As an e-commerce seller, FedEx shipping is likely already on your radar. But are you aware of the full breadth of services that are available for FedEx e-commerce shipping?

Here, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most common services FedEx offers, as well as a few lesser-known options that may be able to help you save money year-round. Whether you’re a seasoned shipper or you’re new to FedEx shipping for online businesses, we hope you’ll walk away with ideas for solving your most pressing shipping challenges.

We’ll also touch on key FedEx services now available on Shippo!

FedEx Ground

The FedEx Ground category encompasses some of FedEx’s slowest, yet most cost-effective domestic shipping services. They’re a great choice for sellers whose shipments aren’t time-sensitive, as well as those looking for economical alternatives (especially when it comes to sending large or bulky packages).

Service NameEst. Delivery TimeLimitsFedEx Ground® 1–7 business days

• Up to 150 lbs
• Up to 108″ in length
• Up to 165″ in length plus girth

FedEx Ground® Economy (formerly FedEx SmartPost®)2-7+ business days

• Up to 70 lbs.
• Up to 130″ in length plus girth

FedEx Ground® Economy Parcel Select‘Parcel Select’ is a USPS endorsement associated with the Ground® Economy service, intended for parcels weighing more than 1 lb.FedEx Ground® Economy Parcel Select Lightweight‘Parcel Select Lightweight’ is a USPS endorsement associated with the Ground® Economy service, intended for parcels weighing less than 1 lb.FedEx® Collect on Delivery (C.O.D.) or FedEx Ground® C.O.D‘C.O.D.’ is an optional add-on that allows shippers to designate the amount of money that the FedEx courier collects from the recipient, upon shipment delivery.FedEx Ground® Electronic C.O.D (E.C.O.D.)‘E.C.O.D.’ is an optional add-on that facilitates paperless collection of funds with direct deposit into your bank account within 24-48 hours of delivery.

It should be noted that FedEx Ground® Economy is now available natively on the Shippo Web-app. E-commerce businesses of all sizes can enjoy deep discounts, waived residential and fuel surcharges, 24-hour tracking, and Monday through Sunday* delivery (not available in all areas) with no volume requirement.

You can also process returns through Shippo by using FedEx Ground® Returns. This allows you to compare rates and minimize returns costs while also getting your products back in just 1-5 days.

FedEx Overnight

Need to get your package there more quickly? If you’re willing to pay the premium, FedEx’s suite of Overnight services can have your package delivered as early as the next morning.

Service NameEst. Delivery TimeAdditional InformationFedEx Standard Overnight®Next business day, by 4:30 pm to business locations and 8:00 pm to residences

• Up to 150 lbs.
• Up to 119″ in length
• Up to 165″ in length plus girth

FedEx First Overnight®Next business day, as early as 8:00 am

• Up to 150 lbs.
• Up to 119″ in length
• Up to 165″ in length plus girth

FedEx Priority Overnight®Next business day, as early as 10:30 am

• Up to 150 lbs. Each
• Up to 119″ in length
• Up to 165″ in length plus girth

FedEx 2Day

If you have a time-sensitive shipment, but don’t need it to get there overnight, FedEx’s 2Day and Express Saver services can help. They’ll still get your shipments to your customers quickly, but without the sticker shock that can come along with FedEx’s Overnight services.

Service NameEst. Delivery TimeAdditional InformationFedEx 2Day® A.M.2 business days, as early as 10:30 am

• Up to 150 lbs.
• Up to 119″ in length
• Up to 165″ in length plus girth

FedEx 2Day®2 business days, by 4:30 pm to most areas and 8:00 pm to residences

• Up to 150 lbs.
• Up to 119″ in length
• Up to 165″ in length plus girth

FedEx Express Saver®3 business days

• Up to 150 lbs.
• Up to 119″ in length
• Up to 165″ in length plus girth

FedEx Returns

Not only can FedEx help get your packages to your customers, it can collect their returns as well. Both FedEx Returns solutions give customers a convenient, potentially paperless way to drop-off their return shipments at nearby FedEx locations.

