Jump right in: UPS vs FedEx Customs

• UPS vs FedEx Customs: Which One’s the Better Choice?
• How UPS and FedEx Handle Customs Clearance
• Duties, Taxes, and Brokerage Fees: What You’ll Pay with UPS vs FedEx
• Delivery Times and Customs Delays: Which Carrier Moves Faster?
• Customs Fees, Regions, and Special Considerations
• FAQs
• Conclusion: Choosing the Right Carrier for International Shipping
  

UPS vs FedEx Customs: Which One’s the Better Choice?

Both UPS and FedEx offer strong customs handling, but your decision should come down to what matters most to you speed, consistency, cost, or support. Here’s how they stack up:

As the table highlights, UPS and FedEx each have strengths in customs handling. UPS is slightly more “by the book” with costs and procedures (which can mean higher fees but fewer surprises), whereas FedEx is slightly more “flexible and fast” (which can mean quicker deliveries and sometimes lower fees, especially on economy shipments).

How UPS and FedEx Handle Customs Clearance

Both UPS and FedEx take care of customs clearance for you. They act as customs brokers, meaning they prep the documents, deal with border agencies, and help ensure your shipment complies with international regulations. But they don’t go about it the same way.

UPS: Built for Structure and Simplicity

UPS leans into process and efficiency. Their in-house brokerage team, part of UPS Supply Chain Solutions, handles most of the heavy lifting. They use tools like UPS Paperless® Invoice to let you submit commercial invoices and other documents electronically meaning no printing & no hassle.

One standout feature? UPS lets you calculate duties and taxes during shipment creation or even at checkout for online orders. That means fewer surprises for your customer when the box shows up. Their focus is clear: reduce errors upfront, keep paperwork tight, and prevent delays before they happen.

FedEx: Speed and Hands-On Support

FedEx comes from an express delivery background, and it shows. Their global infrastructure supports fast customs clearance, especially for priority shipments. Like UPS, they offer digital document submission through their Electronic Trade Documents (ETD) system. But FedEx often takes it a step further.

They have dedicated customs support teams who walk you through requirements if anything goes sideways. That extra layer of service, someone actually guiding you if forms are missing or details need correction, can save serious time. FedEx also sends customs information ahead of the shipment’s arrival, which helps speed things up once it hits the border.

What They Both Do (But Differently)

In practice, both companies handle the same core steps:

• Prep customs documents (invoices, declarations, etc.)

• Send data to border agencies

• Pay duties/taxes up front, then bill you or the recipient

• Make sure your shipment meets country-specific regulations

The difference lies in how smooth that process feels. UPS prioritizes integration and predictability. FedEx leans on speed and support. For example, FedEx International Priority is built to deliver globally in 1–3 days with fast clearance baked in.

UPS, meanwhile, is known for reducing the friction of customs. It’s not always faster, but it’s often more consistent. So, if you’re choosing between them, ask yourself: do you want speed, or do you want structure?

Duties, Taxes, and Brokerage Fees: What You’ll Pay with UPS vs FedEx

When shipping internationally, duties and taxes (like VAT or GST) are set by the destination country, not the shipping carrier. So whether you use UPS or FedEx, those government-imposed charges stay the same. What differs, sometimes a lot, is how much each carrier charges to process customs paperwork. That’s where brokerage fees come in.

UPS Fees: Higher, Especially for Ground

UPS includes customs brokerage in its express services like UPS Worldwide Express. That means if you’re paying a premium for fast delivery, you won’t get hit with a separate customs fee.

But with UPS Ground or services like UPS Standard to Canada, it’s a different story. Here, the brokerage fee is based on the declared value of the shipment. The more your item is worth, the more you pay. For example:

• A lower-value item might trigger a fee of around $20 to $30
  
  
• A higher-value package could push the fee to $50 or more
  
  

UPS might also charge a disbursement or advancement fee. This is a percentage (usually with a $10 minimum) for paying the import taxes on your behalf before collecting from you. If you don’t factor these in ahead of time, the charges can feel like they came out of nowhere. That’s why UPS recommends using their online duty calculator during the label creation process.

