fedexground-economysmartpost
What is FedEx Ground Economy? (Formerly SmartPost)
Learn about FedEx Ground Economy, the hybrid service using USPS for final-mile delivery. Compare rates and transit times.
January 17, 20263 min read63 views
FedEx Ground Economy: Complete Guide
FedEx Ground Economy (formerly FedEx SmartPost) is a hybrid service where FedEx handles long-haul transport and USPS delivers the final mile.
How Ground Economy Works
| Stage | Handler |
|---|---|
| Pickup | FedEx |
| Transport | FedEx |
| Sorting | FedEx |
| Final Mile | USPS |
Rate Comparison
| Weight | Ground Economy | FedEx Ground | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 lb | $5.95 | $8.75 | 32% |
| 2 lbs | $6.75 | $9.95 | 32% |
| 5 lbs | $8.50 | $13.50 | 37% |
| 10 lbs | $11.25 | $17.75 | 37% |
Transit Times
| Distance | Ground Economy | FedEx Ground |
|---|---|---|
| Local | 3-5 days | 1-3 days |
| Regional | 5-7 days | 2-4 days |
| Cross-country | 7-10 days | 4-6 days |
Best Use Cases
| Scenario | Good Choice? |
|---|---|
| E-commerce returns | Yes |
| Low-value items | Yes |
| Subscription boxes | Yes |
| Time-sensitive | No |
| Business delivery | No |
Weight and Size Limits
| Dimension | Limit |
|---|---|
| Maximum weight | 70 lbs |
| Maximum length | 60 inches |
| Combined L+W+H | 130 inches |
| Minimum charge | 1 lb |
Ground Economy vs UPS SurePost
| Feature | FedEx Ground Economy | UPS SurePost |
|---|---|---|
| Final mile | USPS | USPS |
| Speed | Similar | Similar |
| Cost | Similar | Similar |
| Tracking | FedEx + USPS | UPS + USPS |
| Coverage | Slightly less | Slightly more |
Tracking Handoff
When package transfers to USPS:
Limitations
| Limitation | Detail |
|---|---|
| No guaranteed delivery | Estimated only |
| No signature option | Standard delivery only |
| Business address | Not eligible |
| Saturday delivery | Based on USPS schedule |
When to Choose Ground Economy
Choose Ground Economy when:
- Cost is primary concern
- Delivery within 10 days acceptable
- Shipping lightweight packages
- Residential destination
- Need faster delivery
- Business address
- Time-sensitive items
- Premium customer experience
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