The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is rolling out an automated capability to enforce the de minimis threshold that allows for the duty and tax-free entry of shipments with an aggregate value of $800 or less per person, per day.

Please be reminded that if a recipient’s aggregated imported shipments exceed the $800 de minimis daily threshold, then informal or formal entries may be required—including payment of all applicable duties, taxes, and fees—and may be subject to delays as a result.

To avoid potential clearance delays, FedEx encourages you to follow these best practices to remain in compliance with CBP guidelines:

• Provide precise cargo descriptions when creating shipments with FedEx.

  • These guidelines include a precise product description, specific monetary value and currency, shipper and recipient details, as well as an HS code (where required). Vague merchandise descriptions violate CBP guidelines and may delay clearance.

  • To learn more about writing a clear commodity description and HS code, watch our video here.
    

• If inbound shipments are heading to fulfillment centers:

  • Follow CBP’s guidance during shipment creation, including listing the consignee name as “[Merchandise Owner Name] c/o [fulfillment center name]”.

Ensure you are using FedEx Ship ManagerTM at fedex.com or the most updated version of FedEx shipping software.

Effective immediately, FedEx economy and freight services to Lebanon have been temporarily discontinued until further notice. We continue to accept International Priority (IP) shipments.
Providing excellent customer experience is a top priority for us and regret for any inconvenience this may cause.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced that it will begin rejecting any U.S. import shipment data containing vague or no descriptions, effective November 12, 2024. This rejection will make it impermissible to move shipments into/ transiting through the U.S. until complete and accurate data is submitted.

It is important to provide precise cargo descriptions when creating shipments with FedEx to ensure your shipments comply with CBP’s regulations. After the effective date, any shipments identified by CBP as containing vague descriptions will be rejected by CBP and may incur delays. For more information, please refer to the CBP link here

FedEx is anticipating a surge in shipping volumes for the peak season. Effective October 14, and until December 31, 2024 (inclusive), we will temporarily adjust our transit times (TT) for FedEx.

The transit time extension will be in place until December 31,2024; at which time the situation will be reviewed. We appreciate your understanding and our apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Transit times will be temporarily adjusted, as below.

MEISA Direct- Serve Markets: India, UAE, Bahrain, Botswana, Egypt, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Eswatini/ Swaziland, South Africa, Zambia

MEISA GSP Markets: Angola, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Benin, Bhutan, Chad, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire/ Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Djibouti, Algeria, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Gambia, Guinea, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Liberia, Lesotho, Libya, Morocco, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Maldives, Mozambique, Niger, Nepal, Pakistan, Qatar, Réunion, Rwanda, Seychelles, Senegal, Togo, Tunisia, Tanzania, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Zimbabwe

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia requires all customers shipping from within and outside the Kingdom.to enter a ‘short address code/ National address’ of the receiver/ consignee, to ensure faster delivery of your shipments.

This requirement is already in effect and, and has now become mandatory to follow, for all residents, citizens and companies operating inside Saudi Arabia.

If you have not already done so, please reach out to the receiver/ consignee of your shipment based in Saudi Arabia, for their ‘short address code/ National address’ so that you may input the code when creating your shipments.

For more information on the ‘short address code/ National address’, please visit https://splonline.com.sa/en/national-address-1/

To continue offering the best possible ancillary clearance service, the rate of disbursement fee assessed on import shipments will be adjusted to 2% of Duty & Tax or INR800, whichever is higher.  This adjustment will take effect starting January 1, 2024.

With the B2C e-commerce market growing steadily and residential deliveries on the rise, consumers are not always home to receive their deliveries.

Starting July 7, 2023, in New Zealand and September 4, 2023, in Australia, residential shipments may be released without signature at recipients’ doorstep or such other appropriate place, with a Picture Proof of Delivery, when recipients are not at home. Picture Proof of Delivery will give e-commerce merchants and consumers peace of mind on the delivery of their shipments.

This enhancement is another step in our continued efforts to innovate digitally, improve our customers’ experience and will assist in decreasing our carbon footprint.

