Rush Delivery Exceptions: Why Next-Day Shipments Slip (and What to Do)

Next-day delivery is great.

Until tracking shows one word: Exception.

In most cases, an exception is just a brief delay, not a full stop.

This guide explains the most common causes—weather, address issues, and missed scans—plus what to do right away to keep your rush order on track, whether you’re shipping rush checks, documents, or a last-minute gift.

What “Delivery Exception” Actually Means

A delivery exception is a tracking update that signals the package hit an unexpected situation that can affect the planned delivery flow. FedEx notes that a “Delivery Exception” can happen for reasons like weather or other unavoidable events—and it doesn’t always mean the package is late FedEx delivery exception explanation.

Simple: an exception is a status flag.

The next step is to identify what kind of exception it is, because the best way to resolve it depends on the cause.

The 3 Most Common Rush Delivery Exceptions

1) Weather (the big one)

Storms can shut down routes, slow planes, and change what gets moved first.

If you’re trying to confirm whether weather is a real factor, start with official alerts—like the National Weather Service’s warning and advisory feed National Weather Service alerts.

Fast move: If alerts are active in the destination area (or a major hub region), assume delays are possible and plan around it.

2) Address issues (the fastest fix)

Rush shipments can get delayed for simple, everyday reasons.

One missing detail—like an apartment or suite number—can be enough to stop a delivery attempt.

FedEx’s addressing guidance recommends including the unit number (e.g., Apt/Suite) with the street address so the package can be delivered correctly.

Fast move: Compare the shipping label info with your buyer or office record and correct anything incomplete.

3) Missed scans (tracking looks stuck)

Tracking updates are built on scan events.

So when a scan is skipped or delayed, your shipment can still be moving—even while the tracking page looks frozen.

Shopify’s shipping help center explains that tracking can take time to update and may not show movement right away, especially early in transit Shopify tracking updates can lag.

Fast move: Don’t panic over one quiet stretch. Watch for the next checkpoint scan or a delivery-attempt note.

What To Do the Moment You See an Exception

No need to overthink it
your goal is to resolve the issue today so delivery tomorrow is still possible.

First 5 minutes

• Check the delivery address (suite/unit, ZIP, contact phone)
• Scan the tracking details for any note like “delivery attempted” or “address corrected needed”
• Look at weather alerts in the destination area

Same-day steps that usually help

• If it looks like an address problem, fix the address record immediately and make sure the receiver is reachable.
• If weather is the driver, set expectations early and line up a backup plan (like receiving at a staffed location).
• If it’s a scan delay, give it one more checkpoint before you assume the package stopped moving.

Keep it simple.

Fix what you can control.

Then monitor.

How to Prevent Exceptions on Your Next Rush Order

You can’t control the weather.

 But you can take a few simple steps up front to reduce avoidable issues.

Address hygiene (for office managers and AP teams)

Always include suite/unit details when they apply

• Use a consistent company name and contact phone
• Double-check the ZIP and city spelling before you submit

Those tiny details are the difference between “delivered” and “attempted.”

Timing matters for rush-printed items (like checks)

If you’re ordering checks on a next-day timeline, the clock matters twice:

1. The order must be placed before the daily cutoff so it can ship the same day.
2. The carrier still needs a clean handoff window.

ChecksNextDay’s rush promise is built around operations: orders placed before 2:00pm ET ship the same day for next-day arrival, with an after-hours option on certain days (with an added charge) ChecksNextDay rush shipping promise.

That’s the best way to protect speed:

Order early. Keep customization clean. Use the cutoff like a deadline.

Rush Delivery Exceptions FAQ

1) Does an exception always mean my rush delivery will be late?

No. As noted above, FedEx explains that a delivery exception can happen for unavoidable reasons and doesn’t always mean the package will be late.

2) What’s the fastest exception to fix?

Address issues are usually the quickest to correct because they’re often a missing unit, typo, or incomplete detail.

3) What if tracking hasn’t updated in hours?

A quiet tracking window can happen when scan events post later than expected. If the next checkpoint scan appears, it often confirms the package was still moving.

4) How do I avoid exceptions when ordering checks for next-day arrival?

Order before the published cutoff and keep the order details complete so it can move straight into production and shipping. The earlier you order, the more buffer you keep.

5) What does “after-hours” rush mean for check orders?

It’s the late-window version of Checks Next Day—offered on select days (usually for an added fee) for orders placed after the 2:00 PM ET cutoff, to help time-sensitive check orders still move quickly by getting them reviewed and released as soon as after-hours capacity allows.