FedEx Express (FedEx) says it has expanded its FedEx International Priority Direct Distributions (IPD) single point of clearance service to 12 new countries in the European Union, bringing the service to a total of 27 countries on the world's largest trading bloc.

The 12 new destinations are Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.

David Cunningham, president of FedEx Express Asia Pacific, said: "This enhancement provides businesses in Asia with more efficient access to all EU markets, and opens doors for new business opportunities."

The IPD service enables businesses in the Asia Pacific to ship a consolidated shipment from one origin country to multiple recipients to the EU under one international air waybill and one consolidated commercial invoice, a company statement said.

The time-definite delivery service is particularly targeted towards the automotive and pharmaceutical industries as the company claimed it will help reduce costs in customs clearance, warehousing and inventory.