FedEx Express heralds FedEx International Connect Plus expansion in AMEA region

FedEx Express, the global, time-definite delivery service unit and largest subsidiary of Memphis-based global transportation and logistics power FedEx, recently announced it has expanded its FedEx International Connect Plus (FICP) offering to four Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa (AMEA)-based regions, including: Indonesia, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

FedEx describes FICP as an international, day-definite, e-commerce shipping service that combines competitive speed with attractive prices.  

Company officials said that this expansion is the most recent example of how FedEx Express is continuing to focus on developing e-commerce in the AMEA region, noting how e-commerce sales in Southeast Asia are pegged to hit $100 billion by 2023, with New Zealand expected to see annual growth of 6% up to 2025, according to eMarketer data.

“Since the launch of FICP last year, we’ve witnessed strong uptake among our e-commerce customers as it provides a sweet spot for e-tailers to offer speedy delivery at reasonable costs,” said Salil Chari, senior vice president, Marketing and Customer Experience, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (AMEA) region, FedEx Express, in a statement. “Providing businesses with a broader portfolio of shipping solutions, that match their specific needs is a top priority for us at FedEx. Alongside our other digital solutions, the expansion of FICP allows us to better support customers and accelerate the future growth of cross-border e-commerce within this dynamic region.”

FedEx cited various benefits of FICP, for both e-tailers and their customers, including:

• Greater value, with the FICP allowing businesses to enjoy greater savings at competitive day-definite transits, and their customers get suitable choices by matching attractive prices with their specific delivery needs;
• Flexibility and control, with the FICP service enabling e-tailers to give their end customers the flexibility to pick up their package from hundreds of pick-up locations nearby and the option to change delivery date and location;
• Seamless Integration, as both online and offline shipping automation solutions are available for e-tailers to enjoy a paperless experience; and
• Peace of mind, FedEx’s extensive parcel tracking capabilities giving e-tailers and customers visibility throughout the delivery journey

In May, FedEx made FICP available to customers in 24 European countries with connections to 47 global markets.

This followed a ten-market rollout in 2021, in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Austria, Sweden, Belgium and the Netherlands, with the 14 new markets announced this week, including: Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Romania, Slovenia and Switzerland.

The company said at the time that FedEx International Connect Plus is part of a portfolio of services that balances speed and cost, enabling shippers to offer the delivery times their customers want and the affordable pricing that gives their businesses an edge.

It is available for shipments that weigh less than 70 pounds. What’s more, FedEx said that FICP now connects almost 99% of the world’s GDP, while enabling e-commerce sellers to grow their business in Europe and abroad.

And it added that those businesses will be able to ship their products to online shoppers in Europe in 1-3 days, North America in 3-4 days, Asia-Pacific and the rest of the world in 3-5 days at attractive rates, while improving their competitiveness in the market.