UPS & FedEx Raise International Fuel Surcharges — New Fees Now in Effect
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
FedEx and UPS have each implemented a series of fuel surcharge increases and new demand fees this month, impacting a wide range of international shipments. These changes add to ongoing cost pressures for parcel shippers and take effect between May 3 and May 30, 2026 — with DHL eCommerce joining the wave at month's end.
What's Changing
UPS is adding a 32¢ per-pound surge fee for shipments between the U.S. and most countries (effective May 3), plus an 11¢/lb fee for select Asia-origin shipments to the U.S.
FedEx has applied import and export demand surcharges of 20–25¢ per pound targeting U.S. trade routes to/from Canada, Mexico, Europe, and key Asian markets including China, Japan, Vietnam, and South Korea (effective May 7).
Both carriers increased fuel surcharge rate calculations by 2–2.5 percentage points for international air imports and exports (effective May 11).
UPS Mail Innovations fuel surcharge cap rises from 8.5% to 12% on May 24.
DHL eCommerce adds a 14¢/lb domestic fuel surcharge effective May 30.
Surcharge Summary
Carrier | Surcharge | Services Impacted | Effective Date |
UPS | 32¢/lb surge fee (U.S. ↔ most countries) | Worldwide Express, Express Saver, Express Plus, Expedited, Saver Pallet, Express Freight | May 3 |
UPS | 11¢/lb surge fee (select Asia origins → U.S.) | Worldwide Express, Express Saver, Express Plus, Expedited, Saver Pallet, Express Freight | May 3 |
FedEx | 20¢/lb export demand surcharge (U.S. → Canada, Mexico, select Europe) | U.S. international parcel & freight | May 7 |
FedEx | 25¢/lb import demand surcharge (China, Hong Kong, Macau → U.S.) | U.S. international parcel & freight | May 7 |
FedEx | 20¢/lb import demand surcharge (Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam, South Korea + 9 others → U.S.) | Parcel & freight services | May 7 |
UPS | +2 percentage point fuel surcharge increase (international air imports & exports) | 3 Day Select from Canada, Worldwide Express Plus, Express NA1, Express, Express Freight Midday, Express Freight, Worldwide Saver, Worldwide Expedited, Express Critical | May 11 |
FedEx | +2 pt fuel surcharge (exports) / +2.5 pt (imports) | International services (excl. Int'l Ground & Int'l Ground Consolidation to Canada) | May 11 |
UPS | Mail Innovations fuel surcharge cap raised from 8.5% to 12% | UPS Mail Innovations | May 24 |
DHL eCommerce | +14¢/lb domestic fuel surcharge | Domestic Expedited Max, Expedited, and Ground parcel/mail products | May 30 |
Why It's Happening
Carrier surcharges tied to fuel prices continue to escalate, driven by ongoing Iran war tensions and Strait of Hormuz supply disruptions squeezing global oil markets. Ground fuel surcharges rose 26.7% year over year in Q1 2026 — outpacing a 10% rise in diesel prices — according to the TD Cowen/AFS Freight Index.
What Partners Can Do
Update cost models and landed-cost calculations to reflect new per-pound and percentage-based fees.
Cross-reference UPS and FedEx fee schedules to understand carrier-level exposure by lane.
Explore negotiated discounts and alternative carrier options to offset increased costs.
Monitor DHL eCommerce changes effective May 30 if domestic volume routes apply.