FedEx Guide

FedEx's extensive fleet includes over 650 aircraft and 49,000 trucks, ensuring timely delivery of packages, envelopes, and parcels across the globe. Daily, FedEx processes over 14 million packages worldwide. EasyPost integrates with FedEx's complete range of services, as well as offering support for over 100 additional carriers.

This guide includes detailed information on utilizing FedEx for shipping with the EasyPost API, focusing on account setup, rate retrieval, service levels, label generation, tracking, and more.


Prerequisites

Account Registration

Sign up for an EasyPost account to obtain a Test and Production API key. See Authentication and Key Management for more information.

Note: Negotiated rates are only available in Production mode.

Please review the Getting Started Guide for more information.

Carrier Setup

Upon sign-up with EasyPost, users gain immediate access to Default Carrier Accounts, which can be enabled directly from the Dashboard. For additional carriers, EasyPost supports a Bring Your Own Account (BYOA) option. This requires users to register directly with the respective carrier.

Create a FedEx Default Carrier Account

  1. Log in to EasyPost and navigate to Account Settings.
  2. Select the Carriers tab.
  3. Select the EasyPost Carrier Accounts tab.
  4. Find FedEx Default Account in the list of carriers and select Create Account to complete the account creation process.
Steps to create a FedEx Default Account in the EasyPost web UI

Bring Your Own Account (BYOA) to EasyPost

  1. Register for a FedEx account.
  2. Contact a FedEx representative to discuss volume rate discounts.
  3. Obtain the following account credentials from FedEx:
    1. FedEx Account Number
  4. Input carrier-specific credentials within the EasyPost Carrier Account Dashboard for comprehensive rate access.

FedEx Account via API

The API structure specified by EasyPost can also be used to add a FedEx carrier account.

curl -X POST https://api.easypost.com/v2/carrier_accounts/register \
  -u "$EASYPOST_API_KEY": \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{
  "type": "FedexAccount",
  "description": "FedexAccount",
  "registration_data": {
    "shipping_city": "VALUE",
    "shipping_country_code": "VALUE",
    "shipping_postal_code": "VALUE",
    "shipping_state": "VALUE",
    "shipping_streets": "VALUE",
    "corporate_city": "VALUE",
    "corporate_company_name": "VALUE",
    "corporate_country_code": "VALUE",
    "corporate_email_address": "VALUE",
    "corporate_first_name": "VALUE",
    "corporate_job_title": "VALUE",
    "corporate_last_name": "VALUE",
    "corporate_phone_number": "VALUE",
    "corporate_postal_code": "VALUE",
    "corporate_state": "VALUE",
    "corporate_streets": "VALUE",
    "account_number": "VALUE"
  }
}'

Software Requirements

Download an EasyPost Client Library or utilize the REST API with cURL.

Documentation Review

  • Examine the EasyPost Objects section to understand the API's structure, which is critical for constructing requests and interpreting responses.
  • Download the FedEx API documentation on the FedEx website. The documentation includes additional information about various fields and formats they accept.

Note: The FedEx API interface may differ from the EasyPost API, which is standardized to provide a consistent experience across various shipping carriers.


Rates

EasyPost offers all users a FedEx Default Account with pre-negotiated rates. Simply create an EasyPost account, add FedEx Default Account to the carrier lineup, and start shipping.

BYOA Account Rates

Custom rates apply for BYOA FedEx accounts linked to EasyPost. The negotiated rates will appear in the rate requests from EasyPost.


Service Levels

FedEx has several service levels supported by EasyPost, each with specific transit times and conditions.

Note: FedEx UK outbound service levels differ from FedEx US outbound service levels. Review the docs for each carrier's Service Levels.

Service
Transit Time
Max Dimensions (inches)
Max Weight (ounces)
FEDEX_2_DAY2 business days by 4:30pm, Saturday delivery
FEDEX_2_DAY_AM2 business days by 10:30am
FEDEX_EXPRESS_SAVER3 business days by 4:30pm
FEDEX_GROUND1-6 days
FEDEX_INTERNATIONAL_CONNECT_PLUS2-5 business days
FIRST_OVERNIGHTBy 8am the next business day, Saturday delivery
GROUND_HOME_DELIVERY1-5 days
INTERNATIONAL_ECONOMY4-5 business days
INTERNATIONAL_FIRST1-3 business days, time definite to select markets
INTERNATIONAL_PRIORITY1-3 business days, time definite to select markets
PRIORITY_OVERNIGHTBy 10:30am the next business day, Saturday delivery
SMART_POST2-7 business days; Sunday Delivery to select markets
STANDARD_OVERNIGHTBy 4:30pm the next business day

Predefined Packages

FedEx has several predefined packages supported by EasyPost. Predefined packages are an easy way to classify and price a package.

