---
title: "FedEx Shipping"
description: "The FedEx Shipping plugin fetches live carrier rates from FedEx and presents them to customers at checkout."
url: "https://docs.j2commerce.com/v6/shipping-methods/shipping-fedex"
markdown_url: "https://docs.j2commerce.com/v6/shipping-methods/shipping-fedex.md"
last_updated: "2026-10-23T02:33:38+00:00"
version: "J2Commerce 6"
breadcrumbs:
  - title: "Home"
    url: "https://docs.j2commerce.com/"
  - title: "J2Commerce 6"
    url: "https://docs.j2commerce.com/v6"
  - title: "Shipping Methods"
    url: "https://docs.j2commerce.com/v6/shipping-methods"
  - title: "FedEx Shipping"
    url: "https://docs.j2commerce.com/v6/shipping-methods/shipping-fedex"
---

# FedEx Shipping

The FedEx Shipping plugin fetches live carrier rates from FedEx and presents them to customers at checkout. Rates are calculated in real time based on the customer's destination, your origin address, and the weight and dimensions of the items in the cart.

FedEx requires OAuth 2.0 credentials. You need a **Client ID**, **Client Secret**, and your **FedEx account number** from the FedEx Developer Portal.

## Prerequisites

- J2Commerce is installed and configured.
- At least one shipping zone is configured in **J2Commerce** -> **Shipping** -> **Shipping Methods**.
- Products must have weight values set. Dimensions are optional but improve box-packing accuracy.
- An active FedEx business account with REST API access.

## Requirements

- PHP 8.3+
- Joomla 6.x
- J2Commerce 6.x

## Getting Your FedEx API Credentials

FedEx uses OAuth 2.0 for all API access. You need a **Client ID** and **Client Secret** from the FedEx Developer Portal and your **FedEx account number**.

### Step 1: Create a FedEx Developer Account

1. Go to [developer.fedex.com](https://developer.fedex.com) and click **Log In** (or create an account if you do not have one).
2. Once logged in, navigate to **My Projects**.

### Step 2: Create a New Project

1. Click **Create API Project**.
2. Enter a **Project Name** — for example, `J2Commerce Shipping`.
3. Under **Select APIs**, choose **Rating** (required for rate quotes). You may also select **Ship** and **Track** for future use.
4. Select your FedEx account number to associate with the project.
5. Accept the terms and click **Create**.

### Step 3: Copy Your Credentials

After saving, FedEx displays your project credentials:

- **Client ID** — a long alphanumeric string.
- **Client Secret** — click the reveal icon to view it.

Copy both values. You will paste them into the plugin settings in the next section.

> **Warning:** Keep your Client Secret safe. Treat it like a password — do not share it publicly or commit it to version control.

### Step 4: Find Your FedEx Account Number

Your FedEx account number appears on your FedEx invoices and in your FedEx profile. To find it:

1. Log in to [fedex.com](https://www.fedex.com).
2. Go to your **Account Management** page.
3. Your account number is listed under **My Accounts** — it is a nine-digit numeric code.

## Purchase and Download

You can install this **Fedex** shipping plugin using the Joomla installer. The following steps help you with a successful installation.

**Step 1:** Go to our [**J2Commerce** website](https://www.j2commerce.com/extensions) **->** **Extensions -> Shipping Plugin**

**Step 2:** Locate the **FedEx** plugin **->** click **View Details** **->** **Add to cart -> Checkout**.

**Step 3:** Go to your **My Downloads** under your profile button at the top right corner and search for the app. Click **Available Versions -> View Files -> Download Now**

## Installation

This plugin is a separate add-on available from the [FedEx Shipping](https://www.j2commerce.com/extensions/shipping-plugins/fedex-shipping-advanced). It is not included with the core J2Commerce 6 component.

Purchase and download the `shipping_fedex.zip` package from the J2Commerce website.

Go to **System** -> **Install** -> **Extensions**.

Upload the `shipping_fedex.zip` package file.

![Install extensions](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/v4/assets/app%20install1%20%281%29%20%281%29.webp)

## Enable the Plugin

Once you have installed the extension, you will need to enable it. There are **two** ways you can access the extension.

