FedEx Overnight Letter Cost Calculator
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Important: Standard Overnight requires drop-off by 4:30 p.m. to guarantee next-day delivery.
For letters, FedEx One Rate envelopes cost £12.50 regardless of destination.
Shipping a letter overnight with FedEx isn’t just about speed-it’s about knowing exactly what you’re paying for. If you’ve ever stared at a shipping calculator wondering why a single letter costs more than a coffee, you’re not alone. The price isn’t fixed. It changes based on weight, distance, service level, and even the day of the week. Here’s the real breakdown of how much FedEx overnight costs for a letter in 2026, with no fluff, no guesswork.
Base Price for a Standard Letter
For a standard letter weighing under 1 pound (about 450 grams), FedEx First Overnight starts at £12.50 if you drop it off at a FedEx location or schedule a pickup. That’s for delivery by 10:30 a.m. the next business day anywhere in the UK. This is the most common option for urgent documents-contracts, legal papers, medical reports, or job applications.
But here’s what most people miss: this price assumes you’re using a standard FedEx envelope. If you use your own envelope or box, you’ll pay more because FedEx charges extra for non-standard packaging. They also add a package handling fee if your letter isn’t flat or doesn’t fit their envelope specs. Always use their official envelopes to avoid surprise charges.
What Affects the Price?
It’s not just the base rate. Four things can jack up your cost:
- Weight: Even if your letter is just 2 ounces over the limit, you’ll be charged the next weight tier. FedEx treats anything over 1 pound as a package, not a letter.
- Destination: Shipping from London to Edinburgh costs the same as London to Bristol-within the UK, distance doesn’t matter for overnight letters. But if you’re sending to Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man, expect a +£3.50 surcharge.
- Delivery time: FedEx First Overnight (10:30 a.m.) is the cheapest. If you need it by 8 a.m., you’ll pay £18.95. That’s FedEx Priority Overnight. For 5 p.m. delivery, you can use FedEx Standard Overnight at £10.75-but only if you drop it off before 5 p.m. the day before.
- Day of the week: Weekend deliveries cost more. Sending a letter on Friday for Saturday delivery adds £5 to the base price. Sunday delivery isn’t available for letters, so don’t plan for it.
FedEx vs. Other Services
Is FedEx the best option? Not always. Here’s how it stacks up against other next-day letter services in the UK:
| Service | Price (under 1 lb) | Delivery Time | Tracking | Drop-off Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FedEx First Overnight | £12.50 | 10:30 a.m. | Yes | 300+ locations |
| Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed | £9.80 | 1 p.m. | Yes | 11,500+ Post Offices |
| DPD Next Day | £11.20 | 10:30 a.m. | Yes | 2,000+ Pickup Points |
| UPS Next Day Air | £14.95 | 10:30 a.m. | Yes | 150+ locations |
Royal Mail’s Special Delivery is the cheapest and covers more locations, but it’s not as reliable for time-sensitive documents. If you need proof of delivery, FedEx gives you a digital signature and timestamp. Royal Mail only confirms delivery-no photo or signature unless you pay extra for Signature Confirmation.
Hidden Fees to Watch Out For
FedEx doesn’t advertise these, but they’re real:
- Address correction fee: If the address is wrong or incomplete, they’ll charge £12.50 to fix it-and you still pay for the original shipment.
- Residential delivery surcharge: Not for letters, but if you’re shipping a small package with a letter inside, you’ll pay an extra £3.20 if it’s going to a home.
- Fuel surcharge: This changes weekly. In January 2026, it’s at 8.5%, added to the base price. You’ll see it on the receipt.
- Signature required: If you want the recipient to sign, that’s free for letters. But if you want to restrict delivery to a specific person, it costs £5.95.
Pro tip: Always print the label yourself using FedEx’s online system. If you let them print it at the counter, they charge £1.50 per label.
How to Save Money
You don’t need to pay full price every time. Here’s how to cut costs:
- Use FedEx Office locations: They often run promotions-like 15% off first-time users. Sign up for their email list.
- Ship early: Drop off your letter by 4:30 p.m. on weekdays to get the lowest rate. After that, you’re stuck with next-day-but-later pricing.
- Use FedEx One Rate envelopes: These are flat-rate envelopes priced at £12.50 no matter where in the UK you send them. Perfect for documents that don’t need to be in a specific box.
- Combine shipments: If you’re sending multiple letters, ship them together in one envelope. FedEx charges per package, not per item.
What Happens If It’s Late?
FedEx guarantees delivery by the promised time. If your letter doesn’t arrive on time, you can file a refund claim. For First Overnight, they’ll refund the full shipping cost. No hassle, no forms-just go to fedex.co.uk/refund and enter your tracking number. You’ll get the money back in 3-5 business days.
But here’s the catch: the guarantee only applies if you used the correct service. If you picked Standard Overnight but needed it by 10 a.m., don’t expect a refund. The system knows what you paid for.
When to Use FedEx (and When Not To)
FedEx is worth it when:
- You need a digital signature or delivery proof
- You’re sending to a business that requires traceable delivery
- You’re shipping on a weekend or holiday
- You’ve had bad experiences with Royal Mail
Stick with Royal Mail if:
- You’re sending non-urgent documents
- You’re on a tight budget
- You don’t need a signature or real-time tracking
Most people overpay for FedEx because they think it’s the only option. It’s not. But when you need certainty, speed, and proof, it’s the most reliable in the UK.
Can I send a FedEx overnight letter internationally?
Yes, but not as a letter. International overnight shipping starts at £38.95 for a 1-pound package to the US or EU. Letters are only eligible for FedEx International Priority, which takes 1-2 business days and starts at £29.95. There’s no true overnight option outside the UK.
Do I need to sign for a FedEx overnight letter?
No, you don’t need to sign. FedEx delivers letters to the mailbox or front door without requiring a signature. But if you want proof that someone received it, you can add Signature Required for £5.95. For legal documents, this is recommended.
Can I drop off a FedEx letter at a Post Office?
No. FedEx letters must be dropped off at a FedEx location, FedEx Office, or scheduled for pickup. Royal Mail Post Offices only handle Royal Mail services. If you drop a FedEx envelope at a Post Office, it won’t be processed and could be lost.
Is FedEx overnight faster than Royal Mail Special Delivery?
FedEx First Overnight guarantees delivery by 10:30 a.m. Royal Mail Special Delivery guarantees delivery by 1 p.m. So yes, FedEx is faster. But Royal Mail is cheaper and more widely available. Choose FedEx if you need it before noon.
What if I miss the cutoff time?
If you miss the 4:30 p.m. cutoff on a weekday, your letter will ship the next business day. So dropping off at 5 p.m. on Tuesday means delivery on Thursday, not Wednesday. Weekends and holidays don’t count as business days.
Final Tip: Always Track It
Never send an important letter without a tracking number. Even if it’s just a letter, FedEx gives you real-time updates-when it’s scanned, when it leaves the hub, when it’s out for delivery. You can even get email or SMS alerts. For legal or financial documents, that’s not a luxury-it’s insurance.
