Peak and Other Carrier Surcharges

Configure carrier surcharges for your organization's account.

About carrier surcharges

Carrier surcharges are extra costs that carriers assess for shipping packages, typically to cover fluctuating operational expenses. Peak season surcharges, also known as demand surcharges, are temporarily added by carriers to their base shipping rates during periods of high shipping demand.

This document provides information about carrier peak/demand surcharges and guidance to configure carrier surcharges for your organization's Shipium account.

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Carrier contract required for configuration

The Shipium platform supports configuration of carrier surcharges for your organization's account. However, to configure carrier surcharges for your organization within the Shipium platform, you first must have an established contract with the desired carrier. You can find more in Carrier Contracts.

Peak/demand surcharges by carrier

Shipium's supported carriers are listed in the following table, with a designation of whether they implement peak/demand season surcharges. A link to the carrier's documentation is included for carriers that assess peak season surcharges.

CarrierPeak season surchargesCarrier documentation
99minutosNoNot Applicable (NA)
AirTerraTo Be Determined (TBD)
Amazon - Ship With AmazonYesAmazon Shipping Demand Surcharges
Amazon - Vendor Direct FulfillmentTBD
AMPMNoNA
AsendiaTBD
AxleHireNoNA
Better TrucksNoNA
Canada PostYes
CDLNoNA
CirroTBD
ClearJetYes
DHL eCommerceYesPeak Surcharges
DHL ExpressYesDemand Surcharges
DoorDashNoNA
ECMSTBD
eHubNoNA
EnvoiTBD
ePost GlobalNoNA
EstafetaTBD
FedExYesDemand Surcharges - Domestic
Demand Surcharges - U.S. International
Demand Surcharges - Canada
FirstMileNoNA
FlavorCloudTBD
FleetOpticsNoNA
FRONTdoor CollectiveTBD
Global-eTBD
GLSYes
GoBoltYes
GoriNoNA
Intelcom | DragonflyTBD
LandmarkYes
LaserShipTBD
Lonestar Overnight (LSO)TBD
Meal Plan Delivery (MPD)TBD
MidlandNoNA
NationexNoNA
Need It NowNoNA
OnTrac (LaserShip)YesRates & Surcharges
OpenBorderTBD
OptimaTBD
OrchestroTBD
OSMYes
PaquetexpressNoNA
PassportTBD
Point2Point GlobalYes
Purolator E-ShipYes
Reliable LogisticsTBD
RoadieTBD
ShipXYes
SmartKargoNoNA
SpeedXNoNA
SwayYes
T-ForceNoNA
TuskYes
Uber DirectTBD
United Delivery Service (UDS)NoNA
UPSYesUPS Demand and Surge Fees - CA
UPS Demand Surcharges - US
UPS Surge Fee
UniUniNoNA
UPS Mail Innovations (MI)YesPeak Demand Surcharges
USPS (includes USPS Direct as well as USPS via EasyPost, Endicia, and Pitney Bowes)YesPeak Surcharges
VehoNoNA

DHL eCommerce

From October 5, 2025, through January 17, 2026, DHL eCommerce will apply peak season surcharges. These surcharges affect a variety of domestic, international, and return services, with rates varying by service method, package weight, and destination zone.

Domestic methods

Service methodWeight breakZones 1-8 cost per packageZones 11-13 cost per package
Parcel Ground / ExpeditedAll$0.62$0.67
Parcel Plus Ground / Expedited0-3 lbs$0.62$0.67
4-10 lbs$0.77$1.07
11-25 lbs$1.07$1.57
Parcel Expedited Max0-3 lbs$0.62N/A
4-10 lbs$0.77N/A
11-25 lbs$1.07N/A
BPM Ground / Expedited0-10 lbs$0.32$0.67
11-25 lbs$0.32$1.57

