Published amounts
| Demand surcharge on Nov. 10, 2026 | UPS | FedEx |
|---|---|---|
| Demand — Additional Handling | $8.75Sept. 27, 2026 – Nov. 21, 2026 | $8.80Sept. 28, 2026 – Nov. 22, 2026 |
| Demand — Large Package / Oversize | $96.25Sept. 27, 2026 – Nov. 21, 2026 | $95.75Sept. 28, 2026 – Nov. 22, 2026 |
| Demand — Over Maximum / Unauthorized | $530.00Sept. 27, 2026 – Nov. 21, 2026 | $535.00Sept. 28, 2026 – Nov. 22, 2026 |
| Demand — Ground Residential | $0.50Oct. 25, 2026 – Nov. 21, 2026 | $0.50Oct. 26, 2026 – Nov. 22, 2026 |
Every demand period and tier →
Why it exists
Carriers add them when network volume peaks.
Carrier terminology
- UPS: Demand Surcharge (also called Peak/Demand Surcharge or Peak Surcharge); shown on invoices as Surge Fee items.
- FedEx: Demand Surcharge; Demand — Additional Handling Surcharge; Demand — Oversize Charge; Demand — Unauthorized Charge; Demand — Residential Delivery Charge.
The charges are compared side by side but are not assumed to be identical. Definitions and services differ.
Qualification rules
See the peak-season dashboard for every date and amount and a date checker.
Fuel surcharge treatment
| UPS | Yes Listed as “Demand Surcharge: Commercial, Residential, Additional Handling, Large Package, Overmax” and “Surge Fee”. |
| FedEx | Yes Demand versions of Additional Handling, Oversize and Residential Delivery, plus the Express Demand Surcharge. |
How it stacks with other charges
Added on top of all other charges.
Negotiation considerations
- Ask whether demand charges are discounted, capped or excluded in your agreement.
- FedEx states that contract discounts and caps do not apply to its Demand — Residential Delivery Charge.
General considerations only, not benchmarks or a promise of any discount.
Operational ways to reduce exposure
- Ship bulky items before Sept. 27–28 where possible.
- Plan weekly volume against the June baseline.
Change history
- Aug. 26, 2026 · UPS: UPS publishes 2026–27 demand surcharges
- Sept. 21, 2026 · FedEx: FedEx renames Demand — Unauthorized and extends non-standard demand fees internationally
- Sept. 27, 2026 · UPS: UPS size-based demand surcharges begin
- Sept. 28, 2026 · FedEx: FedEx size-based demand surcharges begin
- Oct. 25, 2026 · UPS: UPS service-level demand surcharges begin
- Oct. 26, 2026 · FedEx: FedEx service-level demand surcharges begin
- Nov. 22, 2026 · UPS: UPS peak-of-peak demand period
- Nov. 23, 2026 · FedEx: FedEx peak-of-peak demand period
- Jan. 16, 2027 · UPS: UPS demand surcharges end (as scheduled)
- Jan. 17, 2027 · FedEx: FedEx demand surcharges end (as scheduled)