.png)
.png)
October 31, 2026
FedEx Ground Economy (SmartPost) 2026: Rates, Transit Time and Fees
2026 FedEx rate: FedEx Ground Economy (formerly SmartPost) list rates start at $11.99 for a 1–16 oz. package to Zone 2 and $15.01 to Zone 8 (effective January 5, 2026, before fuel), plus a $1.15 Delivery and Returns Surcharge on every package. Transit is typically 2–7 business days.
Quick answer: FedEx Ground Economy is the new name for FedEx SmartPost. It is a contract-only, low-cost service for low-weight, low-value, non-urgent residential packages and returns, delivered Monday through Sunday in typically 2 to 7 business days. Packages can weigh up to 70 lbs. FedEx raises Ground Economy rates on January 4, 2027, when the under-1-lb rate goes to $12.70 in Zone 2. The last day to ship Ground Economy for arrival by December 24, 2026 is Tuesday, December 15.
Sources: FedEx Ground Economy page, FedEx Ground Economy rates and zone charts (2026 rates effective January 5, 2026; 2027 rates effective January 4, 2027), 2026 and 2027 Ground Economy fees documents, and the FedEx Ground Economy Terms and Conditions, all checked October 30, 2026. The FedEx Service Guide has no Ground Economy rate section, so FedEx publishes these rates separately. Rates are list rates before fuel surcharge.
2027 update: FedEx list rates rise an average of 5.9% on January 4, 2027, per its rate changes page. FedEx has already posted the 2027 Ground Economy rates: the 1–16 oz. rate goes from $11.99 to $12.70 in Zone 2 and from $15.01 to $16.02 in Zone 8. The Delivery and Returns Surcharge goes from $1.15 to $1.20, the Delivery Area Surcharge from $6.60 to $7, Non-Machinable from $7.10 to $7.75 and Package Relabel from $1.05 to $1.10. See our FedEx 2027 rate increase guide.
What Is FedEx Ground Economy?
FedEx describes Ground Economy (formerly called FedEx SmartPost) as a cost-efficient option for outbound residential deliveries and returns that are low-weight, low-value and non-urgent. FedEx renamed SmartPost to Ground Economy, but some preprinted labels and merchant checkouts still say “SmartPost.” FedEx says the service is the same either way.
- Contract only. FedEx provides Ground Economy only under a contract. You need to go through a FedEx account rep.
- Who delivers. FedEx says final delivery “will be handled by FedEx Ground or another delivery service to provide 100% U.S. coverage.” Its terms and conditions also cover packages that are tendered to USPS, and FedEx’s liability ends once a package is handed to USPS.
- Coverage. Full U.S. residential coverage, with rate zones for Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, other U.S. territories and military (APO/FPO) addresses.
FedEx Ground Economy Transit Time and Tracking
- Transit: typically 2 to 7 business days, depending on distance. Expect longer outside the contiguous 48 states.
- Delivery days: Monday through Sunday.
- Returns: typically 2 to 7 business days from when FedEx receives and scans the return, Monday through Saturday. Customers can drop returns at FedEx locations or with USPS.
- Tracking: Ground Economy and older SmartPost packages are tracked with the FedEx tracking number on fedex.com.
For comparison, FedEx Home Delivery is delivered in 1 to 5 business days. Ground Economy is not covered by the FedEx money-back guarantee.
Weight, Size and Service Limits
- Maximum 70 lbs. and 130 inches in length plus girth per package. FedEx says the ideal weight is 1–10 lbs.
- Packages over 108 and up to 130 inches in length plus girth are billed as Oversize at the greatest of actual weight, dimensional weight or 71 lbs.
- Packages under 20 lbs. that measure over 84 (up to 108) inches in length plus girth are billed as “Balloon” packages at the 20 lb rate.
- Dimensional weight uses a 139 divisor, with fractions of an inch rounded up.
These options are not available with Ground Economy: money-back guarantee, declared value, address correction, signature proof of delivery, evening, appointment or date-certain delivery, hazardous materials service, redirect to hold at a FedEx location, and shipper-requested delivery redirects.
FedEx Ground Economy Rates 2026
Packages under 1 lb (1–16 oz.)
FedEx prices packages from 1 to 16 ounces at one flat rate per zone; every ounce tier from 1 to 16 is the same price. Weight rounds up to the next ounce.
| 1–16 oz. | Zone 2 | Zone 3 | Zone 4 | Zone 5 | Zone 6 | Zone 7 | Zone 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 (from Jan 5, 2026) | $11.99 | $12.21 | $13.26 | $14.00 | $14.47 | $14.75 | $15.01 |
| 2027 (from Jan 4, 2027) | $12.70 | $12.98 | $14.12 | $14.91 | $15.41 | $15.74 | $16.02 |
Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, other non-contiguous U.S. and military destinations are $28.31 in 2026 and $30.57 in 2027.