SmartMail return & additional domestic methods

Service methodWeight breakZones 1-4 cost per packageZones 5-8 cost per package
Parcel Return LightAll$0.30$0.35
Parcel Return Ground0-3 lbs$0.30$0.35
4-10 lbs$0.45$0.75
11-25 lbs$0.75$1.25
26-70 lbs$3.00$5.50
Parcel Return Plus0-3 lbs$0.30$0.70
4-10 lbs$0.45$1.25
11-25 lbs$0.75$2.75
26-70 lbs$3.00$6.50
Ground Advantage0-3 lbs$0.30$0.35
4-10 lbs$0.45$0.75
11-25 lbs$0.75$1.25
26-70 lbs$3.00$5.50
Priority Mail0-3 lbs$0.30$0.70
4-10 lbs$0.45$1.25
11-25 lbs$0.75$2.75
26-70 lbs$3.00$6.50

International methods (from US)

Service methodCost per package
Packet International$0.32
Parcel International Direct$0.32
Parcel International Standard$0.32
Parcel International Standard - SMB & Direct SMB$0.32

Products for Canada-based customers (shipments from Canada to US)

Service methodWeight breakZones 1-8 cost per packageZones 11-13 cost per package
Parcel International Direct (Std & Priority)0-3 lbs$0.62$0.67
4-10 lbs$0.77$1.07
11-25 lbs$1.07$1.57
Parcel International Direct Max0-3 lbs$0.62N/A
4-10 lbs$0.77N/A
11-25 lbs$1.07N/A

DHL Express

From October 1, 2025, to February 16, 2026, DHL Express will apply a demand surcharge. The surcharge affects Express, Domestic, and International Day Definite services, with per-pound costs varying based on the shipment's origin and destination.

Shipment typeOriginDestinationCost (USD)
Express¹AmericasAmericas$0.14 per lb
Express¹AmericasRest of World$0.42 per lb
Domestic Time/Day Definite²--$0.05 per lb
International Day Definite³--$0.07 per lb ($0.15 per kg)

Service Method Details

  1. Express Services. Includes DHL Express Worldwide, DHL Express 12:00, DHL Express 10:30, DHL Express 9:00, DHL Express Envelope, and DHL Express Breakbulk (including Import and 3rd Country equivalents)
  2. Domestic Time/Day Definite. Includes DHL Express Domestic, DHL Express Domestic 9:00, DHL Express Domestic 10:30, DHL Express Domestic 12:00, and DHL Economy Select Domestic
  3. International Day Definite. Includes DHL Economy Select and DHL Economy Breakbulk (including Import and 3rd Country equivalents)

FedEx

FedEx - Canada

FedEx Canada will apply several demand surcharges to intra-Canada and international shipments. These include surcharges for oversized packages, additional handling, and unauthorized packages. A separate Demand Residential Delivery Charge will also apply to high-volume enterprise customers, calculated based on a "demand factor" that compares current shipping volumes to a historical baseline.

FedEx Canada peak season demand surcharges

The following surcharges apply to Intra-Canada (Ground and Express) and International services from September 29, 2025, to January 18, 2026:

Surcharge typeCost (CAD)
Demand – Oversized Charge$55.00 per shipment
Demand – Additional Handling$6.00 per package
Demand – Unauthorized Package$450.00 per package

FedEx Canada demand – Residential delivery charge

This surcharge applies from October 27, 2025, to January 18, 2026, for enterprise customers shipping over 7,000 weekly average packages during specified measurement periods. The charge is based on a "demand factor" calculated by comparing peak-season shipping volume to a baseline volume from March 2025.

Surcharge Rates:

DivisionPeaking demand factorCost per shipment (CAD)
Express> 110% to 200%$1.50
> 200%$2.50
Ground> 110% to 200%$1.00
> 200%$2.00

FedEx Express Canada international demand surcharges

The following special handling demand surcharges are effective September 22, 2025, with no specified end date.

