FedEx® international air freight shipping
FedEx® international air freight shipping
Access global markets and expand your business with FedEx international air freight shipping
Here's what you'll find on this page:
Here's what you'll
find on this page:
What is international air freight shipping?
International air freight shipping allows you to import and export shipments weighing more than 150 lbs. With our international service options, you can ship to up to 130 countries and territories and get day definite delivery. Plus, even when there’s compression on market capacity in international shipping lanes, we make an effort to maintain capacity, with a focus on Asia Pacific and European Union countries and territories.
When you ship with our international air freight services, you get:
When you ship with our international air freight
services, you get:
- Delivery in 1–5 business days to most major world markets and territories1
Delivery in 1–5 business days to most major world markets and territories1
- Reliable services and easy-to-use tools for end-to-end visibility and tracking
Reliable services and easy-to-use tools for end-to-end visibility and tracking
- Competitive rate quotes within an hour2
Competitive rate quotes within an hour2
- Assistance from our team of freight customer service experts
Assistance from our team of freight customer service experts
FedEx international air freight delivery details
Wondering which international air freight service is best for your business? Compare the major differences between our priority, economy, and deferred shipping options below.
| FedEx International Priority® Freight | FedEx International Economy® Freight | FedEx® International Deferred Freight | |
| Delivery time | Typically 1, 2, or 3 business days |
Typically within 5 business days | Typically within 5-10 business days |
| Export | From the U.S. to more than 130 countries and territories, with delivery typically in:
|
From the U.S. to more than 130 countries and territories, with delivery typically in:
|
From the U.S. to more than 40 countries and territories, with delivery typically in:
|
| Import3 | To the U.S. from more than 105 countries and territories | To the U.S. from more than 50 countries and territories, with delivery typically in:
|
To the U.S. from 20 countries and territories
|
Service details, packaging guidelines, and other options for shipping global air freight
Our airfreight services provide a variety of features based on whether you select priority, economy, or deferred shipping options. Features may include:
Service details
- Day-definite delivery.
- Shipments are delivered Monday–Friday. Saturday delivery is available in countries where Saturday is considered a regular business day.
- Pickup, linehaul, and customs clearance are included with the service costs. You can choose to have our brokers (FedEx Trade Networks®) handle customs clearance. You can have us arrange pickup and delivery at the airport. Or you can take care of these services on your own through the customs broker of your choice (Broker Select Option).
- Use the FedEx® Expanded Service International Air Waybill if you use paper air waybills.4
- Advance confirmation is required. Use FedEx Ship Manager® or call 1.800.332.0807 to book space.
Packaging guidelines
- Individual skids must weigh 151 lbs. or more. The total shipment weight is unlimited.
- Skids that weigh more than 2200 lbs or the default weight limit for the specific lane (reach out to sales/customer support for exact information for your lane) or exceed 70" in height, 119" in length, or 80" in width require prior approval.
- Freight must be palletized, stackable, forkliftable, and shrinkwrapped and/or banded to a skid.
- Individual pieces over 150 lbs. must be banded to the pallet with either metal strapping or unbreakable plastic straps that are applied around the box or skid on all sides.
- Hardened containers (plywood, metal) that aren’t banded must have an exterior lock or clamp. Glue, nails, and screws are not sufficient.
Optional tools and resources
- Get Saturday pickup and delivery in select destinations and major markets.
- Designate a customs broker other than FedEx with FedEx International Broker Select®.
- Transmit your customs documents electronically with FedEx® Electronic Trade Documents.
- Get the tools and answers you need to help make your returns process easy with FedEx® Global Returns.
- Monitor your shipments in real time with SenseAware® (a contractual service).
- Use FedEx Supply Chain® for help with a complex supply chain and with shipping high-value products.
- Get up-to-date job aids and checklists for shipping dangerous or hazardous goods.5
- Streamline customs clearance and get time-definite, door-to-door delivery for controlled exports with FedEx International Controlled Export.