**Option A:** Go to the **J2Commerce** icon at the top right corner **-> Setup -> Shipping Methods**

**Option B:** Go to **Components** on the left sidebar **-> J2Commerce -> Dashboard -> Setup -> Shipping Methods**

![shipping method](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/shipping-methods.webp)

Look for **Fedex** Shipping, click the **X,** and it will turn into a green checkmark. It is now enabled and ready for setup.

![Shipping Methods list searched for Fedex, with the FedEx Shipping plugin's enabled status check mark highlighted](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/fedex-enable.webp)

> **Info:** **NOTE**: Before you can start configuring the plugin, you will need your API Credentials from the **Fedex** website.

## Configuration Reference

> **Tip:** Click the **Toggle Inline Help** button in the plugin header to show field descriptions directly below each setting.

![FedEx plugin Shipping Settings tab with Toggle Inline Help highlighted and the Handling Cost help text shown (flat or percent handling fee added to each rate)](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/fedex-toggle.webp)

### Basic Tab

![Plugins: FedEx Shipping, Plugin tab highlighted: FedEx REST API description, Plugin Image logo-FEDEX.webp, Status Enabled, Access Public, Ordering Product View - Bootstrap 5](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/fedex-basic.webp)

**Display Name:** The name shown to customers at checkout. Defaults to "FedEx Shipping". Customize if needed, e.g., "FedEx International".

**Checkout Image:** Logo displayed at checkout next to this shipping option. The FedEx logo is pre-loaded. Upload a custom image if required.

### Origin Address Tab

![FedEx plugin Origin Address tab highlighted: Address Line 1 (hidden), Line 2, City, Zip/Postal Code, Origin Country United States, State/Province Tennessee](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/fedex-address.webp)

These fields tell FedEx where your shipments originate. The postal code is required; city and state improve rate accuracy.

**Address Line 1:** Street address of your warehouse or dispatch location.

**Address Line 2:** Optional second address line.

**City:** City of your shipping origin.

**Zip/Postal Code:** ZIP or postal code. Required for rate requests.

**Country:** Country where shipments originate. Defaults to United States.

**State/Province:** State or province. Populated from your country selection.

### API Credentials Tab

![FedEx plugin API Credentials tab highlighted: Test Mode Yes, with Sandbox API Key, Sandbox API Secret and Sandbox Account Number (values hidden)](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/fedex-api1.webp)

**Test Mode:** Enable to use the FedEx sandbox (testing) environment. Disable for live orders.

**API Key:** The Client ID from the FedEx Developer Portal.

**API Secret:** The Client Secret from the FedEx Developer Portal.

**FedEx Account Number:** Your nine-digit FedEx account number. Required for rate requests.

> **Info:** Sandbox credentials are separate from production credentials. Create a FedEx sandbox project at [developer.fedex.com](https://developer.fedex.com) if you want to test without generating real rate requests.

### Settings Tab

Handling

![FedEx plugin Shipping Settings, highlighted: Handling Cost 0, Handling Type Flat amount, Display Delivery Date Yes, OneRate note, Parcel Packing Method Pack Items Individually](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/fedex-shipping-handling1.webp)

**Handling Fee:** A fixed amount added to every FedEx rate. Set to `0` for no handling fee.

**Handling Type:** Apply the handling cost as a **flat amount** or as a **percentage of the FedEx rate.**

**Display Delivery Date:** Set to 'Yes' to show the estimated delivery date alongside the service name.

**Parcel Packing Method:**

- **Pack Items Individually** sends one FedEx rate request per cart item.
- **Box Packing** uses a 3D bin-packing algorithm to fit items into your configured boxes before requesting rates — gives more accurate rates for multi-item orders.
  - **Custom Box Sizes**

![FedEx plugin packing settings, highlighted: Parcel Packing Method Box Packing, empty Custom Boxes table, Load Common Boxes and Add Box buttons, Preview Packing button](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/fedex-packing.webp)

Visible when **Box Packing** is selected. Define the boxes available in your warehouse. For each box enter a name, length, width, and height. FedEx presets (Envelope, Pak, Box, Tube, 10 kg Box, 25 kg Box) are always available in addition to your custom boxes.

