Customer Support

Printer-Friendly FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution®

General Questions

What is FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution®?

FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution^® (IPD) is a contractual service that allows a shipper to send multiple pieces from a single location in an origin country to multiple recipients in a single-destination country.
FedEx IPD is the electronic consolidation of multiple shipments from one shipper to multiple recipients in another country.

What value does FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution bring to the customers?

FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution^® helps customers obtain economies of scale by delivering tangible benefits to their global distribution network, including:

Gaining control over warehouse and inventory management through our deconsolidation and redistribution of your goods once inside the destination country reducing the need for costly expenditures on warehousing
Reduced transit time and order cycle through leveraging our automated and streamlined procedures increasing global responsiveness and improving the cash-to-cash cycles
Lowering risk of inventory obsolescence
Visibility into each shipment from origin to destination
Simplified packaging and documentation
Specialized customer service and broker support
Increase reliability and productivity by using an integrated carrier for door-to-door service
Lowered customs cost with consolidated clearance

How does FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution work?

Goods are shipped as one shipment, clearing customs as one unit with one consolidated commercial invoice. Following customs clearance, the individual pieces are delivered directly to each end customer.

Why should I choose FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution?

FedEx Express is experienced at providing a door-to-door, full service, time-definite, consolidated distribution system.
You enjoy a total-cost advantage.
- FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution^® replaces the maze of multiple distribution channels, package handlers and infrastructure requirements with a single, fast-moving, consolidated-clearance, direct-distrubtion solution.
- Simplified pricing program that will help you identify your cost.

You speed your goods to market ahead of the competition and shorten your order-cycle time.
- FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution delivers goods from your source directly to multiple recipients in the destination country in just days.

You can explore new markets without the financial risks and infrastructure requirements typically associated with global expansion.
- FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution puts the entire FedEx distribution network at your disposal.

You can replace multiple distribution channels with a single solution.
You can reduce transit times from weeks to days.
Reduce loss, damage and delay.
Benefit from control, information and accountability.
Manufacture to order.
Reduce inventory and warehousing costs.
Increase turns on inventory.
Put an end to excess, obsolete inventory.
Stay responsive to an evolving market .
Reach out to new customers.
Exceed customer expectations.

Sales and Implementation Related

How do I find more product information about FedEx® and/or sign up for FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution?: FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution^® is a contractual service that is sold through the international sales team. Call 1.800.GoFedEx for more information.
Are there any requirements for my company and my trading partners in order to use FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution?: Any requirements of your trading partners such as a signed Power of Attorney from the importer of record would be outlined in the start-up process handled by your FedEx^® International Sales representative.
Do I need special automation devices to use FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution?: The installation of a FedEx^® automated device is an absolute requirement for FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution^® implementations. A customer automation device is necessary for the proper uploading, manifesting, and labeling of an IPD shipment.

Although hardware and software configurations vary from country to country, an essential requirement common to all locations is the need for a dedicated analog telephone line. This is critical to ensure proper shipment uploading, manifesting, and billing.
Who will implement FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution for me?: Once you've decided to use FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution^®, your assigned Sales representative will work with you to compile all of the necessary regulatory and commodity information. Once this is complete, FedEx^® Engineering will work jointly with your Sales representative to develop an operating plan. From here, FedEx^® Engineering will work with FedEx^® Regulatory and the destination broker to ensure your shipments clear according to plan.
How long is the implementation process?: It can take up to 60 days from the date FedEx^® receives the signed Letter of Understanding to implement the FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution^® service. This time period is dependent on how quickly the customer can supply customs-related information (such as Harmonized Tariff codes) or secures a customs bond.

Shipping Related

What is the delivery commitment for FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution?

The commitment for FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution^® is two-four business days depending on specific origins and destinations.

For FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution^® packages weighing 150 lbs or less, the package is delivered two-four business days by 10:30 am.

For FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution^® heavyweight packages or units (151 lbs or greater), the commitment is two-four business days by 10:30 am or noon depending on destination.

Are there any shipping restrictions for FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution?

The minimum average shipment weight is 100 kilograms/220 lbs on an average monthly basis. (This is not a billable minimum.) The IPD Letter of Understanding gives customers six months to reach the threshold of 100 kilograms/220 lbs per shipment on an average monthly basis.
The entire shipment must be consigned from one shipper.
There must be one importer of record in the destination country for the entire shipment. An importer of record is an established, legal entity in the destination country that is the "sold to" party for the consignment. The importer of record is the actual purchaser of the goods, and does not have to be an actual recipient.

Are there limits to the number of commodities that can be shipped per air waybill?

FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution^® is not restricted to a particular number of commodities per air waybill. An unlimited number of commodities is acceptable.

What geographic coverage is offered through FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution?

IPD is offered in most countries around the world. Please check with your IPD Sales representative on specific origin and destination pairs.

Is there any special labeling or packaging required to ship using FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution?

Customers can ship using FedEx^® packaging or their own packaging. Each shipment also requires a FedEx^® International Air waybill (limit 999 packages per air way bill), a commercial invoice, and a packing list.

Visibility Related

How do I find the status of my FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution shipments?: FedEx^® real-time standards for tracking and tracing apply to FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution^® and can be accessed through the 'Track' section at www.Fedex.com online. Also, customers can enroll into FedEx InSight^SM to have real-time tracking and tracing information proactively provided.
What proactive visibility support does FedEx provide in terms of ensuring my shipments are where they need to be by when?: With advance arrangements, FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution^® has special Customer Service agents (called IPD Monitors) dedicated to proactive shipment monitoring and problem prevention to ensure smooth service. The Customer Service agents assigned to a specific account will proactively track shipments. These agents carefully track each move of the shipment to ensure that the packages are traveling as scheduled. If concerns or problems occur that would result in a service failure, the agent intervenes to determine the root cause and attempts to resolve it before a delivery failure occurs.

Billing and Customer Services Related

How will I be billed for FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution?: One price is charged, which includes weight and per-piece or per- address charges, customs clearance, transportation, and delivery of all individual packages. As with other international services, duties and taxes are determined at the time of clearance and are normally invoiced separately.
Should I call 1.800.GoFedEx® for customer service related questions?: Yes. Additionally, the IPD Monitor can be contacted directly for service related questions.
Can the FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution charges be billed to the recipient or a third party?: Transportation can be charged to either the shipper or to a third party account. Billing to individual recipients is not available with this service.
Is there Money Back Guarantee on FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution shipments?: The Money-Back Guarantee for delivery delays is applicable under the same conditions as IP and is calculated on a prorated basis. The charge, when requested, will be credited only for those packages within the shipment that did not make the delivery commitment, not for the entire shipment.
Who do I call for technical questions or support?: 1.877. FDX ASSIST 1.877.339.2774