To cancel a FedEx delivery before FedEx has the package, cancel the shipment in Ship History on fedex.com any time before the package is scanned, and you won’t be charged for the unused label. Once the package is moving, the shipper can ask FedEx to return it or change the delivery address through Manage Delivery, and the recipient can hold, redirect or refuse it.
Who you are and how far the package has traveled decide which option works. This guide covers each one, from canceling a label you just created to stopping a package that’s already on the way.
Table of Contents
- Which way to cancel a FedEx delivery fits your situation?
- How do you cancel a FedEx shipment before it ships?
- Can a shipper stop a FedEx package that’s in transit?
- How can a recipient cancel or change a FedEx delivery?
- Can you refuse a FedEx delivery?
- Can you cancel a FedEx delivery by phone?
- How late can you still stop a FedEx delivery?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Which Way to Cancel a FedEx Delivery Fits Your Situation?
Start by matching your role and the package’s tracking status to an option. The earlier you act, the more choices you have.
| Situation | Who acts | Option |
|---|---|---|
| Label created, package not yet scanned | Shipper | Cancel the shipment in Ship History |
| Guest label paid by credit card | Shipper | Call FedEx customer service to cancel |
| Package in transit, wrong address or no longer needed | Shipper | Request Return to Shipper or edit the delivery address through Manage Delivery |
| Package in transit, recipient won’t be home | Recipient | Vacation hold or redirect to a retail location in Delivery Manager |
| Package arrives and isn’t wanted | Recipient | Refuse delivery so it goes back to the shipper |
How Do You Cancel a FedEx Shipment Before It Ships?
FedEx lets you cancel a shipment any time before the package is scanned, and you’re charged only for labels that FedEx actually scans. Canceling also keeps your shipping history clean and makes sure an unused label isn’t tendered by mistake.
- Sign in to your FedEx account on fedex.com.
- Open Ship History and find the shipment.
- Select Cancel and confirm.
- Destroy the printed label so it can’t be used on another box.
- Cancel any scheduled pickup for that package, since an on-call pickup can carry its own fee.
Labels created as a guest and paid by credit card can’t always be canceled online, so call FedEx customer service for those. If you’re not sure whether an older unused label still works, our guide to whether FedEx labels expire explains what FedEx says. To cancel the driver visit as well, see our guide to how to cancel a FedEx pickup.
Can a Shipper Stop a FedEx Package That’s in Transit?
Yes, in many cases. Once FedEx has scanned the package, the shipment can’t be canceled, but the shipper can request Return to Shipper or edit the delivery address through Manage Delivery on the tracking page.
- Return to Shipper sends the package back to the origin address instead of delivering it. Return transportation is billed to the account on the label.
- Edit delivery address reroutes the package, which can change the delivery date. FedEx allows one reroute per package, and other changes require a new shipment.
- Case number: after you submit a request, FedEx gives you a case number to track it.
These requests aren’t guaranteed. A package that’s already out for delivery, or one whose service doesn’t allow changes, may arrive before FedEx can act on them. Our guide to FedEx return to sender explains what happens to a package on the way back.
How Can a Recipient Cancel or Change a FedEx Delivery?
Recipients can’t cancel the shipment itself, since the shipping contract belongs to the sender, but they can change how and when it’s delivered with FedEx Delivery Manager. Signing up is free, and it works for residential addresses.
- Vacation hold: pause deliveries for up to 14 days at no charge.
- Redirect to a retail location: send eligible packages to Walgreens, Dollar General, FedEx Office or select grocery stores, which hold them for up to 7 days. Requests made before midnight the day before delivery are available the next day.
- Delivery instructions: tell the driver where to leave the package.
- Premium options: choose a specific delivery window or reroute to another residence for a fee.
Shippers can restrict these options, so you only see the ones your package qualifies for. To stop the package and get the money back, ask the sender to request a return. For more on following the package while you decide, see our FedEx tracking and delivery guide.
Can You Refuse a FedEx Delivery?
Yes. If a package arrives that you don’t want, you can decline it when the driver is at the door, and FedEx returns it to the shipper. If you miss the driver, FedEx Delivery Manager also lets you reject a shipment from a door tag.
Refusing works best for packages that need a signature, since the driver has to hand them to someone. Unattended packages left at the door can’t be refused that way, so contact the shipper about a return instead. Keep in mind that the shipper usually pays for the return trip.
Can You Cancel a FedEx Delivery by Phone?
Yes. FedEx customer service at 1.800.463.3339 can help shippers cancel guest labels, request a return to shipper, or change a delivery. Have the tracking number, the shipper’s account details if you’re the shipper, and the recipient’s address ready before you call.
The online tools are usually faster for routine changes, because they show only the options your package is eligible for. Our FedEx frequently asked questions page covers other common service questions.
How Late Can You Still Stop a FedEx Delivery?
The window shrinks once the package is on the delivery vehicle. Before it’s scanned, canceling is simple; while it’s moving between facilities, a return or reroute has the best chance; once it’s out for delivery, the driver usually completes the stop, and your remaining options are refusing it or arranging pickup after an attempt.
Delivery timing also depends on the service and the day. Our guides to what time FedEx delivers, whether FedEx delivers on Sunday, and the FedEx holiday schedule help you estimate how much time you have.
If you’re reshipping and open to UPS or USPS, ParcelPath offers up to 85% off UPS and up to 89% off USPS, with free USPS pickups and no subscription or per-label fee. You can compare UPS and USPS rates in the ParcelPath calculator. For more on FedEx itself, see our FedEx shipping guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel a FedEx delivery after the label is printed?
Yes, as long as FedEx hasn’t scanned the package. Sign in to fedex.com, open Ship History, select the shipment and choose Cancel. FedEx charges only for labels it scans, so a canceled, unused label shouldn’t be billed. Guest labels paid by credit card may need a call to FedEx customer service at 1.800.463.3339.
How do I cancel a FedEx delivery that’s already in transit?
A shipment that’s already scanned can’t be canceled, but the shipper can request Return to Shipper or change the delivery address through Manage Delivery on the tracking page. FedEx allows one reroute per package and bills the change to the account on the label. Requests made before the package is out for delivery have the best chance.
Can the recipient cancel a FedEx delivery?
Not the shipment itself, because the sender owns the shipping contract. A recipient can use free FedEx Delivery Manager to hold deliveries for up to 14 days, redirect eligible packages to a retail location for pickup within 7 days, or refuse the package at the door so it returns to the shipper.
Will I get a refund if I cancel a FedEx shipment?
If you cancel before FedEx scans the package, you shouldn’t be charged, because FedEx bills only for scanned labels. After the package is in the network, the original shipping charge usually stands, and a Return to Shipper or reroute is billed to the account on the label. Money-back guarantee claims are a separate process.
Sources
- FedEx: FedEx Delivery Manager (holds, redirects and rejecting a shipment)
- FedEx: Create and cancel shipping labels FAQ (fedex.com)
- FedEx: Edit delivery address and Return to Shipper support FAQs (fedex.com)
- FedEx: 2026 FedEx Service Guide, reroute and address-correction terms (fedex.com)
Part of our What Time Does FedEx Deliver guide. Related: FedEx Shipping: Rates, Tracking and Services, FedEx Holiday Schedule.
