FedEx
Custom Critical®
Custom Critical®
FedEx
Custom Critical®
Expedited service for specialized, valuable, and hazardous shipments
Expedited service for specialized, valuable, and hazardous shipments
Expedited service for specialized, valuable, and hazardous shipments
Effective Jan. 6, 2025, FedEx Custom Critical rates will increase an average of 5.9% for Surface Expedite and White Glove shipments requiring dry and temperature-control services in North America. Affected contracted customers that use Surface Expedite and White Glove services will receive more information in the coming weeks.
We are implementing a general rate increase to offset rising operating costs and the high demand for capacity. FedEx Custom Critical looks forward to continuing to deliver the shipping solutions and excellent service that customers expect.
Already have a FedEx Custom Critical account?
Log in to the Customer Experience Center to create, manage, and track FedEx Custom Critical shipments.
What is FedEx Custom Critical?
FedEx Custom Critical is a premium North American over-the-road transportation provider for shipments that need extra attention and care. When you need solutions for custodial control, quality management, temperature control, or high-security capabilities, FedEx Custom Critical delivers—for both truckload and less-than-truckload shipments.
Our cold chain and security expertise makes us the ideal carrier for transporting healthcare products and government shipments, or hazardous goods and high-value items. Whatever your specialized needs, you can trust FedEx Custom Critical to give your shipment the extra care it requires.
Next-level support included
These benefits are included with every FedEx Custom Critical shipment.
- 24/7 service
- Dedicated support and expertise
- Direct delivery
- Exclusive vehicle use with every shipment
- Expedited shipping
- Online customer portal for account management
- Proactive shipment notification
- Real-time tracking
- Security protocols
- Special care and handling
A dedicated vehicle for your delivery
Whether it's boxes on a cargo van, pallets on a straight truck, or freight on a tractor trailer, your shipment is the only one on board. Need to send additional materials to the same facility? Fill up the truck at no extra charge. We can also deliver your cargo to multiple locations on the same route. And if your shipment needs temperature control, you can take advantage of our five dedicated cold chain cross-dock facilities.
How fast does FedEx Custom Critical deliver?
Delivery times for FedEx Custom Critical vary based on the shipment’s origin and destination. All FedEx Custom Critical deliveries are “straight through” deliveries, which means the driver doesn’t stop to deliver other customers’ shipments along the route. For more information or to get a shipping quote, call 1.800.762.3787.
Expert handling for sensitive shipments
We’re equipped to handle even the most specialized products. Our expertise covers:
- Temperature-controlled shipping, including healthcare and pharmaceutical shipments
- High-security shipping, including sensitive government shipments
- Hazmat shipping
- Disaster recovery shipping
If you’re already a customer, log in to the Customer Experience Center to create, manage, and track FedEx Custom Critical shipments.
Temperature-controlled shipping
When you have a shipment that needs to stay within a certain temperature range, consider FedEx Custom Critical. Whether you’re shipping a single pallet or an entire truckload of freight, you’re covered.
FedEx Custom Critical temperature-controlled shipping is ideal for shipments that require custodial control and risk mitigation, especially for products like:
- Pharmaceuticals
- Biologics
- Paints and inks
- Food ingredients
- Specialty compounds
 Pharmaceuticals |
 Biologics |
 Paints and inks |
 Food ingredients |
 Specialty compounds |
Get temperature-controlled solutions for virtually every temperature range.
| Celsius range | Fahrenheit range | Appropriate for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Controlled Room Temperature (CRT) |
15°C to 30°C | 59°F to 86°F | Pharmaceuticals, animal health, and medical devices |
| Cool | 8°C to 15°C | 46°F to 59°F | Paint and chemicals |
| Refrigerated | 2°C to 8°C | 35°F to 46°F | Pharmaceuticals and perishables |
| Frozen | -25°C to -10°C | -13°F to 14°F | Biologics, active pharmaceutical ingredients |
FedEx Custom Critical standard temperature-controlled services
If you need temperature-controlled shipping that doesn't require regulatory documentation, this is the option for you. Our fleet of temperature-controlled vehicles includes cargo vans, straight trucks, and tractor trailers.
- Direct, door-to-door delivery
- Specially trained agents
- Enhanced visibility
- 24/7/365 service
- Notifications at pickup, delivery, and in case of delay
- Security service options
- Contingency planning
- A basic temperature-controlled audit
FedEx Custom Critical temperature-controlled validated services
When you need auditable temperature documentation that keeps you compliant with regulations, choose this option.