Flow typeDestination/OriginCost per lb (0.5 kg)Minimum charge
ExportCanada to Israel$0.30$1.40 per shipment
ExportCanada to Australia, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Middle East (Zone R1, excl. Israel), New Zealand, South Africa$0.14$1.40 per shipment
ImportFrom U.S., Mexico, and Latin America to Canada$0.17$1.40 per shipment

FedEx - US

FedEx will apply several demand surcharges to domestic and international shipments. These include surcharges for additional handling, oversized packages, and unauthorized packages. A separate, dynamic residential delivery charge will also be in effect, calculated weekly based on a "peaking factor."

Demand surcharges

Surcharge typeService methodsSep 29 - Nov 23, 2025Nov 24 - Dec 28, 2025Dec 29, 2025 - Jan 18, 2026
Additional HandlingUS & International$8.25 per package$10.90 per package$8.25 per package
OversizeUS & International$90.00 per package$108.50 per package$90.00 per package
Ground UnauthorizedFedEx Ground / Home Delivery / International Ground$490.00 per package$545.00 per package$490.00 per package
Surcharge typeService methodsOct 27 - Nov 23, 2025Nov 24 - Dec 28, 2025Dec 29, 2025 - Jan 18, 2026
Demand SurchargeFedEx First Overnight,® FedEx Priority Overnight,® FedEx Standard Overnight,® FedEx 2Day® A.M., FedEx 2Day,® FedEx Express Saver® (excluding FedEx One Rate packages)$1.05 per package$2.10 per package$1.05 per package
Demand SurchargeFedEx Ground residential shipments and FedEx Home Delivery residential shipments$0.40 per package$0.65 per package$0.40 per package
Demand SurchargeFedEx Ground Economy$2.20 per package$3.55 per package$2.20 per package

Demand - Residential delivery charge

Effective October 28, 2025 - January 19, 2026, this charge will be applied to customers shipping more than 20,000 residential and FedEx Ground Economy packages weekly. The amount is determined by a "peaking factor," calculated weekly based on volume changes from a June 2025 baseline.

Peaking factor> 105% to 125%> 125% to 150%> 150% to 200%> 200% to 300%> 300% to 400%> 400%
Ground / Home Delivery$1.55 per package$2.20 per package$2.50 per package$3.10 per package$5.25 per package$7.50 per package
Express Services$2.80 per package$3.45 per package$3.75 per package$4.35 per package$6.50 per package$8.75 per package

FedEx - International US Export

FedEx applies demand surcharges to international parcel shipments originating from the United States during early peak season. These surcharges are calculated per pound and vary based on the destination zone. The surcharges apply to all FedEx international parcel services from the US to the specified destination zones.

OriginDestinationServiceEffective datesCost (USD)
USZones A, B, C, I, J, LParcel servicesSep 22 – Oct 19, 2025$0.12 per lb
USZone K, O (excluding Israel)Parcel servicesSep 22 – Oct 19, 2025$0.15 per lb
USZone MParcel servicesSep 22 – Oct 19, 2025$0.45 per lb

OnTrac (Lasership)

OnTrac will apply several demand surcharges to its Ground, Merged, and Lasership services for the peak season. These surcharges cover residential delivery, additional handling, large packages, and packages exceeding maximum limits, with effective dates beginning in late September and October 2025.

Surcharge nameCost per packageEffective dates
Demand Residential$1.00Oct 25, 2025 – Jan 16, 2026
Demand Additional Handling$11.00Sep 27, 2025 – Jan 16, 2026
Demand Large Package (LPS)$105.00Sep 27, 2025 – Jan 16, 2026
Demand Over Max Limits$550.00Sep 27, 2025 – Jan 16, 2026

United Parcel Service (UPS)

UPS - Canada

UPS Canada implements demand surcharges for domestic and cross-border shipments during peak season. These surcharges cover additional handling requirements, large packages, over-limit packages, and residential deliveries. All rates are quoted in Canadian dollars (CAD) and apply to the full range of UPS Canada services.

