What FedEx Office offers and what it does not

FedEx Office is a retail location where you can ship packages, print documents, and handle some mail tasks — but it is not a post office and does not provide USPS services. FedEx Office locations are privately owned and operated, usually by franchisees, so what services they offer and their hours vary by location. You can ship packages via FedEx ground and overnight delivery, use their printing and copying equipment, send faxes, and sometimes rent mailboxes. You cannot buy postage stamps, mail letters through the USPS, or use Priority Mail or First Class Mail services there.

The main reason to use FedEx Office instead of a post office is if you need to ship something via FedEx specifically, or if the location is more convenient to you than your nearest USPS branch. If you need to mail a standard letter or small package through USPS, you will need to go to an actual post office, use USPS collection boxes, or request a carrier pickup at your home.

Key Takeaways

  • FedEx Office ships packages via FedEx services only — not USPS — so you cannot mail standard letters or use Priority Mail there.
  • Services vary by location because FedEx Office stores are franchises, so call ahead or check the website to confirm what your nearest store offers.
  • You can print, copy, send faxes, and sometimes rent a mailbox at FedEx Office, but these are not mail services in the USPS sense.
  • For USPS services like buying stamps or mailing letters, you must visit a post office, use a blue USPS collection box, or arrange carrier pickup.

Shipping packages through FedEx Office

When you bring a package to FedEx Office, staff will weigh it, measure it if needed, and show you shipping options. FedEx offers several speed levels: FedEx Ground (slower, cheaper, takes 1 to 5 business days depending on distance), FedEx Home Delivery (for residential addresses, similar speed to Ground), FedEx 2Day, FedEx Overnight, and FedEx International for packages leaving the country. The cost depends on weight, size, destination, and how fast you want it to arrive.

You do not have to pack the box yourself — FedEx Office can pack it for you for an additional fee, or you can bring it already packed. They will print the shipping label, take payment, and hand you a receipt with a tracking number. You can track your package online using that number on the FedEx website. If you ship regularly, ask about opening a FedEx account, which can give you discounts and lets you print labels at home before you go in.

Printing and document services

FedEx Office has computers, printers, and copiers available for customer use. You can bring a file on a USB drive, email it to yourself and use their computers, or bring a physical document to copy. Pricing is per page and varies by whether you want color or black-and-white, single-sided or double-sided, and paper size. They can also bind documents, cut them to size, and laminate pages if you need those services.

This is useful if you need to print tax forms, make copies of documents for a government process, or print something urgently when your own printer is broken. However, FedEx Office is typically more expensive than printing at home or at a library, so compare costs if you have time to plan ahead.

Mailbox rental at FedEx Office

Some FedEx Office locations offer mailbox rental, similar to what you would get at a UPS Store or private mailbox service. You rent a box for a monthly fee, receive mail there, and can pick it up during store hours. The mailbox gives you a street address (not a PO Box), which some people use for business purposes, privacy, or because they move frequently.

If you rent a mailbox at FedEx Office, you can receive packages shipped via FedEx, UPS, and USPS — the store will hold them for you. However, not all FedEx Office locations offer mailbox rental, so you will need to call or visit the specific store to ask. Pricing and contract terms vary by location and franchisee.

When to use FedEx Office versus a post office

Use FedEx Office if you are shipping a package via FedEx and want a physical location to drop it off, or if you need printing and copying services. Use a post office if you need to mail something via USPS, buy stamps, or send a package via Priority Mail or First Class Mail. If you need to ship via both FedEx and USPS, you will have to visit both locations — FedEx Office cannot handle USPS shipments.

For basic mail tasks like buying stamps or mailing a letter, USPS also offers online ordering (stamps can be ordered and printed at home), blue collection boxes on many streets, and carrier pickup if you call ahead. These options are often faster and cheaper than driving to a FedEx Office location.

Finding a FedEx Office location and checking hours

Use the FedEx Office location finder on their website (fedex.com/en-us/office) to search by address or zip code. The search will show you store hours, phone numbers, and which services that location offers. Because FedEx Office stores are franchises, hours and services can differ significantly from one location to another — one store might be open until 9 p.m. while another closes at 6 p.m., and not all locations offer mailbox rental or packing services.

Call ahead before you go, especially if you need a specific service or have a large or unusual package. This saves you a trip if the store does not offer what you need or is temporarily closed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mail a letter through USPS at FedEx Office?

No. FedEx Office does not provide USPS services. To mail a letter, go to a post office, use a blue USPS collection box, or request carrier pickup at your home. You can order stamps online from USPS and print them at home.

What if I need to ship something but do not know whether to use FedEx or USPS?

Ask the sender or recipient which carrier they prefer, or compare prices on both the FedEx and USPS websites. FedEx Office can only ship via FedEx, so if you want to compare, you will need to check USPS pricing separately or visit a post office.

Do I have to pack my package before I bring it to FedEx Office?

No. FedEx Office can pack it for you for a fee, or you can bring it already packed. If you bring it unpacked, staff will pack it using their materials and charge you for the packing service plus shipping.

Can FedEx Office receive packages shipped via USPS?

Only if you have rented a mailbox there. If you have a mailbox rental, USPS will deliver to that address and FedEx Office will hold the package for you. Without a mailbox rental, USPS packages cannot be delivered to FedEx Office.

How much does it cost to ship a package through FedEx Office?

Cost depends on the package weight, size, destination, and shipping speed you choose. FedEx Ground is cheapest but slower; overnight is fastest but most expensive. Call your local FedEx Office or use the FedEx website to get a quote before you go in.