FedEx Cross Border

FedEx Cross Border: Simplifying Global E-commerce Logistics

In the rapidly expanding world of online shopping, selling to international customers can be a golden opportunity, but it comes with a complex web of challenges: customs, duties, taxes, varied shipping rates, and diverse delivery expectations. This is precisely what FedEx Cross Border (formerly Bongo International) aims to simplify.

FedEx Cross Border is not a traditional courier service like FedEx Express or Ground. Instead, it’s a specialized technology and logistics solution provider designed specifically to help e-commerce businesses expand globally. It offers a suite of services that streamline the entire cross-border transaction, from checkout to final delivery, making international selling as straightforward as domestic sales for merchants.

Evolution and Purpose: From Bongo to Borderless E-commerce

FedEx acquired Bongo International in 2014, recognizing the growing need for simplified cross-border e-commerce solutions. Bongo was known for its technology that facilitated international shopping for consumers and international selling for merchants. Rebranded as FedEx Cross Border, the service integrated into the broader FedEx portfolio, enhancing its offerings for the global e-commerce market.

The core purpose of FedEx Cross Border is to remove the complexities and friction points that often deter businesses from venturing into international sales. It achieves this by providing:

Automated Landed Cost Calculation: Calculates duties, taxes, and shipping costs upfront at the time of purchase, providing transparency to the buyer.
International Payment Processing: Supports various payment methods and currencies from around the world.
Fraud Prevention: Helps mitigate risks associated with international transactions.
Customs Compliance: Automates necessary documentation and ensures adherence to import/export regulations.
International Shipping Optimization: Leverages FedEx’s global network and other shipping partners to find efficient and cost-effective delivery solutions.
Returns Management: Simplifies the international returns process.

Essentially, FedEx Cross Border acts as an enabler for e-commerce merchants, handling the intricate backend logistics so they can focus on their products and customers.

How FedEx Cross Border Works (Simplified):

International Shopper: A customer from outside the seller’s country visits the e-commerce website.
Checkout Integration: The FedEx Cross Border platform integrates with the merchant’s e-commerce checkout. It automatically calculates the total “landed cost” (product price + shipping + duties + taxes) in the customer’s local currency.
Order Processing: Once the order is placed, the merchant ships the product to a designated FedEx Cross Border facility (often within the origin country).
Consolidation & Export: At this facility, items are consolidated, customs documentation is prepared, and the package is exported via an optimized shipping method (which could be FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, or a third-party carrier depending on the service level chosen).
Import & Delivery: The package enters the destination country, clears customs (pre-paid and pre-calculated), and is delivered to the customer’s door.

Tracking Your FedEx Cross Border Shipment: A Unified View

Tracking with FedEx Cross Border is designed to provide a cohesive view of the package’s journey, even though it involves multiple steps and potentially different carriers. The goal is to offer end-to-end visibility.

How to Track Your FedEx Cross Border Package:

Find Your FedEx Cross Border Tracking Number:
- Format: These tracking numbers can vary. They might be specific FedEx Cross Border reference numbers, or in many cases, they might eventually transition to standard FedEx Express or Ground tracking numbers once the package enters the primary FedEx network. Look for the number provided by the merchant in your shipping confirmation.
- Where to find it:
  - Your order confirmation email from the online merchant.
  - Your order history on the merchant’s website.
Use the Dedicated FedEx Cross Border Tracking Portal (if provided by merchant):
- Many merchants using FedEx Cross Border will have a direct link or embedded tracking widget on their own website. This is often the easiest first step.
Use the Official FedEx Website (for primary FedEx tracking):
- If your tracking number is a standard FedEx Express or Ground format (12 or 14-15 digits), you can use www.fedex.com.
- Enter the tracking number in the “Track” section.
Utilize Reputable Third-Party Tracking Sites:
- These are often the most effective for FedEx Cross Border as they can integrate with various carriers used throughout the international journey.
- Popular options include: 17TRACK, AfterShip, ParcelsApp, etc.
- Enter your FedEx Cross Border tracking number, and these platforms will attempt to identify the underlying carriers and display all available tracking events.

Decoding FedEx Cross Border Tracking Statuses:

Tracking statuses will reflect the various stages of international e-commerce fulfillment, often showing a combination of internal FedEx Cross Border processing and actual shipping carrier updates.

“Order Received / Label Created”: The merchant has processed your order and generated shipping information.
“Shipment Arrived at Cross Border Facility”: Your package has reached the FedEx Cross Border processing center in the origin country.
“Processed for Export”: The package is being prepared for international shipment, including customs documentation.
“Departed Cross Border Facility”: The package has left the origin facility for international transit.
“In Transit / International Transit”: The package is moving between countries. This may be via FedEx’s own network or a partner carrier.
“Arrived at Destination Country”: The package has reached the import country.
“Customs Cleared”: The package has successfully passed customs in the destination country. (This is often automated and quicker due to pre-calculated duties/taxes).
“Handed over to local carrier for delivery” / “At local sorting facility”: The package has been transferred to the final delivery carrier (e.g., local postal service or a domestic courier).
“Out for delivery”: The package is with the local delivery agent for final delivery.
“Delivered”: The package has reached its final destination.

Important Considerations for FedEx Cross Border Tracking:

Initial Delay: It might take a day or two for the initial tracking update to appear after you receive the number from the merchant, as the package needs to reach the FedEx Cross Border facility.
Carrier Transitions: There may be periods where tracking seems to stall as the package transitions between the FedEx Cross Border system and the actual shipping carrier, and then potentially to the local last-mile carrier. Third-party trackers are often best at maintaining continuity.
Focus on Landed Cost: Remember that the primary benefit of FedEx Cross Border is simplifying the transaction for the buyer (knowing the total cost upfront), as well as the logistics for the merchant. Tracking is a component, but the comprehensive solution is the main draw.

USPS LiteBlue App

The Future of Global Online Shopping

FedEx Cross Border is more than just a tracking service; it’s a strategic solution empowering businesses to tap into the global e-commerce market without being bogged down by complex international shipping logistics. By taking the friction out of cross-border transactions, it helps connect buyers and sellers across continents, making global online shopping truly borderless.