Setting up FedEx Shipping

 

To use your FedEx account with SupportSync, you must first complete the "Label Certification" process.  

Label Certification involves printing TEST shipping labels, scanning the labels to PDF, then sending the PDFs to FedEx for evaluation. The process requires less than 30 minutes of your time, plus a 1-3 day wait for FedEx to approve the labels. We've completed this process ourselves to provide you with the best support.

 

You will need: 

- Label Printer in Good Condition that prints clearly.

- Full-Size Printer or PDF Editor for form completion.

- Scanner that works well at 300 dpi. 

 

Setting up FedEx Shipping involves 5 steps: 

1. Obtain TEST Credentials. (<5 minutes)

2. Print & Scan TEST Shipping Labels. (<15 minutes)

3. Get PRODUCTION Credentials. (<5 minutes)

4. Complete the LABEL CERTIFICATION Process. (1-3 days wait)

5. Enter PRODUCTION Credentials and Go Live. (<5 minutes)

 

STEP 1: Obtain TEST Credentials.

1. Login to your FedEx account at www.fedex.com.

2. Go to: https://www.fedex.com/en-us/developer.html

3. Click "FedEx Web Services"

4. Select "Develop and Test"

 

5. Click "Get Your Test Key"

6. Fill out the wizard.

7. You will now be shown:

- Developer Test Key
- Test Account Number
- Test Meter Number

IMPORTANT: Copy these values and save them now. 

8. You will receive an email with the Password.

9. In SupportSync, go to: Admin - Return Centers - Select Return Center - Carrier Accounts

10. Go to the FedEx section and enter the following (4) pieces of information from FedEx:

Account Number: TEST Account Number
Meter Number: TEST Meter Number
Authorization Key: Developer TEST Key
Password: TEST Password

 

11. Select the checkbox: "Test Mode."

12. Click Save.

 

IMPORTANT: If you are using a Zebra or ZPL Label Printer. 

FedEx prefers ZPL mode for best print quality with Zebra thermal printers. If you are using a Zebra printer, enable ZPL mode before printing labels for STEP 2. 

 

STEP 2: Print & Scan TEST Shipping Labels. 

1. Create a Test Customer.

2. Create a Test Return with Advance Replacement option.

3. Use FedEx services to create and print TEST outgoing shipping labels for the services you use such as Ground and 2Day. Labels will say ** TEST LABEL **. Make sure the labels print out nice and clear with good quality.

 

IMPORTANT: Error: "FAILURE: [1000] General Failure" 

If you receive this error, wait a few minutes and try again. This is a temporary error from the FedEx sandbox testing infrastructure. Keep trying and it will work.

 

4. Affix the printed labels to a normal sheet of paper and scan to PDF files as shown below. *Use TAPE only on the back of labels. TAPE must not be visible on the scan. 

 

IMPORTANT: Make sure the PDF files look GREAT. 

The Label Eval group are sticklers for label clarity. Make sure there are no SMUDGES on the scans. Use TAPE only on the back of labels, not on the sides. TAPE must not be visible on the scans. The only thing visible on the scan should be the labels. Make sure there is plenty of room around each label. Only 2 per page max. Make sure the labels are straight to avoid distortion. The PDF files should look very nice and clear when printed out or viewed on your computer screen. 

 

STEP 3: Get PRODUCTION Credentials.

You will need these credentials to fill out the Cover Sheet in the next step.

1. Login to your FedEx account at www.fedex.com.

2. Go to: https://www.fedex.com/en-us/developer.html

3. Click "FedEx Web Services"

4. Select "Move to Production"

5. Select "NO" for "Do you intend to resell..."

6. Click the box for "FedEx Web Services for Shipping" only.

7. Select "Corporate Developer."

8. Fill out the wizard.

9. You will now be shown:

- Production Authentication Key
- Production Meter Number

IMPORTANT: Copy these values and save them now. 

10. You will receive an email with the Password.

 

STEP 4: Complete the LABEL CERTIFICATION Process.

1. Download the Label Certification Guidelines here:

https://www.fedex.com/us/developer/downloads/pdf/CertificationGuidelines.pdf

2. Print and fill out the Cover Sheet on the last page of the Guidelines.

- For Are you using a Third Party Solution? indicate "YES."

- For Third Party Solution Name indicate "SupportSync."

- For Label Image Type select "PNG" unless you are using a Zebra Printer in ZPL mode, in which case select "ZPL."

3. Scan the TEST Labels and the completed Cover Sheet to PDF documents. 

4. Email the PDF files to: label@fedex.com

5. Wait 1-3 days for the FedEx Label Evaluation team to respond:

- If the email you receive states that your key/meter has been "activated in production," then you have completed Label Certification. Go to STEP 5.

- If you receive an error, see the TIPS section at the end of this article and tell us about the error. Don't REPLY to errors, RE-SUBMIT with a new email.

 

IMPORTANT: You must complete Label Certification before STEP 5.

Production credentials will not work unless your account is Label Certified by FedEx.

 

STEP 5: Enter PRODUCTION Credentials and Go Live.

1. In SupportSync, go to: Admin - Return Centers - Select Return Center - Carrier Accounts

2. Go to the FedEx section and enter the following (4) pieces of information from FedEx:

Account Number: PRODUCTION Account Number
Meter Number: PRODUCTION Meter Number
Authorization Key: PRODUCTION Authentication Key
Password: PRODUCTION Password

3. De-select the checkbox: "Test Mode."

4. Click Save.

 

FedEx Setup Complete

At this point you are ready to print production FedEx labels. Thanks for using SupportSync and completing FedEx Label Certification.  

 

Tips

- If you receive an error from the Label Certification Group, we suggest you do not REPLY, but rather, send a new submission. Our experience is that they do not process REPLIES. So if you receive an error and resubmit, do it as a completely NEW email. 

- Make sure to provide plenty of room around the outside of the labels. Put only 2 labels per 8.5/11 sheet of paper.  

- If you use a ZEBRA printer, you must print TEST labels in ZPL mode. 

- Make sure your scanner is set to at least 300 dpi resolution and your PDF files are high quality.

- Use high-quality labels in good condition with no branding on the label stock.

- We had an issue printing Air Waybills (AWB) for International Shipments where the barcode wasn't printing correctly. That is covered in this article. 

 

Support for FedEx Web Services

If you are unable to login with TEST credentials or still get the error:

ERROR: [1000] Authentication Failed.

Please call FedEx Web Services support and provide them with your Account Number, Meter Number and Contact / Address information. 

They can view your transactions and tell you WHY an error is being generated.

1 (877) 339-2774 (when prompted, say "web services")

https://www.fedex.com/en-us/api/get-support.html