#### Pickup and Rates

![FedEx plugin service settings, highlighted: Enabled Services (Ground, 2 Day, Express Saver and more), Pickup Type, Packaging Type, OneRate Service, Rate Type, Account Type](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/fedex-shipping-services.webp)

**Enabled Services:** Select which FedEx services to show at checkout. Only services that FedEx returns as available for the specific shipment will appear. Select multiple services to offer customers a choice.

**Pickup Type:** How FedEx collects packages from you. **Contact FedEx to Schedule** is for on-demand pickup. **Drop Off at FedEx Location** means you bring packages to a FedEx location. **Use Scheduled Pickup** is for accounts with a regular pickup time.

**Packaging Type:** The FedEx packaging type code sent in rate requests. Use **Your Packaging** for your own boxes. Use a FedEx preset only if you exclusively use FedEx-supplied packaging.

**One Rate Service:** Optionally request a FedEx One Rate quote for a single service. One Rate is a flat-rate pricing program available for select services. Leave as **None** to use standard pricing.

**Rate Type:** Select which rate types to request from FedEx: **List** (public rates), **Account** (your negotiated account rates), or **Incentive** (promotional rates). Select multiple to include all applicable types.

**Account Type:** Whether FedEx rates are shown **Per Package** or as a **Shipment Total**.

#### Units and Tax

![FedEx plugin unit settings, highlighted: Weight Unit Pound, Length Unit Inch, and Tax Class None](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/fedex-shipping-weight1.webp)

**Weight Unit:** Weight unit your products use. Must match the unit set on your products in J2Commerce.

**Length Unit:** Dimension unit your products use. Must match the unit set on your products.

**Tax Profile:** Apply a tax profile to FedEx shipping costs. Select **None** for no shipping tax.

#### Restrictions and Display

![FedEx plugin restriction and display settings, highlighted: Geo Zone All Geo Zones, Sort Rates By Do Not Sort, Residential Address Yes, Delivery Time Limit 0, Debug Mode Never](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/fedex-geozone.webp)

**Geozone Restriction:** Restrict FedEx to customers in a specific geozone. Leave as **All Zones** to show FedEx rates to all customers.

**Sort Rates By:** Order the FedEx options shown at checkout: **None** (FedEx API order), **Price Ascending**, or **Price Descending**.

**Residential Address:** Set to **Yes** if your typical delivery destination is a residential address. FedEx applies a residential surcharge.

**Delivery Time Limit (max days):** Maximum estimated transit days to allow. Rates with longer estimated delivery are hidden. Set to `0` to show all.

**Debug Mode:** Write API requests and responses to `administrator/logs/shipping_fedex.php`. Disable in production.

## Frontend View

![Checkout Shipping Method list: Pickup $0.00 and FedEx Ground $16.20 selected with the FedEx logo and Delivery By June 8 estimate](https://docs.j2commerce.com/images/docs/shared/fedex-frontend.webp)

## FedEx Services Reference

The following services are supported. Select any combination in the **Enabled Services** field.

| Service | Description |
| --- | --- |
| FEDEX_GROUND | Standard ground delivery, domestic. |
| GROUND_HOME_DELIVERY | Ground delivery to residential addresses. |
| FEDEX_EXPRESS_SAVER | Three-business-day express, domestic. |
| FEDEX_2_DAY | Two-business-day express, domestic. |
| PRIORITY_OVERNIGHT | Next-business-day morning delivery. |
| STANDARD_OVERNIGHT | Next-business-day afternoon delivery. |
| FIRST_OVERNIGHT | Next-business-day early morning delivery. |
| FEDEX_1_DAY_FREIGHT | Overnight freight for heavier shipments. |
| FEDEX_2_DAY_FREIGHT | Two-day freight for heavier shipments. |
| FEDEX_3_DAY_FREIGHT | Three-day freight for heavier shipments. |
| FEDEX_FREIGHT | LTL freight, domestic. |
| FEDEX_NATIONAL_FREIGHT | LTL freight across the US. |
| INTERNATIONAL_ECONOMY | Economy international delivery. |
| INTERNATIONAL_PRIORITY | Express international delivery. |
| INTERNATIONAL_FIRST | First-flight-out international delivery. |
| INTERNATIONAL_ECONOMY_FREIGHT | Economy international freight. |
| INTERNATIONAL_PRIORITY_FREIGHT | Priority international freight. |
| INTERNATIONAL_GROUND | Ground-based cross-border delivery (US/CA/MX). |
| EUROPE_FIRST_INTERNATIONAL_PRIORITY | Early morning delivery within Europe. |
| SMART_POST | Economy parcel delivery via USPS final mile (US only). |

