Printer-Friendly FedEx SmartPost Process

FedEx SmartPost has a completely integrated national network that picks up, sorts, and delivers your packages directly to USPS facilities for final delivery.

Pick-up
We work with you to custom-tailor your pick-up schedule. We can station a trailer at your fulfillment center for you to load at your convenience, or you can stage packages in your center for us to pick up later in the day. After pick-up, we transport your packages to our distribution center for prompt sortation.

Induction
We unload each arriving truckload by hand and then place the packages on automated conveyors to minimize unloading time and maximize protection for fragile goods.

Scanning
Scanners read barcodes on your package label and check the package against your manifest. Each package is weighed and measured, then logged into our computer for optimal outbound load assignment, package tracking, and daily sort reconciliation.

Sortation
Our computer system assigns thousands of packages an hour to the proper destination ZIP codes. Trays on the automated sorter carry packages to the appropriate chutes, where the packages join others outbound for the same area of the country.

Bed Loading/Palletization
A bed-loading process is used for larger daily loads, enabling us to bypass the palletization stage by using automated conveyors and hand placing the packages to speed loading time. This not only maximizes trailer utilization and overall cost, but also minimizes the number of touches to each package.

During the palletization process, we inspect each package for structural integrity and then hand place it on a pallet. We securely wrap each pallet and add routing identification.

Staging
Staging is a key component in the FedEx SmartPost process, allowing us to reduce costs by creating critical mass. During this step, pallets of packages destined for the same geographical location are stacked together.

Delivery
Depending on the shipment, FedEx SmartPost ships packages to the most efficient points in the postal system. By delivering to Bulk Mail Centers (BMCs), Sectional Center Facilities (SCFs), and Destination Delivery Units (DDUs or local post offices) across the nation, we help you reduce your costs while at the same time enhancing delivery cycle times to your customers' homes.