You’re standing there with a package, the tape is still fresh, and then you realize—it’s the third Monday of January. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Most government offices are ghost towns. The post office is definitely locked up tight. Naturally, you’re wondering if you can still get that box moving or if you’re stuck waiting until Tuesday.
The truth is, figuring out if FedEx open on MLK Day 2025 is actually a bit of a "yes and no" situation. It depends entirely on which part of the FedEx giant you’re dealing with. Unlike the USPS, which treats federal holidays like a hard stop, FedEx operates more like a patchwork quilt of services.
The Short Answer for the Impatient
If you just want the bottom line: Yes, FedEx is open on MLK Day 2025, but with a massive asterisk.
Most of the standard stuff you use—FedEx Express and FedEx Ground—operates on a "modified service" schedule. This basically means that while the trucks are moving, they aren't moving quite like a normal Monday. If you were expecting a delivery or a pickup, don't just assume it’s business as usual.
FedEx Express vs. FedEx Ground: The MLK Split
Here is where it gets kinda confusing. FedEx isn’t one single entity; it’s a bunch of different companies under one logo. On January 20, 2025, those companies aren't all doing the same thing.
FedEx Express usually runs a modified schedule. This means they might have earlier cutoff times for drop-offs. If you’re used to swinging by a drop box at 5:00 PM, you might find that the last pickup happened at noon. On the other hand, FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery generally keep the wheels turning, but deliveries could be delayed if the local hub is short-staffed or focusing on priority shipments.
What about FedEx Office locations?
Good news here. Most FedEx Office locations—the retail stores where you go to print stuff or ship last-minute—remain open on MLK Day. They follow their regular operating hours for the most part. However, if the store is located inside a mall or a corporate office building that is closed for the holiday, that specific location might be closed too.
It’s always a smart move to call the local shop before you drive across town. Honestly, even if they're open, the person behind the counter might tell you that the "Ground guy" already came and went, meaning your package won't actually leave the building until Tuesday.
Why the "Modified Service" Tag Matters
When FedEx says "modified service," they are giving themselves an out. During federal holidays like Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the volume of packages from government agencies and banks drops to zero. But e-commerce never sleeps.
You might see:
- Fewer drivers on the road.
- Closed customer service counters at some hubs.
- Standard transit times being "padded" by an extra day.
If you have a "Money-Back Guarantee" shipment, check the fine print. Often, FedEx suspends these guarantees during holiday windows because they know the logistics chain is slightly out of sync.
The "Specialty" Services That Never Stop
There is a segment of the business that literally never closes. If you are shipping something incredibly urgent—think life-saving medical supplies or a massive engine part for a grounded plane—you’re looking at FedEx Custom Critical.
This branch, along with FedEx Trade Networks, stays operational 365 days a year. They don't care if it's MLK Day, Christmas, or a random Sunday in July. But you’ll pay a premium that would make most people’s eyes water. For the average person sending a sweater to their cousin, this isn't the service you need.
Comparing the "Big Three" on MLK Day
It helps to see how FedEx stacks up against the competition on this specific holiday.
- USPS: Totally closed. No mail. No packages. No luck.
- UPS: Usually, UPS is closed on MLK Day. They don't pick up or deliver standard Ground or Air packages, though their "Express Critical" service stays alive.
- FedEx: The outlier. By staying open (mostly), they capture a lot of the volume that the other two miss.
This makes MLK Day one of the weirdest days for shipping. You’ll see FedEx trucks everywhere while the brown UPS trucks are parked at the depot.
Common Misconceptions About January 20, 2025
A lot of people think that because the stock market is closed and the banks are shut, the "mail" is shut. But FedEx is a private corporation. They balance the cost of paying holiday labor rates against the profit of moving your Amazon returns and business documents.
In 2025, MLK Day falls on a Monday. This creates a bottleneck because Sunday is already a "light" day for the network. If you drop something off on Saturday afternoon, and it’s a modified service day on Monday, don't be shocked if that "2-day shipping" doesn't actually land until Wednesday or Thursday.
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How to Handle Your Shipments
If you absolutely must get something delivered around the holiday, ship it the Friday before. Seriously. Waiting until the Monday of MLK Day is just asking for a headache.
Check the tracking status religiously. Sometimes the "Expected Delivery" date won't update to reflect the holiday until the package is already sitting in a sorting facility. If you’re a business owner, tell your customers. People are generally cool with a one-day delay if they know it’s coming, but they get cranky when a "Monday arrival" turns into a "Tuesday mystery."
Actionable Steps for MLK Day Shipping
- Verify your local pickup time: Call your specific FedEx Office or hub on Monday morning. Don't trust the sticker on the drop box.
- Use the App: The FedEx mobile app is surprisingly good at reflecting real-time service disruptions.
- Check "Home Delivery": If you’re expecting a residential package, remember that FedEx Home Delivery operates on different schedules than the commercial Ground routes.
- Plan for the "Tuesday Surge": Tuesday is always a nightmare at shipping centers after a federal holiday. If you can wait until Wednesday to drop off a non-urgent package, you'll avoid the long lines.