Both carriers published 2026–27 demand surcharges in three periods: an early period, a peak-of-peak period and a late period.
Size-based charges start first
Demand charges for Additional Handling, Large Package/Oversize and over-limit packages began on Sept. 27 (UPS) and Sept. 28 (FedEx), four weeks before the service-level charges. They apply to commercial as well as residential shipments.
| Charge | UPS early / peak / late | FedEx early / peak / late |
|---|---|---|
| Additional Handling | $8.75 / $11.90 / $8.75 | $8.80 / $11.85 / $8.80 |
| Large Package / Oversize | $96.25 / $117.50 / $96.25 | $95.75 / $117.25 / $95.75 |
| Over Maximum / Unauthorized | $530 / $590 / $530 | $535 / $595 / $535 |
Service-level charges
Ground residential packages pay $0.50 in the early and late periods at both carriers, and $0.75 (UPS) or $0.80 (FedEx) at the peak. UPS Air residential pays $1.35 and $2.50. FedEx Overnight pays $1.30 and $2.55, and 2Day and Express Saver $1.20 and $2.35.
The 20,000-package threshold
Above 20,000 qualifying packages in a week, both carriers use volume tiers based on your summer baseline. UPS uses May 31 – June 27, 2026, and FedEx June 1–28, 2026. At UPS, a week at 175% of baseline puts every Ground Residential package at $2.65. FedEx adds a Demand — Residential Delivery Charge on top of the standard demand charge, and contract discounts and caps do not apply to it.
Use the peak-season estimator with your own baseline. It shows a tier only when you enter a baseline; it does not guess one.
Frequently asked
When is peak-of-peak in 2026?
UPS: Nov. 22 – Dec. 26, 2026. FedEx: Nov. 23 – Dec. 27, 2026.
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