FedEx UK

FedEx UK offers domestic and international shipping solutions for UK shippers to more than 220 countries and territories. ShipStation API's integration with FedEx UK lets you connect multiple FedEx accounts, and offers a wide range of capabilities including multi-package shipping, label customisation, third-party billing, Electronic Customs Information Transmission (ETD) for international shipments, and more.

This guide provides developers with the details needed to build FedEx UK shipping capabilities into your ShipStation API workflows.

Requirements

The following properties are required to connect a FedEx UK account:

Property	Type	Required?	Description
`nickname`	string	required	A nickname for the account in ShipStation API (especially useful if connecting multiple accounts).
`account_number`	string	required
`first_name`	string	required
`last_name`	string	required
`company`	string	optional
`address1`	string	required	`address2` also available, but not required.
`city`	string	required
`postal_code`	string	required
`country_code`	string	required	ISO 3166 2-character country code
`email`	string	required
`phone`	string	required
`agree_to_eula`	boolean	required	By connecting a FedEx UK account, you and your users agree to the FedEx EULA.

Connect Account

You can connect a FedEx UK account using the POST method to the /v1/connections/carriers/ endpoint, or via the ShipStation API Dashboard.

Connect via Endpoint

carrier_name: fedex_uk

POST /v1/connections/carriers/:carrier_name

Sample Request:

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POST /v1/connections/carriers/fedex_uk HTTP/1.1
Host: api.shipengine.com
API-Key: __YOUR_API_KEY_HERE__
Content-Type: application/json
{
  "nickname": "My FedEx UK account",
  "account_number": "123456789",
  "company": "Example Corp.",
  "first_name": "John",
  "last_name": "Doe",
  "phone": "20 5555 5555",
  "address1": "77 Netherpark Crescent",
  "address2": "Suite 100",
  "city": "London",
  "postal_code": "ABC 123",
  "country_code": "GB",
  "email": "[email protected]",
  "agree_to_eula": "true"
}

A successful connection will return a response with the carrier_id, which you'll use for any requests for this account going forward.

Connect via Dashboard

For instructions on connecting your FedEx UK via the ShipStation API dashboard, see our FedEx help article.

Modify Carrier Settings

If you need to modify the properties of your FedEx account connection, or enable some of FedEx UK's advanced functionality not enabled by default, you can update these settings in your account dashboard or via API using the PUT method with the /v1/connections/carriers/ endpoint.

Additional Properties

Parameter	Type	Description
`pickup_type`	enumerated string	Determines how FedEx will pick up your packages. `none` - Not specified `regular_pickup` - You already have a daily pickup scheduled with FedEx. `request_courier` - You will call FedEx to request a courier. `drop_box` - You will drop-off packages in a FedEx drop box. `business_service_center` - You will drop-off packages at an authorized FedEx business service center. `station` - You will drop-off the package at a FedEx Station.
`is_primary_account`	boolean	Determines whether or not the account is set to primary (this currently has no function in ShipStation API).
`signature_image`	string	A Base 64 encoded image of the signature to be used for this account. Required for international shipments and will be added to the electronic trade documents (ETD).
`letterhead_image`	string	A Base 64 encoded image of the letterhead to be used for this account. Required for international shipments and will be added to the electronic trade documents (ETD).

Sample update request:

PUT /v1/connections/carriers/:carrier_name/:carrier_id/settings

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PUT /v1/connections/carriers/fedex_uk/se-108252/settings HTTP/1.1
Host: api.shipengine.com
API-Key: __YOUR_API_KEY_HERE__
Content-Type: application/json
{
  "nickname": "my fedex UK account",
  "pickup_type": "regular_pickup",
  "is_primary_account": "false",
  "signature_image" : "base64string",
  "letterhead_image" : "base64string"
}

A successful request will receive an HTTP status 204 response.

Rates

FedEx UK supports rate shopping with ShipStation API.

Please note, FedEx will always show negotiated rates: false in a rate response, even when using negotiated rates.

Service Details

Available FedEx services are provided below. Please note that carriers may update their available services at any time. To ensure you are always using valid services, you can use the list carrier services endpoint at any time.

