FedEx Large Box: Both Sizes, Weight Limits and Uses

The FedEx Large Box is a free, FedEx-branded corrugated box for FedEx Express shipments, and in the U.S. it comes in two shapes: a flat 17-1/2″ x 12-3/8″ x 3″ version and a deeper 11-1/4″ x 8-3/4″ x 7-3/4″ version. It qualifies for FedEx One Rate pricing when the packed box weighs less than 50 pounds, but it is not meant for FedEx Ground.

That makes the Large Box a good fit for document stacks, small parts, binders and compact electronics that need to move by air in one to three days. This guide covers both versions, the weight rules, where to get the box, and what to use instead when your item doesn’t fit or you’d rather ship by ground.

What Are the Two FedEx Large Box Versions?

FedEx lists two Large Box configurations on its FedEx One Rate page. Both count as the same packaging type, so the choice comes down to the shape of what you’re sending.

FedEx’s international product page for the flat Large Box gives its inside dimensions as 17.88″ x 12.38″ x 3″ and an empty weight of 14.5 ounces, and it describes the box as made “for side-by-side paper stacks, small parts and reports.” The small gap between the two listings comes from inside versus overall measurements, so measure your item against the smaller figure if the fit is tight.

The old idea that the Large Box is an 18″ cube with a 70-pound limit is wrong. Neither version comes close to that size, and FedEx’s own weight rules (below) are much lower for most uses.

How Much Weight Can a FedEx Large Box Hold?

For U.S. domestic shipments priced with FedEx One Rate, FedEx says boxes, paks and tubes “must weigh less than 50 lbs.” A packed Large Box at 50 pounds or more drops out of One Rate and is billed at standard FedEx rates by weight, dimensional weight and zone.

Outside the U.S., FedEx sets a lower cap. Its product pages for several Latin American markets list a maximum weight of 20 lb (9.07 kg) for the Large Box, while other country pages list 30 lb. In practice, the corrugated board is built for documents and light parts, so packing it anywhere near the domestic limit risks crushed corners and burst seams.

• U.S. One Rate: under 50 lb per box.
• International pages: 20 lb or 30 lb, depending on the country.
• Billing minimum (international): FedEx bills this packaging at a minimum of 1 kg per package.

Which FedEx Services Can Use the Large Box?

FedEx packaging is complimentary only for expedited service. FedEx’s packaging pages say free FedEx packaging “is only available for shipments using FedEx expedited, FedEx Express Saver” and select FedEx international services. FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery shipments should go in your own box.

Under FedEx One Rate, the Large Box can ship with these U.S. domestic services:

• FedEx First Overnight, FedEx Priority Overnight and FedEx Standard Overnight
• FedEx 2Day and FedEx 2Day A.M.
• FedEx Express Saver (three business days)

FedEx also notes that One Rate isn’t available for international shipments or intra-Hawaii shipments, account discounts don’t apply to One Rate, and the price doesn’t include packing materials. If you plan to drop the box off near a holiday, check the FedEx holiday schedule first, because pickup and delivery schedules change around major holidays.

How Does the Large Box Compare With Other FedEx Boxes?

The Large Box sits between the Medium and Extra Large boxes in FedEx’s lineup. Every box below comes in two versions, and all of them share the same under-50-lb One Rate rule.

If the Large Box is too shallow, the next step up is the Extra Large; our guide to what size is the FedEx Extra Large Box walks through both of its versions. For the complete lineup, including envelopes, paks and tubes, see our FedEx box sizes guide.

Where Can You Get a FedEx Large Box?

You can order Large Boxes free through fedex.com after logging in to a FedEx account, since FedEx’s supplies page requires an account to place an order. FedEx Office locations also sell boxes and packing supplies in store if you need something the same day.

Online ordering is the better route for businesses that ship often, since you can stock several sizes at once. Our roundup of FedEx labels and supplies covers the rest of what you can order alongside the box, and if you need branded packaging instead, our guide to FedEx custom boxes explains FedEx Office’s printed-box option.