Additional options available for FedEx International Priority® Freight
- Get end-to-end visibility for high-value, mission-critical, or temperature-sensitive shipments with FedEx Priority Alert®.
- Use FedEx® Third Party Consignee to offer a neutral delivery service option for importers who want to bypass their distribution center and have the manufacturer ship directly to the end recipient.
Get a rate quote to ship international air freight
Use MyQuote to get fast, competitive spot quotes.
U.S.-outbound shipments that weigh 250 lbs. or more (dim weight or actual weight). Applies to U.S. payers only.
Other options to get air freight quotes:
- Use FedEx® Great Rates Hotline to access last-minute savings for exports and imports weighing less than 250 lbs.
- Use the FedEx rating tool. It’s easy, and you don’t need an account.
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How are freight rates calculated?
Freight shipping costs are affected by factors like the shipment’s origin and destination, surcharges, changes in currency, duties and taxes, and discounts. Learn how freight costs work or find out about the factors that impact international shipping costs.
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Shipping instructions for international priority and economy freight
Already know which international freight service is right for your business? Use these 10 easy steps to get started. And our FedEx International Shipping Assist tool can help you prepare your shipment and complete the necessary forms.
International freight tracking
Packing international air freight
To ship freight that weighs more than 150 lbs. and help it arrive safely at its destination, you’ll need to be sure it is properly packaged. Learn the essentials with our Packaging Guidelines for Shipping Freight.
Scheduling an international freight pickup
What you need to know before you schedule a pickup:
- You can request a one-time pickup at the same time you create your shipping label.
- You can arrange for a pickup online for the same day only.
- 3 p.m. local time is the general cutoff time for scheduling a pickup.
You can request a one-time pickup at the same time you create your shipping label.
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You can arrange for a pickup online for the same day only.
3 p.m. local time is the general cutoff time for scheduling a pickup.
Get step-by-step instructions for scheduling an international freight pickup online.
Finding the right FedEx Air Freight Center
If you need to schedule an air freight drop off start here. Use our FedEx Global Air Freight Locator app to search for FedEx Air Freight Centers within 50 miles.
Answers to your international freight shipping questions
I need help with international freight shipping, but I don’t have a sales rep. How can I talk to an expert?
Request a consultation. A FedEx sales consultant will call you in 1 to 2 business days.
What is international freight shipping?
International freight shipping refers to imported or exported shipments that weigh more than 150 lbs. Our air freight service options—FedEx International Priority Freight and FedEx International Economy® Freight—deliver to most major world markets in 1–5 business days. With FedEx International Deferred Freight, it typically takes 5-10 business days.
What are the differences between FedEx International Priority Freight and FedEx International Economy Freight?
The primary difference between our priority and economy services is delivery time. With FedEx International Priority Freight, delivery typically takes 1–3 business days. With FedEx International Economy Freight, it typically takes 2–5 business days. Learn more about the benefits and service details for both delivery options.
How much does international freight shipping cost?
To determine costs for international shipping to and from the U.S., use our standard rate-finder tool.
To get a fast, competitive spot quote, log in to your FedEx account and use our MyQuote or FedEx Great Rates Hotline tool.
Where can I find general information on freight shipping and packing?
To learn about freight shipping, including how to pack it and calculate costs, visit our freight shipping page.
Other international shipping services
Don’t see what you need on this page? Learn more about how to ship:
1FedEx International Deferred Freight ships in 5-10 business days on select international lanes.
2MyQuote hours of operation are 7 a.m.–7 p.m. Central time. If your request falls outside of these operating hours, please feel free to submit this form with your spot request details so we may follow up the next business day. Some destinations may require more time to confirm availability.
3The terms and conditions of the country of origin apply to U.S. import shipments.
4 Manual Airway Bill is not applicable for FedEx International Deferred Freight.
5Dangerous or hazardous goods cannot be shipped through FedEx International Deferred Freight. Call sales or customer support for more details.