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FedEx has changed their account credentials system, which may affect how you use your account with Intuitive Shipping.
In 2024, FedEx discontinued XML account credentials and introduced an OAuth credential system.
If you have an existing FedEx account with an XML key, you can create a parcel service shipping method in Intuitive Shipping with your legacy account credentials, which include:
- Authentication key
- API password
- Account number
- Meter number
Your legacy credentials can be added by following the steps in Connect FedEx Account Using Legacy Account Credentials, however we stronly recommend migrating to the new OAuth system, as we plan to end support for legacy accounts in the near future.
When adding your legacy account credentials to Intuitive Shipping, you must select the ‘FedEx Legacy’ account type.
Learn more about how to create a parcel service shipping method.
If you do not have a legacy FedEx account or existing XML key, you must create your account credentials using the OAuth method, which include:
- API key
- Secret key
- Account number
Your OAuth credentials can be added by following the steps in Connect FedEx Account Using OAuth Account Credentials.
When adding your OAuth credentials to Intuitive Shipping, you must select the ‘FedEx OAuth’ service type.
If you require assistance adding your FedEx OAuth account settings to Intuitive Shipping or configuring your FedEx OAuth shipping method, please contact us.
Connect FedEx Account Using OAuth Account Credentials
This guide shows you how to link your newer FedEx OAuth account credentials to Intuitive Shipping. If you’re still using legacy XML account credentials, refer to the guide Connect FedEx Account Using Legacy Account Credentials.
Learn how to connect to other carriers.
If you have an account with FedEx, you can connect it to Intuitive Shipping using OAuth account credentials. Once connected, FedEx will be available when creating a parcel service shipping method, and these credentials are required to use FedEx as a carrier service with Intuitive Shipping.
If you don’t connect your FedEx OAuth credentials here, you can still add them directly when setting up a shipping method.
After your credentials are saved in Intuitive Shipping, they’ll be used automatically each time you add the same carrier account to a new shipping method.
Add FedEx OAuth To Carrier Accounts List
FedEx OAuth account credentials are required to complete this setup. If you don't have FedEx OAuth credentials, including an API Key and Secret Key, learn how to get them here.
1. Click Settings on the sidebar menu, then select Carrier accounts from the drop-down list.
2. Click Add carrier account.
3. Click the drop-down arrow next to Parcel services.
4. Select FedEx OAuth from the list.
5. Click the Configure account button.
Carrier Account Settings
1. Enter a Carrier account title, such as ‘FedEx’ or ‘FedEx OAuth’.
Carrier account titles are not visible to customers.
FedEx OAuth Account
1. Enter your API Key.
2. Enter your Secret key. Secret keys are hidden and are not displayed within Intuitive Shipping, nor are they displayed within your FedEx API Project (where the key was created) once generated. If you delete or lose your secret key, you will need to generate a new one from the API project and paste it into the ‘Client secret’ field.
3. Enter your Account number.
4. Click the Save button to save your FedEx OAuth account.
Connect FedEx Account Using Legacy Account Credentials
This guide shows you how to link your legacy FedEx account credentials to Intuitive Shipping. If you have newer OAuth account credentials, refer to the guide Connect FedEx Account Using OAuth Account Credentials.
Learn how to connect to other carriers.
If you have an account with FedEx, you can connect it to Intuitive Shipping using Legacy account credentials. Once connected, FedEx will be available when creating a parcel service shipping method.
You don’t need FedEx Legacy credentials to use FedEx rates. When creating a parcel service shipping method, choosing the ‘FedEx Legacy’ service type lets you access standard FedEx rates without an account.
If you don’t connect your FedEx Legacy credentials here, you can still add them directly when setting up a shipping method.
After your credentials are saved in Intuitive Shipping, they’ll be used automatically each time you add the same carrier account to a new shipping method.
We strongly recommend migrating to the new OAuth system, as we plan to end support for legacy accounts in the near future.
