Pack your freight like a pro.

Make sure your freight stacks up. See our expert tips.

Freight Shipping Guidelines

At FedEx, we know proper packaging of your freight is the best way to ensure that your goods arrive safely at their destination. Follow these four essential steps for all FedEx Freight and FedEx National LTL shipments.

Freight Packaging Essentials

		1. Plan it. FedEx Freight and FedEx National LTL shipments may be up to 20,000 lbs. and 24 feet in length, and they may be exposed to variable temperature changes. Know the freight shipping network to efficiently and safely prepare your shipments.				3. Secure it. To protect your shipment from natural vibration that occurs in transit, use proper cushioning, blocking, bracing, banding, stretchwrapping, and standard wood or plastic pallets.

		2. Prepare it. To ensure safe and efficient shipping across town or across the country, properly organize, stack, label and prepare your freight shipments.				4. Ship it. Use descriptive labels to help identify special handling needs, and complete the Bill of Lading with an accurate piece count and description to help ensure that your freight arrives on time and intact.

FedEx Shipping Guidelines

We understand that proper packaging of your freight is the best way to ensure your goods arrive safely at their destination.

Access our comprehensive Packaging Guidelines for Shipping Freight to get a general understanding of the FedEx Freight and FedEx National LTL shipping conditions and specific tips for preparing and palletizing most types of items.

Quick Tips

Freight comes in all shapes and sizes. Here are some common examples and tips to get you started.

Bags
Use the interlocking stack method. Add a solid bottom cushion or load protector. Cardboard the outside of bags when possible.	Keep bags within the pallet perimeter. Tightly secure bags to the pallet.

Cartons
Use the column or interlocking stack method. Avoid overhang to reduce the risk of damage.		Add stretchwrap for additional protection.

Shelf-Ready Cartons
Use the column stack method. Add corner edge-boards and top and bottom corrugated pads.	Add stretchwrap for additional protection.

Crates
Use quality lumber (plywood). Use diagonal braces and appropriate fastener on the side grain for corners.

Drums
If palletized, band and protect. Support with a solid bottom.	Use banding, edge protection and stretchwrapping. Do not exceed three pails in height.

Spools and Reels
Securely anchor to pallets that may be forklifted.

Engines
Drain all engine fluids. Block or brace engine in a wood crate or corrugated box.		Band it securely to a pallet. Add stretchwrap for additional protection.

Pipes and Other Long Freight
Bundle, secure and crate.

Label Library for FedEx Freight and FedEx National LTL

When preparing freight for shipment through the FedEx Freight or FedEx National LTL, using descriptive labels to help identify special handling needs can help ensure your freight arrives on time and intact.

We've developed this comprehensive library of common shipping labels to help you identify your handling needs.

Label Library

To use these labels, click on an image to open a PDF file and print the image on 8.5" x11" laser label sheets or go to FedEx Office^SM Print Online to let us print it for you.