How to Change the Declared Value in FedEx Ship Manager

September 27, 2024
by Anthony Robinson

How to Change the Declared Value in FedEx Ship Manager

If you’ve ever had to ship a package with FedEx, you may be familiar with the concept of “declared value.” Declared value is the amount of money that you declare your package to be worth. This value is used to determine the cost of shipping, and it’s also used to determine the amount of insurance coverage that you’ll receive in the event that your package is lost or damaged during transit. In this article, we’ll take a look at how to change the declared value in FedEx Ship Manager.

Why You Might Need to Change the Declared Value in FedEx Ship Manager

There are a few reasons why you might need to change the declared value of your package in FedEx Ship Manager:

  • You realized you made a mistake and need to update the declared value to reflect the correct value.
  • You initially underestimated the value of your shipment and now need to update the declared value to ensure proper insurance coverage during transportation.
  • The value of the contents of your package has increased since you initially entered the information into FedEx Ship Manager due to a change in market value or addition of items.

It is important to ensure that the declared value accurately reflects the value of the contents of your package to avoid any issues with insurance coverage or customs clearance.

Understanding the Importance of Accurate Declared Value in Shipping

It’s important to ensure that your declared value is accurate when shipping with FedEx. Not only does it determine your shipping costs and insurance coverage, but it can also affect customs clearance if you’re shipping internationally. If your declared value is too low, you may experience delays or additional fees during customs clearance.

Accurate declared value helps to protect your shipment in case of loss or damage. If your declared value is too low, you may not receive enough compensation to cover the cost of the lost or damaged items. If your declared value is too high, you may end up paying more for insurance than necessary.

Some items may have a maximum declared value limit. For example, FedEx has a maximum declared value limit of $50,000 for shipments within the United States. If your shipment exceeds this limit, you may need to make special arrangements with FedEx or consider using a different shipping carrier.

Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Declared Value in FedEx Ship Manager

Changing the declared value in FedEx Ship Manager is a relatively simple process. Follow these steps to change the declared value of your shipment:

  1. Log in to FedEx Ship Manager.
  2. Select the shipment you want to update.
  3. Edit the shipment details to change the declared value.
  4. Save the changes before completing the shipment process.

Note that you won’t be able to change the declared value of a shipment after it has been shipped. You need to update the declared value prior to shipping your package.

Tips for Ensuring Accurate Declared Value for International Shipments

If you’re shipping internationally, there are a few additional tips to keep in mind to ensure that your declared value is accurate:

  • Be honest and transparent about the value of your shipment.
  • Provide accurate descriptions of the contents of your package.
  • Double-check the value of items based on current market rates.

Declaring a lower value than the actual value of your shipment may seem like a good way to save on customs fees but can lead to serious consequences such as fines, delays, and even seizure of your shipment. It’s always better to be upfront and honest about the value of your shipment to avoid any potential issues.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Changing Declared Value in FedEx Ship Manager

When changing the declared value in FedEx Ship Manager, there are a few common mistakes to avoid:

  • Forgetting to update the declared value before shipping the package.
  • Underestimating or overestimating the value of the contents.
  • Failing to provide accurate descriptions of the contents.

How to Update Declared Value for Multiple Shipments at Once

If you need to update the declared value for multiple shipments at once, you can do so using FedEx’s “batch shipping” feature. Follow these steps to update the declared value for multiple shipments:

  1. Log in to FedEx Ship Manager.
  2. Select the batch shipping option.
  3. Upload the shipment details file or manually enter the details for each shipment.
  4. Edit the declared value for each shipment as needed.
  5. Save and confirm the changes for all shipments in the batch.

Updating the declared value for multiple shipments at once can save you a significant amount of time if you have a large number of shipments to process. However, it is important to double-check that the declared value for each individual shipment is accurate and reflects the value of the contents being shipped.

What Happens If You Don’t Declare the Correct Value When Shipping with FedEx?

If you don’t declare the correct value when shipping with FedEx, you may experience a few different consequences:

  • If your declared value is too low, you may not be properly insured if your package is lost or damaged during transit.
  • If your declared value is too high, you may end up paying more for shipping than is necessary.
  • If your declared value is inaccurate and you’re shipping internationally, you may experience customs clearance delays or additional fees.

Another consequence of not declaring the correct value is that it can lead to legal issues. Intentionally declaring a lower value to avoid paying higher shipping fees can be considered fraud and can result in legal action against you. Additionally, declaring a higher value than the actual value of the package can be seen as an attempt to evade taxes and can also lead to legal consequences.

Declaring the correct value helps FedEx provide better service. By knowing the accurate value of the package, FedEx can ensure that it is handled and transported appropriately, reducing the risk of damage or loss during transit. It also helps them determine the appropriate customs fees and taxes, making the shipping process smoother for both the sender and the recipient.

How to Handle Discrepancies or Errors in Declared Value After Shipment Has Been Sent

If you realize that there is a discrepancy or error in the declared value of your shipment after you’ve already sent it, contact FedEx to resolve the issue as soon as possible. When contacting FedEx, be sure to have all relevant information on hand, such as the tracking number and the correct declared value. FedEx may require additional documentation or information to resolve the issue, so be prepared. Reviewing your shipment’s declared value before sending it can help avoid any potential errors or discrepancies.

Best Practices for Managing Declared Value and Shipping Expenses with FedEx

To ensure that you’re accurately declaring the value of your shipments and managing your shipping expenses effectively with FedEx, consider these best practices:

  • Always double-check the declared value before finalizing your shipment.
  • Use FedEx’s online tools to estimate shipping costs and compare rates.
  • Consult with a FedEx representative or shipping expert for guidance on appropriate declared value.

By following these best practices, you can ensure that you’re accurately declaring the value of your shipments and managing your shipping expenses effectively with FedEx.

FedEx offers various tools and resources to help you manage your shipping expenses and declared value. For example, you can use their online shipping calculator to estimate shipping costs and compare rates for different services. Additionally, FedEx provides a declared value program that allows you to declare a higher value for your shipment, which can provide additional protection and peace of mind. By taking advantage of these resources, you can optimize your shipping strategy and ensure that you’re getting the most value out of your FedEx shipments.

About the Author

Anthony Robinson is the CEO of ShipScience, a pioneering company dedicated to helping e-commerce leaders optimize their shipping decisions, reduce costs, and automate tedious processes. With a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Stanford University, Anthony brings over two decades of expertise in logistics, business development, and operational efficiency to the table.

In 2003, Anthony founded Relectric.com, the first online marketplace for aftermarket industrial electrical parts. Managing logistics for Relectric.com as it scaled to over seven figures in UPS spend provided him with firsthand experience in overcoming complex shipping challenges. This invaluable experience ignited his passion for solving logistics problems and seamlessly transitioned into the creation of ShipScience in 2018.

Since founding ShipScience, Anthony has empowered numerous e-commerce businesses to navigate the complexities of parcel shipping through data-driven insights and innovative solutions. His leadership extends beyond ShipScience, having co-founded and exited Robly.com and served on advisory boards at Ciye and RESA Power, showcasing his commitment to driving corporate growth and enhancing operational strategies.  In 2023, Robinson authored the book Ship Smarter to help scaling businesses manage their logistics challenges.

Anthony is passionate about leveraging technology to streamline supply chains and improve customer experiences in the last mile. When he’s not strategizing shipping solutions, he enjoys connecting with industry leaders, exploring the latest trends in e-commerce and logistics, and spending quality time with his family.

Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn to learn more about his work and insights on optimizing shipping for e-commerce businesses.

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