How to Ship With FedEx

Your package can be jetting across the country with just the click of a computer button

Since its founding in 1971 by entrepreneur Fred Smith, Federal Express has grown dramatically from a small company with 14 planes and fewer than 400 employees to a worldwide conglomerate. FedEx uses state-of-the art programs including a bar-code tracking service that gives customers detailed information about their shipments, and an on line tracking so that customers know where their packages are at all times. As a result, FedEx makes it simple to ship packages, find out where they are and confirm who has received them.

Things You'll Need

• Packing material
• Computer
• Pen
• Credit card

Instructions

1. Package up your shipment. FedEx provides free shipping materials, including boxes and envelopes, but will accept packages in alternative wrappings, such as brown paper or manila envelopes. Log on to fedex.com, and locate the nearest FedEx Office. There are over 1500 offices around the world.

2. Fill out the shipping form in pen. Fill in the left hand side of the form with information about the person receiving the package. Among other things, you will need to fill out the name of the company you are shipping the package to, as well as the name of the person who will be receiving it. If the package is going to a residence, no company name is necessary. You need to provide the address and telephone number of the person receiving the package.

3. Have your credit card available if you are paying for the package to be shipped. There is a box on the right hand side that offers three choices for billing including yourself, the recipient or a third party. If you are paying, use your credit card number for the account number. If the recipient or another party is paying, provide their account number, which must be exactly nine digits long or it is not an official FedEx number.

4. Select the delivery options that suit your needs, such as two-day delivery, or overnight service. There is a different price structure depending on the delivery service selected. If you want the package delivered on a Saturday, check the Saturday delivery box, but confirm with the sales agent that Saturday delivery is available in the destination zip code.

5. Present the package and the sales slip to the FedEx employee at the FedEx Office, and have her double check that all the appropriate information is provided. Confirm the cost of shipping your package. Be sure that you have clearly written your e-mail address on the shipping form, so that you can track your package from your computer.

References

• Michigan State University: How to Ship Using Fed Ex
• Fed Ex: Federal Express Shipping
• Fed Ex: FAQs

Resources

• Harvard University: Fed Ex