FedEx Declared Value Fee 2026: Cost per $100, Limits and What It Covers

2026 FedEx rate: Declared value is free up to $100, $4.95 for values from $100.01 to $300, and $1.65 for each $100 (or fraction of $100) for values over $300, for U.S. package services and FedEx International Ground.

Quick answer: FedEx’s liability for a lost or damaged package is limited to $100 unless you declare a higher value and pay for it. Declaring value raises FedEx’s maximum liability, up to $50,000 per package for most services. It is not insurance: FedEx says plainly that it does not provide insurance coverage of any kind, and you still have to prove your actual loss.

Declared value is often added automatically by shipping software. A carrier invoice audit shows where you are paying for coverage you don’t need.

2026 rates: FedEx Service Guide, effective January 5, 2026 (updated September 11, 2026). Amounts are list rates.

How It Appears on Your FedEx Invoice

On a FedEx invoice this appears as “Declared Value Charge”, per FedEx’s list of invoice fee names.

2026 FedEx Declared Value Rates

Worked examples (U.S. package services)

FedEx’s Terms and Conditions say an additional amount is charged “for each US$100 in value or fraction thereof” for packages declared above $100. Reading that together with the rate table, a common calculation counts every $100 increment of the declared value once you’re over $300:

• $250 package: $4.95.
• $750 package: 8 increments × $1.65 = $13.20.
• $3,500 package: 35 increments × $1.65 = $57.75.

Check your own invoices to confirm how FedEx is calculating the increments on your account; contract terms can change both the rate and the method.

Liability Limits

• Default liability: $100 per package unless a higher value is declared and paid for.
• Maximum declared value: $50,000 per package for FedEx First Overnight, Priority Overnight, Standard Overnight, 2Day A.M., 2Day, Express Saver, Ground and Home Delivery.
• FedEx Envelope and FedEx Pak: maximum declared value of $500.
• Restricted items, maximum $1,000: artwork, film and photographs, antiques, glassware and ceramics, plasma screens, jewelry and watches, furs, precious metals, cash equivalents including gift cards, collectibles, musical instruments over 20 years old or customized, scale models and prototypes, packages returned through the FedEx Ground Package Returns Program, and items whose value is particularly variable or that are especially susceptible to damage.

If you declare $5,000 on a piece of jewelry, FedEx’s liability is still capped at $1,000. Paying declared value above that limit buys nothing.

Declared Value Is Not Insurance

FedEx’s Terms and Conditions state that declared value represents its maximum liability, that it is the shipper’s responsibility to prove actual damages, and that “we do not provide insurance coverage of any kind.” Claims are still subject to FedEx’s packaging requirements and other terms. For broad coverage, third-party shipping insurance is often cheaper and covers more.

FedEx vs. UPS Declared Value

FedEx is slightly cheaper at list. See the UPS Declared Value guide for UPS’s rules.

The $500 Signature Rule

For U.S. packages declared at $500 or more, FedEx defaults to Direct Signature Required and doesn’t charge the Direct Signature fee on those packages. You can choose FedEx Authenticated Delivery instead for $20. See FedEx signature options.

How to Avoid Overpaying for Declared Value

• Check software defaults. Many systems declare the order value on every package automatically.
• Don’t declare above the restricted-item cap. For jewelry, art and the other listed items, FedEx won’t pay more than $1,000.
• Compare third-party insurance for higher-value shipments.
• Set a threshold. Declare value only above a set order value and self-insure below it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the “Declared Value Charge” on my FedEx invoice?

It is the fee for declaring a value above FedEx’s $100 default liability: $4.95 for $100.01 to $300, and $1.65 per $100 above $300 in 2026. It is not insurance.

How much does FedEx declared value cost in 2026?

Free up to $100, $4.95 for $100.01 to $300, and $1.65 per $100 (or fraction) above $300 for U.S. package services.

What is FedEx’s default liability?

$100 per package unless a higher value is declared and paid for.

What is the maximum declared value at FedEx?

$50,000 per package for most U.S. services, $500 for FedEx Envelope and Pak, and $1,000 for restricted items such as jewelry, artwork and antiques.

Is FedEx declared value the same as insurance?

No. FedEx states it does not provide insurance coverage. Declared value only raises FedEx’s maximum liability, and you must still prove your loss.

Related Reading

• FedEx Surcharges 2026: Every Fee, Rate & Threshold Explained
• FedEx Delivery Signature Options 2026
• UPS Declared Value 2026
• UPS Enhanced Maximum Declared Value

Get a free carrier invoice audit

D’arrigo Consulting audits FedEx and UPS invoices line by line for surcharges that were billed when they shouldn’t have been. Request a free invoice audit to see what you can recover.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal or insurance advice. Carrier rates, surcharges, and policies change frequently — always verify current terms directly with the carrier for your specific situation. Have questions? Reach out to us — we're happy to help.