Packages 1 to 10 lbs.
| Weight | Zone 2 | Zone 3 | Zone 4 | Zone 5 | Zone 6 | Zone 7 | Zone 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 lb | $11.99 | $12.21 | $13.26 | $14.00 | $14.47 | $14.75 | $15.01 |
| 2 lb | $12.78 | $14.09 | $15.33 | $15.66 | $16.34 | $17.08 | $17.37 |
| 3 lb | $13.30 | $14.84 | $15.99 | $16.81 | $17.49 | $18.21 | $19.11 |
| 4 lb | $13.69 | $14.93 | $16.65 | $17.73 | $18.22 | $19.56 | $20.48 |
| 5 lb | $14.06 | $15.62 | $17.06 | $18.53 | $19.26 | $20.47 | $21.69 |
| 6 lb | $14.17 | $15.67 | $17.23 | $18.60 | $19.29 | $20.48 | $21.70 |
| 7 lb | $14.97 | $16.03 | $17.68 | $19.19 | $19.63 | $21.03 | $22.51 |
| 8 lb | $15.40 | $16.61 | $18.29 | $19.74 | $20.42 | $21.88 | $23.50 |
| 9 lb | $15.64 | $16.84 | $18.38 | $19.91 | $20.86 | $22.79 | $24.75 |
| 10 lb | $18.86 | $20.26 | $22.21 | $24.48 | $25.26 | $28.08 | $31.33 |
The by-pound table runs to 70 lbs. ($44.66 in Zone 2 and $131.73 in Zone 8 in 2026), and per-pound rates apply above that. In the 2027 table, the 1 lb rate rises to $12.70 (Zone 2) and $16.02 (Zone 8), the 5 lb rate to $14.95 and $23.14, while the 10 lb rates for Zones 2–8 are unchanged at $18.86 to $31.33.
Ground Economy Surcharges and Fees
| Charge | 2026 | 2027 (from Jan 4) | When it applies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delivery and Returns Surcharge | $1.15 | $1.20 | Every Ground Economy delivery or return |
| Delivery Area Surcharge – Contiguous U.S. | $6.60 | $7.00 | Select U.S. ZIP codes |
| Delivery Area Surcharge – Extended, Alaska, Hawaii | $8.80 | $9.60 | Extended area, Alaska and Hawaii ZIP codes |
| Non-Machinable | $7.10 | $7.75 | Any side over 27 in., two sides each over 17 in., over 35 lbs., or a cylindrical tube |
| Package Relabel | $1.05 | $1.10 | Packages that need an overlabel or hand keying |
| Third Party Billing Surcharge | 5.0% | 5.0% | Shipments billed to an unrelated third party |
| Demand Surcharge | $2.55 / $4.05 / $2.55 | Not yet published | Oct 26–Nov 22, 2026 / Nov 23–Dec 27, 2026 / Dec 28, 2026–Jan 17, 2027 |
| Fuel surcharge | Weekly % | Weekly % | See fedex.com fuel surcharge page |
The Ground Economy fees document does not list a Residential Delivery Charge. FedEx Home Delivery, by comparison, adds a $6.45 residential charge per package in 2026 ($6.90 from January 4, 2027). The 2026 demand surcharges come from FedEx’s demand surcharge page (updated October 23, 2026). Very large shippers, those with more than 20,000 residential and Ground Economy packages in a week, can also pay a weekly Demand — Residential Delivery Charge.
FedEx Ground Economy Holiday Deadline 2026
FedEx’s 2026 holiday shipping deadlines list Tuesday, December 15, 2026 as the last day to ship FedEx Ground Economy for arrival by December 24. FedEx Ground and Home Delivery run from December 17 (5-day transit) to December 23 (1-day transit). Full schedule: FedEx holiday schedule 2026.
Claims and Billing Rules
- Liability is $100 per package (maximum replacement value, plus transportation costs), from FedEx’s first scan until the package is delivered or tendered to USPS. Claims must be in writing within 90 days after FedEx receives the package.
- Overcharge adjustments must be requested within 180 days after the ship date.
- No declared value or address correction. FedEx does not offer these with Ground Economy.
FedEx Ground Economy vs FedEx Home Delivery vs USPS Ground Advantage
2026 list prices before fuel. Ground Economy totals include the $1.15 Delivery and Returns Surcharge; Home Delivery totals include the $6.45 residential surcharge (FedEx Ground and Home Delivery share one rate table in the FedEx Service Guide). USPS figures are Ground Advantage retail prices from USPS Notice 123 (effective October 4, 2026); commercial prices differ. Each carrier uses its own zones.