FedEx Fees: Lower and More Predictable

FedEx tends to keep things simpler. Express international services come with brokerage included, similar to UPS. But for economy or ground options, FedEx usually charges a flat fee, often between $10 and $20, regardless of package value.

Here’s where it gets more appealing for frequent shippers: if you have a FedEx account and choose to bill duties to that account, they often waive the brokerage fee entirely. One user reported being charged $19.95 for a package to Canada, but that fee was removed because it was billed to a FedEx account.

FedEx also charges a disbursement fee when paying duties up front. In Canada, this might be around $10. Still, FedEx’s overall approach tends to feel more transparent. You know what you’re paying, and you’re less likely to get surprised by hidden fees.

The Express vs Ground Divide

Both carriers handle express shipments similarly. You pay more upfront for faster service, but it includes customs clearance. No extra invoices, no extra work.

Ground shipping is where fees stack up. The base shipping rate is lower, but you’ll usually get a bill for customs brokerage after the fact. You can choose to self-clear to avoid the charge, but most people let the carrier handle it to avoid the hassle. UPS or FedEx will hold the package until fees are paid or documentation is provided.

One Reddit user summed it up well: “Brokerage isn’t included with ground services. If the courier clears the package, they’ll charge you. You can ask to self-clear, but they’ll hold the shipment until you provide clearance paperwork.” Most recipients skip that step and just pay the fee.

For a step by step overview of international fulfillment from the U.S., see our international fulfillment guide.

Delivery Times and Customs Delays: Which Carrier Moves Faster?

International shipping can feel like a race against the unknown. You might pay for overnight delivery, but then your package gets stuck in customs for days. That’s why it’s important to look at how UPS and FedEx handle clearance delays and what kind of speed you can actually expect.

UPS: Built for Consistency

UPS is known for being dependable. Their integrated network keeps things tight, with fewer handoffs between air and ground.

• Major hubs like Louisville (KY) and Cologne (Germany) often pre-clear shipments while still in transit.

• This cuts down the time spent sitting in customs after arrival.

• Even during peak season, UPS kept over 96% of deliveries on time in 2024.

Customs delays are rare if documents are clean. Still, if you’re racing the clock, FedEx might edge ahead.

FedEx: Speed, Especially When It Counts

FedEx is built for fast. Everything about their system air fleet, electronic pre-clearance, 24/7 customs staff is designed to move packages quickly.

With FedEx International Priority, customs paperwork is submitted while the package is still in the air. That way, delivery can happen almost as soon as it lands.

FedEx also offers:

• Special clearance programs for regulated exports

• Additional support for time-sensitive items (like medical or high-security goods)

For lower-tier services (like economy or ground), though, expect similar delays to UPS if documentation is missing or incomplete.

Customs Delays Happen, Here’s How Each Carrier Responds

No carrier can fully prevent customs delays. Random inspections, unclear item values, or missing paperwork can trip up any shipment.

But when things go sideways, both carriers respond well.

• UPS often contacts the shipper or recipient quickly, asking for tax IDs or missing info. Their local teams help clear things up.

• FedEx does the same, and sometimes allows delivery while paperwork is still being processed.

That flexibility from FedEx can save a day or two—especially if the package is already en route.

Which One’s More Reliable?

It depends on what you need:

• FedEx is often the fastest for international express. Their system is designed for urgency.

• UPS tends to win on predictability. If you want to avoid surprises and keep things steady, it’s a safer bet.

A lot of eCommerce sellers use both. FedEx for overnight. UPS for everything else.

Customs Fees, Regions, and Special Considerations

Customs policies aren’t universal. Where you’re shipping affects how much you pay, how long clearance takes, and how UPS or FedEx handles the process. Here’s what to expect in some of the most common international lanes.

