FedEx's 2026 Holiday Surcharges Will Push Shipping Costs Higher
- Jul 26
- 1 min read
FedEx released its 2026 peak season surcharges on July 23, and the fees are higher than last year's across the board. The surcharges apply during the holiday shipping rush, phasing in as early as Sept. 28 and running through Jan. 17, 2027, with the steepest charges in effect Nov. 23 through Dec. 27. FedEx says the fees offset elevated volumes, tighter capacity, and higher operating costs, and help it maintain service levels during the busy season.
The biggest year-over-year increases are concentrated in lower-cost, high-volume categories — Ground Residential and Ground Economy — which analysts at ShipScience say will compound quickly across e-commerce parcel volumes. For example, the Ground Residential demand surcharge peaks at $0.80 per package this year versus $0.65 last year, a 23% jump.
FedEx has said it's deprioritizing general e-commerce volume this year in favor of more profitable segments like healthcare, but the holidays remain a key profit driver — 2025 was the company's most profitable peak season on record. FedEx executive Brie Carere has described the surcharges as a "win-win," letting retailers sell through Christmas while letting FedEx profitably staff up for it.
The announcement lands amid broader increases in shipping costs, driven partly by fuel surcharges. Pricing experts have advised shippers to negotiate discounts, encourage customers to buy earlier, and consider alternative carriers to offset the impact. UPS has not yet announced its 2026 peak season fees.
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