Shipping Strategies
FedEx
International Economy
Last Updated
June 25, 2023
5 min.
Written By
Krišs Ģērmanis
FedEx International Economy accepts parcels up to 68 kg each, 274 cm long, and 330 cm girth, though most e-commerce parcels sit well inside these limits.
The FedEx 10 kg and 25 kg Box packaging cannot be used with this service — a rule that catches many sellers out.
Dangerous goods, dry ice, perishables, and cut flowers are not accepted on this service specifically.
A longer list of items is prohibited across all FedEx Express services, including weapons, tobacco, vaping devices, and cannabis products.
Every shipment clears customs, so you need a commercial invoice, correct HS codes, and (for EU traders) an EORI number.
Multi-piece shipments allow up to 20 packages per shipment on Swotzy, each within the per-package limits.
The FedEx International Economy weight limit and size limits
The core numbers are simple, and most e-commerce parcels sit well inside them.
Limit | Value |
|---|---|
Maximum weight | 68 kg per package |
Maximum length | 274 cm |
Maximum girth | 330 cm (length + 2 × height + 2 × width) |
Multi-piece shipments | Up to 20 packages per shipment on Swotzy |
Declared value | Up to $50,000 per shipment |
Multi-piece shipments are worth noting: you can send several packages under one shipment, up to 20 packages per shipment on Swotzy. Each package needs to stay within the per-package weight and size limits above.
In practice, almost no one gets near the ceiling. Across shipments sent through Swotzy, most parcels weigh between 1 and 2 kg, and nearly nine in ten weigh under 5 kg. This is a lightweight parcel service in day-to-day use, so the 68 kg limit rarely comes into play for online sellers.
The packaging rule that catches sellers out
One restriction is easy to miss. The FedEx 10 kg and 25 kg Box packaging cannot be used with this service. If your workflow relies on those specific FedEx boxes, you will need to switch to your own packaging or a different FedEx service before you book. Standard boxes and your own packaging are fine, provided the parcel stays within the size and weight limits above.
Prohibited and restricted items
Some items are barred from this service specifically, and a longer list is barred across all FedEx Express services. Check both before you ship.
Not accepted on this service:
Dangerous goods
Dry ice (classified as a Class 9 dangerous good)
Perishables and cut flowers
If you need to move dangerous goods or perishables, this is not the right service, and FedEx International Priority® handles some categories the economy tier does not.
Prohibited across all FedEx Express services (these apply here too):
Firearms, weaponry, ammunition, and parts
Explosives and fireworks
Human remains, organs, body parts, embryos
Live animals, including insects and pets
Furs and ivory
Cash, negotiable instruments, collectible coins and stamps
Counterfeit goods
Marijuana, THC, and CBD products
Tobacco, e-cigarettes, and vaping devices
Wet ice
Pornographic or obscene material
This is not the full legal list, but it covers the categories sellers most often ask about. If you are unsure whether a product qualifies, check before creating the label rather than risk a parcel being held or returned.
Customs documents you need before booking
Every FedEx International Economy shipment goes through customs at the border, because it ships to destinations outside the EU. That means you need a few documents for every commodity shipment, and missing or inaccurate paperwork is one of the most common causes of delays.
Commercial invoice — required for all non-document shipments. On Swotzy, the platform generates the commercial invoice from the details you enter.
HS codes — required for all commodity shipments. You enter these yourself; an accurate code keeps the parcel moving, while a wrong one can trigger a customs hold.
EORI number — required for businesses trading in or out of the EU.
This is the short version. For a practical walkthrough of DDP versus DAP, duties, and how to avoid customs holds, see the customs and duties guide.
Drop-off and pickup options
You are not tied to a single handover method. FedEx offers Hold at Location, so a shipment can be held at a FedEx location for the recipient to collect rather than delivered to the door. Recipients can also redirect a parcel to a nearby pickup point in some cases. For how tracking, notifications, and redirects work in detail, see the tracking guide.
Quick eligibility check
Before you create a shipment, run through this:
Is each package under 68 kg, 274 cm long, and within 330 cm girth?
Are you avoiding the FedEx 10 kg and 25 kg Box packaging?
Is everything in the parcel off both prohibited lists?
Do you have a commercial invoice, HS codes, and an EORI number ready?
If all four check out, your shipment is eligible.
Ship FedEx International Economy on Swotzy
FedEx International Economy® is available directly on the Swotzy platform, with no separate FedEx agreement needed. Create a free account, connect your store through Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy, PrestaShop, Magento, or the API, and import your orders automatically. From there you can compare services side by side on delivery time and price before you commit.
Creating a shipment is straightforward: select the order, choose the service, generate the label, and ship. Tracking then syncs back to your store automatically. There are no contracts, no minimum volumes, and no monthly fees, so you can register, check live rates, and start shipping whenever you are ready.
Keep reading
What Is FedEx International Economy?
FedEx International Economy Cost: What Sellers Actually Pay by Weight
FedEx International Economy Customs & Duties: A Seller's Guide
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