peak-seasonsurchargesholiday-shipping
Peak Season Surcharges 2026: UPS, FedEx, and DHL Guide
Complete guide to 2026 peak season surcharges from UPS, FedEx, and DHL. Plan your holiday shipping budget effectively.
January 17, 20263 min read104 views
Peak Season Surcharges 2026: Complete Guide
Every year, major carriers add surcharges during the busy holiday season. Here's what to expect for 2026.
Peak Season Dates
| Carrier | Peak Period |
|---|---|
| UPS | Oct 27 - Dec 28, 2026 |
| FedEx | Oct 27 - Dec 28, 2026 |
| DHL | Nov 1 - Dec 24, 2026 |
| USPS | No peak surcharges* |
UPS Peak Surcharges 2026 (Expected)
| Package Type | Surcharge |
|---|---|
| Residential Ground | $0.99-1.50 |
| Commercial Ground | $0.50-0.75 |
| Air Residential | $2.00-3.00 |
| Air Commercial | $1.00-1.50 |
| Large Package | $42.50 (additional) |
| Unauthorized | $150+ |
FedEx Peak Surcharges 2026 (Expected)
| Service | Per Package |
|---|---|
| Ground Residential | $1.00-1.50 |
| Ground Commercial | $0.50-0.75 |
| Express Residential | $2.00-3.50 |
| Express Commercial | $1.00-2.00 |
| Oversize | $45.00+ |
DHL Peak Surcharges
| Category | Surcharge |
|---|---|
| Domestic Express | $1.75-3.00 |
| International | Varies by lane |
| Heavy packages | Additional fees |
Impact Calculator
| Monthly Packages | Extra Peak Cost |
|---|---|
| 500 residential | +$500-750 |
| 1,000 residential | +$1,000-1,500 |
| 2,500 residential | +$2,500-3,750 |
| 5,000 residential | +$5,000-7,500 |
Strategies to Minimize Impact
1. Ship Earlier
| Ship Before | Avoid |
|---|---|
| October 20 | All peak surcharges |
| November 15 | Highest rates |
| December 1 | Late-season peaks |
USPS doesn't have peak surcharges:
| Service | Peak Increase |
|---|---|
| Priority Mail | 0% surcharge |
| Ground Advantage | 0% surcharge |
| First Class | 0% surcharge |
Offer incentives for early orders:
- Free shipping before Nov 15
- Extra discount for October orders
- Priority handling for early birds
Build surcharges into holiday pricing:
| Normal Price | Holiday Price | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Free shipping | Free shipping | Absorb cost |
| $5.99 | $7.99 | Pass through |
| $8.99 | $10.99 | Partial pass |
Week-by-Week Surcharge Calendar
| Week | UPS | FedEx | Intensity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 27 - Nov 2 | Low | Low | $ |
| Nov 3 - Nov 16 | Medium | Medium | $$ |
| Nov 17 - Dec 7 | High | High | $$$ |
| Dec 8 - Dec 21 | Highest | Highest | $$$$ |
| Dec 22 - Dec 28 | Medium | Medium | $$ |
Ready to save on shipping?
Get started with Atoship for free and access discounted USPS, UPS, and FedEx rates. No monthly fees, no contracts.
Create Free Account