The change will apply to all FedEx International Connect Plus (FICP) and International Priority Express (IPE), International Priority (IP), and International Economy (IE) services with declared customs value less than USD600 and declared value for carriage less than USD1 delivered to residential addresses.

For residential shipments that require a signature, customers need to select one of the following signature options at shipment creation: Indirect Signature Required (ISR), Direct Signature Required (DSR) or Adult Signature Required (ASR). Please note that DSR and ASR options come with a surcharge. 

If you’re a business outside Canada exporting commercial goods into Canada and responsible for the payment of any duties and taxes as the Importer of Record (IOR), it’s important to take the necessary steps now to help prevent your FedEx Express shipments from being delayed at the border when CARM is fully implemented.

Please click here to learn more.

Effective July 16, 2023, the Money-back Guarantee (MBG) will resume on FedEx International Priority^® services¹ in Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa (AMEA). This will be applicable to international shipments shipping from/ to and within AMEA, and eligible for payor based in AMEA.

For more information about MBG, please visit our Standard Conditions of Carriage here.

Should you have further enquiries, please contact our Customer Service team.

¹FedEx International Priority^® services include FedEx International First^®, FedEx International Priority^® Express, FedEx International Priority^®, FedEx International Priority^® Freight, FedEx International Priority^® DirectDistribution and FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution^®Freight

New regulations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia require all customers shipping to and within Saudi Arabia to enter a ‘short address code/ National address’ of the receiver/ consignee to ensure faster delivery of your shipments. This requirement impacts anyone shipping to Saudi Arabia from within and outside the Kingdom.

Please request the receiver/ consignee of your shipment based in Saudi Arabia, for their ‘short address code/ National address’ to ensure faster delivery of your shipments.

The requirement is already in effect and in the coming time the national address will become mandatory for all residents, citizens and companies operating inside Saudi Arabia.

In order to avoid possible delays or return of shipments, please adhere to the new requirements and help ensure your package(s) reach their destination.

For more information on the ‘short address code/ National address’, please visit https://splonline.com.sa/en/national-address-1.

Effective June 2023, we have enhanced the transit times^ for our FedEx International Priority^{® 1} and FedEx International Economy^{® 2} portfolio of services from India, The United Arab Emirates, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and South Africa to key³ markets in Europe, Asia Pacific and to the Americas⁴. Now reach markets with early delivery of your shipments – within 2-3 business days using FedEx International Priority^® and 4-5 business days for less urgent shipments with FedEx International Economy^® portfolio of services. Our comprehensive services are designed to help meet your varied business needs.

Additionally, we have reinstated our FedEx International Economy^® services⁵ in Asia Pacific. You will be able to import your less time-sensitive shipments from Asia Pacific (APAC) markets into MEISA with a day-definite delivery which provides you assurance and peace of mind.

Now you will have more choices with the door-to-door, customs-cleared service to satisfy your international shipping needs. Check out FedEx shipping service page to learn more about our full portfolio of services along with our rates and transit time.

We look forward to supporting your international shipping journey!

^Transit time does not include clearance time, and may vary contingent on origin and destination.

¹ FedEx International Priority^® services include FedEx International First^®, FedEx International Priority^® Express, FedEx International Priority Distribution, FedEx International Priority^® and FedEx International Priority^® Freight.

² FedEx International Economy^® services include FedEx International Economy^®, FedEx International Economy^® Freight

³ For details on specific origins and destinations, please check our get rates and transit time page.

⁴ Americas- North America including Canada and South America

⁵ APAC International Economy^® services include : FedEx International Economy^® services include FedEx International Economy^®, FedEx International Economy^® Freight and FedEx International Economy^® DirectDistribution.

Manufacturing, import, stocking distribution, sale and use of single use plastic commodities are prohibited in India with effect from July 1, 2022 in accordance with the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021.

