ACTION REQUIRED FOR EXISTING CONNECTIONS: As part of FedEx deprecating their XML implementation, customers need to go through a multi-factor authentication (MFA) flow to generate credentials for their new REST API before March 16, 2026, to continue using FedEx services. Please see the section below for instructions on upgrading your current connection(s).
FedEx provides a full suite of services, including ground, express, and freight options, for everything from a single envelope to large, palletized shipments. To help businesses efficiently manage this extensive range of offerings, ShipHero is a certified FedEx Compatible Solution. This integration allows companies to streamline their operations and use FedEx's powerful network directly from a single platform.
This article covers:
- How to Generate a FedEx Meter Number
- Connecting Your FedEx Account to ShipHero
- FedEx Account Settings
- FedEx Letterhead Requirement
- Upgrading Existing Connections
- FedEx MFA Methods Explained
How to Generate a Meter Number
To connect your FedEx carrier account to ShipHero, you must first create a FedEx account and generate a Meter Number. A FedEx meter number is a unique identification number that links your shipping account to online shipping tools and software.
Register for a FedEx meter number using the steps below:
- Log in to your FedEx account at the FedEx Developer Resource Center: https://www.fedex.com/us/developer
- You will need to click on the Move to Production link first, and then, on the left menu click on FedEx Web Services.
- Enter the required information in the FedEx registration form.
- Once you have completed the final step, your Meter Number will be provided.
FedEx Registration Form Answer Tips
Some of the questions on the FedEx registration form are aimed specifically at developers. Below are the typical answers required. If you have any questions or concerns about your FedEx account, always partner with your FedEx representative and their support teams.
Q: Do you intend to resell your software?
A: No
Q: Please check the box next to each type of FedEx web services you intend to use in your integration solution.
A: FedEx Web Services for Shipping (includes Rate, Track, etc.)
Q: Please indicate whether you are developing your FedEx integration solution as a Corporate Developer or as a Consultant.
A: Corporate Developer
Connecting Your FedEx Account
Before you can connect your FedEx account, you must have a meter number. If you don't have one, follow the instructions above, and then follow these steps to connect your account.
There is a two-part validation process when connecting FedEx to ShipHero: Address validation and MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication). The address information provided during the connection process must match the information found in the FedEx dashboard.
- Go to the Shipping > Carriers page and click Connect Carrier.
- Select FedEx from the dropdown menu.
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Enter the required information:
- Profile
- Warehouse
- FedEx Account Number
- FedEx Meter Number
- FedEx customer name
- Preferred MFA method
- Country code
- State/province code
- City, Postal code
- Address line 1
To find the required information: Login to your FedEx account and open the contact information page. - Click Connect.
- After selecting Connect, you will be directed to complete part two of FedEx's validation process based on the option selected in the MFA method field (more information below).
FedEx Account Settings
When you first connect your FedEx account, there are other configuration settings available. These can also be updated after the initial connection by selecting the Pencil Icon on the account line.
- Third Party Billing Number: Bill this account instead of the connected account. More information about setting up a third-party billing account is available here.
- Third Party Billing Number for Taxes and Duties: Charge taxes and duties to this account instead of the connected account.
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Payment Type: Who will be charged?
- Sender: The connected account or third-party account will be charged.
- Collect: The FedEx account associated with the business address the order is being shipped to will be charged. Visit the following article for more information on FedEx Ground Collect.
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USPS Endorsement for SmartPost (now FedEx Ground Economy): Provides the Postal Service with instructions on how to handle the package if it's undeliverable.
- Address Correction
- Carrier Leave if no Response
- Change Service
- Forwarding Service
- Return Service
Additional Settings after Connecting
After your FedEx account is connected, more settings are available to determine how you want to use your account or to enable different settings based on the orders you are processing. These include:
- Cut-Off Time: Determines the shipping date printed on the label. Once the cut-off time is reached, labels will be generated for the following day. The carrier's cut-off time generally coincides with your carrier pick-up times. Labels generated after pick-up don't ship that day, so you'd want the label to reflect the next shipping day accordingly.
- Label Date: When shipping with FedEx Express, the label must reflect the physical date it is handed off to the carrier. If you'd like to produce labels in advance and have a different date printed on the label, a setting in ShipHero will allow you to do this. More information about this setting can be found here: FedEx Express Advanced Label Ship Dates
- Hub ID: (Required for FedEx Ground Economy services) The number that corresponds with the nearest FedEx Ground Economy processing location to you. Contact your FedEx representative to confirm your Hub ID.
- Enable FedEx One Rate: Enable for FedEx One Rate shipping methods to show for your account. FedEx One Rate must be enabled by your FedEx account representative before you will be able to use these services. For more information about FedEx One Rate, visit our article: What is FedEx One Rate?
