In today’s fast-moving e-commerce world, customers expect their orders to arrive quickly, sometimes as soon as the next day. When speed is the priority, FedEx Overnight Shipping stands out as one of the best options for getting orders to customers in just a day.
For WooCommerce merchants, understanding FedEx Overnight services and costs helps with smarter planning and happier customers. This guide explains the different Overnight services, estimated charges, and practical tips to reduce shipping costs.
In This Article
- Overview of FedEx Overnight Shipping Services
- How Each FedEx Overnight Service Works
- FedEx Overnight Shipping Charges
- FedEx Overnight Shipping Cost
- Ways to Reduce FedEx Overnight Shipping Costs
- FedEx One Rate Prices by Zone and Package Type
- FedEx Overnight Shipping in WooCommerce
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Overview of FedEx Overnight Shipping Services
With multiple service levels tailored to different timelines and budgets, FedEx shipping ensures that urgent shipments reach their destination exactly when needed. FedEx Overnight is a family of expedited services designed to deliver packages within one business day across the U.S. Whether it’s a last-minute contract, medical equipment, or perishable goods, these services are ideal for time-sensitive deliveries.
Types of FedEx Overnight Services
FedEx offers three key overnight shipping options:
1. FedEx First Overnight
FedEx First Overnight is the fastest overnight shipping option offered by FedEx. It’s ideal for businesses that require deliveries at the very start of the next business day.
Best suited for: Hospitals, labs, legal firms, and government agencies, any business handling critical or time-sensitive documents or specimens.
2. FedEx Priority Overnight
FedEx Priority Overnight is the most commonly used overnight service that balances speed and affordability. It’s popular among WooCommerce sellers offering express delivery for customer satisfaction
Best suited for: eCommerce businesses, corporate offices, and service providers who need packages to arrive early in the day but not urgently.
3. FedEx Standard Overnight
FedEx Standard Overnight service is designed for next-business-day delivery without the need for early drop-offs. It’s the most economical option among the three, ideal for ensuring reliable delivery while managing shipping costs.
Best suited for: Online retailers, small businesses, or companies shipping non-urgent items like office supplies or product samples.
How Each FedEx Overnight Service Works
Depending on how early the delivery is needed, FedEx offers three main services, each with different delivery timelines, cutoff rules, and behavior based on the recipient’s address type. Here’s a breakdown of how each one works.
1. First Overnight
Delivery and Pickup: FedEx First Overnight is the fastest option, delivering packages by 8:00 AM or 8:30 AM in most U.S. areas and by 9:00 AM in extended zones. To ensure timely delivery, packages must be picked up or dropped off before the local FedEx cutoff time, usually between 4:30 PM and 7:00 PM.
Residential vs Commercial Deliveries: Commercial addresses are prioritized for early deliveries. First Overnight is often used for time-sensitive business shipments, and while it supports residential delivery, it’s less common due to the early timing.
2. FedEx Priority Overnight
Delivery and Pickup: Packages arrive by 10:30 AM to most commercial addresses, by noon in rural areas, and by 4:30 PM to residential addresses. As with other services, shipments must be ready before the FedEx cutoff time.
Residential vs Commercial Deliveries: Commercial deliveries are completed earlier in the day, while residential addresses are typically handled later, up to 4:30 PM. This helps FedEx streamline routes.
3. FedEx Standard Overnight
Delivery and Pickup: Standard Overnight delivers by 5:00 PM to business addresses and up to 8:00 PM to residential locations. Cutoff times vary by location but generally fall between 4:30 PM and 7:00 PM.
Residential vs Commercial Deliveries: Commercial deliveries are fulfilled earlier, and residential shipments can arrive as late as 8:00 PM.
FedEx Overnight Shipping Charges
Factors Affecting Shipping Cost:
When using FedEx Overnight services, the shipping cost is determined by several key factors.
The Delivery Time You Choose
- The earlier the delivery, the higher the cost.
- For example:
- FedEx Standard Overnight (afternoon delivery) is more affordable than
- FedEx Priority Overnight (morning delivery), which is cheaper than
- FedEx First Overnight (early morning delivery).
Distance to the Delivery Address (Shipping Zones)
FedEx prices are based on shipping zones that spread out from the origin location like a bullseye.
Fewer zones = lower cost.
- Zone 1 (0–150 miles): Less expensive
- Zone 2 (150–300 miles): More expensive
Package Weight, Size & Type
- FedEx uses dimensional weight (dim weight) or actual weight, whichever is higher.
- Dim weight = how much space the package takes up in relation to its actual weight.
- Heavier, bulkier packages cost more.
- Exceptions:
- Dim weight is not applied to FedEx Envelopes, Paks, or FedEx branded Boxes and Tubes.
- FedEx Boxes have a minimum billable weight of 2 lbs
- FedEx Tubes: Minimum billable weight of 9 lbs
Packaging Used
- FedEx packaging is free when using overnight services.
- Choose from 12 white packaging options—envelopes, paks, boxes, tubes (various sizes).
- You can also use your packaging.
FedEx Overnight Shipping Cost:
As FedEx overnight shipping services are premium options designed for urgent deliveries, and as such, they typically come at a higher cost compared to standard shipping methods.