The prohibition on import applies to the following items:

• ear buds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, polystyrene [thermocol] for decoration
• plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straw, trays, wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, and cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 microns, stirrers

MEISA customers can continue to bill clearance service fees to their shipment's recipient/consignee, or choose the new options of billing to themselves as the shipper or even to a third-party. The new billing option is available from June 6, 2022.

In case of India inbound low value (courier clearance) shipments cleared at the Mumbai gateway and all high value (cargo clearance) shipments billed to the customers outside India, the new billing option is available from June 13, 2022.

Expanded billing option is available for LAC from July 31, 2021 and for APAC from January 15, 2022.

Note that when you select “Bill duties & taxes to shipper” on the FedEx Air Waybill, applicable duties and taxes and/or all clearance service fees incurred in the destination will be billed to your shipper account.

For details on Ancillary Clearance Service Fees applicable at destination, visit the market specific Ancillary Clearance Service Fees webpage at fedex.com. With greater flexibility in billing options, you can get the edge your business needs to succeed in the international marketplace.

Effective January 3, 2022, we can deliver your shipments by 10:30 a.m. or noon to select postal codes in the below countries and territories¹ with our new service FedEx International Priority^® Express, or deliver by the end of the day to more than 220 countries and territories using our FedEx International Priority^® service.

¹Service availability and exact delivery time depend on origin and destination postal codes. Terms and conditions apply. For detailed information, please log in to fedex.com to obtain a quotation, or refer to Rate & Transit Times.

Due to the situation in the country, service to and from Afghanistan is temporarily disrupted. We will not accept shipments to or from Afghanistan at this time.

E-Cigarettes and Vaping Products Will Be Prohibited on Domestic and International Shipments from March 1, 2021.

FedEx is changing its policy on the transportation of electronic cigarettes and other vaping products due to the increasingly complex regulatory environment. The prohibition on such products will be effective from March 1, 2021.

From this date, FedEx customers will no longer be able to ship electronic cigarettes and other vaping products through any of the FedEx/TNT domestic or international networks.

If an unauthorized electronic cigarette or vaping product shipment is identified in any FedEx/TNT network during the handling process, it will be treated as a prohibited item in accordance with the applicable terms and conditions of carriage.

With the restoration of trade links with Qatar, FedEx has reestablished document shipping between Qatar and the UAE, Egypt and Saudi Arabia with immediate effect, including pick-up and delivery services of document shipments.

Our leading network, and comprehensive service portfolio will help strengthen trade links between these markets. We are absolutely confident in supporting you and look forward to successfully navigating your return to trade between Qatar and the UAE, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

The Director General of Civil Aviation, Government of India, has issued a circular (No.4/1/2020-IR) suspending arrival of all scheduled Indian and foreign commercial passenger airlines engaged in international travel into any airport in India. The suspension comes into effect at all Indian airports on March 22, 2020 from 0530hrs and will remain in force until March 29, 2020 upto 0530hrs.

While FedEx international cargo flights continue to operate as scheduled in most sectors, FedEx also connects shipments through commercial international passenger airlines. Hence this suspension may impact some inbound and outbound shipments carried on these airlines.

FedEx is providing essential transportation and logistical service around the world to combat the spread of COVID-19 and treat those who've been infected. Our services are vital to keeping supply chains connected and flattening the curve of this invisible virus's spread.

Please visit fedex.com/in to schedule a pick up or to check the status of your shipments.

FedEx is adhering to all regulations and guidelines from government authorities related to the containment of COVID-19, and we are taking recommended precautions in terms of team members and customers health and safety. With new restrictions and limitations coming out daily to help contain the spread of the virus, we've created a site dedicated to the latest information on how we're responding to this very dynamic situation.

Effective February 15, 2020, as per the circular (number 09/2020), Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) has mandated additional information in the Shipping Bill. 

The shipper should ensure the following information is provided in the commercial invoice:

• The State of Origin of goods
• District of Origin of goods
• Details of Preferential Agreements under which the goods are being exported, as applicable
• Standard Unit Quantity Code (SQC) for that Customs Tariff Heading (CTH) as per the first schedule of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975."