Shipping from the U.S. to Canada

This is where fee differences become obvious, especially with ground services.

UPS Standard (Ground):

• Brokerage fees are based on shipment value

• Fees commonly range from $30 to $50 CAD

• Advancement fees may also apply

• Canadian customers often report frustration with unexpected costs

FedEx Ground:

• Flat clearance fee, often $10 to $20 CAD

• Brokerage fee can be waived if billed to a FedEx account

• Less likely to generate surprise charges for recipients

Delivery Speed:

• Comparable for ground services (a few days)

• Both use electronic customs clearance

• Express services from either carrier include customs and move faster

Bottom line: FedEx Ground is often better for low-value items when you’re trying to avoid upsetting your Canadian customers with extra fees.

Shipping to Europe and the UK

Both carriers have strong infrastructure and operate major clearance hubs:

• UPS: Cologne, Germany

• FedEx: Paris, France

What stays consistent:

• VAT and duties apply to both carriers equally

• Clearance is typically done at a single EU gateway

• Delivery to final countries happens by truck or air

Customs Fees:

• Similar across both carriers

• Expect disbursement or clearance fees around €10 to €15

• No dramatic differences like you see with Canadian ground shipping

If speed matters: FedEx might get to remote areas faster thanks to its global flight network, but both are dependable for European shipments.

Shipping to Asia, Latin America, and Other Regions

These regions are more complex. Documentation can be strict and vary by country.

Common customs requirements:

• China: Receiver’s ID number

• India: KYC documents

• Other countries may require invoices in specific formats or proof of origin

FedEx strengths:

• Deep roots in Asia, especially China

• Often manages clearance in-house for faster handling

• Offers special services like:

• SenseAware: For high-value or temperature-sensitive shipments

• Controlled Export Services: For regulated goods

UPS strengths:

• Strong local partnerships and brokerage networks

• Good for bulk or complex shipments needing reliability

• Can pass clearance to local agents if needed, but maintains quality oversight

Customs Support When There’s a Hold-Up

No matter the carrier, sometimes customs holds packages. Here’s how they compare in support:

UPS:

• Offers 24/7 international support

• Often requires duty payment before releasing a package

• Proactively contacts shipper or recipient for missing paperwork

FedEx:

• Also offers 24/7 customs support

• Sometimes delivers the package first and bills duties later

• Helpful when speed matters and the customer expects quick delivery

Both provide:

• Help classifying products (like assigning HS codes)

• Guidance on country-specific regulations

Access to online documentation tools and phone support

FAQs: UPS Vs FedEx Customs

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Carrier for International Shipping

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. Both UPS and FedEx are excellent at what they do, but they serve slightly different needs.

• Choose UPS if you want structure, consistency, and more control over customs documentation and duties.

   

• Choose FedEx if speed, flexibility, or simplified billing makes a bigger difference to your business.

   

Most experienced shippers keep accounts with both and switch based on region, urgency, or customer expectations.

Key Takeaways

• UPS: Great for predictability, helpful tools for duty estimation, stronger structure for bulk or heavy shipments.

   

• FedEx: Ideal for fast delivery, easier customs fees, and international express shipments.

   

• Ground services: Expect brokerage fees unless prepaid. FedEx often charges less.

   

• Customs delays: Both handle them well, but FedEx is more likely to deliver first and settle payment later.

   

• Documentation matters: Accurate forms, values, and item descriptions can prevent delays with either carrier.

   

Need Help With International Fulfillment?

At eFulfillment Service, we help ecommerce sellers ship worldwide without the stress. We integrate with UPS, FedEx, USPS, and others to give you flexibility and transparency. No setup fees. No long-term contracts. And no surprises at customs.

Our team works with you to make sure your products reach customers on time—whether you’re shipping beauty products to Canada or auto parts to Europe.

Want to see how we can help?

If you want a partner to handle customs and shipping, review our international fulfillment services.