FedEx InSight Integration: Account-Level Package Visibility

January 28, 2026 · 5 min read

Principal Software Engineer

This guide covers how to implement FedEx InSight and related APIs for account-level package visibility, allowing you to see all packages being delivered to your locations without needing individual tracking numbers.

Overview

FedEx offers multiple services for shipment visibility:

Service	Vendor Coordination	See ALL Packages	API Available	Cost
FedEx InSight	Not required	Yes (by address/account)	No (web portal)	Free
Track API (Basic)	N/A	By tracking number only	Yes (pull)	Free
Advanced Integrated Visibility	N/A	Subscribed tracking numbers	Yes (webhook push)	Paid

FedEx InSight

What is FedEx InSight?

FedEx InSight is a free web-based application that enables you to view the status of your inbound, outbound, and third-party shipments without a tracking number. All you need is your account number and/or company name and address.

Key Features

Inbound visibility - See all packages being shipped TO your registered addresses
Outbound visibility - See all packages shipped FROM your accounts
Third-party visibility - See packages billed to your account
No vendor coordination required - Works automatically by address matching
Multi-carrier coverage - FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, FedEx Freight

How It Works

FedEx InSight identifies shipments by matching:

Your FedEx account numbers
Company name and address combinations

Shipments are automatically associated when either the sender or recipient information matches your registered profile.

Shipment Visibility Duration

Scenario	Visibility Period
With proof of delivery	Until 4 days after delivery
Without proof of delivery	15 days from ship date

Three View Types

View	Description
Inbound	Shipments where you're the recipient
Outbound	Shipments where you're the shipper
Third Party	Shipments billed to your account

Limitations

Web portal only - no API for automation
Only shipments created after registration approval are visible
Prior shipments require standard FedEx tracking

FedEx Developer APIs

Track API (Basic Integrated Visibility)

The Track API enables developers to retrieve tracking information programmatically.

Aspect	Details
Type	REST API (pull/polling)
Auth	OAuth 2.0
Coverage	FedEx Express, Ground, Ground Economy, Freight
Rate Limit	10,000 API calls per day
Cost	Free

Capabilities

Track by tracking number, reference, or TCN
Get estimated delivery date and time windows
Access delivery options (dispute, return-to-shipper)
Retrieve proof of delivery

Example Request

{
  "trackingInfo": [
    {
      "trackingNumberInfo": {
        "trackingNumber": "123456789012"
      }
    }
  ],
  "includeDetailedScans": true
}

Advanced Integrated Visibility (Webhook)

For real-time push notifications, FedEx offers Advanced Integrated Visibility with webhook technology.

Aspect	Details
Type	Webhook (push notifications)
Updates	Near real-time
Coverage	U.S.-based accounts only
Cost	Paid (monthly fee based on tracking count)

Features

Near real-time delivery predictions
Track events with estimated delivery windows
Picture Proof of Delivery
GPS coordinates of delivered packages
Configurable event notifications

Webhook Setup Requirements

Create an Organization profile on FedEx Developer Portal
Add eligible U.S.-based billing/shipping account numbers
Configure webhook listener (callback URL + security token)
Accept JSON payload notifications over HTTPS (TLS 1.2+)

Security

FedEx sends HMAC-based base64 encoded fdx-signature header with every payload. Authenticate by:

Generate HMAC signature from payload + security token
Compare with received fdx-signature

Retry Mechanism

Scenario	Behavior
Failed delivery	3 retries within 5-minute intervals
All retries fail	Event dropped (manual retry available)
Missed events	Request via "RETRY" button (last 7 days)

Tracking Number Subscription API

Use this API to manage webhook subscriptions for specific tracking numbers.

Endpoints:

Tracking Number Association - Associate tracking numbers to webhook project
Tracking Number Job Status - Get job status
Tracking Number Job Details - Download JSON reports

Integration Recommendations

For Inbound Visibility (No API)

Use FedEx InSight web portal:

Register at fedex.com/insight
Add all receiving addresses to your profile
Export data manually or via scheduled reports

For Automated Tracking

Use the Track API for polling-based integration:

Register at FedEx Developer Portal
Create a project and get API credentials
Poll for tracking updates on known tracking numbers

For Real-Time Updates

Use Advanced Integrated Visibility webhook:

Subscribe to the paid service
Configure webhook endpoint
Receive push notifications for all events

Hybrid Approach

Combine multiple sources for maximum coverage:

Source	Data
FedEx InSight	Manual visibility for all inbound packages
Track API	Automated tracking for known tracking numbers
Carrier FTP/JSON files	Direct data feeds from carriers
Advanced Visibility	Real-time push for critical shipments

Event Mapping

FedEx Events to Common Status

FedEx Event Code	Description	Common Status
PU	Picked up	Picked Up
IT	In transit	In Transit
OD	On FedEx vehicle for delivery	Out for Delivery
DL	Delivered	Delivered
DE	Delivery exception	Exception
AE	Arrived early	Delivered
AO	Arrived on time	Delivered

FedEx InSight Integration: Account-Level Package Visibility

Overview