How to estimate international shipping rates with FedEx

How to estimate international shipping rates with FedEx

How to estimate international shipping rates with FedEx

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How international shipping rates are calculated

Before you ship internationally, be sure you understand the total landed cost. What is total landed cost? It’s the total cost associated with your international shipment. It’s made up of charges for the actual shipment from the shipping provider as well as duties, taxes, and fees. You can use our free tools for help calculating your total landed cost.

Shipping rates + Duties + Taxes + Fees = Total landed cost

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Whether you ship from Oregon to Oman, Indiana to India, or Tennessee to Taiwan, a lot of different factors can
influence your total landed cost. Here are a few of those variables.

Whether you ship from Oregon to Oman,
Indiana to India, or Tennessee to Taiwan,
a lot of different factors can influence
your total landed cost. Here are a few of
those variables.

Factors that influence international shipping rates
These factors are determined by the shipping provider.
  • Where your item is shipping from (by origin ZIP code)

  • Where it’s going (by destination ZIP/postal code)

  • Which FedEx® shipping service you choose

  • Desired delivery time
  • Package type, dimensions, and weight

  • Packaging type

  • Number of packages

  • Whether you need additional insurance
Factors that influence duties Factors that influence taxes Factors that influence fees
These factors can have different impacts based on which country you're shipping to.
  • The Free Trade
    Agreements (FTAs) that apply to the commodity’s country of origin and destination country

  • Country-specific di minimis threshold (the duty might not apply under a certain product value amount)

  • The Harmonized System (HS) code for the product being imported

  • Whether the shipment is a gift

  • Whether the shipment is a warranty repair or return
  • The country of origin of the commodity

  • Changes in currency

  • Country-specific tax authority, Value Add Tax (VAT)

  • What product you’re shipping, its value, and the value of the total shipment
  • Customs entry/filing

  • Invoicing fee

  • Brokerage fee

  • Freight forwarder fees

  • Seasonal and conditional factors (Stay up to date on our surcharges and fees.)

  • Required additional paperwork and/or inspection from a Partner Government Agency (PGA)
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Did you know?

It’s important to determine which party (importer/buyer or exporter/seller) is paying for which part of the landed cost. As a shipper, you’re in control of who pays for what. As a shopper, make sure you know who is responsible for what before making your purchase.

Take the guesswork out of rates

Get steps to help create a seamless shipping process for you—and a transparent experience for your customers. Learn about the factors that determine your international shipping rates. And services and tools to help you access and submit customs documents.

How to estimate total landed cost

Ready to calculate your total landed cost? We offer several free tools to help you estimate quickly and correctly.

STEP 1

First, estimate your international shipping cost by using our rate calculator for international packages
and express (air) freight. This tool uses basic information to provide different delivery options and a reliable estimate of what you can expect to pay. Based on the shipment type, we might need you to provide information that includes:

  • Origin and destination

  • Item value

  • Package weight
  • Package dimensions*

  • Whether you need insurance

STEP 2

Once you have your estimated international shipping cost, make a note of it and go to FedEx International Shipping Assist. Enter your estimated cost into the tool to calculate duties and taxes for your shipment and get guidance on the correct Harmonized System (HS) code to use. You can save information and use it again on future shipments.

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STEP 3

After calculating your total landed cost, you can review your shipment details and select and fill out your customs documents. Using the FedEx® Electronic Trade Documents (ETD) option, you can streamline the paperwork process by:

  • Generating documents on fedex.com and transmitting them electronically within the shipping app

  • Downloading, printing, and completing documents from fedex.com and including printed copies with your shipment’s paperwork

  • Or uploading documentation from your own system
     
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Find out more about landed cost and why it matters for your business.

*You’ll need to know the length, width, and height. If you’re using FedEx packaging, include the box size.

The rates shown on these calculators may be different from your actual shipping charges. Rates can be affected by factors like how much your package weighs, its dimensions, and currency conversion rates.

Cost-effective international shipping services

The international shipping service you choose will have a big impact on how much you’ll pay to ship internationally. Are your delivery times flexible? Here are three of our most popular cost-effective options for shippers who don’t have a rigid delivery deadline. You can also see a full list of our international shipping services.

