Interesting post from Tom Bittner via LinkedIn:
Minimum Billable Weight FedEx isn't telling you about this, and if you are a lightweight Air shipper, you need to know how this affects your FedEx agreement. Minimum billable weight applies to all Domestic and International Air shipments packaged in a FedEx Express box or tube. The trigger for this surcharge (as it's considered contractually) is the FedEx packaging. If you use your own packaging you will be subject the dimensional weight applied to your shipments. If you use FedEx's packaging you become subject to the Minimum Billable Weight (MBW). Minimum Billable Weight applies to the following (per the 2012 FedEx Service Guide): A minimum billable weight of 2 lbs. applies to the FedEx Small Box, FedEx Medium Box and FedEx Large Box for U.S. and U.S. export shipments; A minimum billable weight of 6 lbs. applies to the FedEx Tube for U.S. shipments; A minimum billable weight of 7 lbs. applies to the FedEx Tube for U.S. export shipments. What this means is, if you ship bathing suits for example, and your shipment weighs less than 2lbs, FedEx will round up your shipment weight to 2lbs, and you will be charged at the 2lbs shipment weight. If your shipment actually weighs 1lb, the 2012 list rate for Standard Overnight Zone 5 is $38.70. With MBW your shipment will bump to 2lbs, and you will be charged at a list rate of $42.85that's over a 10% rate increase per package.