FedEx expands International Connect Plus service to new regions

FedEx has announced the expansion of its FedEx International Connect Plus (FICP) service to include new destinations in the United States and Europe. The service, which was initially launched for e-tailers within Asia Pacific markets, will now be available to e-tailers in China, Hong Kong SAR, and Japan, with plans to expand to other markets in the region later this year.

The expanded service aims to support the growth of cross-border e-commerce from Asia to the U.S. and Europe. The e-commerce sector in Asia is forecasted to reach USD $13,209 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.6% from 2023 to 2030. China and Japan remain the largest markets in the Asia Pacific region, with significant cross-border e-commerce activity.

The introduction of FICP is intended to provide Asian e-commerce merchants with an international shipping solution that offers competitive pricing and ensures most shipments are delivered within two to three business days to destinations in the U.S. and Europe. The service promises several benefits for both e-tailers and their customers.

Salil Chari, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Customer Experience, Asia Pacific, FedEx, commented, "FICP has been received enthusiastically by our e-commerce customers who value it as the optimal balance of expedited delivery and cost-effectiveness. At FedEx, we are focused on providing businesses with a comprehensive range of shipping solutions tailored to their specific requirements. The expansion of FICP, in conjunction with our other digital offerings, enhances our ability to support our customers and facilitate the continued growth of cross-border e-commerce from this dynamic region."

Key advantages of the FICP service include greater value, flexibility and control, seamless integration, and peace of mind. The service allows businesses to enjoy significant savings and enables end customers to choose their delivery preferences, including picking up packages from hundreds of available locations and changing delivery dates and locations. The service also supports both online and offline shipping automation solutions, providing a paperless experience, and includes extensive parcel tracking capabilities to offer visibility throughout the entire delivery process.

In recent initiatives to support e-commerce growth in the region, FedEx has launched cross-border e-commerce handbooks for merchants in China and Japan and introduced Picture Proof of Delivery for residential deliveries. These measures are part of the company's efforts to digitise its services and enhance the customer experience.

The reliability of FICP is further backed by FedEx's international day-definite delivery service, customs clearance expertise, real-time tracking, and additional flexible delivery options provided through the FedEx Delivery Manager International tool.