FedEx Office Imposes Photo ID Policy in Response to Austin Bombings

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Mike Mozart/Flickr

FedEx Office has started asking customers to show photo identification when mailing packages from one of its 1,900 stores.

The change in policy by Plano, Texas-based FedEx Office is a response to the Austin serial bombings in March.

FedEx ranks No. 2 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest North American for-hire carriers.

The nationwide program started April 2, FedEx Office spokeswoman Stacey Sullivan said.



“FedEx continuously enhances its security processes and procedures to ensure the safe acceptance, handling and transport of all shipments in its network,” Sullivan said in an e-mail response. “This recent measure reflects our commitment to security and safety.”

Austin was terrorized for three weeks in March as bombs in delivered packages went off around the city. Five explosions left two dead and four injured. More than 500 local, state and federal law enforcement personnel worked on the case. The suspected serial bomber, Mark Anthony Conditt, 23, died March 21 when he detonated one of his bombs as officers were ordering him to exit his car.

FedEx worked with law enforcement and shared evidence about the packages and who shipped them.

It’s not clear what percent of FedEx packages originate in one of its storefronts. Corporate mailrooms and small businesses supply daily volumes of packages to the delivery company.