Service NameAdditional InformationFedEx Returns®FedEx Returns® allows customers to drop off their returns at one of 60,000+ retail and contactless FedEx® Drop Box locations.FedEx Ground® Economy Returns (formerly FedEx SmartPost® Returns)Ground Economy Returns is a more cost-effective, less time-sensitive option for returns that weigh less than 70 lbs and can be received within 2-7 business days.  

One Rate and ShipAlert

Other services you’ll want to be aware of for e-commerce shipping are FedEx’s One Rate® boxes and its Ship Alert® automated notifications.

Service NameEst. Delivery TimeAdditional InformationFedEx One Rate®1-3 business days12 flat-rate box sizes availableFedEx Ship Alert®Automated shipment notifications that can be set within FedEx Ship Manager™.

FedEx Delivery Services For Online Businesses

If you need more granular control over the way your packages are delivered, you’re in luck. FedEx allows you to control everything from when specifically your shipment is dropped off to who is allowed to sign for it.

Service NameAdditional InformationFedEx Date Certain Home Delivery®Select a specific delivery date within 10 days of shipping (Monday-Sunday, excluding holidays).FedEx Evening Home Delivery®Allows for deliveries to residences between 5 pm and 8 pm.FedEx Appointment Home Delivery®Deliver during your chosen 2-hour window on a specific date.FedEx® Delivery – No Signature RequiredFedEx will attempt to collect a signature, but will leave the package in a safe place without one.FedEx® Delivery – Direct Signature RequiredFedEx requires that someone at the delivery address sign for the package.FedEx® Delivery – Adult Signature RequiredFedEx requires that someone at the delivery address who is at least 21 years of age sign for the package.FedEx® Delivery – Indirect Signature Required FedEx requires that someone in the vicinity of the delivery address sign for the package.

FedEx International Services For E-Commerce Businesses

Delivering overseas? FedEx has you covered with the following international shipping services for e-commerce sellers.

Service NameEst. Delivery TimeAdditional InformationFedEx International Economy®2-5 business days

• Up to 150 lbs
• Up to 108″ in length
• Up to 130″ in length plus girth

FedEx International Priority®1-3 business days, with time-definite delivery to 220 countries and territories

• Up to 150 lbs
• Up to 108″ in length
• Up to 130″ in length plus girth

FedEx International First®1-3 business days, as early as 10:00 am next-day to Canada (available only for select postal codes in 26 countries)

• Up to 150 lbs
• Up to 108″ in length
• Up to 130″ in length plus girth

FedEx International Ground®2-7 business daysShips to 100% of residential areas in Canada.FedEx International Broker Select®Allows you to use your own broker on some international shipments.FedEx Economy (Canada)1-3 business daysIntra-Canada service to all provinces and territories.FedEx Europe First®1 business dayIntra-European door-to-door deliveries.

Another key international service they offer is FedEx International Connect Plus, which is now available to everyone on the Shippo Web-app. This service level can deliver in an average of 2-5 business days and can be used for packages that weigh up to 150 pounds (although ideally 70 pounds or less) and measure 130 inches in length plus girth. There are also a handful of perks available to all web-app users including:

• Deeply discounted rates (no volume requirement!)
• 24-hour tracking
• No residential surcharges
• redirect shipments for more convenient pickup options (where available)
• 24-hour tracking

When printing FedEx International Connect Plus labels, be sure to add the recipients phone number as well follow any guidelines set by the country you’re trying to ship to.

How to Create Shipping Labels for FedEx

Navigating this huge number of FedEx shipping services might seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. At Shippo, we make it easy to create FedEx shipping labels for the most commonly used FedEx services — and we save you money over retail rates while doing so.

To get started, simply sign up for free, and get access to deep discounts to FedEx Ground® Economy and FedEx International Connect Plus® instantly. Or connect your FedEx account to Shippo, or use our FedEx API to access discounted FedEx shipping rates.

Or, to learn more about FedEx shipping in general, visit the Shippopedia library for more helpful shipping information.