FedEx Shipping Guides
Need more detail on a specific topic? Each guide below goes deep on one aspect of shipping with FedEx, from how a FedEx price is built to what clears customs and what each surcharge actually costs.
FedEx Guide
Shipping Rates
How FedEx prices domestic and international shipments, including dimensional weight, plus how to get a live quote.
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FedEx Guide
Services Overview
FedEx Express and FedEx Ground services in Canada compared, from First Overnight to International Connect Plus.
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FedEx Guide
Delivery Times
FedEx delivery commitments by service, delivery hours, Saturday delivery, and the holiday season explained.
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FedEx Guide
Customs & Duties
How FedEx clears customs, who pays duties and taxes, and what clearance fees apply to imports into Canada.
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FedEx Guide
Packaging
FedEx Envelope, Pak, boxes and tubes available in Canada, with their sizes and weight limits.
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FedEx Guide
Surcharges & Fees
The FedEx fuel surcharge and the residential, delivery area and Saturday fees, explained.
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FedEx Guide
Alternatives
When FedEx is the right call, and when UPS, Canada Post, DHL or Purolator fits your shipment better.
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What Is FedEx?
FedEx is a global courier that has operated in Canada since 1987, when it began as Federal Express Canada Ltd. FedEx states that its Express network reaches more than 220 countries and territories, and in Canada it runs from a headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario, with hubs in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal.
FedEx runs two separate networks in Canada, and the difference between them is the one thing to understand before you ship. FedEx Express is time-definite: each service commits to a delivery time, such as 10 a.m. next business day. FedEx Ground is day-definite: it commits to a range of days, 1 to 7 business days within Canada. Both carry packages up to 68 kg (150 lb), so the choice is about how precisely the delivery has to land, not what you can send.
According to FedEx, FedEx Express Canada has 13,335 team members and 35 aircraft flying 331 intra-Canadian and 116 international flights a week. FedEx Ground Canada is a separate operation, with 3,500+ team members across 42 hubs and stations. FedEx also runs logistics and supply chain businesses in Canada, which are not parcel services and are not covered here.
You do not need a FedEx account to get competitive FedEx rates. Platforms like Secureship negotiate group pricing normally reserved for high-volume shippers and pass it on to businesses of any size.
Source: FedEx Service Guide, Canadian Edition, effective 11 Sep 2026
FedEx Shipping Services
FedEx sorts its own Canadian services into three groups, and we follow it here: FedEx Express and FedEx Ground for packages up to 68 kg (150 lb), within Canada and abroad, and FedEx Express Freight for palletized shipments above that. Delivery times below are FedEx's published commitments to most metropolitan areas.
Within Canada, FedEx sells five Express services and FedEx Ground. Overnight means overnight to most metropolitan areas: FedEx states Priority Overnight takes 2 to 3 business days to other areas, and its rate guide lists First Overnight as unavailable to Atlantic Canada and the territories.
| Service within Canada | Delivery | Guarantee |
|---|---|---|
| FedEx First Overnight | 10 a.m. next business day | Money-Back Guarantee |
| FedEx Priority Overnight | Morning, next business day | Money-Back Guarantee |
| FedEx Standard Overnight | Next business day, by 5 p.m. to businesses and 8 p.m. to residences | Money-Back Guarantee |
| FedEx 2Day | 1 to 2 business days | Money-Back Guarantee |
| FedEx Economy | 1 to 3 business days | Money-Back Guarantee |
| FedEx Ground | 1 to 7 business days | FedEx Ground guarantee |
For shipments leaving Canada, FedEx sells six international package services. Reach varies by service: International Connect Plus is for e-commerce orders shipped to consumers, and International Ground serves the U.S. only.
| International service | Delivery | Guarantee |
|---|---|---|
| FedEx International First | 8 a.m. next business day to many U.S. locations, second or third business day to select cities abroad | Money-Back Guarantee |
| FedEx International Priority Express | 10:30 a.m. next business day to many U.S. locations, 1 to 3 business days to select countries | Money-Back Guarantee |
| FedEx International Priority | 5 p.m. next business day to many U.S. locations, 1 to 3 business days elsewhere | Money-Back Guarantee |
| FedEx International Economy | Second business day to many U.S. locations, 2 to 5 business days to most major markets | Money-Back Guarantee |
| FedEx International Connect Plus | 2 to 4 business days to the U.S., 2 to 5 business days to most major markets | None |
| FedEx International Ground | 2 to 7 business days, U.S. only | FedEx Ground guarantee, conditions apply |
Above 150 lb, a shipment is no longer a package. FedEx moves palletized freight from 151 lb (68.5 kg) up to 4,400 lb (1,995 kg) per piece as FedEx Express Freight. This is air freight sold by FedEx Express, not the separate FedEx Freight trucking business.
