How to Ship Internationally with FedEx

07/23/2015 — Leah Palnik

When you think about shipping internationally there are probably a lot of things running through your head. How do I know what documents I need? What regulations do I need to follow? Am I doing this right? We get it – it can be daunting. Luckily, you have us to put your mind at ease. When you use our alliance service partner, FedEx, and follow these 5 simple steps for your international small package shipment, you won’t have to worry.

1. Research your destination country
Check out the country snapshots on fedex.com to find detailed shipping requirements and service availability for the country you’re shipping to. These snapshots provide a great summary that includes general clearance information, standards, and restrictions that could affect what you’re trying to ship.

2. Pick your service
There are several international shipping services to choose from with FedEx. Whether your shipment is time sensitive or you have more time, there is a service that’s right for you. The best way to determine which one you should use is to find your rates and transit times. When you put in your shipment information this tool provides you with a list of service options with their costs and delivery times.

3. Find and prepare your documents
Using the FedEx Global Trade Manager you can find and print copies of the documents that will have to accompany your international shipment. All you have to do is fill out some information about your shipment and about the product you are shipping. Once you enter that in, the results will show you exactly what documents you need to complete.

4. Prepare your shipment
Packing and preparing your shipment correctly is imperative when you’re shipping internationally. FedEx offers a number of packaging options as well as a how-to guide so you don’t have to worry about wasted costs or issues.

5. Ship and track
Once you’re ready to ship, you can schedule a pickup or drop it off at a nearby FedEx location. After that you can easily track the status of your shipment until it reaches its destination.

Through an association shipping program managed by PartnerShip, you can receive discounts on your international shipments with select FedEx^® services. PartnerShip works with over 120 major trade associations, across many industries, to provide their members with the money-saving tools to help them be successful. If you belong to an association we work with, take advantage of our free shipping benefits today and save on your international shipping. If you're not sure if you qualify for one of our FedEx small package shipping programs contact us and we'll find the solution that's right for you.