Shipping internationally means you must have accurate and complete documentation. From ever-changing government regulations and treaty arrangements to customs issues delaying or preventing a shipment reaching its destination, there are a lot of variables in play and good documentation is one of your best defenses. To help you we compiled a list of links and forms in order to complete a proper International Air Waybill as well as a Commercial Invoice, two important documents for international packages. We also have these items in PDF format for your convenience.
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FedEx International Air Waybill
- Sender: include name, phone, your FedEx account number, and address
- Recipient: include name, phone, and address, and if applicable their tax / VAT or similar ID
- Shipment: be specific and detailed (the link below provides more details for each of the individual fields)
- Service: choose at your discretion; International Priority is the default if left blank
- Packaging: mark “other” if using your own
- Special Handling: choose special options as desired
- Payment: select and complete
- Internal Billing: for your own records, include your own invoice/shipping data; FedEx will carry over the first 24 characters to your FedEx invoice
- Signature
Note: FedEx® International Next Flight and FedEx International MailService® use their own special air waybills
UPS International Air Waybill
- Sender: include name, phone, your UPS account number, and address
- Recipient: include name, phone, and address, and if applicable their tax / VAT or similar ID
- Payment: select and complete
- Service: choose your desired service
- Shipment: be specific and detailed (the PDF below provides more details for each of the individual fields)
- Country of Origin: indicate where the goods were manufactured
- Signature & Date
Page 3 of this PDF gives full detail of the instructions.
FedEx Commercial Invoice
UPS requires a commercial invoice when using these services:
- FedEx International Priority®
- FedEx International Economy®
- FedEx® International Next Flight
- FedEx International First®
- FedEx Express® international (Canada)
- FedEx International Ground® (Canada)
- FedEx Express® international (Puerto Rico)
UPS Commercial Invoice
FedEx requires a commercial invoice when using these services:
- UPS Express Critical
- UPS Worldwide Express Plus
- UPS Worldwide Express
- UPS Worldwide Express Freight
- UPS Worldwide Saver
- UPS Worldwide Expedited
- UPS Standard
- UPS Worldwide Express NA1
- UPS 3 Day Select from Canada
FedEx Shipping Resources
You can order pre-printed air waybills online or by calling 1.800.GoFedEx 1.800.463.3339 (say “order shipping supplies”). In addition, you can prepare documents online using FedEx Ship Manager® at fedex.com. You can also prepare customs documentation using FedEx International Document Assistance®.
International Shipping – how it works and full details of services.
UPS Shipping Resources
The online MyUPS site can help determine which forms are required for a given shipment. Login, enter your start and destination countries in the “Forms for Export” box, and the proper forms will appear with the option to complete them online.
International Shipping How-To Guide
International Shipping Rates
Shipping internationally is expensive, there is no getting around this. Lowering your companies shipping costs through FedEx, UPS, USPS, or DHL is a consideration that should be evaluated every year. Rate rise each year, your company needs to stay informed. Contact Refund Retriever to evaluate your international shipping costs. In summary, our international shipping reports will reduce your logistics costs.
Refund Retriever is not affiliated with FedEx or UPS. The PDF files above are copyright FedEx and UPS and solely for your convenience.
