Introduction
The Global Trade API enables you to retrieve the list of regulatory documents required for your shipment before it is shipped. Regulatory documents are required to avoid regulatory compliance issues that typically lead to customs clearance delays, fines, and customer dissatisfaction on the deliveries.
The API also provides important information from FedEx, government regulatory information, as well as advisories specific to your shipment such as:
- Current situations affecting shipments
- Weather and other disruptions
- Regulatory news and updates
Global Trade API Details
This API allows you to retrieve the list of required regulatory documents and advisories applicable to the shipment.
Following are features associated with Global Trade API:
Retrieve Regulatory Details
This feature helps you to retrieve the list of documents that must accompany your international shipments, thereby helping to ensure smooth customs clearance.
All dossiers, filings, applications, modifications, amendments, supplements, revisions, reports, submissions, authorizations and approvals, and any reports or amendments necessary to maintain regulatory approvals are specified at early stages of international shipping.
The following are the regulatory document types supported:
- FEDEX_GENERATED - Specifies that the document is configured and generated by an internal FedEx system. This document cannot be configured or modified by the customer. Example: FedEx Generated Commercial Invoice, FedEx Generated Proforma Invoice.
- FILLABLE- Specifies the forms and documents that can be either be filled online or post downloading from the FedEx sites. These forms can also be collected from FedEx ship centers and filled. Example: CN 22 postal customs declaration form.
- PRINT_ONLY- Specifies the documents and forms that are accepted only in printed form. Example: Invoices
- SAMPLE- Specifies the sample documents generated by FedEx. Example: sample commercial Invoice
Get Advisories
This feature helps you to retrieve the important regulatory information or FedEx advisories or government advisories specific to your shipment. Advisories could be related to weather and service disruptions, or an official warning statement issued by a government agency so as to provide information about the relative safety of travelling to or visiting one or more specific foreign countries or destinations.
Following are the different types of advisories supported by FedEx:
- APPLICATION
- DOCUMENT_SPECIFIC
- FEDEX
- GOVERNMENT
- INSPECTION
- LICENSE_OR_PERMIT
- MAYBE_DOCUMENT
- MAYBE_STATEMENT
- PROHIBIT
- UNIT_OF_MEASURE
- WAIVER
How Global Trade API Works
Retrieve Regulatory Details
Use this endpoint to get required regulatory documents as well as advisories in advance of a shipment.
Following is the required information associated with this endpoint.
- Origin Address – Specify the origin details such as Country, postal and State Province code if applicable.
- Destination Address – Specify the destination details such as Country, postal and State Province code if applicable.
- Customs Clearance Detail – Specify the customs clearance charges, harmonized code and additional measures of the shipment.
- Carrier Code – Specify the FedEx carrier needed for the shipment.
- Total Weight – Specify total weight of the shipment with appropriate unit of measurement.
The successful response to the request will return a list of all possible regulatory documents and advisories as per the given inputs. If there are errors in the request, then error messages and code will be provided in the error object.
Shipment Documents
Accurate documentation is an important part of domestic as well as international shipments in order to avoid package caging or delays and to ensure smooth package delivery.
The following are the different types of shipping and customs documents that are available through the FedEx Global Trade Manager API.
Note:
- Other trade documents that are not listed here may be required for your shipment depending on the exact nature of the goods. If unsure, contact FedEx Customer Service for directions concerning what must be included to ensure smooth clearance for your shipment.
Certificate of Origin (COO)
A COO is an international document that verifies the country/territory where a product was manufactured. Some countries restrict imports from certain countries, many countries limit the quantity of imported goods, and some countries give preference to goods manufactured in a certain country.
[Service ENUM : CERTIFICATE_OF_ORIGIN]
Commercial Invoice (CI)
This is a document provided by the seller/exporter that describes the parties involved in the shipping transaction and the goods being transported. It is the primary document used by Customs. It should be created using the official language of the country/territory to which the goods are being exported (FedEx generated invoices do not have this option), if possible. The Commercial Invoice should include a detailed breakdown of all items included in the shipment, including: a proper description of the goods (what is it? what is it made from? what is its intended use?) the quantity, the country/territory of manufacture, the price or cost, currency used, the Harmonized System number for each commodity and the terms of delivery. Some countries require that an original invoice be executed on the shipper's letterhead. The invoice should always be signed and dated by the exporter certifying that the details provided are true and correct representations of the contents covered by the Commercial Invoice. [Service ENUM: COMMERCIAL_INVOICE]
For more information visit FedEx Global Trade Manager.
