified schedule for ground services during holidays. However, FedEx Ground employees’ time off may vary by location, depending on company rules and regulations, employment terms, and existing laws.
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