| Express Freight service | Delivery | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| FedEx 1Day Freight | 5 p.m. next business day | Canada |
| FedEx International Priority Freight | 1 to 3 business days | U.S. and international |
| FedEx International Economy Freight | 2 to 5 business days | U.S. and international |
| FedEx International Deferred Freight | 5 to 10 business days, select locations | U.S. and international |
| FedEx International Premium | 1 to 3 business days, depending on availability | U.S. and select international destinations |
| FedEx International Express Freight | 2 to 3 business days, depending on route and availability | U.S. and international |
Secureship covers most FedEx shipping services, from FedEx Ground to First Overnight within Canada, and International Priority, Economy and Connect Plus abroad. Compare FedEx rates against UPS, Canada Post, DHL, and Purolator on your own route, since published commitments are not a substitute for checking it, and see our FedEx Services guide for the full breakdown.
Source: FedEx Service Guide, Canadian Edition, effective 11 Sep 2026
FedEx Weight and Size Limits
FedEx's package weight limit is the same on both networks, but the size limits differ, and FedEx Ground has a much lower cap in the North. Here are the key per-package numbers.
FedEx Express accepts packages up to 108 in (274 cm) long and 130 in (330 cm) in length plus girth. FedEx Ground accepts up to 165 in (419 cm) in length plus girth, but to Newfoundland and Labrador, Nunavut, Yukon and the Northwest Territories its weight limit drops to 32 kg (70 lb). Anything over 150 lb is freight rather than a package, and our FedEx Surcharges guide covers what an oversize package costs.
FedEx bills whichever is higher, actual weight or dimensional weight. Here's the short version:
When you quote through Secureship, FedEx's dimensional weight rules are applied automatically for the service you pick, so the price you see already uses the billable weight.
Source: FedEx Express Rates, Canadian Edition, effective 5 Jan 2026
Source: FedEx Express Rates, Canadian Edition, effective 5 Jan 2026
How to Save on FedEx Shipping
What you pay for FedEx depends on how you access it, how you pack, and which service you pick. Here are the levers that actually move the price.
Compare live FedEx rates against every major carrier in seconds. No account needed. Just enter your shipment details.
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How to Ship with FedEx via Secureship
No FedEx account needed. Access most FedEx Express and FedEx Ground services at group rates, alongside every other major carrier, through Secureship.
When to Choose FedEx Over Other Carriers
No single carrier wins every shipment. FedEx is strongest where a delivery time or a heavy package matters, and weakest where its surcharges or its northern Ground cap come into play. Here is where it is the right call, and where it is not.
- The delivery time matters, not just the day: FedEx Express services commit to a time, from 10 a.m. next business day on First Overnight, and most are covered by the FedEx Money-Back Guarantee
- Heavy packages: FedEx Express and FedEx Ground both accept packages up to 68 kg (150 lb), and FedEx Express Freight moves palletized shipments beyond that
- Domestic and international in one carrier: six services within Canada, from overnight to Ground, and FedEx states it reaches more than 220 countries and territories
- You need Saturday delivery: available in selected Canadian and international locations on Priority Overnight, Standard Overnight, 2Day, International Priority and International Priority Express, for FedEx's published surcharge of $27.50 per shipment
- Heavy parcels to the North or Newfoundland and Labrador: FedEx Ground caps packages at 32 kg (70 lb) to NL, NU, YT and NT, less than half its usual limit
- Remote and northern postal codes: FedEx adds an out-of-delivery-area surcharge on remote destinations, so the base rate is not the whole price
- You want the goods insured: FedEx states that it does not provide insurance of any kind, and its liability defaults to $100 per package unless a higher value is declared and paid for
- Next-morning delivery to Atlantic Canada or the territories: FedEx's rate guide lists First Overnight as unavailable to those destinations
The sensible approach is to compare carriers on every shipment rather than defaulting to one. For head-to-head breakdowns, see UPS vs FedEx, Canada Post vs FedEx, DHL vs FedEx, and Purolator vs FedEx, and for a wider view see FedEx Alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions About FedEx Shipping
Which FedEx services can I book through Secureship?
