Home Shipping Returns Tips and tools for FedEx Global Returns

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Tips and tools for FedEx^® Global Returns

International returns are easier than you think. Get the tools and answers you need to make easy returns.

Return Clearance Country/Territory Guide

Find country/territory customs requirements for imports and exports.

Get the Return Clearance Country/Territory Guide

Return from Canada to Non-U.S. Destinations

Valuable shipments require a B13A Export Declaration form.

Get the B13A Export Declaration form

International Shipping Guide

Get information on clearance, brokerage, packing, and more.

Learn more about international shipping

Letter of Authorization

Use this form to confirm that you’ve authorized the return shipper to bill FedEx Express^® shipments to your account.

Download the letter of authorization

Guide to Reasons for Return

Make sure your return shipments clear customs by providing the correct reason for return.

Guide to Reasons for Return

Make sure your return shipments clear customs by providing the correct reason for return.

View the returns guide

Terms and Conditions

See the country- and territory-specific terms and conditions for international returns.

See terms and conditions

Top Questions for International Returns

Original shipper questions

What is the cost of an international return label?

A return label surcharge will be applied once FedEx receives the return shipment. The cost is USD$0.50 per shipment* for a print return label or USD$1.00 for an email return label. If the return label isn’t used, no surcharge is applied.

Does FedEx offer returns from all countries and territories?

FedEx Global Returns is available anywhere FedEx currently offers automated outbound service, with the exception of U.S.-Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico-U.S., and intra-Puerto Rico return shipments. For these returns, please contact the U.S. Principal Party in Interest (USPPI) for assistance and requirements.

Can I choose FedEx Express international service for the outbound shipment and FedEx International Ground^® service for my return shipment?

Yes, print or email return labels are available for use by both FedEx Express international and FedEx International Ground shippers where these services are available. Alternative shipping options may also be chosen for both the outbound and return portion of a shipment. For example, outbound shipments to Canada can be sent via FedEx Express international service and the return can be sent via FedEx International Ground, and vice versa.

Can I save both the print return label and customs documents?

Yes, both the label and the international documents can be saved as a PDF and emailed to your customer from your email address.

Can I use FedEx for customs brokerage for international returns?

Yes, for FedEx Express international shipments, the brokerage service is automatically included. For FedEx International Ground shipments, a clearance entry fee will apply.

Can I use my own customs broker for global returns?

Yes, the FedEx International Broker Select^® option is available with the global print and email return labels.

Can I use FedEx^® Electronic Trade Documents for the return shipment?

No, electronic trade documents are not supported for international return shipments.

Can I use multiple-piece shipments for international returns?

No, multiple-piece shipments are not available with international returns. However, you do have the ability to print multiple identical labels and customs documents.

Are returns applicable for FedEx International Priority DirectDistribution^® shippers?

FedEx Global Returns is currently not available for this service at the moment.

What customs documents can be provided with a return shipment?

Commercial Invoice, Pro Forma, and up to five additional documents can be attached.

Should shipments include a Commercial Invoice?

Yes, all return shipments to another country or territory require a Commercial Invoice.

What are the Commercial Invoice requirements for global return shipments?

All international shipments, regardless of value, require a Commercial Invoice. The Commercial Invoice is the basic statement of the seller to the buyer for goods shipped. It is the main document used by customs officials for control, valuation, and duty determination. The Commercial Invoice must fully identify the shipment and serves as the basis in preparing all other documents covering your shipment.

You can learn more about Commercial Invoices and other customer documents in our International Shipping center. You can also get help with your international shipping paperwork with FedEx International Shipping Assist. It's a service that provides step-by-step guidance through the international shipping process. It includes finding your Harmonized System Code, estimating duties and taxes, and giving you blank copies of customs documentation.

If you're not sure whether you need a Commercial Invoice, go to Find International Documents on FedEx^® Global Trade Manager or call 1.800.463.3339 and say "international services."

Will I be able to use my discounts for my outbound international shipments with FedEx Global Returns?

Discounts vary on a case-by-case basis. Talk to your FedEx account representative to find specific information about your discounts.

Can FedEx Global Returns be used for imports to keep international companies from seeing my FedEx account number?

FedEx Global Returns should not be used for imports, since imports and returns require different types of clearance. You can talk to your FedEx account representative for additional information about importing goods.

Can intra-country/intra-territory return shipments outside the U.S. be billed to a U.S. account number?

Existing billing restrictions apply. Talk to your FedEx account representative for more information about your account.

Return shipper questions

I lost the return label and customs documents I was sent. What do I do?

A new label and the applicable customs documents can be created for you if you contact the seller that sent them to you. A single print return label and customs documents can be created and sent as a PDF file via email to you. Also, you can call the original shipper, who will process a request for FedEx to email a link with a single return label and customs documents for you to access. For FedEx email return labels, you can reprint the labels and customs documents up to five days after completing the label.

What should I do if what I need to return doesn't match the label and customs documents I was sent?

You should contact the party who sent the paperwork to you and request a new print return label or have them email you an editable return label and customs documents.

How do I get an international return shipment picked up?

Customers with global return shipments will have three options for pickups:

1. Call FedEx Customer Service and request a pickup for a return shipment.

FedEx Express international shipments: Pickups for returns can be scheduled using only a tracking number or with an account number.
FedEx International Ground shipments: Pickups for returns can be scheduled using an account number. (Usually, the original shipper’s account number is provided, but another account number can be used.)

2. Schedule a pickup online.

FedEx Express international shipments: Pickups for returns can be scheduled online if an account number is used at fedex.com/pickup.

FedEx International Ground shipments: Pickups for returns can be scheduled using an account number or a tracking ID number at fedex.com/pickup.

3. Include the return shipment in a regular scheduled pickup.

When returning shipments, can international customers without a FedEx account number call for a pickup?

Yes. The returning party needs only the tracking number from the return label when calling FedEx Customer Service to schedule a pickup and let them know that the shipment is an international return.

Can return shippers take returns to a FedEx location to print return labels and customs documents?

This service is not available with FedEx Global Returns. However, if the original shipper allows for it, labels and customs documents can be printed online.

How long will customs documents and shipment information be available online?

Up to two years, depending on the time frame provided by the original shipper.

Sustainable returns

Woman holding papers at a laptop with a FedEx box and a brown box with fabric and clothes are behind her.

Sustainability is a global concern. You may be able to lower your company's carbon footprint and help create a sustainable supply chain by considering:

Can your product be repaired or refurbished?
How do you handle product restocking and redeployment?
Are your goods and materials recyclable?
Do you use reusable, recyclable, and recycled-content packaging for shipping and returns? Both the FedEx^® Reusable Sturdy Pak and the Legal Size Reusable FedEx^® Envelope are designed to be used twice and make ideal options for return shipments.

Consider using FedEx Returns Technology to help green your company. It gives you the infrastructure to:

Remove unwanted, outdated, obsolete, recalled, and defective assets from the primary stream of commerce.
Move assets into alternative streams for disposal or reuse in a planned, affordable, and controllable way.
Extend the life of assets by remanufacturing, repairing, reselling, or recycling goods that flow through the return pipeline.

Learn more about what we do as a company to promote environmental sustainability.