This year, both FedEx and UPS have introduced a series of peak-season surcharges that could present a major upset for many businesses during the make-or-break holiday shopping season.
Download a printable Quick Reference sheet detailing the new fees for UPS and FedEx.
UPS has established per-package fees for the Christmas season bottleneck, when shipping volume typically doubles.
During spikes in holiday shopping following Thanksgiving and the days leading up to December 25, UPS Ground residential deliveries will rise by 27 cents. During the week before Christmas, rush air deliveries (next-day, two-day and three-day) will rise by 81-97 cents.
(Retailers, take note: there is a window of reprieve, with no additional charge for ground- or air-shipped residential packages during the two-week period from December 3 to December 16.)
The surcharges are set to have a major impact on many holiday shippers, not just residential. For the five weeks from Nov. 19 through Dec. 23, new peak surcharges will apply to large and oversized packages, with a $24 increase on large packages (new total: $94) and a $249 hike on Over Maximum Limit fees (new total: $399).
FedEx has established per-package fees that apply only to large and oversized items.