Surcharge typeService methodsEffective datesCost (CAD)
Demand - Additional HandlingAll servicesSep 28, 2025 – Jan 17, 2026$7.70 per package
Demand - Large PackageAll servicesSep 28, 2025 – Jan 17, 2026$77.00 per package
Demand - Over Maximum LimitsAll servicesSep 28, 2025 – Jan 17, 2026$495.00 per package
Demand - Residential DeliveryUPS Canada Domestic Air/Ground, UPS Standard, UPS Trade DirectOct 26, 2025 – Jan 17, 2026$0.75 per package

UPS - US

During the peak season, UPS will apply demand surcharges to packages requiring additional handling, large packages, and those exceeding maximum limits. Surcharges will also apply to specific residential and air services. For shippers with higher volumes, a tiered surcharge structure will be in effect.

Demand surcharges

For Additional Handling, Large Package, and Over Maximum Limits:

Surcharge typeService methodsSep 28 - Nov 22, 2025Nov 23 - Dec 27, 2025Dec 28, 2025 - Jan 17, 2026
Additional HandlingAll US Domestic, US Import/Export$8.25 / package$10.80 / package$8.25 / package
Large PackageAll US Domestic, US Import/Export$90.50 / package$107.00 / package$90.50 / package
Over Maximum LimitsAll US Domestic, US Import/Export$485.00 / package$540.00 / package$485.00 / package

For Residential and Air Services:

Surcharge typeService methodsOct 26 - Nov 22, 2025Nov 23 - Dec 27, 2025Dec 28, 2025 - Jan 17, 2026
Demand SurchargeUPS Ground Saver$0.40 / package$0.60 / package$0.40 / package
Demand SurchargeUPS Ground Residential$0.40 / package$0.60 / package$0.40 / package
Demand SurchargeUPS Next Day Air$1.10 / package$2.05 / package$1.10 / package
Demand SurchargeAll other UPS Air Residential$1.10 / package$2.05 / package$1.10 / package

Higher volume shipper surcharges

These surcharges apply from October 26, 2025, through January 17, 2026, based on weekly volume compared to a baseline from June 2025.

October 26, 2025 - November 22, 2025

Service level> 105% to 125%> 125% to 150%> 150% to 200%> 200% to 300%> 300% to 400%> 400%
UPS Ground Saver / Residential$1.60$2.15$2.45$3.10$5.30$7.00
UPS Air Residential$2.75$3.40$3.70$4.25$6.45$8.00
UPS Air Commercial$1.10$1.10$1.10$1.10$1.10$1.10

November 23, 2025 - December 27, 2025

Service level> 105% to 125%> 125% to 150%> 150% to 200%> 200% to 300%> 300% to 400%> 400%
UPS Ground Saver / Residential$1.60$2.15$2.45$3.10$5.30$7.00
UPS Air Residential$2.75$3.40$3.70$4.25$6.45$8.00
UPS Air Commercial$2.05$2.05$2.05$2.05$2.05$2.05

December 28, 2025 - January 17, 2026

Service level> 105% to 125%> 125% to 150%> 150% to 200%> 200% to 300%> 300% to 400%> 400%
UPS Ground Saver / Residential$1.60$2.15$2.45$3.10$5.30$7.00
UPS Air Residential$2.75$3.40$3.70$4.25$6.45$8.00
UPS Air Commercial$1.10$1.10$1.10$1.10$1.10$1.10

UPS surge fee

In addition to standard demand surcharges, UPS implements surge fees for specific origin-destination combinations and service types during peak season. These surge fees apply to both domestic and international shipments, with rates varying by service level, origin country, and destination zone. The surge fees are applied per package or per pound depending on the service type.

