AKRON, Ohio — FedEx Custom Critical, Inc. is expanding its portfolio to include surface expedite services to and from Mexico.

This service provides customers with time-specific freight deliveries to and from Mexico, the United States and Canada. FedEx Custom Critical provides to-the-minute pickups and deliveries with exclusive-use vehicles, and only one customer’s shipment is transported on each vehicle for complete custodial control throughout transit.

FedEx Custom Critical provides the transportation services for the U.S. and Canadian portions of these shipments, with premium carriers in Mexico handling the exclusive-use transit south of the U.S. border.

“Extending our surface expedite capabilities into Mexico adds another dimension to the solutions we can offer our customers,” said Virginia Albanese, vice president of service for FedEx Custom Critical. “We provide shippers with an array of options to move their time-critical freight, whether it’s in the United States, Mexico or anywhere in the world. Our new surface offering for Mexico broadens our expedited portfolio.”

For each surface expedite shipment that involves Mexico, customers receive proactive communications and tracking. Customers are contacted when the shipment is picked up, clears customs and when it is delivered.

The addition of surface capabilities builds on the company’s efforts to meet the needs of its customers shipping inbound and outbound from Mexico. In October 2003, FedEx Custom Critical expanded its international Point-to-Point air-freight offering by introducing service to and from Mexico. With this service, exclusive-use vehicles are also used for pickups and for deliveries in the United States and Mexico. FedEx Express provides the air transportation on these shipments. For even faster deliveries, FedEx Custom Critical also arranges domestic and international air-charter services.

For more details, visit www.fedex.com