It's ideal for:
- Pharmaceuticals
- Vaccines
- Serums
- Blood
- Food ingredients
- Certain chemicals
Validated services give you everything our standard temperature-controlled service offers, plus:
- A dedicated quality assurance team
- Customized quality systems and protocols
- Certified capabilities
- Delivery in a thermal-mapped vehicle equipped with a precise, traceable, independent temperature data logger
- Temperature-control equipment installed and operated according to specified protocols, and tested regularly to ensure proper performance
- Advanced temperature monitoring and location tracking
- Compliance support from our Quality Management System, including an audit trail of your shipment
You can combine these with companion services, including cleared drivers and other secure transportation services.
Explore more shipping and logistics services for healthcare.
Want more info about temperature-controlled shipping?
To get more details or schedule a shipment, call 1.866.280.1810.
If you’re already a customer, log in.
Learn about additional temperature-sensitive shipment options.
Have questions or need to talk with an expert? Send us a message.
Get cold, hard data with a temperature-controlled shipping study
Shipping temperature-sensitive products can be complex. A shipping study can help, whether you’re starting up, scaling up, or shaping up your cold-chain processes.
Our specialists can provide:
- Testing on all segments of your cold-shipping plans before implementation to avoid potential compliance issues
- Performance data on specific lanes, containers, vehicles, or packaging
- Analysis and reporting on temperature excursions or deviations
- Help in responding to an FDA 483 letter
For more information or to schedule a study, email FCCSolutions@corp.ds.fedex.com.
If you’re already a customer, log in to the Customer Experience Center to create, manage, and track FedEx Custom Critical shipments.
Secure transportation
Sometimes you need enhanced security for a sensitive or high-value shipment. FedEx Custom Critical secure transport services give you confidence and peace of mind. Our standard level of security includes:
- Exclusive vehicle use on every shipment
- Direct, door-to-door service throughout the U.S. and Canada
- Continuous, active monitoring via two-way on-board satellite communication
- Proactive shipment intervention, notifications, and contingency plans
- A digital photo of the driver who will be picking up your shipment
- In-house security specialists to work with your security team for maximum protection
- Customized standard operating procedures, if needed
- Background-checked drivers
- Vehicles equipped with emergency alert capabilities
- Secure online shipment tracking from pickup to delivery
Enhanced add-on security options:
- Security escorts for intrastate and interstate shipments
- Customer-designated onboard courier to accompany the shipment
More layers of shipment security
Get a security package that’s customized to meet your requirements. The options below can be combined and tailored as needed.
- Secure transport includes straight-through options and even more communication.
- Driver travels the first 200 miles nonstop. If the route is less than 200 miles, the driver will go straight through to delivery.
- Geo-fenced shipment routing is available with FedEx SenseAwareSM monitoring.
- Vehicles include two-way in-cab tracking and communication equipment.
- Add protection to any shipment with escort vehicles.
- Cargo lock and/or seal are provided for every vehicle.
- The driver is always present within 25 feet of the vehicle.
- We maintain custodial control throughout the shipment.
- Shipment details are confidential and discussed with dispatch only when necessary.
- You receive proactive communication if your shipment will be delayed more than 15 minutes.
- Loaded FedEx Custom Critical vehicles can park overnight at FedEx security-approved locations.
- When freight needs to be transferred to another vehicle, it’s done at a FedEx security-approved facility.
- The FedEx Custom Critical SecureComm® center dedicates a select group of security specialists to
monitor your shipment. - Security specialists are available 24/7/365.
- All personnel follow proprietary security protocols during transit.
- We create and implement customized security standard operating procedures specific to you and your cargo.
Does your shipment require government transportation protective services? Check out our government shipping solutions.
Hazardous materials shipping
Shipping hazardous materials requires expert handling and care. We have the equipment and the expertise to handle
them safely, including 49CFR hazardous material-certified drivers.
Standard hazardous materials handling
- Gases 2.1 (flammable)
- Gases 2.2 (nonflammable)
- Flammable liquids 3.0
- Flammable solids 4.1
- Spontaneous combustibles 4.2
- Dangerous when wet 4.3
- Oxidizers 5.1
- Organic peroxides 5.2
- Corrosives 8.0
- Miscellaneous 9.0
Questions about shipping these materials?