How Should You Pack a FedEx Large Box?

Because the flat version is only 3″ deep, it works best for items that are already flat and fairly rigid. The deep version handles small boxed goods, but it still has thin walls compared with a double-wall shipping carton.

1. Measure first. Check your item against the inside measurements, not the outside ones, and leave room for at least a thin layer of cushioning.
2. Wrap fragile items. Use bubble wrap or foam around electronics and fill empty space so nothing shifts.
3. Seal every seam. Use the box’s adhesive strip, then add pressure-sensitive packing tape on any seam that carries weight.
4. Remove old labels if you reuse a box, so the barcode scanners only read the new label.

Once it’s on its way, our FedEx tracking and delivery guide explains each scan status, and if a box shows up at the wrong door, follow the steps in what to do when FedEx delivers to the wrong address.

What If Your Item Doesn’t Fit or Doesn’t Need Air Service?

Large or heavy items belong in your own carton, and anything past FedEx’s size limits falls under the rules in our FedEx oversize dimensions guide. When delivery in one to three days isn’t essential, a ground service in your own box usually beats any air service in a branded box.

If you’re open to UPS or USPS instead, ParcelPath offers up to 85% off UPS and up to 89% off USPS retail rates, free, with no subscription or per-label fee. USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes and UPS Simple Rate (which prices your own box by size tier, up to 50 lb and 1,728 cubic inches) are the closest equivalents to FedEx One Rate. You can compare live UPS and USPS prices for your box in the ParcelPath rate calculator, and our overview of shipping services and solutions compares the main carrier options side by side.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is a FedEx Large Box?

FedEx lists two U.S. Large Box versions on its One Rate page: a flat box measuring 17-1/2″ x 12-3/8″ x 3″ and a deeper box measuring 11-1/4″ x 8-3/4″ x 7-3/4″. FedEx’s international product page gives the flat box’s inside dimensions as 17.88″ x 12.38″ x 3″, so measure your item against the smaller figure when the fit is close.

Is the FedEx Large Box free?

Yes, for the right service. FedEx says complimentary packaging is only for shipments using FedEx expedited services, FedEx Express Saver and select international services. You can order Large Boxes free on fedex.com with a FedEx account. Using the box for FedEx Ground isn’t the intended use, so ground shipments should go in your own carton.

What is the weight limit for a FedEx Large Box?

For U.S. domestic FedEx One Rate shipments, a packed Large Box must weigh less than 50 pounds; at 50 pounds or more it is priced at standard rates instead. FedEx’s product pages for several international markets list a lower maximum of 20 lb (9.07 kg) for the same box, and some country pages list 30 lb.

Can you use a FedEx Large Box with FedEx One Rate?

Yes. The Large Box is one of FedEx’s qualifying One Rate packages, along with the Envelope, Pak, Tube and the Extra Small, Small, Medium and Extra Large boxes. One Rate covers U.S. domestic FedEx Express Saver, 2Day, 2Day A.M., Standard Overnight, Priority Overnight and First Overnight, but not international or intra-Hawaii shipments.

Can I reuse a FedEx Large Box?

You can reuse one for another FedEx Express shipment if the box is still sturdy, with no tears, crushed corners or water damage. Remove or fully cover every old label and barcode so the sorting scanners read only the new one, and reseal the seams with packing tape rather than relying on a used adhesive strip.

Sources

• FedEx: FedEx One Rate (qualifying packaging, box dimensions, weight limits, eligible services)
• FedEx: Packing supplies (complimentary packaging for expedited services)
• FedEx: FedEx Large Box product page (inside dimensions, empty weight, international weight limit)
• USPS: Priority Mail and Flat Rate packaging

Part of our FedEx Box Sizes and Prices guide. Related: FedEx Oversize Dimensions, FedEx Labels and Supplies, FedEx Custom Boxes.