How to Prevent and Minimize FedEx and UPS Address Correction Costs: Pro Tips & FAQs

Let’s start with defining what an address correction is.

Address corrections occur when carriers thoroughly check postal addresses for precision and accuracy, fixing typos, formatting issues, and abbreviations to align with local postal authority standards. This process enhances delivery efficiency and minimizes the risk of misdirected shipments and delays.

This is how UPS defines an address correction on their site:

“If any shipment has an incorrect or incomplete address, UPS will make reasonable efforts to secure the correct or complete address, and will make available to the shipper the correct address. UPS may also correct or complete an address based on information obtained from the shipper or consignee. An address correction charge will be assessed to the shipper for an address correction or completion.

An address validated by UPS may be incorrect or incomplete for purposes of completing delivery, and may be corrected by UPS.”

In 2017, the cost for correcting the address per package was $13.40

Whereas effective December 23, 2024, the UPS address correction cost for 2025 is $23.50 per package.

That’s a whopping 75.37% increase from 2017 to 2025.

FedEx address correction fees in 2025 will be similar to UPS, coming out to $24 per package for most shipment types. Here’s the breakup of the costs by FedEx:

Why are UPS and FedEx Address Corrections Important

Address corrections are essential for UPS and FedEx to ensure packages reach their intended destinations without delay. The need for address corrections arise from several situations such as:

1. Minor Typing Mistakes: Small mistakes like misspelled street names, swapped digits in house numbers, or misplaced abbreviations are often overlooked yet significantly impact delivery accuracy and efficiency. Even minor errors require correction to avoid delayed or misdirected shipments.
2. Inaccurate Addresses: When businesses depend on customer input, it’s common to encounter incomplete, outdated, or inconsistent address details in situations where customers may lack precise information.
3. Frequent Address Changes: As customers move or use alternative addresses for work or travel, records can quickly become outdated.
4. Complex and Uncommon Address Formats: Detailed addresses, including unit numbers, floor levels, or rural route details, are prone to inaccuracies and misinterpretations. Addresses with complex structures require careful handling to ensure they meet postal standards and arrive at the intended location.

Now, the question is – how can you, as a shipper, avoid or minimize these costs with every shipment?

How to Avoid FedEx and UPS Address Correction Fees: Pro Tips

Here are some key measures to reduce human errors and avoid address correction fees from UPS and FedEx:

1. Adopt Standard USPS Abbreviations: Always format addresses according to USPS standards, which FedEx and UPS also adhere to, using abbreviations like “St” for Street, “Blvd” for Boulevard, “Apt” for Apartment, and so on. Standardized abbreviations make addresses easier to process and reduce the chance of errors during shipping.
2. Proactively Cross-check and Re-check Addresses: Establish a quality control process to verify accurate spelling and formatting, ensuring addresses are correct from the outset. Encourage your team to carefully review the entire address before submitting it to UPS or FedEx.
3. Enforce Consistent Spacing: Extra or irregular spaces can interfere with shipping software, increasing the likelihood of address correction fees. Regularly check and remove any unnecessary spaces in address fields to maintain clarity and accuracy.
4. Verify Information with the Customer: When feasible, confirm address details directly with customers, particularly if the address includes complex details like unit numbers or directional indicators (e.g., NW, SE). Verifying entries at the point of input reduces the need for later corrections.
5. Regularly Update Address Records: For recurring customers, maintain an updated address list. Encourage customers to notify you of any changes to their address, helping to reduce the risk of outdated or incorrect information.
6. Select the Right Address Classification – Residential or Commercial (UPS): UPS states that – A Residential Delivery is delivery to a location that is a home or a home-based business in a residential area, such as a neighborhood.

You can avoid Residential Delivery shipping charge corrections by selecting “Residential Address” when adding a new address or updating an existing address in the address book of your shipping system.

If you’re shipping via UPS WorldShip, every time you enter an address, here’s how you can classify your address:

• In the “Tools” tab, open the “System Preferences” menu
• Select “Miscellaneous”
• Place a checkmark to select the “Classify Ship To Address as Residential or Commercial” option.

OR,

If you’re simply logging into your UPS account, here’s an option to check if it’s a residential address.

By implementing these practices, you can help avoid address correction costs altogether and improve overall delivery accuracy.

However, despite all the above systems in place, the chances of wrong address entries cannot be fully eliminated. In such cases, how can you minimize address correction fees?

How To Use SiftedAI To Avoid FedEx and UPS Address Correction Fees

1. Track and monitor your address correction fees and surcharges: Use SiftedAI’s analytics to track address correction fees over time, gaining visibility into how often these charges occur and identifying patterns in address-related errors. Regular monitoring helps you understand areas for improvement and optimize shipping practices.
2. Set alerts for thresholds on correction fees: Configure SiftedAI to send alerts when address correction fees exceed a set threshold, allowing your team to take immediate action. By setting these alerts, you can catch and address recurring issues before they escalate, helping to keep costs under control.

By leveraging SiftedAI’s capabilities, you can now control address correction fees and maintain cost-effective shipping operations.

Address Correction Q&As

1. Can you change or correct your FedEx package delivery address?

Yes you can.

If you’re a recipient looking to change or correct the delivery address for a FedEx package that’s already been shipped but not delivered, you can follow these steps:

Log in to your FedEx account, access your FedEx tracking page, and follow the below steps:

1. Enter your FedEx tracking number or reference number
2. Select Manage Delivery
3. Click Edit Delivery Address
4. Continue to acknowledge that editing your delivery address may change your delivery date.
   
5. You also have the option to cancel the request by selecting Nevermind
6. Enter edits to your delivery address and click Continue.
7. In case FedEx should reach out to you, enter your correct contact information and click Submit. You should receive a case number assigned to your request.
8. Click Done.
   

Alternatively, you could also request to change the delivery address for your shipment through the FedEx mobile app.

2. Can you change or correct your UPS package delivery address?

If there was an unsuccessful delivery attempt with UPS, recipients can make small adjustments or add necessary details to your address with the following steps:

1. Track your package: Enter your UPS tracking number
2. Click “Correct my Address”: This appears in the yellow bar at the top of the page. If this is unavailable, you’ll need to contact the sender
3. Make your corrections: Edit the zip code, add an apartment number or any other minor change that’s necessary

This is a standard process to change the delivery address. However, please note that based on package contents delivery change restrictions may apply.

And if you don’t see the option to change your delivery address, it’s because some shippers restrict the ability to change your delivery.

3. Does UPS charge for the wrong address?

If UPS needs to correct or complete an address on a shipment, they assess an additional fee, called an Address Correction charge, to the shipper. For UPS Ground with Freight Pricing:

The charge is $23.50 per package as of December 23rd, 2024. There is a maximum charge of $164.50 per shipment, regardless of the number of packages in that shipment. This means that if multiple packages are in a single shipment, the total address correction charge for that shipment does not exceed $164.50.

4. Does FedEx charge for the wrong address?

If a recipient’s address is found to be incomplete or incorrect, FedEx attempts to find the correct address and complete the delivery, but FedEx assumes no responsibility for the inability to complete delivery under such circumstances.

Incorrect postal codes, omitted apartment numbers, and former street addresses for recipients who have relocated are examples of addresses requiring corrections.

A surcharge may be levied to correct an address. If the correct address cannot be determined or if the recipient cannot be reached, FedEx contacts the sender for address clarification or instructions to return the shipment.

In their Terms & Conditions, FedEx clearly states that they’re not liable for failing to meet the delivery commitment time for any shipment with an incomplete or incorrect address.

An address change (not correction) is treated as a new shipment, and FedEx applies shipping charges accordingly.