> **Tip:** Not all services are available for every origin-destination combination. FedEx returns only eligible services for each shipment, so customers will only ever see rates for services FedEx can actually fulfill.

## Tips

- **Test in sandbox first.** Enable **Test Mode** and **Debug Mode**, then place a test order to confirm rates appear before switching to production credentials.
- **Set weight on all products.** Products with no weight value will use the FedEx minimum, which may produce inaccurate rates. Set real weights on every product.
- **Use Box Packing for multi-item stores.** Pack Individually can overestimate costs when several small items would fit in one box. Box Packing gives FedEx the actual package dimensions.
- **Account rates require your account number.** If you have a FedEx account with negotiated discounts, enter your account number and select **Account** in the **Rate Type** field.
- **Restrict by geozone.** If you only ship to specific regions, create a geozone in **J2Commerce** -> **Shipping** -> **Geo Zones** and select it in the **Geozone Restriction** field. This prevents the plugin from requesting rates for unsupported destinations.
- **Residential vs commercial.** If most of your customers are consumers at home addresses, set **Residential Delivery** to **Yes** so the rate FedEx returns matches what you will actually be charged. Commercial addresses should use **No**.

## Troubleshooting

### No FedEx rates appear at checkout

**Cause:** Several issues can prevent rates from showing.

**Solution:**

1. Enable **Debug Mode** and place a test order. Check `administrator/logs/shipping_fedex.php` for error messages.
2. Confirm **Test Mode** matches the credentials you entered. Sandbox credentials do not work against the production endpoint and vice versa.
3. Verify your **Client ID** and **API Secret** are correct — copy them directly from the FedEx Developer Portal.
4. Make sure at least one **Enabled Service** is selected. If the field is empty, no rates will appear even if FedEx returns them.
5. Check that your **Zip/Postal Code** and **Country** are filled in on the **Origin Address** tab — both are required.
6. Confirm the products in the test cart have a weight set. FedEx rejects rate requests for zero-weight packages.

### FedEx returns a 401 authentication error

**Cause:** The Client ID or Client Secret is wrong, or the FedEx project does not include the Rating API.

**Solution:**

1. Log in to [developer.fedex.com](https://developer.fedex.com) and open your project.
2. Confirm the project includes the **Rating** API. If it does not, edit the project and add it.
3. Re-copy the Client ID and Client Secret — if you regenerated the secret, the old one is invalidated.
4. Paste the updated credentials into the plugin and save.

### Account rates are not showing

**Cause:** Account rates require a valid FedEx account number and the **Account** rate type selected.

**Solution:**

1. Confirm your **FedEx Account Number** is entered correctly.
2. Check that **Account** is selected in the **Rate Type** field.
3. Contact FedEx to verify that your account has negotiated rates activated.

### Box Packing produces unexpected package counts

**Cause:** Some items may be larger than all configured boxes and fall back to individual packing.

**Solution:**

1. Enable **Debug Mode** — the log reports when items cannot be packed and which fallback was used.
2. Add larger custom box sizes in the **Custom Box Sizes** field to accommodate oversized items.
3. For items that must never be combined, consider configuring them with their own shipping handling in J2Commerce.

### Transit times are not showing

**Cause:** The **Show Transit Time** setting is disabled, or FedEx did not return transit data for those service codes.

**Solution:**

1. Enable **Show Transit Time** on the **Settings** tab.
2. FedEx does not return transit data for all services or all routes. If times still do not appear after enabling this, the service code for that route does not include transit information in the FedEx API response.