Does FedEx Charge by Weight or Size in 2024? The Complete Guide
As an ecommerce business shipping hundreds of packages per day, few decisions are as important as finding the most affordable and efficient carrier.
When evaluating shipping partners, one of the most common questions we get from merchants is: "Does FedEx charge by weight or size?"
The answer is nuanced, because FedEx uses a pricing approach that accounts for both dimensions and weight. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll breakdown exactly how FedEx calculates shipping costs based on size, weight, and other factors.
How FedEx‘s Pricing Model Works
FedEx determines package pricing using either the dimensional weight or actual weight, whichever is greater.
Dimensional weight reflects the amount of space a package occupies in relation to its weight. It‘s calculated by multiplying length x width x height, then dividing by 139.
Actual weight is simply the package‘s weight on a scale.
Let‘s look at two examples to illustrate:
Package A
Dimensions: 10" x 8" x 6"
Dimensional weight: 10 x 8 x 6 = 480 / 139 = 3.5 lbs
Actual weight: 4 lbs
FedEx would charge based on the greater weight: 4 lbs
Package B
Dimensions: 24" x 20" x 5"
Dimensional weight: 24 x 20 x 5 = 2,400 / 139 = 17.3 lbs
Actual weight: 8 lbs
FedEx would charge based on the greater weight: 17.3 dimensional lbsAs you can see, dimensional weight has big implications on pricing, especially for large or oddly-shaped items.
FedEx Shipping Services and Dimensional Weight
While all FedEx services use dimensional weight, specific policies vary:
| Service | Details |
|---|---|
| FedEx Express | Applied per package (domestic), per shipment (international) |
| FedEx Ground | Applied per package |
| FedEx Home Delivery | Over 70 lbs uses FedEx Ground pricing approach |
| FedEx SmartPost | Uses dimensional weight |
Understanding differences across services enables choosing the optimal solution.
Why Dimensional Weight Matters to FedEx
Dimensional weight was pioneered by FedEx founder Fred Smith as a way to improve efficiency. By incentivizing compact packaging, more packages fit per truck and plane.
It‘s estimated dimensional pricing has reduced FedEx‘s per-package transport emissions by 20-50% through improved container space efficiency.
Of course, more packages per vehicle also correlate to higher revenue. So dimensional pricing benefits both the environment and FedEx‘s bottom line.
Key Takeaways
Deciphering carrier pricing models can enable significant shipping savings for ecommerce businesses. With FedEx, dimensional weight should factor heavily in all packaging and service decisions.
Choosing the right package size and domestic service options to minimize dimensional billing is crucial starting point. Beyond dimensions and weight, ingredients like residential delivery fees, rural surcharges, and peak demand can alter shipping quotes.
Understanding these key details arms ecommerce retailers with information to make strategic shipping choices and unlock maximum savings.