Add FedEx Legacy To Carrier Accounts List
FedEx Legacy account credentials are required to complete this setup. If you don't have legacy credentials, FedEx no longer provides these. You will need to create new FedEx OAuth Credentials and connect your account using this method.
1. Click Settings on the sidebar menu, then select Carrier accounts from the drop-down list.
2. Click Add carrier account.
3. Click the drop-down arrow next to Parcel services.
4. Select FedEx Legacy from the list.
5. Click the Configure account button.
Carrier Account Settings
1. Enter a Carrier account title, such as ‘FedEx’ or ‘FedEx Legacy’.
Carrier account titles are not visible to customers.
FedEx Legacy Account
1. Enter your Authentication key ID.
2. Enter your API password.
3. Enter your Account number.
4. Enter your Meter number.
5. Click the Save button to save your FedEx Legacy XML account.
Create A FedEx Account
If you don’t have a FedEx account, you can easily create one following the steps below. Please contact FedEx directly if you have technical issues while creating your account.
1. In a new browser tab, go to the Fedex website.
FedEx periodically updates their website. The screenshots below are provided for visual reference and may differ from your experience.
2. Click Sign Up or Log In on the main menu bar.
3. Click Open An Account on the drop-down menu.
4. Click the Open An Account (or Start Saving) button.
5. Create a User ID for your account by adding an email address, creating a password and clicking the Create Login button.
6. FedEx gives you the option you create a custom user ID if you want to apply a unique username to the account other than the email address. If desired, check the box beside Create a custom user ID to log in, then enter your custom user ID in the field below. This is not required to complete your account setup.
7. Enter your contact details.
8. Check the box confirming you understand and agree to FedEx’s Terms of Use and Security & Privacy, then click the Continue button.
9. Select the business account type, then enter your business name in the field below.
10. Click the Continue button
11. Add your billing information to complete your account setup.
Create OAuth Account Credentials
FedEx no longer provides account credentials with an XML key. To generate new OAuth account credentials:
1. Open a new browser tab, then go to the FedEx Developer Portal.
2. Click the Sign up button or select Sign Up or Log In from the sidebar menu.
3. For new accounts, create a User ID for your account by adding an email address, creating a password and clicking the Create Login button. If you have an existing FedEx account or have access to your company’s existing user ID credentials, you can use those account credentials to log in instead of creating a new user ID.
If you have existing account login credentials, log into your FedEx account and skip ahead to create a project.
4. FedEx gives you the option you create a custom user ID if you want to apply a unique username to the account other than the email address. If desired, check the box beside Create a custom user ID to log in, then enter your custom user ID in the field below. This is not required to complete your user ID setup.
5. Enter your contact details.
6. Check the box confirming you understand and agree to FedEx’s Terms of Use and Security & Privacy, then click the Continue button.
7. If prompted, create an organization. Your user ID must be linked to an organization before you can create a project and use FedEx API account credentials with Intuitive Shipping.
When creating an organization:
- Select ‘Ships with FedEx and needs to integrate FedEx APIs into their system‘ when prompted
- Complete the Company Info form
- Use a unique organization name (cannot be the same as anyone else with a developer account)
8. After creating a new organization - or, if an organization has already been created, click My projects on the sidebar menu.
9. Click the Create API Project button.
10. When prompted, select ‘Ships with FedEx and is using a third-party software solution that has requested API keys’ (the second option), then click the Next button.
11. Complete the third-party solution information:
- Third-Party Company: Intuitive Shipping
- Third-Party Product: Intuitive Shipping
- Third-Party Product Website: www.intuitiveshipping.com
12. Select Ship, Rate & other APIs.
13. Once selected, scroll down the page until you see 3 columns of API check boxes.
14. Check the box beside Address Validation API.
Address validation is currently not supported by Intuitive Shipping, but is planned for a future update. Select this API now to ensure it functions as expected once the feature is available.