When using the EasyPost API, users should select a predefined package that matches the shipment's criteria and, if necessary, add weight to the request to obtain rates. The predefined package documentation provides detailed sample requests.

Predefined Package
Dimensions (inches)
Weight (ounces)
FedExEnvelope
9.5in x 12.5in
Up to approximately 60 pages
160
FedExBoxNA
FedExPak
12in x 15.5in
800
FedExTube
38in x 6in x 6in x 6in
Triangular box for plans, posters, fabric rolls, charts and blueprints
800
FedEx10kgBox
15.81in x 12.94in x 10.19in
To qualify for the flat rate, weight cannot exceed 10 kg
352
FedEx25kgBox
21.56in x 16.56in x 13.19in
To qualify for the flat rate, weight cannot exceed 25 kg.
880
FedExSmallBox
12.25in x 10.9in x 1.5in
8.75in x 2.63in x 11.25in
Maximum weight allowed is based on pricing option: 50 lbs (800 oz) for domestic Express One Rate shipments, 20 lbs (320 oz) for domestic weight-based Express shipments, 40 lbs (640 oz) for international weight-based Express shipments.
800
FedExMediumBox
13.25in x 11.5in x 2.38in
8.75in x 4.38in x 11.25in
Maximum weight allowed is based on pricing option: 50 lbs (800 oz) for domestic Express One Rate shipments, 20 lbs (320 oz) for domestic weight-based Express shipments, 40 lbs (640 oz) for international weight-based Express shipments.
800
FedExLargeBox
17.88in x 12.38in x 3in
8.75in x 7.75in x 11.25in
Maximum weight allowed is based on pricing option: 50 lbs (800 oz) for domestic Express One Rate shipments, 20 lbs (320 oz) for domestic weight-based Express shipments, 40 lbs (640 oz) for international weight-based Express shipments.
800
FedExExtraLargeBox
11.88in x 10.75in x 11in
15.25in x 14.13in x 6in
Maximum weight allowed is based on pricing option: 50 lbs (800 oz) for domestic Express One Rate shipments, 20 lbs (320 oz) for domestic weight-based Express shipments, 40 lbs (640 oz) for international weight-based Express shipments.
800

Generating Shipping Labels

With EasyPost, the process for generating shipping labels for FedEx is the same as generating them for any other carrier.

Review the Getting Started Guide for help generating a shipping label.

Label formats

FedEx labels are available in PNG, PDF, EPL2, and ZPL formats.

Label Size Options

Possible values for FedEx shipping label sizes:

  • 4x6 (default)
  • 8.5x11
  • 4x8
  • 4x9
  • 7x4.75
  • 8.5x11_BOTTOM_HALF_LABEL
  • 8.5x11_TOP_HALF_LABEL

Custom Text Label Options

Shipments can have a variety of additional options that can be specified when creating a shipment. These options include custom messages that can be printed on labels. See Options for more details.

The custom text will appear on the FedEx label beneath the address:

Example FedEx Label with Custom Text

Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT)

When shipping hazardous materials or dangerous goods via FedEx, it is crucial to adhere to specific regulations and guidelines to ensure safety and compliance.

To learn more please visit the FedEx resource: Learn How to Ship Dangerous Goods and Hazardous Materials.


Pickups

FedEx pickup requests can be made via the EasyPost API. Review the Pickups API documentation for details.

Note: Pickups incur charges; users should consult their FedEx account representative for pricing details.


Tracking

EasyPost simplifies package tracking by offering two methods:

  • Tracking with an existing number and carrier.
  • Using a Tracker included with an EasyPost-purchased shipping label.

The service integrates webhooks for timely shipment updates. For detailed information on tracking methods, visit the Tracking Guide.


Additional Resources

Carrier Metadata

The Carrier Metadata endpoint can programmatically return information about service levels, predefined packages, supported features, and shipment options.

Use this information to quickly integrate and make educated decisions about the mix of carriers for shipping needs. Additionally, the Carrier Metadata endpoint is available to retrieve comprehensive information about all carriers on the EasyPost platform, enhancing decision-making for carrier services.

Support and Troubleshooting

In addition to the guidance provided in our Carrier Guides, EasyPost offers support to assist with FAQs, troubleshooting issues, and inquiries related to the EasyPost platform.

Please visit the Help Center for more information.


Talk to a Shipping Expert

For questions about getting started with the EasyPost API please talk to a Shipping Expert or contact our Support team.