Changes in delivery plans, incorrect shipment details, or package rerouting requires quick action, such as canceling or voiding a FedEx shipping label. It’s essential that you understand how FedEx label management works to help you keep shipments accurate, on time, and cost-efficient. This guide explains how to cancel or void a FedEx shipping label, along with important policies and fees all shippers need to know.
How FedEx Label Cancellation Works
FedEx offers several options to cancel or void shipping labels when necessary. For example, you may need to update an address, change the contents in a package, or fix incorrect information. It’s important that you promptly initiate the cancellation process so your shipment stays accurate and compliant with FedEx policies. Timely cancellation may also help you avoid or minimize associated fees.
FedEx Cancellation Rules and Guidelines
Like other major carriers, FedEx has specific guidelines for canceling or voiding shipping labels depending on the status of the shipment. Here are FedEx’s general policies for cancellation:
You can typically cancel a shipment online within 12 hours of creation, or before midnight on the date shown on the shipping label, whichever is sooner.
If you create a shipping label or air waybill but do not use it, you won’t be charged for the transportation costs.
If the shipment has already been picked up or the shipping date has passed, online cancellation is no longer possible. You must contact FedEx Customer Service to attempt a package interception or return. Take note that either option may involve additional fees.
Take note that FedEx reserves the right to refuse, hold, or cancel any shipment at any time if the package may cause damage, is prohibited by law, or if the shipper’s account is not in good standing.
How to Cancel a FedEx Shipping Label
There are several options to cancel a FedEx shipping label. You can either log in to FedEx Ship Manager via the FedEx website, mobile app, or your shipping platform (like Shopify/PitneyShip); alternatively, you can request a cancellation by contacting customer service.
Once logged in, find the shipment in your history, and click the option to Cancel or Void Label, ideally before the package is scanned or picked up. In general, you won't be charged if the label remains unused; however, you might need to call FedEx Customer Service or cancel a scheduled pickup separately if it's already booked.
If the shipment has not yet been picked up or scanned, follow these steps:
Log in to FedEx.com and sign in to your FedEx Ship Manager account.
Navigate to the "Ship History" or "Shipment" tab.
Find the specific shipment and click the "Cancel" button; alternatively, click the three dots next to it to find the cancel option.
If you scheduled a pickup, remember to cancel that as well through the Schedule and Manage Pickups section.
FedEx has a bill-on-scan system. This means if the shipping label was never scanned into their system, they typically won’t charge you for the postage. This applies even if you can’t remove it from your Ship History.
Here are additional cancellation options based on the status of your shipment or if you used a third-party app:
If you’ve already printed a FedEx label, you may still be able to cancel it if you contact customer service quickly enough, ideally before the label is scanned or before the package is picked up. Take note that you may still be charged a cancellation fee.
If your shipping label has been scanned or the package is already in transit, you will have to contact FedEx Customer Service at 1-800-Go-FedEx to have the shipment cancelled or arrange for its return.
If you used a third-party shipping platform, like Shopify, Pitney Bowes, etc., you can cancel the label via the app’s cancellation feature (e.g., the Shopify FedEx app).
If you placed your order through FedEx Office, you must cancel it within 15 minutes of placement to avoid any charges. Cancellation requests are not guaranteed once they have already begun processing your order.
When requesting a cancellation, make sure you have all the necessary information to speed up the process. You’ll need the label’s reference/tracking number, the shipment details (both sender and recipient information, and the service type), and the reason for cancellation.
How To Void a FedEx Shipping Label
Voiding a shipping label means it won’t be used and helps maintain the accuracy of your billing records. Voiding is applicable when the label is created by mistake, printed incorrectly, duplicated, or associated with a shipment that will not be mailed or was never sent.
To void a FedEx shipping label, you have to log into your online account or contact customer support. Once voided, the label becomes invalid and cannot be reused.
FedEx Label Cancellation Fees
You may incur a cancellation fee, depending on the shipping service and when you made the cancellation request. Here are important things to remember:
FedEx Express and FedEx Ground typically charge a $10 cancellation fee per label. However, you may not be charged a fee if the cancellation is made within 30 minutes of label creation.
FedEx Freight usually has a $25 cancellation fee, with no grace period.
Fees are subject to change, so always confirm current rates on the FedEx website or with customer service.
Final Thoughts
Whether you ship regularly or only occasionally via FedEx, it’s useful to know how to cancel or void a FedEx shipping label. Here are important things to keep in mind:
Packages that have already been entered into the FedEx system may take longer to cancel as they take time to reflect in tracking.
You may qualify for a full or partial refund, depending on the situation.
The sooner you cancel a shipping label, the better your chances of avoiding fees or problems with your package.
FedEx offers several options to cancel a shipping label, but preventing errors from the get-go is the best approach. Always review shipment details before printing your label to ensure accuracy. After label creation, you may still be able to make certain changes, such as adjusting the delivery date or changing the destination. If you’re quick enough, you can avoid canceling a label entirely and save time and money.