Published amounts
| Carrier and charge | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPS Additional Handling — Weight Zone 2 | $43.50 | $46.50 | $50.50 Pending verification |
| UPS Additional Handling — Weight Zones 3–4 | $47.50 | $50.75 | $55.25 Pending verification |
| UPS Additional Handling — Weight Zones 5–6 | $52.75 | $56.25 | $61.25 Pending verification |
| UPS Additional Handling — Weight Zone 7+ | $55.00 | $58.75 | $63.75 Pending verification |
| FedEx Additional Handling Surcharge — Weight Zone 2 | $43.50 | $46.00 | $49.50 |
| FedEx Additional Handling Surcharge — Weight Zones 3–4 | $47.50 | $50.25 | $54.00 |
| FedEx Additional Handling Surcharge — Weight Zones 5–6 | $52.75Effective July 14, 2025. | $56.25 | $60.25 |
| FedEx Additional Handling Surcharge — Weight Zone 7+ | $55.00 | $58.75 | $63.00 |
| UPS Additional Handling — Dimensions (length, width, length + girth, cube) Zone 2 | $28.00 | $30.00 | $32.75 Pending verification |
| UPS Additional Handling — Dimensions (length, width, length + girth, cube) Zones 3–4 | $31.00 | $33.25 | $36.25 Pending verification |
| UPS Additional Handling — Dimensions (length, width, length + girth, cube) Zones 5–6 | $36.00 | $38.50 | $42.00 Pending verification |
| UPS Additional Handling — Dimensions (length, width, length + girth, cube) Zone 7+ | $38.00 | $40.50 | $44.00 Pending verification |
| FedEx Additional Handling Surcharge — Dimension Zone 2 | $28.00 | $29.50 | $31.75 |
| FedEx Additional Handling Surcharge — Dimension Zones 3–4 | $31.00 | $32.75 | $35.25 |
| FedEx Additional Handling Surcharge — Dimension Zones 5–6 | $36.00Effective July 14, 2025. | $38.50 | $41.25 |
| FedEx Additional Handling Surcharge — Dimension Zone 7+ | $38.00 | $40.75 | $43.75 |
| UPS Additional Handling — Packaging Zone 2 | $25.00 | $26.75 | $29.25 Pending verification |
| UPS Additional Handling — Packaging Zones 3–4 | $29.00 | $31.00 | $33.75 Pending verification |
| UPS Additional Handling — Packaging Zones 5–6 | $31.00 | $33.25 | $36.25 Pending verification |
| UPS Additional Handling — Packaging Zone 7+ | $31.50 | $33.75 | $36.75 Pending verification |
| FedEx Additional Handling Surcharge — Packaging Zone 2 | $25.00 | $26.50 | $28.50 |
| FedEx Additional Handling Surcharge — Packaging Zones 3–4 | $29.00 | $30.75 | $33.00 |
| FedEx Additional Handling Surcharge — Packaging Zones 5–6 | $31.00Effective July 14, 2025. | $33.00 | $35.25 |
| FedEx Additional Handling Surcharge — Packaging Zone 7+ | $31.50 | $33.75 | $36.25 |
UPS periods: 2025 (in effect through Dec. 21, 2025) — UPS source
2026 (Dec. 22, 2025 – Dec. 20, 2026) — UPS source
2027 (from Dec. 21, 2026) — UPS source
FedEx periods: 2025 (in effect through Jan. 4, 2026) — FedEx source
2026 (Jan. 5, 2026 – Jan. 3, 2027) — FedEx source
2027 (from Jan. 4, 2027) — FedEx source
Why it exists
These packages cannot move through automated sortation as easily, so carriers handle them by hand.
Carrier terminology
- UPS: Additional Handling — Weight, Dimensions (length, width, length + girth, cube) and Packaging.
- FedEx: Additional Handling Surcharge — Weight, Dimension and Packaging.
The charges are compared side by side but are not assumed to be identical. Definitions and services differ.
Qualification rules
- Weight: actual weight over 50 lb.
- Dimensions: longest side over 48 in, second-longest side over 30 in, or length + girth over 105 in.
- Cubic volume (new in 2026): over 10,368 in³ (length × width × height). FedEx from Jan. 12, 2026; UPS from Jan. 26, 2026.
- Packaging: not fully encased in corrugated cardboard, including cylindrical items such as drums, pails or tires.
Only one Additional Handling charge applies per package, the highest that qualifies. Packages that qualify by dimensions are billed at a minimum of 40 lb. UPS raises its minimum to 50 lb on Dec. 21, 2026. If a package qualifies for UPS Large Package or FedEx Oversize, Additional Handling is not added.
Fuel surcharge treatment
| UPS | Yes Listed as “Additional Handling (All Types)”. |
| FedEx | Yes |
Demand surcharge treatment
Demand — Additional Handling: UPS $8.75 / $11.90 / $8.75 (Sept. 27, 2026 – Jan. 16, 2027); FedEx $8.80 / $11.85 / $8.80 (Sept. 28, 2026 – Jan. 17, 2027). Added on top of the year-round charge.
How it stacks with other charges
Additional Handling adds to residential, DAS and demand charges. It is replaced, not added to, when Large Package (UPS) or Oversize (FedEx) applies.
Negotiation considerations
- Check whether a negotiated Additional Handling discount covers all three reasons and every zone.
- Ask whether the discount also applies to the demand version.
- Model the 40 lb (and from Dec. 21, 2026, UPS 50 lb) minimum billable weight, which can cost more than the surcharge itself on light, bulky cartons.
General considerations only, not benchmarks or a promise of any discount.
Operational ways to reduce exposure
- Test cartons against 10,368 in³ as well as the 48 in / 30 in rules; many boxes trip the new cube rule first.
- Use the package calculator’s what-if table to see which single change removes the charge.
Change history
- Dec. 22, 2025 · UPS: UPS 2026 surcharge increases take effect
- Jan. 5, 2026 · FedEx: FedEx 2026 surcharge increases take effect
- Jan. 12, 2026 · FedEx: FedEx adds cubic-volume and weight criteria
- Jan. 26, 2026 · UPS: UPS adds cubic-size and weight criteria
- Dec. 21, 2026 · UPS: UPS 2027 rules change
- Dec. 21, 2026 · UPS: UPS 2027 surcharge amounts take effect Pending verification
- Jan. 4, 2027 · FedEx: FedEx 2027 surcharge changes and DAS ZIP list update
Frequently asked
What triggers Additional Handling at UPS and FedEx in 2026?
Actual weight over 50 lb, longest side over 48 in, second-longest over 30 in, length + girth over 105 in, cubic volume over 10,368 in³, or packaging not fully encased in corrugated cardboard.
How much is Additional Handling in 2026?
For zone 2, UPS charges $46.50 (weight), $30.00 (dimensions) and $26.75 (packaging); FedEx charges $46.00, $29.50 and $26.50.