Shipping is one of the most crucial aspects of running an e-commerce business. High shipping costs can lead to cart abandonment and reduced conversions. To mitigate this, many online sellers turn to a carrier flat-rate shipping option. Among the most popular carriers offering such services is FedEx. FedEx flat-rate boxes are specially designed packaging options offered by FedEx that allow customers to ship items both domestically and internationally for a fixed, predetermined price, up to certain sizes and weights.
Article Contains:
- Types of FedEx Flat Rate Boxes
- Can You Use FedEx Flat Rate Boxes Directly with Shopify?
- FedEx Flat Rate Boxes through PH FedEx Ship, Rate, and Track
- Benefits and Limitations of FedEx Flat Rate Boxes
- Conclusion
- FAQ’s
Types of FedEx Flat Rate Boxes
FedEx offers a variety of flat-rate shipping options tailored to meet the needs of businesses and individuals looking for predictable pricing and convenience. Each packaging type is designed for specific contents and volume limits, making it easier to choose the right option based on what you’re shipping. Below is an overview of the available flat rate boxes for domestic shipments, including their dimensions, maximum volume, and ideal use cases.
Flat Rate Boxes for Domestic Shipments
1. FedEx Envelopes – Dimensions and Maximum Volume:
- Standard: 9-1/2″ x 12-1/2″
- Reusable Envelope: 9-1/2″ x 15-1/2″
- Padded Envelope: 9-3/4” x 11-1/2″
- Maximum Volume: 300 cubic inches
- Use Case: Ideal for documents, contracts, photos, and thin paper materials. Great for law firms, consultancies, and service-based businesses sending paperwork.
2. FedEx Pak – Dimensions and Maximum Volume:
- Standard: 10-1/4″ x 12-3/4″, 12″ x 15-1/2″
- Padded: 11-3/4″ x 14-3/4″
- Reusable Sturdy Pak: 10″ x 14‑1/2″
- Maximum Volume: 650 cubic inches
- Use Case: Suitable for apparel, soft goods, small accessories, and documents that can be folded and compressed. Ideal for e-commerce fashion brands and DTC retailers.
3. FedEx Tube – Dimensions and Maximum Volume:
- Size: 6″ x 6″ x 38″
- Maximum Volume: 2,200 cubic inches
- Use Case: Best for posters, blueprints, artwork, or rolled materials. Perfect for creative agencies, architects, or online art sellers.
4. FedEx Small Box – Dimensions and Maximum Volume:
- Sizes: 10-7/8″ x 1-1/2″ x 12-3/8″
8-3/4″ x 2-5/8″ x 11-1/4″ - Maximum Volume: 420 cubic inches
- Use Case: Good for small electronics, cosmetics, health supplements, and packaged accessories. Useful for tech gadget sellers and beauty product businesses.
5. FedEx Medium Box – Dimensions and Maximum Volume:
- Sizes: 11-1/2″ x 2-3/8″ x 13-1/4″
8-3/4″ x 4-3/8″ x 11-1/4″ - Maximum Volume: 650 cubic inches
- Use Case: Fits books, bundled skincare kits, medium-sized electronics, and boxed items. Great for bookstores, lifestyle brands, and mid-size eCommerce products.
6. FedEx Large Box – Dimensions and Maximum Volume:
- Sizes: 12-3/8″ x 3″ x 17-1/2″
8-3/4″ x 7-3/4″ x 11-1/4″ - Maximum Volume: 1,100 cubic inches
- Use Case: Suitable for bulkier electronics, multiple clothing items, or hardware tools. Ideal for tech shops, B2B supply businesses, or apparel retailers with bundled orders.
7. FedEx Extra Large Box – Dimensions and Maximum Volume:
- Sizes: 11-7/8″ x 10-3/4″ x 11″
15-3/4″ x 14-1/8″ x 6″ - Maximum Volume: 2,200 cubic inches
- Use Case: Great for large or multiple items like shoes, boxed electronics, gift sets, or multi-product kits. Ideal for electronic companies, large order fulfillment, or high-volume eCommerce stores.
FedEx domestic flat-rate boxes can also be used with FedEx One Rate services for shipments within the U.S. This allows you to enjoy flat-rate pricing with no need to weigh or measure your package, as long as it fits in the selected FedEx one rate package.
FedEx Flat Rate Boxes for International Shipments
Below is an overview of the available flat rate boxes for international shipments, including their dimensions, maximum volume, and ideal use cases.
