Fast Despatch, also known as Fast Despatch Logistics or FDL, is a third-party logistics and last-mile delivery provider that began operating in the United Kingdom in 2015. The company built its business around supporting e-commerce retailers, parcel carriers and logistics companies with flexible delivery capacity and has since expanded beyond its original UK network.
FDL operates nationwide in the United Kingdom from more than 60 locations and has developed delivery operations in France, Germany, Belgium and India. Its official information identifies Indian operations in Mumbai, New Delhi and Punjab, while the company describes France and Germany as established European markets within its wider expansion plans.
Fast Despatch's core services include last-mile and door-to-door parcel delivery, driver and vehicle solutions, and an expanding end-to-end delivery offering. The company operates seven days a week, including most UK Bank Holidays, and uses its own delivery-management technology to coordinate drivers, capacity and parcel movements.
Technology is an important part of the Fast Despatch service. FDL provides live Tracking, GPS-based shipment visibility, scans from pickup through final delivery and photographic and GPS proof of delivery. Its official terms also cover collection, transportation, customs clearance where applicable and delivery, allowing the company to support both domestic and international logistics arrangements.
How Fast Despatch shipment tracking works
Fast Despatch uses its own tracking and delivery-management technology to record parcel movements. FDL states that scans are captured from the pickup stage through the final delivery point, providing customers with visibility throughout the shipment journey.
For last-mile deliveries, Tracking can be combined with GPS information and electronic proof of delivery. When applicable, photographic and GPS delivery evidence can help confirm where a package was delivered. Business customers can also receive real-time order updates through FDL's personalised digital dashboard.
How to Track Fast Despatch packages with 4Tracking
To Track a Fast Despatch package with 4Tracking, enter the tracking number in the tracking field. Select Fast Despatch from the carrier list if necessary, or allow 4Tracking to identify the carrier automatically, then press the Track button. You will be redirected to the tracking results page, where available package tracking events can be followed in chronological order.
If no Tracking information appears, verify that the shipment number was copied correctly from the retailer, sender or shipping confirmation. A shipment may also need to receive its first physical scan before meaningful package tracking events become available.
Fast Despatch tracking number formats
Fast Despatch does not publish one universal tracking-number format on its current public website. No official specification defines a mandatory prefix, suffix, exact number of digits or exact character length for every FDL shipment.
Use the complete tracking number exactly as supplied by the retailer or sender. Do not add letters, remove digits or modify the identifier to resemble another Fast Despatch package. FDL's terms also refer to a Delivery Label created through its systems, but this should not be interpreted as evidence of one fixed public tracking-number pattern.
Fast Despatch delivery times and supported service examples
Fast Despatch does not publish a universal transit-time table that applies to every package. Delivery timing depends on the contracted service, pickup location, destination and any additional transport or customs requirements associated with the shipment.
Seven-day delivery operation
FDL operates its delivery network seven days a week and states that its service includes UK Bank Holidays except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. This extended operating schedule can support weekend and holiday deliveries, but it is not itself a promise that every package will arrive within a specific number of days.
Same-day delivery
The official Fast Despatch contact information advertises services ranging from same-day delivery to international shipping. Same-day availability therefore exists within its service offering, but the public website does not publish one geographic coverage rule or guaranteed cutoff time that can safely be applied to every shipment.
Last-mile delivery performance
Fast Despatch reported delivering more than 71 million parcels in 2021 with a 99.17% delivery success rate. The company defines its reliability around whether customers receive shipments on time as expected. This historical performance figure describes network reliability and should not be treated as a specific transit-time promise for an individual package.
How to contact Fast Despatch about shipment issues
Fast Despatch provides an official online contact form for customer enquiries. The company also publishes the email address info@fdlparcel.co.uk for direct enquiries.
The UK head office is listed at 85A King's Dyke, Whittlesey, Peterborough, PE7 1PG. A separate address format on newer FDL Parcel Network pages uses PE7 1PE, so customers planning to visit or send correspondence should confirm the current address through the official contact page first.
FDL also publishes quoteme@fastdespatch.co.uk, but the company explicitly states that this address is strictly for quotation requests and that other enquiries will not be answered there. Shipment problems should therefore be sent through the general contact form or info@fdlparcel.co.uk instead.
If your package came from an online retailer or marketplace, contacting the sender can also be useful. Fast Despatch works extensively with retailers and other parcel carriers, so the merchant may have access to the original delivery order, service level and account information needed to investigate a shipment.
Frequently asked questions about Fast Despatch package tracking issues
Why is my Fast Despatch tracking number not working?
Check that you entered the complete tracking number supplied by the retailer or sender. A newly created shipment may also need to receive its first operational scan before Tracking information becomes available.
What format does a Fast Despatch tracking number use?
Fast Despatch does not publish one fixed tracking-number format on its public website. Use the complete identifier provided with your shipment rather than assuming that all packages have the same prefix or number of characters.
Why has my Fast Despatch package tracking stopped updating?
Tracking updates are generated as a package is scanned through the delivery process. A parcel can move between facilities or delivery stages without receiving a new public scan at every moment. If the shipment remains unchanged beyond the expected delivery period, contact the sender or FDL.
Does Fast Despatch deliver seven days a week?
Yes. Fast Despatch states that it operates seven days a week and on UK Bank Holidays, with Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day listed as exceptions.
Does Fast Despatch offer same-day delivery?
Yes. The official Fast Despatch website advertises services ranging from same-day delivery to international shipping. Availability depends on the shipment arrangement, and no universal same-day coverage map or cutoff schedule is published for all customers.
Where does Fast Despatch operate?
Fast Despatch provides nationwide service across the United Kingdom and publishes operational coverage in France, Germany, Belgium and India. Its Indian operations include Mumbai, New Delhi and Punjab.
Does Fast Despatch provide proof of delivery?
Yes. FDL's last-mile service includes photographic and GPS proof of delivery along with live Tracking and scans from pickup through the final delivery point.
What should I do if my Fast Despatch package is delayed?
Check the latest package tracking events first. If the shipment has exceeded the delivery expectation supplied by the retailer or sender, contact the merchant or use Fast Despatch's official contact form or info@fdlparcel.co.uk to request assistance.
What should I do if Fast Despatch Tracking says delivered but I did not receive the package?
Check the delivery location, household members, reception staff and any available photographic or GPS proof of delivery. If the parcel still cannot be located, contact the retailer and Fast Despatch with the tracking number and final Tracking status so the delivery can be investigated.