A single package can carry a residential charge, a delivery area charge, a size charge, demand charges and fuel. They do not all simply add up.
Charges that replace each other
- Only one Additional Handling charge applies per package, the highest that qualifies.
- UPS does not assess Additional Handling when the Large Package Surcharge applies. FedEx applies only the highest non-standard charge.
- A package falls in one delivery area tier: standard, extended or remote.
Charges that add
Residential, delivery area, the size charge and demand charges add together. Demand charges are added on top of the year-round charge for the same characteristic.
Fuel
Both carriers apply fuel to most size, delivery and residential accessorials. UPS’s list of charges with fuel surcharge application (effective March 24, 2025) includes Additional Handling (all types), Large Package, Over Maximum Limits, Residential, Delivery Area (commercial, residential and extended), Remote Area, address correction, signature options, Declared Value for Carriage and demand charges. FedEx’s fuel page lists Additional Handling, Oversize, Unauthorized Package, Residential, Delivery Area, address correction, signature options and demand charges; declared value is not on FedEx’s list. The stacking explorer applies fuel to exactly the charges each carrier lists.
Worked example
A 50 × 20 × 10 in, 30 lb FedEx Ground residential package to an extended-DAS ZIP in zones 5–6 on Dec. 1, 2026, with a $40.00 transportation charge and 30.50% fuel: Additional Handling — Dimension $38.50, residential $6.45, Demand — Additional Handling $11.85, ground residential demand $0.80, extended residential DAS $8.80, and fuel of $32.45 on $106.40. That is $138.85 in total, of which $98.85 is surcharges and fuel. Open this example.
Frequently asked
Does fuel apply to Additional Handling?
Yes, at both carriers. UPS lists “Additional Handling (All Types)” in its charges with fuel surcharge application (effective March 24, 2025), and FedEx lists the Additional Handling Surcharge on its fuel surcharge page. Your agreement may set a different treatment.
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