Shipi connects to your own FedEx Freight account to quote and book less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments: pallets, skids and crates that are too large for parcel services. Each booking returns a PRO number, a Bill of Lading (BOL) and one label per handling unit.
| Feature | Supported |
|---|---|
| Services | FedEx Freight Priority, FedEx Freight Economy |
| Rates | Live account (discounted) or list rates, from the dashboard, API or AI (MCP) |
| Documents | FedEx Freight straight Bill of Lading, one label per pallet/crate, commercial invoice for US ↔ Canada/Mexico |
| Label formats | PDF (4×6, 4×8, letter) and ZPL for thermal printers |
| Accessorials | Liftgate, inside pickup/delivery, limited access, call before delivery, protect from freezing, do not stack and more |
| Tracking | By PRO number |
In this guide: Before you start · Get API credentials · Add the account · Freight defaults · Services and rates · Label settings · Create a shipment · Freight classes · Troubleshooting · FAQ
Before you start
- A FedEx Freight account number. This is separate from a FedEx parcel (Express/Ground) account number.
- API credentials (API key and secret key) from a FedEx developer project with the Freight LTL API enabled.
- The billing address FedEx Freight has on file for the account, if it differs from your ship-from address.
Step 1: Get FedEx Freight API credentials
- Sign in to the FedEx Developer Portal with the FedEx user linked to your freight account.
- Create an API project and select the Freight LTL API. Add the Track API as well if you want PRO tracking in Shipi.
- Link your FedEx Freight account number to the project.
- Copy the API Key and Secret Key. Test keys work with Shipi’s Test Mode; production keys work with Live Mode.
FedEx Freight became a separate company on 1 June 2026. If your freight account has been moved to the FedEx Freight Developer Portal, create the project there instead. If you’re unsure which portal applies, ask your FedEx Freight representative.
Parcel credentials work the same way; see how to get a FedEx API key and secret.
Step 2: Add FedEx Freight (LTL) in Shipi
- In the Shipi dashboard go to Carriers → Shipping Accounts and click Add Shipping Account.
- Choose FedEx Freight (LTL).
- Fill in the account details:
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Shipping Account Name | Any name, e.g. FedEx Freight – Main Warehouse |
| Execution Mode | Test Mode with test keys, Live Mode with production keys |
| API Key / Secret Key | From Step 1 |
| FedEx Freight Account Number | Your freight account number (not the parcel account) |
| FedEx Freight Billing Address | The account’s billing address, if different from the shipper address |
| Shipper address | The dock or warehouse where FedEx Freight picks up. A phone number is required. |
Step 3: Set freight defaults
These defaults are used when an order doesn’t specify its own handling units, for example orders from your online store.
| Setting | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Weight / Dimension Units | LB/IN or KG/CM |
| Default Freight Class (NMFC) | Required. The class for your typical products; you can change it per shipment. |
| Default Handling Unit | Pallet, skid, crate, carton, bundle, drum, pail or other |
| Handling Units from Order Products | One handling unit per item (typical for furniture) or All items on one pallet |
| Default Pallet Size | Used when all items go on one pallet (e.g. 48×40×48 in) |
| Pallet / Crate Weight | Added to every handling unit’s weight |
| Cross-border Duties Paid By | Recipient or sender, for US ↔ Canada/Mexico shipments |
| Default Accessorials | Services added to every shipment unless changed, e.g. liftgate delivery |
Step 4: Services and rates
- Enable FedEx Freight Priority and/or FedEx Freight Economy and optionally rename them or add a percentage adjustment.
- Show FedEx Freight Rates at Checkout is off by default. Turn it on only if your store sells items that ship as freight.
- Rate Type: My account (discounted) rates or List rates.
Step 5: Label settings
| Setting | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Label Format | PDF, or ZPL for thermal label printers |
| Label Size | 4×6, 4×8, 8.5×11 top half, or letter paper. The BOL is always letter-size PDF. |
| Pickup | I will schedule the pickup, I have a regular scheduled pickup, or I will drop off at a terminal |
| Planned Shipment Days | Ship date offset. Weekend dates move to the next Monday. |
| Shipment Content | Default description printed on the BOL, e.g. Furniture |
| Email address | Where Shipi sends the BOL and labels after each booking |
Shipi does not book the FedEx Freight pickup automatically. Unless you have a regular scheduled pickup, schedule the pickup with FedEx Freight after booking. The booking response reminds you.
Creating a freight shipment
From the Shipi dashboard
- Open the order (or create a new shipment) and select your FedEx Freight account.
- Choose the service, freight class, handling unit type and accessorials, and mark residential deliveries.
- Click Get Rates to see Priority and Economy prices, then create the shipment.
- Print the Bill of Lading for the driver and attach one label to every pallet or crate.
From an AI assistant (MCP)
Describe the pallets or crates, the destination and accessorials, and the AI can quote and book on your FedEx Freight account. See comparing rates and creating labels with Shipi MCP.
Freight classes at a glance
The NMFC freight class sets the price per weight. Lower classes are dense, durable goods; higher classes are light, bulky or fragile goods. Shipi accepts every class FedEx Freight uses:
50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 77.5, 85, 92.5, 100, 110, 125, 150, 175, 200, 250, 300, 400, 500
If you are not sure of your product’s class, ask your FedEx Freight representative. A wrong class can lead to a reclassification charge after pickup.
Troubleshooting
| Message | Fix |
|---|---|
| A valid freight class is required | Set a default freight class in the account’s Freight Defaults, or give a class per handling unit. |
| Packaging must be one of PALLET, SKID, CRATE… | Choose a supported handling unit type. |
| Up to 40 handling units per shipment | Split larger loads into several shipments. |
| t_phone Field is Required | Add the recipient’s phone number; FedEx Freight requires it on the BOL. |
| FedEx Freight authentication failed | Check the API key and secret, the Test/Live mode, and that the Freight LTL API is enabled on the FedEx project. |
| FedEx Freight: … (other messages) | The message comes from FedEx Freight: check the account number, billing address, addresses and accessorials. |
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Shipi connects to your own FedEx Freight account, so you get your negotiated FedEx Freight Priority and Economy rates and FedEx bills the shipment to your freight account.
Yes. Every FedEx Freight booking returns a FedEx Freight straight Bill of Lading and one label per pallet, skid or crate. US to Canada or Mexico shipments also include a commercial invoice.
No. FedEx Freight uses its own account number. Add FedEx Freight (LTL) as a separate carrier account in Shipi next to your FedEx parcel account.
Not automatically. Use a regular scheduled pickup, drop off at a terminal, or schedule the pickup with FedEx Freight after booking.
Yes. With the Shipi MCP server connected, you can ask an AI assistant such as Claude for FedEx Freight rates and have it book the shipment and return the BOL and labels.
Up to 40 handling units per FedEx Freight shipment in Shipi. Split larger loads into several shipments.
Related guides
- How to configure FedEx (parcel) in Shipi
- How to configure shipping accounts in Shipi
- Compare rates and create labels with Shipi MCP
- Connect Shipi to Claude, Cursor and other AI tools
Last updated: September 24, 2026