Connect FedEx

To connect your FedEx account to Cahoot, retrieve your FedEx API credentials and submit them using the FedEx Integration Form. If you are generating production credentials for the first time, FedEx also requires you to complete label validation before those credentials will produce live labels. Cahoot Support configures the connection and lets you know when your account is ready.

📋 FedEx Integration Form

Find Your FedEx Account Number

Your FedEx account number is located in your FedEx.com profile, not in the Developer Portal.

1. Log in to your FedEx account and click Administrative Tools under My Profile.

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2. Click FedEx Accounts in the left navigation, then copy your account number into the FedEx Integration Form.

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Keep this account number available — you will need it again when you set up your Developer Portal organization and when you complete label validation.

Create an Organization in the FedEx Developer Portal

Your API Key and Secret Key are generated inside a FedEx Developer Portal organization. If you already have an organization set up, skip ahead to Create an API Project and Generate Your Keys.

1. Go to the FedEx Developer Portal and log in with your FedEx credentials.
2. Click Create Organization in the left navigation.
3. Enter your company name, website URL, and organization name.
4. Add your FedEx shipping account using the account number you copied above, along with the billing address associated with that account.
5. Accept the End User License Agreement.

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Create an API Project and Generate Your API Key and Secret Key

A FedEx API project controls which FedEx services Cahoot can access on your behalf. Select both the Ship API and the Rates and Transit Times API — Cahoot needs the first to create labels and the second to return rates.

1. Open My Projects, go to the APIs tab, and click Create API Project.
2. Select Ship, Rate & other APIs.

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3. Within that group, select Ship API and Rates and Transit Times API.

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4. Give the project a unique, identifiable name, select the countries you ship within, and set your notification preferences.
5. Accept the FedEx Developer Portal License Agreement and click Create.
6. Open the Production Key tab, enter a key name, add your shipping account, and click Next.

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7. Copy your API Key and Secret Key into the FedEx Integration Form.

Complete FedEx Label Validation

FedEx requires label validation, also called label certification, for newly created production credentials. Until FedEx approves your labels, your production key will not generate live FedEx shipping labels in Cahoot. Start this step as soon as your production key exists rather than waiting for a Validation Required message.

Validation has two parts: a completed cover sheet, and sample labels in the exact format your printer produces. Cahoot generates the sample labels for you.

Fill Out the FedEx Label Cover Sheet

Download the FedEx Label Cover Sheet and complete every field in Section 2 – Customer & Printer Information. FedEx rejects partially completed cover sheets.

The Printer Model(s) to be Utilized, How Many of Each Printer Model, and Label Image Type fields describe the printer that physically prints your FedEx labels. Which printer that is depends on who ships your orders.

Request Sample Labels from Cahoot

FedEx validates the actual label output, so the samples must match the label image type and services you listed on the cover sheet. Submit Ticket to request validation labels, and include your label image type and the services you selected. Cahoot generates labels in the matching format and returns them to you.

Submit Your Validation Package to FedEx

Email the completed cover sheet and your sample labels to label@fedex.com. FedEx reviews the submission and notifies you when your credentials are approved.

Add Your Indicia Hub ID for FedEx Ground Economy

The Indicia Hub ID is required only if you ship FedEx Ground Economy, formerly SmartPost. It is not available in your FedEx account or in the Developer Portal — request it from your FedEx Account Representative, then add it to the FedEx Integration Form with your other credentials.

Your FedEx account must also be enabled for Ground Economy before the service will return rates. If it is not enabled, ask your FedEx Account Representative to add it. If your FedEx connection is already live and you are adding Ground Economy later, Submit Ticket with your Indicia Hub ID instead of resubmitting the form.

What Happens After You Submit the FedEx Integration Form

Cahoot Support configures your credentials and notifies you when your FedEx connection is live. Do not attempt to generate FedEx labels in Cahoot until you receive that confirmation and, for new production credentials, until FedEx has approved your label validation.

FAQ

Do I have to complete FedEx label validation?

Yes, if you are creating FedEx production credentials for the first time. FedEx requires label certification on new production keys before they will generate live labels. Accounts with existing, already-certified production credentials do not need to repeat validation to connect to Cahoot.

Does Cahoot provide the sample labels for validation?

Yes. Cahoot generates FedEx sample labels in the label image type and services you specify. Submit Ticket to request them, and include the label image type and services listed on your cover sheet so the samples match.

What is FedEx Ground Economy?

FedEx Ground Economy, formerly FedEx SmartPost, is an economy service for lightweight, non-urgent residential packages. It requires an Indicia Hub ID from your FedEx Account Representative and must be enabled on your FedEx account before it will return rates in Cahoot. FedEx Ground Economy packages cannot exceed 70 lbs total weight. Dimensions are limited to 130 inches in length plus girth, calculated as length plus twice the width plus twice the height.

What is FedEx One Rate?

FedEx One Rate is flat-rate pricing for eligible FedEx envelopes, paks, tubes, and boxes, where the cost does not vary by weight within the published limits. One Rate services will not appear in Cahoot until you assign FedEx packaging to each SKU in the Package Manager. See Configure FedEx OneRate for the full setup.