Secureship covers most FedEx shipping services, from FedEx Ground to First Overnight within Canada, and International Priority, Economy and Connect Plus abroad. Within Canada that is all six: First Overnight, Priority Overnight, Standard Overnight, 2Day, Economy and Ground. For shipments leaving Canada it is International First, International Priority, International Economy, International Connect Plus and International Ground. Not every service runs on every route: International Ground serves the U.S. only, and International First serves select cities. FedEx freight services are not part of a Secureship quote. Compare them side by side with other carriers in one quote.
Does FedEx guarantee its delivery times?
For most services, with conditions. FedEx states that if a covered FedEx Express shipment is delivered more than 60 seconds after its delivery commitment, it will refund or credit the transportation charges. That covers First Overnight, Priority Overnight, Standard Overnight, 2Day, Economy and FedEx's main international Express services, but not International Connect Plus. It refunds transportation charges only, never duties or taxes, and does not apply to PO box addresses. FedEx also states the guarantee "can be suspended, modified or revoked at our sole discretion without prior notice." FedEx Ground has its own, separate guarantee. Read FedEx's Money-Back Guarantee terms before relying on it.
Does FedEx insure my package?
No. FedEx's Canadian terms state it in capitals: "We do not provide insurance coverage of any kind," and the FedEx Ground terms say the same. What FedEx offers instead is liability up to a declared value. By default that liability is $100 per package, and a higher value has to be declared, and paid for, when you ship. A declared value limits what FedEx will pay; it is not insurance.
How long do I have to file a FedEx claim?
It depends on the problem and the network, and every claim must be in writing. For FedEx Express, report damage, delay or shortage within 21 days of delivery, and loss, misdelivery or non-delivery within 9 months of acceptance, with supporting documents also due within 9 months. FedEx allows one claim per shipment, and legal action must start within 2 years. For FedEx Ground, report damage within 21 calendar days of delivery and loss within 9 months of the ship date. FedEx takes claims online or by phone at 1.800.463.3339; if you call, ask for a case number.
Where can I drop off a FedEx package in Canada?
At a staffed FedEx location or a FedEx drop box. FedEx lists 1,228 staffed locations in Canada, from full-service FedEx Ship Centres to onsite drop-off points, plus 285 drop boxes, and its location finder at fedex.ca/retail shows the nearest ones and their hours. Plan around the weekend: FedEx does not pick up from any FedEx Express drop box on a Saturday, so a package left in one on Saturday ships the next business day. FedEx explains the options on its drop-off FAQ.
Can FedEx pick up a package from me?
Yes. You can request a pickup through FedEx at fedex.ca/pickup, and regular shippers can set up a regularly scheduled pickup on chosen weekdays. A scheduled pickup is billed as a weekly fee, and FedEx charges the full weekly fee if at least one pickup is scheduled that week. Pickup fees also carry the fuel surcharge. The current amounts are on our FedEx Surcharges & Fees page.
How heavy can a FedEx package be in Canada?
Up to 150 lb (68 kg) on both FedEx Express and FedEx Ground, with one important exception: FedEx Ground caps packages at 70 lb (32 kg) for Newfoundland and Labrador, Nunavut, Yukon and the Northwest Territories. Size limits differ by network, up to 130 in (330 cm) length plus girth on Express and 165 in (419 cm) on Ground. Anything heavier or larger ships as FedEx freight. Our FedEx Shipping Rates guide explains how weight and size are billed.
Does FedEx ship to Nunavut, Yukon and the Northwest Territories?
Yes, with two catches. FedEx Ground caps packages to the territories (and to Newfoundland and Labrador) at 70 lb (32 kg) instead of 150 lb, and FedEx Express adds its highest remote-area surcharge, Tier C, to shipments picked up or delivered there. The amounts are in our FedEx surcharges list. Remote surcharges vary a lot between carriers, so compare carriers before shipping north.
Sources
All data on this page is sourced from official FedEx documentation. Volatile figures (fuel surcharge, live rates, transit times) link to FedEx's live pages. Last updated: October 28, 2026.
- FedEx Service Guide, Canadian Edition, effective September 11, 2026. fedex.com
- FedEx Express Rates, Canadian Edition, effective January 5, 2026. fedex.com
- FedEx Money-Back Guarantee. fedex.com
- FedEx Canada: current fuel surcharge. fedex.com
- FedEx Tracking. fedex.com
- FedEx Canada, About FedEx: Express and Ground Quick Facts, viewed October 27, 2026.