1. What does FedEx Ship Manager API do?

FedEx Ship Manager API allows in-house developers, consultants and independent software vendors (ISVs) to connect their company's or their client's applications directly to FedEx via the Internet. FedEx Ship Manager API allows developers to add shipping, tracking, and related functionality to their applications. The FedEx Ship Manager API can be used with a number of languages including Java™, C++, Microsoft Visual Basic, VBScript, and JavaScript.

2. How does FedEx Ship Manager API communicate?

FedEx Ship Manager API uses the secure Internet protocol, HTTPS, to establish an Internet connection to pass information from an application to the FedEx servers and then back to the application. With one function call your application can establish the connection to FedEx, send and receive information, and terminate the connection.

3. What tools are included in the FedEx Ship Manager API download?

	FedExAPI Client Library – Contains the single function for sending your transactions to the FedEx servers.
	FedExAPI Parser Library – Offers functions designed to assist with building a properly formatted transaction, as well as inserting and extracting specific data fields within the transaction. This tool can be downloaded and used independently from the FedEx Ship Manager API.
	FedExAPI Label Extensions Library – Provides functions that accept the request and reply transactions in order to extract and decode the FedEx label and Signature Proof of Delivery buffers, and prepare them for browser display, printing, or saving to a file. This tool can be downloaded and used independently from the FedEx Ship Manager API.

4. Do I need a FedEx Account Number?

Yes. To download the FedEx Ship Manager API, you must have a FedEx Account Number(s). If you don't have a FedEx Account Number, you may register for one now.

5. Why does FedEx certify shipping applications?

Applications that automatically enter packages into the FedEx shipping network (typically through a computer-generated, bar-coded air waybill) must meet FedEx documented standards for accuracy and quality. For more information on certification and testing, check out the Implementation Overview (PDF).

6. When do I certify my application?

As you prepare to go live with FedEx Ship Manager API, you will be asked to have your shipping transactions and labels certified to ensure that your organization's labels meet these minimum standards. For more information on FedEx Ship Manager API, from the software download through the certification process, check out our Implementation Overview (PDF).

7. All I wish to do is Track/Rate with the API. Do I still have to go through your Certification process?

Yes, you will still need to be certified. However, you are not required to complete the shipping test scripts to produce test labels. You will be required to submit a letter of intent to the certification group. In other words, it is not necessary for customers utilizing the Track and/or Rating functionality of the API to go through the same certification process as customers producing shipping labels.

8. How can I test my application?

FedEx Ship Manager API provides developers with a test environment in which transactions can be sent to the FedEx server without generating actual shipments. Register, accept the product license and download FedEx Ship Manager API to get more information on testing your application.

9. What is the difference between FedEx Ship Manager API and FedEx NetReturn API?

NetReturn is simply an additional transaction set tailored to product returns that can be sent using the FedEx Ship Manager API. FedEx NetReturn API transactions help you gain control over product returns by integrating this process into your company's Order Management System (OMS), Inventory Management System (IMS) or website. FedEx NetReturn API enables you to manage your return process by providing visibility of your authorized return inventory through automated dispatching, tracking, and reporting throughout the returns process.

The only difference between FedEx Ship Manager API and FedEx NetReturn API is the transactions themselves.

10. Does FedEx recommend an integrator that I can contact to develop my API shipping application/solution?

Yes, there are integrators that have been exclusively trained and certified to develop and integrate the FedEx Ship Manager API and Fed Ex Net Return API. You can locate these integrators on our website.