15. If you are using FedEx Freight LTL service, check the box beside FedEx Freight LTL API.
FedEx Freight LTL API is not required if you do not use this service.
16. Check the box beside Rates and Transit Times API.
17. Review the Rate limits disclaimer. When finished, click the Next button.
18. Rename your project something easily identifiable, like ‘Intuitive Shipping’.
19. Select applicable countries and answer the listed questions.
20. Click the Next button.
21. Review the project details, then accept the terms and click the Create button.
22. When prompted, click the Okay button.
23. On the API Project Overview page, click the Production Key tab.
Intuitive Shipping cannot return rates from your FedEx OAuth account without a production key. Test keys will not work.
24. Enter ‘Intuitive Shipping’ as the key name.
25. Select an account, then click the Next button.
26. Open Intuitive Shipping in a new browser tab. Leave the tab with FedEx production keys open and easily accessible. Do not click ‘Done’ until you have copied the key values into Intuitive Shipping.
27. Follow the steps to Connect FedEx Account Using OAuth Account Credentials until you reach the first step in the FedEx OAuth Account section.
28. At Step 1 - Enter your Client ID (API Key), return to the browser tab with the production keys. Click the Copy icon next to the API key, then paste the key in the ‘Client ID’ field in Intuitive Shipping.
29. At the Step 2 - Enter your Client Secret (Secret Key), return to the browser tab with the production keys. Click the Copy icon next to the Secret key, then paste the key in the ‘Client Secret’ field in Intuitive Shipping.
FedEx only displays the Secret key once - at this step. After you click the ‘Done’ button, you will be unable to retreive your Secret key. If you lose your key, you will need to generate a new one.
30. Only after you have successfully added your API key (Client ID) and Secret key (Client secret) to Intuitive Shipping, click the Done button. After this step, you will no longer have visibility of your Secret key.
Restrictions
Each carrier has restrictions that may limit your shipping capabilities or prevent you from making certain shipments. Here are some restrictions to be aware of when using FedEx.
- Originating address - Not all FedEx services are available in every country. To see which domestic services are available in your country, visit your regional FedEx website or go here to select your country.
- Restrictions by country - Each country you ship to may have its own trade and import restrictions. Not all FedEx delivery services are available to all countries. Learn more about restrictions for specific countries here.
- Prohibited items - Certain goods, including items considered to be illegal or dangerous, may not be shipped by FedEx under any circumstances. Learn more about restricted items here.
- Controlled items - Items such as tobacco and vaping products, plants and animals, and dangerous goods may be shipped if they meet certain criteria. Other items such as pharmaceuticals may be shipped by FedEx under strict regulations in some areas and prohibited in others. Learn more about restricted items here.
- Packaging restrictions - Some products can only be shipped if they comply with certain packaging standards. Learn more about FedEx packaging requirements or obtain guidance for packaging your items here.
- International restrictions - Customs and international laws may limit what you ship, how you ship it, and how it can be returned to you. You may also require additional information, such as Harmonization codes, documentation and fees to complete your shipment. Learn more about shipping internationally with FedEx here.
- Size & weight restrictions - All packages shipped by FedEx within the US must not exceed a length of 108 inches (9 feet/ 274 cm), a length + girth of 165 inches (13.5 feet/ 419 cm), or a weight of 150 lbs (68 kg). Any package exceeding 75 lbs (34 kg) must have a 'Heavy' sticker applied. Shipments outside of North America may be subject to dimension and weight restrictions of the origin or destination country. Certain delivery services may have size limitations. Packages exceeding 150 lbs may be suitable for FedEx Freight.
FedEx Freight is independent of FedEx and requires a separate account number. Connect your FedEx Freight account and create a freight service shipping method.
For more information about FedEx restrictions, please visit FedEx or contact your local FedEx representative.
