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A shipping surcharge is an extra fee that a shipping carrier adds to the base cost of transporting a package to cover extra services or conditions. Carriers like UPS, FedEx, and USPS all impose shipping surcharges. Understanding shipping surcharges is important for businesses to manage shipping costs effectively.

 

 

Common Fees & Surcharges

 

1. Peak season surcharges: Also known as demand surcharges, these are temporary increases to base shipping rates during periods of high demand.

2. Delivery surcharges: Surcharges may apply if the delivery is outside the carrier's normal delivery range or to a residential address.

3. Oversized package surcharges: These are additional fees for shipping packages that are larger than normal.

4. Special services: Surcharges may apply for special services like requiring a signature or for declared value packages.

 

Potential Fees - USPS

 

Fees and surcharges may apply to Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, and Ground Advantage shipments based on the package volume and dimensions (Flat Rate packages are not affected). 

If dimensions are not provided or if dimensions are inaccurate: A $1.50 fee will be added for packages that are greater than one cubic foot in volume or have a box length greater than 22 inches.

If packages have dimensions that exceed machinable sorting requirements, nonstandard sizing fees will apply as follows:

USPS Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express

  • If the longest side of a package is more than 22 inches but less than 30 inches, a $4.00 surcharge will be applied.
  • If the longest side of a package is greater than 30 inches, a $15.00 surcharge will be applied. 
  • If the volume of the package is greater than 2 cubic feet, a $25.00 surcharge will be applied.
  • If the weight of a package is greater than 70 pounds, a $200 surcharge will be applied.
  • Packages with missing or incorrect package dimensions that result in any dimensions-based fees, a $1.50 surcharge will be applied.

USPS Ground Advantage

  • If the longest side of a package is more than 22 inches but less than 30 inches, a $4.00 surcharge will be applied.
  • If the longest side of a package is greater than 30 inches, a $7.00 surcharge will be applied. 
  • If the volume of the package is greater than 2 cubic feet, a $15.00 surcharge will be applied*
  • Packages with missing or incorrect package dimensions that result in any dimensions-based fees, a $1.50 surcharge will be applied
  • Does not apply to Media Mail.

 

Potential Fees - Other Carriers

 

Fees for other carriers can be more complex than those applied to USPS shipments. Please check the carrier websites for detailed information about their fee and surcharge schedules (see the pages linked for UPS, FedEx, and DHL surcharge policies).

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