Call 1.800.762.3787.
Special care hazardous materials handling
- Explosives (all classes)
- Poison 6.1
- Category B infectious substances
- Poison Gas 2.3
- Poison Inhalation Hazard
- Gases including helium, nitrogen, oxygen, and argon
- Radioactive materials
Questions about shipping these materials?
Call 1.866.280.1810.
If you’re already a customer and you want to schedule a shipment for any of the materials mentioned above, log in to our Customer Experience Center. Or get more information about hazardous materials shipping.
FedEx Custom Critical hazardous materials documents
Access documents, resources, and more for your most sensitive shipments, including:
- Hazardous Materials Certificate of Registration
- Hazardous Materials Safety Permit
- Hazardous Materials Security Plan
Disaster recovery: Specialty shipping when it matters most
To help keep your business running in the face of catastrophe, FedEx Custom Critical is there. You can rely on us to transport data backups to a restore location. Evacuate your critical freight or components to avoid damage. Transfer your electronics and other sensitive equipment to reduce downtime. Or deliver in almost any other disaster recovery scenario. We’re able to work with authorities to get access to disaster areas when others can’t. To talk with a specialist about business continuity and disaster recovery, call 1.800.762.3787.
FedEx Custom Critical freight solutions for Canada and Mexico
Our expedited shipping capabilities aren’t bound by U.S. borders. You can ship to and from Canada and Mexico.
Services include:
- Exclusive vehicle use
- Door-to-door service
- Proactive communications on pickup, customs clearance, and delivery
- Tracking via two-way satellite or phone
Canada
- Service to, from, and within all provinces
- To-the-minute pickup and delivery, 24/7/365
- Quick customs clearance
- Average of 45 minutes for conventional shipments
- Immediate clearance for online production parts
Mexico
- Geographic coverage to and from Monterrey, Guadalajara, Mexico City, and surrounding areas
- Time-specific pickups and deliveries
- Bilingual customer service agents
- Two vehicles used—one in the U.S. or Canada for pickup, one in Mexico for delivery*
Call 1.800.762.3787 for a quote or to schedule a shipment.
*Interline carriers are utilized for services in Mexico.
Industry-specific shipping expertise
If you’re shipping for healthcare companies or government entities, the stakes are high. Here are some of the ways we can help ensure safety, security, and speed.
Healthcare and pharmaceutical shipping
Handling healthcare shipments correctly can help ensure safety—of the product and the patient. Our protocols and processes support the efficacy, stability, potency, and shelf life of critical deliveries. A dedicated vehicle fleet also reduces the risk that might come with combining these products with other shipments.
Get expert shipping and logistics services for pharmaceuticals and biologics, including samples and clinical trials. Or ship medical equipment, devices, or supplies to customers in labs, hospitals, care facilities, and homes.
Life-saving products need first-class care.
Healthcare products often need temperature control and extra security.
Explore our full range of temperature-controlled shipping solutions. Our validated services include custodial handling and auditable temperature documentation.
Learn about our secure shipping options, including continuous vehicle monitoring, secure parking, and advanced tracking.
Explore more shipping and logistics services for healthcare.
Put your temperature-control processes under the microscope.
If you’re shipping pharmaceuticals and you want to ensure compliance with temperature protocols, consider a shipping study.
Government transportation services
Top–security government shipments have unique requirements. Department of Defense ( SCAC: FDCC) approved, we’re equipped to handle your most sensitive, regulated, critical ground shipments. As an USTRANSCOM approved TPS carrier, we offer DDP, PSS, CIS, SMS to support the warfighter’s mission. In addition to DoD, we support all civil government agencies, you can find FedEx Custom Critical on the GSA schedule, contract #GS-33F-005U. Register on SAMS.GOV our DUNNS#055820518, we can support the most sensitive projects and or critical ground shipments.
Capabilities include:
- Dangerous goods
- Hazardous materials
- Explosive and nuclear materials
- Shipments requiring stringent security
- Arms, ammunition, and explosives (AA&E)
- Shipments requiring cleared, certified drivers
- Goods with other special handling requirements
- General Services Administration (GSA) and (ATR) shipments
Additional capabilities:
- Coordination of secure holds at military safe havens across the U.S.