Dangerous Goods Shipper Declaration
This is a shipper’s declaration for shipments classified as dangerous goods based on Safety Data Guide (SDG), International Air Transport Association (IATA) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The FX 18 form requires the FedEx recognized vendors to produce the Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods form for Dangerous goods classified shipments that originate in the U.S.
[Service ENUM: DANGEROUS_GOODS_SHIPPERS_DECLARATION]
Export Declaration
The Electronic Export Information (EEI) formerly known as Shipper's Export Declaration (SED) is required by the US Department of Census in order to obtain statistical data and by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) to assist in enforcing export controls. The SED/EEI is required when the total value of goods classified under any single Schedule B number exceeds $2,500 (USD) or the commodity(s) require an export license. This information can be completed electronically by the exporter or their agent. The information is mandatory and required to be submitted electronically through the Automated Export System (AES) for commodities listed on the Commerce Control List (CCL) or the U.S. Munitions List (USML).
Note: This is only required for US Export Shipments.
[Service ENUM: EXPORT_DECLARATION]
General Agency Agreement
An Agency Agreement or Power of Attorney (POA) is the legal authority that is provided by importers to a customs broker to allow them to release and/or account for shipments with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) on behalf of the importer's company. If a Canadian Resident Importer would like Federal Express to act as their customs broker in Canada on an ongoing basis, these forms must be completed and returned as per the instruction sheet before shipping into Canada. This form is a Limited Agency Agreement and would apply to Federal Express shipments only. This form is in a format which can be easily filled and easy to use in the document library section on this website.
[Service ENUM: GENERAL_AGENCY_AGREEMENT]
OP900
This form is required by the DOT for shipping hazardous materials. Customer will be provided the specific OP-900 form to be filled out based on the shipment.
Examples:
- OP-900LL if the shipment is a laser printer.
- OP-900LG if the shipment is a dot matrix printer.
Note: Manual forms are not accepted anymore, hence you have to fill up the form and send us the digital copy of the same.
[Service ENUM: OP_900]
Pro Forma Invoice
The pro forma invoice is issued before sales takes place. Once a pro forma invoice is received from the supplier, the buyer sends a purchase order or opens a letter of credit to the supplier. As per agreed date of shipment, the seller arranges to ship the goods.
[Service ENUM: PRO_FORMA_INVOICE]
VICS Bill of Lading
VICS Bill of Lading form is created by the VICS (Voluntary Inter-Industry Commerce Standards) and is primarily used for general merchandise retail industry shipments.
[Service ENUM: VICS_BILL_OF_LADING]
USMCA Commercial Invoice and Certification of Origin
The USMCA/T-MEC/CUSMA Commercial Invoice-Certification of Origin is a commercial invoice combined with the required certification of origin data elements. That includes a statement that will provide a way to both ship and claim preferential tariff treatment for qualifying goods using one document for the United States-Mexico-Canada agreement. Goods that qualify for the preferential tariff treatment must originate and be exported from the U.S., Mexico or Canada. [Service ENUM: USMCA_COMMERCIAL_INVOICE_CERTIFICATION_OF_ORIGIN]
USMCA Certification of Origin
The USMCA/T-MEC/CUSMA Certification of Origin is a form used to claim the preferential tariff treatment for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. The certification contains a set of data elements including a statement and must be certified by the exporter, producer or importer for qualifying goods. The imported goods must originate and be exported from the U.S., Mexico or Canada. This form can be used to cover a single shipment or for a 'blanket' period of up to twelve months.
[Service ENUM: USMCA_CERTIFICATION_OF_ORIGIN]
Business Rules
- The commercial invoice should be created in the official language of the country/territory to which the goods are being exported. FedEx generated invoices do not provide this option, hence, customers are responsible for printing their own Commercial Invoice.
- FedEx only accepts the digital copies of OP-900 forms. Manual forms are not accepted.
