In January 2026 both carriers added triggers that catch bulky but light cartons. FedEx’s took effect on Jan. 12, 2026 and UPS’s on Jan. 26, 2026.
The new triggers
- Additional Handling: cubic volume over 10,368 in³.
- Large Package (UPS) / Oversize (FedEx): cubic volume over 17,280 in³, or actual weight over 110 lb.
Cubic volume is length × width × height after rounding each side up to the next whole inch. FedEx states that every fraction of an inch rounds up.
Why it matters more than it looks
Many cartons already hit Additional Handling through length + girth. The cube rule matters most for boxes that are compact but deep. A 35 × 18 × 17 in carton has length + girth of exactly 105 in, which does not trigger, but its volume is 10,710 in³, which does. Packages that qualify by dimensions are also billed at a minimum of 40 lb, and from Dec. 21, 2026 at 50 lb at UPS. For a light carton, the higher billable weight can cost more than the surcharge.
Checking your cartons
- List your 20 most-shipped carton sizes.
- Run each through the package calculator, which applies each carrier’s rules for the date you ship.
- Use the what-if table to see whether trimming one dimension by an inch removes the charge.
Frequently asked
What is the cubic volume limit for Additional Handling in 2026?
More than 10,368 cubic inches at both UPS and FedEx.
Sources
- UPS source: UPS Revised Rates for Value-Added Services and Other Charges (effective Dec. 22, 2025)
- FedEx source: 2026 changes to FedEx surcharges & fees
- FedEx source: 2027 changes to FedEx surcharges & fees (effective Jan. 4, 2027)
- UPS source: UPS Demand Surcharges (Aug. 26, 2026 update)
- FedEx source: FedEx Demand Surcharges
- FedEx source: FedEx Shipping Rate Changes, FedEx international rate-changes page (cubic volume and 110 lb criteria, effective Jan. 12, 2026)
- UPS source: UPS: How to Avoid Shipping Charge Corrections (package size and weight criteria)
- UPS source: UPS 2027 preview of value-added services and other charges (effective Dec. 21, 2026), as reported by D’Arrigo Consulting and PARCEL Industry