- Specialized security processes and auditing to help ensure compliance with government standards
- Documentation of domestic-controlled exports
- 24/7 customer service with complete shipment location visibility
- A stringent monitoring system with Defense Transportation Tracking System (DCS)
- A fleet of specialized DOD-equipped vehicles
Intensify your security
With FedEx Custom Critical, you choose the level of security you need for your sensitive shipment. We’re qualified to handle sensitive, classified, and hazardous shipments including electronics, arms, munitions, and all classes of explosives.
The U.S. DOD has approved us to offer the full range of Transportation Protective Services listed here.
A FedEx Custom Critical driver attends the vehicle at all times. This means the driver is awake inside the vehicle or within 25 feet of it with an unobstructed view.
Two qualified drivers are in the same vehicle. One driver is always awake inside the vehicle or within 25 feet of it with an unobstructed view.
Two cleared drivers provide continuous attendance and surveillance. For brief stops, one driver must be within 25 feet of the vehicle with an unobstructed view.
This option provides the same service level as PSS, but it doesn’t require as high a level of security clearance.
Two qualified drivers attend the vehicle, with at least one driver inside the truck or within 10 feet of it at all times. Vehicle is equipped with an alert button for qualification by DTTS.
A FedEx Custom Critical dispatcher or driver calls the phone number on the bill of lading at specified times to report the vehicle’s location.
The driver secures and records a signature at each vehicle stop. This is usually used with another security service.
Two licensed, secret-cleared drivers maintain constant and specific surveillance of the cargo vehicle from a separate escort vehicle.
Need more information? Ready to schedule a shipment? Call 1.866.280.1810. If you’re already a customer, log in.
FedEx Custom Critical broker and expedited services
Keeping up with your ever-changing transportation needs
Take advantage of scalable options to make sure your supply chain is efficient and cost-effective. We offer a variety of customized solutions across all modes for your transportation needs. Whether you have an urgent transactional need, a project, or need someone to manage the outsourcing of your transportation, we've got the capabilities and the expertise.
Quickly adjust to changing transportation market volume. Receive logistics solutions that take your entire transportation needs into account. We help meet your individual needs whether transactional or contractual. Our non-asset-biased model provides the right solution at the right price.
Freight modes
- Dry van freight Add capacity to your freight service with qualified carriers for products that don’t need refrigeration.
- Flatbed and heavy freight Solve the challenge of transporting industrial machinery and oversized and heavy loads through specialized carriers.
- Less-than-truckload (LTL) freight Cost-effectively ship smaller loads.
- Intermodal shipments Efficiently ship long distances by combining multiple modes, such as truck and rail.
- Refrigerated freight Protect the freshness and quality of your perishables, frozen products, pharmaceuticals, confections, and other temperature-sensitive items.
- Bulk freight Reliably move large amounts of unpackaged raw materials, dry or liquid goods, and other commodities.
Features of service
- Speed to market Save your business the effort and investment by having our dedicated transportation experts work with you to identify solutions to meet your capacity needs.
- Qualified carrier network Our logistics account managers have developed relationships with thousands of qualified and dependable carriers to help make every customer experience outstanding.
- One load, one time Do you need a shipment delivered? Contact us to get a quote, and you'll see how our expertise, extensive carrier network, and industry-leading technology come together to deliver your goods.
Contact us
If you have any questions or would like to start working with us, please call or email us today.
Call us: 1.888.444.5940
Email us: fxcc-sales-fs-all@fedex.com
Features of service
- Speed to market Save your business the effort and investment by having our dedicated transportation experts work with you to identify solutions to meet your capacity needs.
- Qualified carrier network Our logistics account managers have developed relationships with thousands of qualified and dependable carriers to help make every customer experience outstanding.
- One load, one time Do you need a shipment delivered? Contact us to get a quote, and you'll see how our expertise, extensive carrier network, and industry-leading technology come together to deliver your goods.
More expedited shipping options
Not all time-sensitive packages or freight
shipments require the level of specialized delivery
that FedEx Custom Critical provides. Learn about
our expedited, time-definite shipping options for
less critical shipments.
More expedited shipping options
Not all time-sensitive packages or freight shipments require the level of specialized delivery that FedEx Custom Critical provides. Learn about our expedited, time-definite shipping options for less critical shipments.
Helpful resources
Get the paperwork
you need
View or download our most frequently requested documentation.
Explore contracting opportunities
Owner operators: Get details about providing services on our behalf.
Contact the FedEx Custom Critical team
If you have questions or need to talk with an expert, send us a message.