The Indian Customs require a ‘Commercial Invoice / Invoice’ instead of a Pro Forma Invoice to facilitate inbound clearance of commercial shipments arriving into India. All shippers are advised to submit only ‘Commercial Invoice / Invoice’ with their shipments to expedite clearance. Additionally, the invoice must contain the below information:

• Importer on Record’s (IOR) complete name and address, postal address, contact details (telephone and email address)
• IOR name (legal business entity) name must match with the certificate of Import Export Code (IEC) and Goods and Service Tax Identification Number (GSTIN) of IOR
• Proper and specific description of goods instead of a generic description
• Quantity, unit of measurement, unit price, Harmonized System (HS) code, INCOTERMS
• The Invoice must be in English language only with specific value and currency
• The currency, value and INCOTERMS must be mentioned clearly
• Avoid statements like ‘Value for Customs purpose only’

FedEx Express is making the following changes to our Dangerous Goods (DG) shipping policy. This independent initiative anticipates prospective regulatory changes in response to growing concerns about the safe handling of bulk or standalone shipments of lithium batteries.

As of January 1st, 2017 FedEx Express customers sending bulk shipments of lithium batteries (United Nations (UN) number 3090 & United Nations (UN) number 3480) can only do so by treating all such shipments as fully regulated Dangerous Goods (DG) commodities.

Although this will not apply to individual lithium batteries packed with or contained in equipment (Section II UN 3091 & UN 3481), after January 1^st, 2017, the United Nations (UN) number must be added to the IATA Lithium Battery Mark. If any further changes are required, we will notify you in advance.

IATA has reported that lithium batteries are now the preferred energy source for many consumer goods ranging from mobile phones to children's toys. Such batteries are however dangerous goods that can pose a safety risk if not prepared in accordance with transport regulations. Click here to read more from IATA.

Shipment monitoring from pick-up to delivery

This initiative will help us increase the visibility of lithium battery types throughout our network and ensure the integrity of such DG shipments until their final destinations.

How does this initiative change bulk lithium battery shipments?

With effect from January 1st, 2017, FedEx Express customers shipping UN 3090 & UN 3480 shipments must carry out the following steps:

• Add a Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods which can only be completed by DG-trained personnel.

• Add Class 9 and Cargo Aircraft Only label
  

• Include the United Nations (UN) number on the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Lithium Battery Mark

• Review all lithium battery shipment packing to ensure it meets IATA packing instructions UN 3480 - PI965 & UN 3090 - PI968

• Approve a Dangerous Goods Handling surcharge

Where can you find more information?

• Visit http://www.fedex.com/in/learn/lithium-batteries.html
  

• Contact your FedEx Express Customer Services and ask for the Dangerous Goods Specialist
  

• As of October 12th, 2016 the new FedEx Express Lithium Battery Policy Change is included in IATA’s Dangerous Goods Regulations Manual available for purchase at iata.org This also carries information on lithium battery packing, marking, labelling & documentation
  

Next steps

We will keep you fully informed with updates and further details as soon as they are available. In the meantime, if you have any urgent questions, please contact FedEx Express Customer Service and ask for the Dangerous Goods Specialist.

FedEx does not request, via unsolicited mail, e-mail or text messages, payment or personal information in return for goods in transit or in FedEx custody. If you have received any such communication that claims to be from FedEx, do not provide any information or click on any links or attachments.  Learn how to identify fraud and what to do if you receive such communications.

If you have any questions or concerns about services provided by FedEx, please visit FedEx Shipping Services or contact FedEx Customer Service.

 FedEx International Priority inbound and outbound service to and from Ukraine has been reinstated covering the majority of Ukrainian postal codes. Pick-up and delivery services will be performed according to local authority instructions, where it is safe and possible. 

All Russian and Belarusian FedEx International services continue to be suspended until further notice.

Continue to check this page for updates. For specific shipment status information, please track your shipment at fedex.com.