Troubleshooting
In certain situations, rates from FedEx may not appear at checkout, or they might not be displayed as expected. You may be able to determine why rates aren’t being displayed correctly by reviewing the rate calculation Activity.
1. Click Activity on the main menu.
2. Select ‘Unsuccessful requests only‘ from the Filter by request status drop-down list. This will list only Activities where rates were not returned.
Warnings & errors are not displayed as a result of missing information, such as missing customer address information, or an invalid request, such as Status (visibility) turned off or Shopify Carrier-calculated Rates not enabled.
5. Review the warnings for FedEx delivery services.
Here are some of the most common reasons why carrier rates don't appear at checkout:
Sandbox Mode
While you're in Sandbox mode, rates will only appear at checkout when you use ‘Intuitive’ on the checkout page, even when the Scenario status is set to ‘On’. To make your rates visible to customers, you will need to select a billing plan to activate your free trial.
To test rates in Sandbox mode
- For Shopify - enter ‘Intuitive’ as either the customer’s first or last name at checkout
- For BigCommerce or Shopify B2B - enter ‘Intuitive’ in the optional address field for ‘Apartment/ Suite/ Building’ at checkout.
Scenario Status
If rates are not appearing with an active billing plan, it may be because the Scenario status is set to 'Off' (not visible to anyone) or 'Test' (only visible when using ‘Intuitive’ on the checkout page).
Shipping Method Status
If rates are not appearing with an active billing plan, it may be because the shipping method Status is set to 'Off' (not visible to anyone) or 'Test' (only visible when using ‘Intuitive’ on the checkout page).
Carrier-calculated Rates
If you're using Shopify, their third-party carrier service feature must be enabled on your Shopify account to use any third-party shipping rate calculator app, including Intuitive Shipping.
Double-check that you have entered the correct API key, Secret key, and account number, and that there are no spaces or extra or missing characters.
Packages
Rates may not appear if a suitable package size is uavailable in your parcel service shipping method. If the correct package size is missing or set to 'Off', the next largest package will be used. If the next package size exceeds the carrier's size limits, no rate will be returned.
If a suitable package isn't found, Intuitive Shipping will attempt to create a custom package using the product dimensions. If that custom package also exceeds the carrier limits, no rate will be returned.
To prevent this, make sure the packages in your shipping method are properly set up to fit your products and that they meet the carrier's size requirements.
Delivery Services
Some carrier delivery services may be unavailable due to restrictions such as shipment size, weight, or the customer’s address. If some FedEx rates appear but others do not, or if another carrier returns rates while FedEx does not, the issue is likely related to service limitations.
Check that the selected services are compatible with the shipping address. For example, domestic-only services will not return rates for international addresses.
If some rates were returned and others were not, review the Notifications for any messages related to the carrier.
Product Dimensions & SmartBoxing
If you’re using SmartBoxing, volume-based shipping, products must have dimensions set in Intuitive Shipping (Shopify only). Dimensions are required for SmartBoxing and volume-based packing to pack the order. If any product is missing dimensions, the packing process will fail, no package info will be sent to the carrier, and no rates will be returned. If you're using dimension-based conditions, missing dimensions will cause the Scenario conditions to fail.
Learn more about how to use SmartBoxing.
Syncing
While you’re in Sandbox mode, any product changes must be manually synced with Intuitive Shipping. Once you activate a billing plan, syncing happens automatically. However, if many changes are made in a short period of time, such as adding or editing several products, auto-syncing may not finish completely. If required product details are missing, the calculation will fail and package information cannot be sent to the carrier.
If you’re using the SmartBoxing packing algorithm, be sure all new products have dimensions added in Intuitive Shipping.
Cost Adjustments
If rates are showing but appear too high or too low, a cost adjustment may have been applied. Check the 'Cost adjustments' section (in Optional Settings) of your parcel service shipping method.
Contact Us
If rates aren't displaying as expected and you are unable to resolve the issue, please contact us. We’re here to help!