Domestic Services

Service	Transit Time	Max Weight	API Code
FedEx® Next Day by 9 a.m.	Next business day by 9:00 am	50kg	`fedex_next_day_9am`
FedEx® Next Day by 10 a.m.	Next business day by 10:00 am	50kg	`fedex_next_day_10am`
FedEx® Next Day by 12 noon	Next business day by 12:00 noon	50kg	`fedex_next_day_12noon`
FedEx® Next Day	End of next business day	50kg	`fedex_next_day`
FedEx 1Day® Freight	N/A	N/A	`fedex_1_day_freight_gb`
FedEx Economy	Within 2-3 business days	50kg	`fedex_economy_gb`

International Services

Service	Transit Time	Max Weight	Max LxWxH	API Code
FedEx Europe First®	Next day delivery, Mon-Fri √	68 kg	L: 274 cm L+G: 330 cm	`fedex_europe_first_gb`
FedEx International First®	Next day delivery, Mon-Fri †	68 kg	L: 274 L+G: 330 cm	`fedex_international_first_gb`
FedEx International Economy®	2-5 days	68 kg	N/A	`fedex_international_economy_gb`
FedEx International Economy Freight®	N/A	> 68kg	N/A	`fedex_international_economy_freight`
FedEx International Priority Express®	Delivery by midday in 1-3 business days to selected destinations in Asia, Canada, Europe and the US	68 kg	N/A	`fedex_international_priority_express`
FedEx International Connect Plus®	Delivery to Europe in 1-3 days, the US in 3 days, and Asia-Pacific in 3-5 days ∑	68kg	N/A	`fedex_international_connect_plus`
FedEx International Priority® π	By end of day in 1-3 business days	68kg	N/A	`fedex_international_priority`
FedEx® Regional Economy	N/A	N/A	N/A	`fedex_regional_economy`
FedEx® Regional Economy Freight	N/A	N/A	N/A	`fedex_regional_economy_freight`

International Service Notes:

√ Destinations in Europe: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
Next day delivery between 9am - 10am
† Destinations Worldwide: Brazil, Canada, India, Mexico, United States, and Puerto Rico
- Canada: Next day delivery between 9am - 10am
- US: Next day delivery between 8am - 8:30am
- Brazil, India, Mexico, and Puerto Rico: Next day delivery between 10am - 11:30am
∑ Service availability and transit times depend on selected origin and destination postal codes.
π FedEx International Priority® API Code fedex_international_priority_gb has been deprecated. Please use fedex_international_priority instead.

Shipping to Northern Ireland

FedEx will support all movement types (b2b, b2c, c2c, c2b) for shipping from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, in accordance with the Windsor Framework. The following data requirements will go into effect on 30 March, 2025.

All shipments to Northern Ireland must include the existing properties dedicated for international traffic:

products.description: The description needs to be detailed and must describe the content accurately (Gift or Merchandise values are not sufficient).
products.quantity
products.value
- value.amount
- value.currency
products.harmonized_tariff_code
products.country_of_origin

If you know the UKIMS number, these can be declared and printed on the commercial invoice for the B2B shipments. The following properties are capable of capturing these in the tax_identifiers array in both ship_to and ship_from objects:

id
type (use the ukims enumeration value)

Since Electronic Trade Documents (ETD) are not supported when shipping to NI, from 1 May 2025 you will be required to print the commercial invoice and include with all NI shipments. All the above information will be included in the generated document if provided.

FedEx will identify whether the consignment is B2C or B2B and will contact the recipient to obtain information regarding the risk indicator. Therefore, you do not have to declare the not_at_risk property when creating a label. UKIMS numbers will also be collected by FedEx if not provided.

Return Services

FedEx UK does not currently support return services.

Packages

FedEx UK does not include specific carrier package types. You can use the generic package type or custom package types.

Adding Shipment Insurance

FedEx supports adding insurance to your shipments. Review our Parcel Insurance page for details on adding shipment insurance with ShipStation API.

There are a few things to note about using insurance with FedEx UK shipments:

Manifests: Shipping amount shown on manifests for FedEx does not include any insurance costs.
No Signature and $500 or more in insurance: If you select No Signature and try to include $500 or more in insurance, it will override the signature requirement to become Direct Signature Required. The label will have the letters “DSR” to indicate Direct Signature Required. From FedEx Service Guide T&C (PDF): "Shipments with a declared value of less than US$500 may be delivered and released without obtaining a signature when the sender has authorized a release or, at our sole option, upon oral or written instruction from the sender or recipient.”
Discrepancy between FedEx rate calculator and ShipStation API rate: The Declared Value in FedEx's rate calculator is not insurance. This value indicates the max FedEx could be held accountable for. So, if you compare this declared value in FedEx to the rate with insurance in ShipStation API, our rate will be higher.

