FedEx Same Day City Ends March 31, 2023: Steps for Shippers

FedEx’s Same Day City service ended March 31, 2023, leaving businesses that relied on local, time-sensitive deliveries to arrange another courier. The service had operated for more than a decade and covered more than 30 U.S. cities. Its closure affected customers moving essential items, including supplies for medical and legal facilities.

FedEx said it was prioritizing other growth opportunities. The company also stated that FedEx Office remained committed to printing, packing, shipping and returns, with shipping provided through FedEx Ground and FedEx Express. Those services are distinct from the local same-day delivery operation being retired, so customers should check that a replacement covers the speed and locations they need.

Start with shipments already in the pipeline

For shippers, the first task is to identify which deliveries depended on Same Day City. Review scheduled shipments that were due after March 31, 2023, along with recurring or anticipated orders that would have required local same-day service. This inventory can show which customers, facilities and operating routines need a new delivery option.

Separate planned deliveries from shipments that are essential to daily operations or procedures. Time-sensitive items may leave little room to absorb a missed collection window or a longer transit time. Identifying those consignments early gives teams a clearer basis for choosing service speeds and arranging coverage.

• Pending deliveries: Check any shipments scheduled with Same Day City after March 31, 2023, and confirm how they will be handled. The source advised customers to find another same day courier for deliveries falling after the service ended.
• Expected future needs: Review the types of orders that may need same-day delivery in the future, even if they have not yet been scheduled. Consider which destinations and delivery windows matter to customers or internal operations.
• Time-critical consignments: Identify deliveries whose timing affects an operation or procedure. These are the shipments for which a confirmed alternative and clear dispatch process matter most.

Close out remaining FedEx shipments carefully

For shipments already arranged with FedEx before the end date, confirm the terms and expected completion of each delivery. Check that addresses, dates and delivery times are correct, and monitor shipment progress so the team can respond promptly if a problem arises. Keep a record of communications about any shipment issue.

These checks help distinguish a shipment that is still in progress from one that needs a new plan. They also give dispatch and customer service teams a current view of outstanding deliveries, reducing the chance that an unresolved order is overlooked during the transition.

Map the work before changing providers

A replacement courier needs to fit the actual delivery pattern, not just offer a same-day label. Review the required service speeds, package types and delivery locations. The source lists rush, one-hour, overnight, next-flight-out and same-day options as speeds customers may need to consider. Which ones matter will depend on the shipment and the operation it supports.

Then examine how the courier will connect to the business. Setting up provider accounts, internal systems and application programming interfaces can take coordination. If order details, dispatch instructions or tracking updates do not move correctly between systems, teams may face backlogs and customers may receive poor delivery information. Include the relevant system owners and operations staff in planning the transition.

A practical provider review can cover the services required, available options, budget, a trial run and contract terms. Testing a representative shipment before shifting routine volume can help a team assess the handoff, delivery updates and fit with its workflows. The source does not specify a standard trial method or service-level measures, so businesses will need to choose checks that match their own delivery needs.

Check capacity and vehicle fit

Courier capacity and equipment are part of the service decision. The source describes a provider fleet ranging from sedans and cargo vans to dock-height box trucks with lift gates, with the larger vehicles able to carry up to 10,000 pounds of palletized freight. These are details to verify with a prospective provider against the shipment’s size, weight and handling requirements.

Availability also matters when deliveries arise outside a normal business day. The source describes vehicles as available 24/7 and lists one-hour, overnight, next-flight-out and same-day options. Shippers should confirm which service and equipment are actually available for their lanes and timing needs before routing urgent freight.

FedEx’s exit from Same Day City made the transition a concrete operational task for affected customers: reconcile remaining shipments, identify future local delivery needs, and test a new provider’s service and systems. The replacement should be ready to handle the specific delivery windows, freight and handoffs the business depends on.