| Package | FedEx Ground Economy + $1.15 | FedEx Home Delivery + $6.45 | USPS Ground Advantage (retail) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 lb, Zone 2 | $11.99 + $1.15 = $13.14 | $11.99 + $6.45 = $18.44 | $10.45 |
| 1 lb, Zone 8 | $15.01 + $1.15 = $16.16 | $15.01 + $6.45 = $21.46 | $13.65 |
| 5 lb, Zone 2 | $14.06 + $1.15 = $15.21 | $14.06 + $6.45 = $20.51 | $14.35 |
| 5 lb, Zone 8 | $21.69 + $1.15 = $22.84 | $21.69 + $6.45 = $28.14 | $27.45 |
| 10 lb, Zone 2 | $18.86 + $1.15 = $20.01 | $15.85 + $6.45 = $22.30 | $17.10 |
| 10 lb, Zone 8 | $31.33 + $1.15 = $32.48 | $26.38 + $6.45 = $32.83 | $40.85 |
At 1 and 5 lbs., the Ground Economy base rate is the same as the FedEx Ground and Home Delivery rate, so the gap is the $6.45 residential charge versus the $1.15 Delivery and Returns Surcharge. At 10 lbs. the Ground Economy base rate is higher, and in Zone 8 the totals end up within 35 cents of each other. Home Delivery is also faster (1–5 business days) and keeps options Ground Economy drops, like declared value and signatures. Contract discounts change the math, so compare on your own invoices. The UPS equivalent is UPS Ground Saver (formerly SurePost).
How to Keep Ground Economy Costs Down
- Stay machinable. Keep boxes at or under 27 inches on the longest side, avoid two sides over 17 inches, and avoid tubes, to stay clear of the $7.10 Non-Machinable fee.
- Print clean labels. The $1.05 Package Relabel fee applies when FedEx has to overlabel or hand key a package.
- Use it for light packages. FedEx itself says the ideal weight is 1–10 lbs. Heavier packages may cost about the same on Home Delivery, which is faster.
- Watch dimensional weight. The 139 divisor applies, so oversized boxes for light items raise the billable weight.
- Plan for peak. The demand surcharge rises to $4.05 per package from November 23 to December 27, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is FedEx Ground Economy?
FedEx Ground Economy is FedEx’s contract-only, low-cost service for low-weight, low-value, non-urgent residential packages and returns. It was formerly called FedEx SmartPost.
Is FedEx SmartPost the same as FedEx Ground Economy?
Yes. FedEx renamed SmartPost to Ground Economy. Some labels and checkouts still show the SmartPost name, but FedEx says the service details are the same.
How long does FedEx Ground Economy take?
Typically 2 to 7 business days depending on distance, with longer times outside the contiguous 48 states. FedEx delivers Ground Economy Monday through Sunday.
How much does FedEx Ground Economy cost in 2026?
List rates start at $11.99 for a 1–16 oz. package to Zone 2 and $15.01 to Zone 8, plus a $1.15 Delivery and Returns Surcharge and fuel. On January 4, 2027 the under-1-lb rate rises to $12.70 in Zone 2.
Does USPS deliver FedEx Ground Economy packages?
FedEx says final delivery is handled by FedEx Ground or another delivery service to give full U.S. coverage, and its terms cover packages tendered to USPS. FedEx’s liability ends once a package is handed to USPS.
What is the FedEx Ground Economy weight limit?
70 lbs. and 130 inches in length plus girth per package. FedEx says the ideal weight is 1 to 10 lbs.
How do I track a FedEx SmartPost or Ground Economy package?
Use the FedEx tracking number on fedex.com. FedEx tracks Ground Economy and former SmartPost shipments the same way.
What is the last day to ship FedEx Ground Economy for Christmas 2026?
Tuesday, December 15, 2026, for arrival by December 24, according to FedEx’s 2026 holiday shipping deadlines.
Related Reading
- FedEx Residential Delivery Charge 2026: $6.45–$6.95 Per Package Explained
- FedEx Delivery Area Surcharge 2026: Commercial, Residential, Extended & Remote Rates
- FedEx Demand Surcharges 2026: Peak Season Fees, Dates and Amounts
- FedEx 2027 Rate Increase: 5.9% GRI and Every Surcharge Change (Jan 4, 2027)
- FedEx Holiday Schedule 2026: Christmas Deadlines and Closed Days
- FedEx Dimensional Weight 2026: The 139 Divisor and How to Calculate It
Get a free carrier invoice audit
D’arrigo Consulting audits FedEx and UPS invoices line by line, including Ground Economy non-machinable, relabel and area surcharges and whether Ground Economy or Home Delivery was the cheaper choice. Request a free invoice audit to see what you can recover.
This article is for informational purposes only. Carrier rates, surcharges, and policies change frequently — always verify current terms directly with the carrier for your specific situation. Have questions? Reach out to us — we're happy to help.
Meet the Author
paul@darrigoconsulting.com
I’m Paul D’Arrigo. I’ve spent my career building, fixing, and scaling operations across eCommerce, fulfillment, logistics, and SaaS businesses, from early-stage companies to multi-million-dollar operators. I’ve been on both sides of growth: as a founder, an operator, and a fractional COO brought in when things get complex and execution starts to break
