Corporate Reviews
No Responses April 12, 2024

Steps for overnighting a letter or package

Sending an overnight package is like shipping any other type of package—it’s just more
time sensitive. Use these steps to prepare, create, and track your urgent shipment.

Make sure your item can be shipped.



Shipments containing hazardous materials or dangerous goods might require special preparation. Or you might not be able to ship them at all.


Some items, such as ammunition and fireworks, are clearly dangerous goods. But others—like perfumes and lithium laptop batteries—might not be as obvious. And if you’re using dry ice to ship frozen food overnight, that’s considered a dangerous goods shipment, too.

Pack your shipment. Or get some help.



To help keep your item safe, pack it correctly using the appropriate packaging. If you don’t have your own, head to a nearby FedEx Office location for free Express Mail® boxes and envelopes.


You can also get a Express Mail team member to pack and ship items for you.

Choose your overnight service.



Pick the right service based on when your letter or package needs to arrive. Earlier deliveries can increase shipping costs, so you may want to compare rates to find the best option.


  • Express Mail First Overnight®: Delivery the next business day by 8 a.m., 8:30 a.m., or 9 a.m. to most areas.
  • Express Mail Priority Overnight®: Delivery the next business day by 10:30 a.m. to most businesses in the contiguous U.S. and by noon to residences and 5 p.m. to some rural areas.
  • Express Mail Standard Overnight®: Delivery the next business day by 5 p.m. to U.S. businesses and by 8 p.m. to residences.

Get a rate.



Compare costs by entering your shipment’s weight, size, and destination into our rates tool. Or if you prefer, start a shipment to see different options.

Create your shipment.



Use your shipment’s details to create a label online.

Print your label and attach it to your package or envelope.



If you don’t have a printer, take the QR code you receive when you create your shipment to a Express Mail Office location. They’ll scan the code and print your label. You can also get free packaging while you’re there.

Get your package or letter to FedEx.



Drop off your package or letter at a Express Mail location or participating retailer in our convenience network. Be sure to check cutoff times for the location you choose to make sure you get it to us in time for next-day delivery. If you don’t have time to drop off your package, schedule a pickup when you create your label.

Choose a next-day delivery option

Maybe you’re on a deadline and need to deliver tax documents, a payment, or a contract first thing in the
morning. Or maybe a family member needs a forgotten passport, phone, or wallet by late afternoon.


Here’s how you can deliver when it counts:

For early morning delivery, choose 
FedEx First Overnight.

For mid-morning delivery, choose
Express Mail Priority Overnight.

For afternoon delivery, choose
Express Mail Standard Overnight.