Label Support

Label sizes: 4" x 6"
Label formats: PDF, PNG, ZPL

Label Reference Fields

FedEx UK supports adding custom label messages.

Label Message 1 = Reference Number
Label Message 2 = Invoice Number
Label Message 3 = PO Number

To use Label Message 3, you must also use Label Message 1 and 2.

Multi-Package Labels

FedEx UK supports multi-package shipments with most services. FedEx multi-package shipping has a 100 package maximum.

Label Branding

FedEx UK does not support label branding.

Voiding Labels

FedEx UK supports voiding labels with ShipStation API. Return labels cannot be voided.

Paperless Labels

FedEx UK does not support paperless labels.

Customs Declarations

Customs declarations are sent electronically. For electronic document submissions, FedEx requires you to include the signature_iamge and letterhead_image properties for your account connection.

Delivery Confirmation

Confirmation Type	API Code	Description
No signature required	`none`	No confirmation requested.
Indirect signature required	`signature`	Signature is required for the shipment to be delivered. This signature may be a neighbor, building manager, or the recipient can authorize the release of the package (without being present).
Adult signature required	`adult_signature`	An adult signature is required for the shipment to be delivered.
Direct signature required	`direct_signature`	A signature of somebody at the address is required.

See our Delivery Confirmation page for more details about using the confirmation property.

Advanced Options

FedEx UK supports multiple advanced options, which you can add to the shipment object when creating a shipment or label.

Property	Type	Default Value	Description
`bill_to_party`	ennumerated string	`null`	Determines which party is paying for shipping costs. If `null`, shipping costs will be billed to the connected FedEx account. `recipient` - Required for FedEx Ground Collect. `third_party` - Bill to an account that is not connected to ShipStation API. When billing to a third party, you may not see rates returned from ShipStation API. This field must be used in conjunction with the `bill_to_country_code`, `bill_to_postal_code`, and `bill_to_account` properties.
`bill_to_account`	string	`null`	The account number that will be charged shipping costs when `bill_to_party` is set to `third_party`.
`bill_to_postal_code`	string	`null`	The postal code associated with the `bill_to_account`. FedEx validates this value.
`bill_to_country_code`	string	`null`	The two-letter ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code associated with the `bill_to_account`.
`collect_on_delivery`	object	`null`	Object used to indicate that the shipping cost should be collected by FedEx upon delivery of the package (only valid for certain FedEx services). For more information, see our Collect on Delivery guide.
`contains_alcohol`	boolean	`false`	Indicates that the shipment contains alcohol. Your FedEx account must be enrolled in the FedEx alcohol shipping program to use this property.
`delivered_duty_paid`	boolean	`false`	Indicates that the shipper is paying the international delivery duties for this shipment. Also called "DDP".
`dry_ice`	boolean	`false`	Indicates if the shipment contains dry ice.
`dry_ice_weight`	object	`0`	Object used to identify the weight of the dry ice in the shipment. `value` - Numeric value for weight `unit` - Unit of measurement for weight. Accepts `ounce`, `pound`, `gram`, and `kilogram`.
`fedex_freight`	object	`null`	Object to provide details for FedEx freight services. `shipper_load_and_count` - String required by FedEx for freight shipments. `booking_confirmation` - String required by FedEx for freight shipments.
`non_machinable`	boolean	`false`	Indicates that the package cannot be processed through FedEx sorting machines.
`saturday_delivery`	boolean	`false`	Indicated delivery on Saturday for services that do not otherwise include Saturday delivery.
`third-party-consignee`	boolean	`null`	Hides consignee-specific information on the commercial invoice for international shipments.

To ensure you always have the most up-to-date information, use the List carrier options call to get a full list of a carrier's supported advanced options.

Manifests

FedEx UK does not require manifesting your shipments.

Scheduling Pickups

FedEx UK does not support the scheduling a pickup endpoint. Instead, your pickup_type account settings determine how your shipments are handed over to FedEx.

Service Points (PUDO)

FedEx UK does not support shipping to service points.

Tracking

ShipStation API's integration with FedEx UK supports receiving tracking updates. Review our Track a Package guides for details on tracking with the ShipStation API.

Disconnect Your FedEx account

See the Disconnect section in our Delete a Carrier page for the process of deleting or disconnecting a carrier from ShipStation API.