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Duty Payment: Determines how duties are charged for international shipments.
- Account (DDP - Delivery Duties Paid): The shipper will be charged duties associated with the shipment.
- Recipient (DDU - Delivery Duties Unpaid): The person receiving the package is responsible for paying the duties.
- Disable Quoting: Do not include this carrier as part of quoting or cheapest rate calculations.
- Backup Phone Number: If the order does not have a recipient phone number, use my phone number so FedEx does not throw an error.
- Sync TSCA Shipments: Sync documentation for shipments that contain toxic substances. If FedEx states they need to receive the appropriate documentation with shipments, check this box. This will generate the TSCA documentation for the current day's date and electronically send it to FedEx for shipments made through ShipHero.
FedEx Letterhead Requirement
The FedEx letterhead is an image that can be uploaded to FedEx and used on commercial invoices for international shipments. The letterhead appears on commercial invoices generated by FedEx for international shipments.
Enabling a FedEx letterhead is a two step process:
- Upload the Signature and letterhead to your FedEx account on their site.
- Contact ShipHero support to enable the letterhead setting for the connected FedEx account. Please note, this setting must be enabled separately for each profile the FedEx account is connected to in ShipHero that will be used to ship international shipments.
Upgrading Existing Connections
As part of FedEx deprecating their XML implementation, customers will have to go through a multi-factor authentication (MFA) flow to generate credentials for their new REST API before March 16, 2026 to continue using FedEx services. This must completed for every warehouse/profile connection for that FedEx account.
If you receive an error regarding the address on your account when trying to upgrade to the new MFA process please reach out to FedEx Support, they can assist with verifiying the address in their system.
Step-by-Step FedEx Upgrade Process
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Navigate to the Shipping > Carriers page and select the Upgrade MFA button next to the FedEx connection.
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In the pop-up module, input the required information, marked with an asterisk, and select your preferred MFA Method, explanations of each option listed below.
Required Information:
- FedEx customer name
- Country code
- State/province code
- City
- Postal code
- Address line 1
To find the required information: Login to your FedEx account and open the contact information page. Accept the FedEx EULA terms and conditions and select the Upgrade button. The MFA method selected will determine the finishing steps.
FedEx MFA Methods Explained
There are three FedEx MFA methods available when connecting your FedEx account to ShipHero:
A visual expmple of Fedex's MFA Process Flow for US and Canadian accounts can be found after the sections where these methods are defined.
PIN Validation
If the PIN validation MFA option is selected, you will need to select a method for receiving a PIN, and input the PIN once received. Once completed, click the Upgrade/Connect button again.
- Email: Sent to the email registered in the FedEx dashboard
- SMS: Sent to the phone number registered in the FedEx dashboard
- Call: Customers will receive a call to the phone number registered in the FedEx dashboard.
IMPORTANT NOTE: FedEx has a limit for unsuccessful PIN validation attempts, after which the account is locked for 24 hours.
Invoice Validation
If the Invoice validation MFA method is selected, you will need to provide information from a recent invoice (no older than 60 days). Then select the Upgrade/Connect button.
Required information:
- Invoice number
- Invoice currency
- Invoice amount
- Invoice date (YYYY-MM-DD)
Tech Support Call
If the Tech Support Call MFA method is selected, you will need to call FedEx's Tech Support Line (+1 877-339-2774) to receive clearance on FedEx's side to skip the MFA validation methods. After the call, repeat the address validation step and re-select the “Tech Support Call” MFA Method, and the connection will continue automatically when you select the Upgrade/Connect button.
FedEx's MFA Process Flow: US and Canada only
Important Reminders when Connecting a Carrier Account
- Using Custom Profiles: Custom profiles allow you to connect the same carrier account multiple times with unique settings, such as specific Incoterms or 3rd Party Billing. For these settings to apply, the order must be assigned to that specific profile. If the assigned profile lacks a connected carrier, ShipHero will automatically use the carrier account connected the warehouse’s default profile for the selected shipping method. This ensures your specialized billing and shipping terms are applied correctly to every label. Visit the following article for more information on How to Use Warehouse Profiles.
- Multi-Warehouse Accounts: To generate labels from multiple warehouses, you must connect your carrier account to each individual location in ShipHero to avoid shipping errors or billing discrepancies. Please consult your carrier to determine if a single account number supports multiple origins or if unique accounts are required for each site. This is especially critical for international locations, as carrier operations vary by country.
- Note for 3PLs: When connecting a new carrier account to ShipHero, double check your 3PL Clients' Settings to ensure you are connecting the carrier account to the correct ShipHero account; if Use Customer's Shipping Accounts is enabled the carrier account must be connected at the child account level, if Use Customer's Shipping Account is not enabled, the carrier account needs to be enabled at the 3PL level. More information about Managing 3PL Client Settings can be found here.