1. FedEx 10 Kg Box – Dimensions and Maximum Volume:
- Sizes: 15-13/16″ x 12-15/16″ x 10-3/16″
- Use Case: Perfect for shipping mid-sized products like tools, compact electronic devices, small kitchen appliances, boxed product sets, or grouped retail items. Ideal for international shipping, this box suits businesses that move heavier goods, such as hardware suppliers, electronics retailers, or businesses shipping bundled orders.
2. FedEx 25 Kg Box – Dimensions and Maximum Volume
- Sizes: 21-9/16″ x 16-9/16″ x 13-3/16″
- Use Case: Ideal for high-volume, heavy shipments such as large electronics, bulk apparel, automotive parts, industrial tools, or wholesale product bundles. A great fit for B2B sellers, exporters, and large-scale eCommerce businesses that regularly ship heavy items internationally.
Can You Use FedEx Flat Rate Boxes Directly with Shopify?
Unfortunately, Shopify does not natively support FedEx flat rate box shipping or the 10kg/25kg international flat rate boxes. This means you can’t simply select a flat-rate FedEx box as a shipping option within Shopify’s built-in shipping settings. To offer FedEx flat rate box options on your Shopify store, you’ll need to integrate a shipping app that connects Shopify with FedEx services. One of the most reliable solutions for this is the PH FedEx Ship, Rate, and Track app.
FedEx Flat Rate Boxes through PH FedEx Ship, Rate, and Track
To use FedEx flat rate boxes, you must enable Box Packing as your packaging method. This option is essential because flat-rate boxes require the use of FedEx box types.
- To enable this, go to Settings > Packaging Settings under Packing Method, select Box Packing.
- After selecting Box Packing as your packing method, the next step is to enable the FedEx flat rate boxes you want to use. These boxes will appear under the Packaging section, where you can activate the specific box types you’d like to offer for shipping.
Now these configured boxes can be used for flat-rate shipping with PH Ship Rate & Track for FedEx.
Benefits and Limitations of FedEx Flat Rate Boxes
FedEx Flat Rate Boxes provide a convenient shipping solution with consistent pricing and broad service coverage. However, they may not suit every business model, so it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before choosing this option.
Benefits:
- Fixed Pricing: Shipping costs are predictable based on box size, which simplifies cost calculations for both merchants and customers.
- Faster Checkout: Transparent shipping costs reduce cart abandonment and speed up decision-making during checkout, especially for customers wary of unexpected fees.
- Global Reach: 10kg and 25kg boxes make international shipping for heavier items more affordable.
- Reliable Service: Flat rate shipments are often tied to FedEx Express services, meaning your customers get faster and more reliable delivery by default.
Limitations:
- Shopify Limitation: Not directly supported, requires third-party app integration.
- May Cost More for Small Items: Flat rates aren’t always the cheapest for lightweight shipments, as the price is fixed according to the packaging.
- Packaging Constraints: You must use official FedEx packaging or match dimensions exactly in order to avail flat rate pricing.
- Varied Eligibility: Some flat rate options are restricted to domestic shipping, while 10kg and 25kg boxes apply only to international services, adding some complexity to your shipping strategy.
Conclusion
FedEx flat rate boxes simplify shipping with predictable pricing and reliable delivery, great for both domestic and international orders. Though not supported natively on Shopify, third-party apps like Shopify FedEx app by PluginHive make integration easy. By choosing the right box and understanding its best use case, you can improve your shipping operation and significantly cut costs while also increasing customer satisfaction.
FAQ’s
- Can I offer FedEx Flat Rate Shipping using Shopify?
No, FedEx flat rate shipping cannot be directly applied through Shopify; you would need apps similar to PluginHive Ship rate and Track for FedEx to accomplish this. - Are FedEx Flat Rate Boxes available for both domestic and international shipping?
Yes, FedEx flat-rate boxes are available for both international and domestic(USA) shipments. FedEx 10kg and FedEx 25 kg boxes are used for international shipping, meanwhile, FedEx Envelope, FedEx Pak, FedEx small, medium, large, and extra large boxes are used for domestic shipments in the US. - Is item weight a factor when using FedEx Flat Rate Boxes?
Yes, item weight is a factor, but any number of items that follow the weight constraint for the specific packaging can fit into the package. - Are FedEx flat-rate boxes always the cheapest option?
No, Flat rate pricing might be higher than variable weight-based rates for very lightweight or small shipments, so it’s important to compare costs to choose the best option.