Below is a quick summary of shipping costs for up to 50 lb packages, depending on the zone and service selected:
| Service | Zone 2 (0–150 mi) | Zone 3–4 (151–600 mi) | Zone 5–8 (601+ mi) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight up to 50lb | Weight up to 50lb | Weight up to 50lb | |
| FedEx First Overnight | $65.71 – $189.62 | $72.68 – $449.41 | $87.22 – $569.55 |
| FedEx Priority Overnight | $34.71 – $158.62 | $41.68 – $418.41 | $56.22 – $538.55 |
| FedEx Standard Overnight | $33.30 – $149.32 | $40.44 – $400.14 | $53.51 – $521.40 |
- Local Zone (0–150 miles): Shipments moving generally 0–150 miles from origin to destination anywhere in the contiguous U.S.
- Regional Zone (151–600 miles): Shipments moving generally 151–600 miles from origin to destination anywhere in the contiguous U.S.
- National Zone (601+ miles): Shipments moving generally 601 miles or more from origin to destination anywhere in the contiguous U.S., including shipments between the contiguous U.S. and Alaska or Hawaii.
Ways to Reduce FedEx Overnight Shipping Costs:
- Create a FedEx Account – Gain access to discounted rates and shipping tools.
- Use FedEx Packaging – It’s free with expedited (overnight) services—no extra charge for boxes, envelopes, or tubes.
- Enable Multiweight Pricing – If you’re shipping multiple packages to the same address, FedEx can consolidate them and charge less by treating them as one shipment.
- Use FedEx One Rate – A flat-rate option that simplifies pricing—no need to weigh or measure as long as it fits the packaging.
Now let’s take a closer look at how FedEx One Rate works and how it can help you save more on overnight shipping.
FedEx One Rate Prices by Zone and Package Type
| Packaging Type | Zone 2 | Zone 3–4 | Zone 5–8 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Std | Priority | First overnight | Std | Priority | First overnight | Std | Priority | First overnight | |
| FedEx Envelope | 35.20 | 43.65 | 97.65 | 37.35 | 58.30 | 112.30 | 49.95 | 72.35 | 126.35 |
| FedEx Pak | 44.95 | 53.25 | 107.25 | 63.45 | 87.40 | 141.40 | 82.05 | 116.85 | 170.85 |
| FedEx Small Box | 48.30 | 54.25 | 108.25 | 69.25 | 95.20 | 149.20 | 91.45 | 130.80 | 184.80 |
| FedEx Medium Box | 52.40 | 62.60 | 116.60 | 73.10 | 108.45 | 162.45 | 95.10 | 147.95 | 201.95 |
| FedEx Large Box | 63.20 | 69.75 | 123.75 | 88.00 | 123.15 | 177.15 | 131.85 | 170.35 | 224.35 |
| FedEx Extra Lg Box | 71.75 | 82.90 | 136.90 | 119.20 | 161.15 | 215.15 | 183.15 | 236.55 | 290.55 |
| FedEx Tube | 71.75 | 82.90 | 136.90 | 119.20 | 161.15 | 215.15 | 183.15 | 236.55 | 290.55 |
For more details, please refer to the FedEx One Rate page.
FedEx Overnight Shipping in WooCommerce
The WooCommerce FedEx Shipping Plugin makes it easy to offer FedEx Overnight services directly from your store, helping merchants streamline their next-day delivery process.
To get started with the FedEx plugin in your WooCommerce store, visit the following link for a detailed guide: PluginHive FedEx Shipping Guide for WooCommerce. .
All you need to do is enable FedEx First Overnight, Priority Overnight, or Standard Overnight services in the plugin’s settings.
Once configured, the live overnight shipping rates will automatically appear at the cart page based on the customer’s location.
This plugin also allows you to print FedEx Overnight shipping labels instantly from your WooCommerce orders.
You can schedule FedEx pickups directly from your WooCommerce dashboard, quickly, easily, and hassle-free.
Learn how to track and schedule pickups effortlessly: WooCommerce FedEx Shipment Tracking & Pickup Guide
Conclusion
FedEx Overnight Shipping is a powerful solution for WooCommerce merchants who need to fulfill urgent deliveries across the U.S. Understanding how each service works and what factors influence the cost helps you make informed decisions while keeping customers satisfied. With the PluginHive WooCommerce FedEx Shipping Plugin, you can simplify the entire process.
If you need any assistance with setting up the FedEx shipping plugin for your store, feel free to contact PluginHive’s support team.
FAQs
- Does FedEx offer overnight delivery on Saturdays?
Yes, FedEx offers overnight delivery on Saturdays through its First Overnight and Priority Overnight services. Delivery times vary by location, with early morning options for First Overnight and midday to late afternoon for Priority Overnight. Just make sure to select Saturday delivery when shipping.
- Does FedEx ship food overnight?
Yes, FedEx ships food overnight using services like First Overnight, Priority Overnight, Standard Overnight, or 1Day Freight. It’s best to pack perishables to withstand up to 30 hours of transit time for maximum freshness.
- What’s the difference between FedEx Standard Overnight and Priority Overnight?
FedEx Priority Overnight delivers earlier in the day—typically by 10:30 a.m. to most businesses and by noon to residences. Standard Overnight delivers later, usually by 5 p.m. to businesses and by 8 p.m. to residential addresses. The main difference lies in how early the package reaches the recipient.
- What if FedEx Priority Overnight is late?
If your Priority Overnight package isn’t delivered on time, you may be eligible for a refund under the FedEx Money-Back Guarantee, as per their Express Terms and Conditions.