OriginDestinationServiceEffective datesCost
CanadaUSUPS Standard - ResidentialSep 28, 2025 – Jan 17, 2026$0.52 CAD per package
USAll (excluding Israel)UPS Worldwide Express, Express Saver, Express Plus, Worldwide Expedited, Express FreightOct 26, 2025 – Jan 17, 2026$0.20 per lb
USCanada, MexicoUPS StandardOct 26, 2025 –Jan 17, 2026$0.20 per package
USAll (excluding Israel)UPS Worldwide Economy DDU & DDPOct 26 – Nov 22, 2025$0.20 per lb
USAll (excluding Israel)UPS Worldwide Economy DDU & DDPNov 23 – Dec 27, 2025$0.50 per lb
USAll (excluding Israel)UPS Worldwide Economy DDU & DDPDec 28, 2025 – Jan 17, 2026$0.20 per lb

UPS Mail Innovations (UPSMI)

UPS Mail Innovations will apply multiple demand surcharges during the peak season from October 5, 2025, through January 18, 2026. These surcharges apply to packages meeting specific weight, dimensional, or destination criteria. Peak surcharges apply cumulatively if a package meets more than one of the specified criteria and are assessed in addition to any other applicable charges.

Surcharge typeService methodsPackage criteriaEffective datesCost per package
Demand - Weight-BasedAll UPSMI servicesPackages greater than 10 lbsOct 5, 2025 - Jan 18, 2026$2.00
Demand - Over-Length/CubicAll UPSMI servicesPackages exceeding 22" in length and/or 3 cubic feetOct 5, 2025 - Jan 18, 2026$2.00
Demand - Zone 9All UPSMI servicesAll packages destined to Zone 9Oct 5, 2025 - Jan 18, 2026$2.00
Demand - Parcel SelectUPSMI Parcel SelectAll packages qualifying for Parcel Select mail classOct 5, 2025 - Jan 18, 2026$0.30
  • Peak surcharges apply cumulatively if a package meets multiple criteria.
  • No waiver, discount, or reduction applies to peak surcharges unless UPSMI agrees in writing with a specific reference to the peak surcharges.
  • Surcharges are assessed in addition to all other applicable charges.

USPS

For the peak holiday season, USPS will implement a temporary price adjustment from October 5, 2025, to January 18, 2026. This affects Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, Ground Advantage, and Parcel Select services. The rate adjustments vary based on the service, package weight, destination zone, and whether a Flat Rate product is used.

Weight- and zone-based adjustments

ServiceZonesWeight breakRate adjustment
Priority Mail1-40-3 lbs$0.30
4-10 lbs$0.45
11-25 lbs$0.75
26-70 lbs$2.25
5-90-3 lbs$0.70
4-10 lbs$1.25
11-25 lbs$2.75
26-70 lbs$6.50
Ground Advantage1-40-3 lbs$0.30
4-10 lbs$0.45
11-25 lbs$0.75
26-70 lbs$2.25
5-90-3 lbs$0.35
4-10 lbs$0.75
11-25 lbs$1.25
26-70 lbs$5.50
Parcel SelectAll0-3 lbs$0.30
4-10 lbs$0.45
11-25 lbs$0.75
26-70 lbs$2.25
Priority Mail Express1-40-3 lbs$1.00
4-10 lbs$1.50
11-25 lbs$3.50
26-70 lbs$8.95
5-90-3 lbs$1.75
4-10 lbs$3.95
11-25 lbs$7.50
26-70 lbs$13.00

Flat rate adjustments

ServicePackage typeRate adjustment
Priority Mail Flat RateLarge Flat Rate Box$1.25
All other Flat Rate products$0.70
Priority Mail Express Flat RateFlat Rate Envelopes$1.75

Configure carrier surcharges for your account

You can configure peak/demand and other surcharges for your organization's account by accessing the rates for your desired carrier in the Shipium Console. Your Shipium team member will assist you with this configuration.

FAQ

Q: Is the fuel surcharge for UPS applied on top of all other surcharges?
A: Yes, the UPS fuel surcharge is applied after all other UPS surcharges.

Resources

Your Shipium team member is available to help along the way. However, you might find these resources helpful: