FedEx: Ship International Orders

Background

This article will guide you through how to ensure that the required customs information is filled in correctly when shipping an international order with FedEx, when a printed commercial invoice is needed and when Electronic Trade Documents are submitted for your shipments.

First Things First

Please be sure that you are logged into ShipWorks as a user with permissions to ship international packages. This article assumes that you have ShipWorks installed, a store connected to ShipWorks and have connected your FedEx account to the ShipWorks software. This article also assumes that you have knowledge of how to ship orders using the ShipWorks software.

If you have specific questions relating to fill out any of the specific fields outlined in this article we recommend reaching out to your FedEx representative in order to ensure that all information is filled out and filed correctly.

FedEx - Active Service Disruptions: Middle East Service Update

We continue to evaluate the situation in the Middle East. FedEx has resumed pickup and delivery services across the Middle East, where it is safe to do so and in line with local guidance. Customers shipping to or from the region may experience extended transit times.

The safety and security of our team members is our top priority, alongside our commitment to providing the best possible service for our customers. We are closely monitoring the situation and operating according to guidance from local authorities.

For the latest shipment status information, track your shipment at fedex.com. Please continue to check this page for updates.

Consistent with the provisions of the FedEx Service Guide, affected shipments are not eligible for a refund or credit under the Money-Back Guarantee policy.

Last updated March 4, 2026.

Russia and Belarus Service Suspension

All Russian and Belarusian FedEx International services continue to be suspended until further notice.

Initially reported February 24, 2022; Last confirmed January 26, 2026.

Fill Out the Customs Information

1. Select the international order you wish to ship. Then, click on the Home tab then on the Ship Orders button.

Select an international order. Then click the Home tab then the Ship Orders button.

2. Select the Customs tab located at the top-center of the Ship Orders screen.

The General Section

general section on customs tab in ship orders

Value: - By default, this field will be populated with the sum of the line item values of the selected order.
- You can manually update this field.
- Changing the Value of any items declared in the Contents section of the Customs tab will automatically be reflected in this field. (We will take a look at this in a moment.)
Contents: Documents only - Check this field if the shipment contains only documents.
Recipient Tax ID: and TIN Type - Learn more about Tax Identification Numbers, VAT, and IOSS
Admissibility Packaging: When required, you can select the type of packaging be used for this shipment. By default, Box is selected.

The Contents Section

The Contents Section is used to declare the contents of the international shipment. By default, ShipWorks will populate the fields in this section from the line item(s) information of the order. You have the ability to modify line items, add items or to remove items from the Contents section.

contents section customs tab ship orders

Modifying a Declared Item

1. Select the item for which you wish to modify the information.

2. Update the appropriate fields.

Add a Declared Item

1. Click the Add button.

2. Enter the appropriate information into the appropriate fields.

Declaring an additional item on the Customs tab only adds the item to the Customs Declaration information and does not add the item to the order.

Delete a Declared Item

1. Select the item you wish to delete.

2. Click the Delete button.

3. Click OK.

Regarding the Contents Section

1. The dollar amount entered into the Value: fields for each declared item will be summed and updated in the Value: field of the General section of the Customs tab.

For Example: You have declared that there are two T-shirts valued at $10 each and one Hat valued at $10.00. The Value: field in the General section will automatically show $30. (2 T-shirts at $10 plus 1 Hat at $10 = $30)

2. The weight of all declared items will be summed and updated in the Weight: field of the Shipment Details section of the Service tab.

For Example: You have declared that there are two T-shirts weighing 1 pound each and one Hat weighing .5 pound. The Weight: field in the Shipment Details section will automatically show 2.5 pounds.

weight shipment details fedex international

Electronic Trade Documents and Commercial Invoices

Electronic Trade Documents (ETD)

FedEx will automatically file the appropriate electronic trade documents with countries that support it.

FedEx international shipping labels will print with ETD printed near the bottom of the label for any shipments for which electronic documents were submitted successfully.

Commercial Invoices

Shipments going to countries that do not support filing trade documents electronically will require the appropriate number of copies of the commercial invoice to be printed and included with your shipments.

By default, when you add your FedEx account to ShipWorks, ShipWorks is configured to automatically print 3 copies of the commercial invoice for all international shipments. Verify that your printing rules are configured to print commercial invoices by reviewing this article.

Still Need Help?

Please feel free to reach out to one of our awesome Technical Support Representatives in St. Louis. We are happy to help.

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