FEDEX INTERNATIONAL GROUND®

Delivery to all Canadian business and residential addresses in 2 to 7 business days

FEDEX® INTERNATIONAL CONNECT PLUS

Delivery of ecommerce shipments to 45 markets (including Canada) in 2 to 4 business days

FEDEX INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY®

Shipping to 215+ countries and territories in 2 to 5 business days

Other ways to save on international shipping rates

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Open a free shipping account

You’ll save up to 30% on FedEx Express® domestic, international, and returns shipping services.

OPEN A FREE FEDEX ACCOUNT
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Join My FedEx Rewards

Take advantage of exclusive offers, get discounts, and earn rewards like gift cards and merchandise.

SIGN UP FOR MY FEDEX REWARDS
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Save on last-minute shipments

Call for last-minute savings on your domestic and international package and express freight shipments.

TRY THE FEDEX® GREAT RATES HOTLINE
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Get discounts within an hour

Shipping FedEx International Economy® Freight or FedEx International Priority® Freight shipments over 250 lbs.? Get discounted quotes within one hour.

EXPLORE MYQUOTE
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Get packaging tips

Learn how the right packaging can help you save on shipping costs, reduce waste, and protect your products.

GET PACKAGING TIPS AND SOLUTIONS

How a country’s duties, taxes, and fees affect shipping costs

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Duties and taxes

Almost all packages that cross international borders are subject to duty and tax assessment by the importing country’s government. Duties, taxes, and other clearance charges can significantly affect an international shipment’s total price (also called its landed cost). Calculating this number before you ship can help save time and prevent surprises.

LEARN ABOUT DUTIES AND TAXES
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Customs brokerage fees

Customs brokers make sure your shipments clear customs, and they work on your behalf to resolve any problems with the shipment. Every international shipment is required to have a customs broker.

Most shippers select brokerage-inclusive services like FedEx Express for shipments with a declared value of USD $500,000 or less. If your shipment’s value is more than that, you’ll need to arrange for a broker to clear your shipment. FedEx Trade Networks is available for those types of high-value shipments, or you can choose a non-FedEx broker. You’ll need to decide on a customs broker before you ship.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT BROKERAGE SERVICES AND FEES
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Customs documentation

Different types of paperwork are required for different international shipments. If your paperwork isn’t complete, accurate, or legible, it could increase the assessed duty and tax amounts and impact your total landed cost calculation. Learn the ins and outs of customs documentation, including how to complete it, when to use which form, and more.

GET DOCUMENT DETAILS

Estimate costs for shipments over 150 lbs.

Estimate costs for shipments over 150 lbs.

Access tools, resources, and insights for calculating the cost of international freight shipments. Plus, learn how your shipment’s classification, dimensions, and packaging can impact your costs.

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For international less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments to Canada
or Mexico

For international less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments to Canada or Mexico

TELL US ABOUT YOUR LTL SHIPMENT
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For FedEx Freight® LTL volume services on LTL shipments to Canada or Mexico

GO TO THE FEDEX FREIGHT VOLUME SERVICES TOOL
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For comparing LTL competitor quotes on international LTL shipments

USE LTL SELECT

The rates shown on these calculators may be different from your actual shipping charges. Rates can be affected by factors like how much your package weighs, its dimensions, and currency conversion rates.

Other international shipping resources

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International shipping, step by step

Follow this how-to guide to simplify the process of sending a package to another country. From doing your background research to packing the item, you’ll know what to do every step of the way.

GET STEP-BY-STEP HELP
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Learn about global shipping restrictions

Some items can’t be imported or exported, no matter where they’re coming from or where they’re going. Make sure your item isn’t prohibited before you prepare your shipment.

VIEW PROHIBITED ITEMS BY COUNTRY OR TERRITORY
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Prepare your shipment for customs

Customs inspects and regulates every shipment to make sure the contents comply with the importing country or territory’s regulations. You’ll need to take a few additional steps to prepare your shipment for the customs clearance process.

READ ABOUT CUSTOMS CLEARANCE
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FedEx WorldTariff Manager

Staying compliant is easier than ever with FedEx WorldTariff Manager. This online tool can help you remove the guesswork from international shipping, increase compliance, and avoid fines and delays.

EXPLORE FEDEX WORLDTARIFF MANAGER
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Get regulatory news and updates

Look up shipping-related regulatory alerts, articles, and updates or have news delivered straight to your inbox.

READ THE LATEST NEWS
Watch and learn about international shipping

Head to our video support library for helpful videos about international shipping. You’ll find information about everything from estimating costs to completing customs documents.

EXPLORE THE VIDEO LIBRARY

FAQs about estimating international shipping rates