Holiday orders are great. The extra shipping fees that come with them? Not so much. UPS, FedEx, USPS, and DHL have all announced seasonal pricing changes for 2026, and some of those increases are already in effect. Depending on the carrier, service, package size, and destination, merchants could see anything from a few extra cents to hundreds of dollars in additional charges.
If you’re planning Black Friday promotions, offering free shipping, or simply trying to keep fulfillment costs in check, these fees deserve a spot in your holiday budget.
We’ve gathered the major 2026 holiday shipping surcharges in one place so you can see what’s changing, when the charges apply, and how much they could add to your shipping costs.
2026 Holiday Shipping Surcharge Dates
| Carrier | Effective period |
|---|---|
| UPS | Sept. 27, 2026 – Jan. 16, 2027 |
| FedEx | Sept. 28, 2026 – Jan. 17, 2027 |
| USPS | Oct. 4, 2026 – Jan. 16, 2027 |
| DHL Express | Oct. 1, 2026 – Feb. 5, 2027 |
These are overall seasonal periods. Specific charges may begin or end on different dates. DHL eCommerce has a separate schedule.
UPS 2026 Demand Surcharges
Effective Sept. 27, 2026, a Demand Surcharge will apply to merchants who ship with UPS on Ordoro.
UPS Demand Surcharges by Service Level
| Service level | Oct. 25 – Nov. 21 | Nov. 22 – Dec. 26 | Dec. 27 – Jan. 16 |
| UPS Ground Saver® | $0.50 | $0.75 | $0.50 |
| UPS Ground Residential | $0.50 | $0.75 | $0.50 |
| UPS Next Day Air® | $1.35 | $2.50 | $1.35 |
| All Other UPS Air¹ | $1.35 | $2.50 | $1.35 |
All amounts per package. Dates run from 2026 into January 2027.
A Demand Surcharge will apply to packages requiring Additional Handling² and Large Packages² for U.S. domestic, import, and export shipments. A Demand Surcharge will also apply to packages that are Over Maximum Limits for U.S. domestic, import, and export shipments. The Demand Surcharges will apply in the amounts set forth below.
UPS Additional Handling and Large Package Surcharges
| Other charges | Sept. 27 – Nov. 21 | Nov. 22 – Dec. 26 | Dec. 27 – Jan. 16 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Additional Handling² | $8.75 | $11.90 | $8.75 |
| Large Package Surcharge² | $96.25 | $117.50 | $96.25 |
| Over Maximum Limits | $530.00 | $590.00 | $530.00 |
All amounts per package. ¹ “All Other UPS Air” includes UPS 2nd Day Air A.M., UPS 2nd Day Air and UPS 3 Day Select. ² As described in the UPS Rate and Service Guide and the UPS Tariff/Terms and Conditions of Service.
UPS also maintains separate surcharge schedules for certain higher-volume shippers. Merchants should review the applicable UPS terms and conditions to determine which charges apply.
For additional details, see Ordoro’s UPS Demand Surcharges 2026 update.
Editorial note: This section follows the UPS text and tables provided, but should be checked against the final UPS-reviewed version before publication.
FedEx 2026 Demand Surcharges
FedEx has also introduced seasonal demand surcharges, with the first increases beginning September 28, 2026.
Like UPS, FedEx has different charges for standard packages, residential deliveries, oversized shipments, and packages requiring additional handling. The highest standard rates generally fall between November 23 and December 27.
FedEx Demand Surcharges by Service Level
| Service level | Oct. 26 – Nov. 22 | Nov. 23 – Dec. 27 | Dec. 28 – Jan. 17 |
|---|---|---|---|
| FedEx Overnight services¹ | $1.30 | $2.55 | $1.30 |
| FedEx 2Day / Express Saver¹ | $1.20 | $2.35 | $1.20 |
| FedEx Ground Residential / Home Delivery Residential | $0.50 | $0.80 | $0.50 |
| FedEx Ground Economy² | $2.55 | $4.05 | $2.55 |
All amounts per package. ¹ Excludes FedEx One Rate packages. ² FedEx Ground Economy is a contract-only service.
FedEx Additional Handling and Oversize Surcharges
| Other charges | Sept. 28 – Nov. 22 | Nov. 23 – Dec. 27 | Dec. 28 – Jan. 17 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Additional Handling | $8.80 | $11.85 | $8.80 |
| Oversize Charge | $95.75 | $117.25 | $95.75 |
| Ground Unauthorized Package Charge* | $535.00 | $595.00 | $535.00 |
All amounts per package. *FedEx renamed the Ground Unauthorized Package Charge to the Unauthorized Charge effective September 21, 2026. See the FedEx Service Guide for eligibility criteria.
FedEx also has separate volume-based residential demand charges for qualifying customers. These depend on shipping volume and other account-specific factors, so the standard rates above may not represent every merchant’s final costs.
Source: FedEx Official Demand Surcharge Schedule.
USPS 2026 Holiday Shipping Price Increases
USPS has introduced temporary holiday pricing for several domestic package services, including Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, USPS Ground Advantage, and Parcel Select.
Unlike UPS and FedEx, which publish several demand surcharges as separate per-package charges, USPS is increasing applicable postage prices during the holiday period.
The temporary pricing is scheduled to apply from October 4, 2026, through January 16, 2027.
For eCommerce merchants purchasing commercial postage, the increases depend on the service, package weight, and shipping zone.
USPS Ground Advantage and Priority Mail: Commercial Price Increases
| Weight | Zones 1–4, both services | Zones 5–9, Ground Advantage | Zones 5–9, Priority Mail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 lbs. | +$0.40 | +$0.55 | +$0.85 |
| 4–10 lbs. | +$0.65 | +$1.05 | +$1.75 |
| 11–25 lbs. | +$1.05 | +$1.75 | +$3.85 |
| 26–70 lbs. | +$3.15 | +$7.70 | +$9.10 |
Commercial price increases. Cubic pricing and oversized shipments have additional category-specific rules.
USPS Priority Mail Express: Commercial Price Increases
| Weight | Zones 1–4 | Zones 5–9 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–3 lbs. | +$1.40 | +$2.35 |
| 4–10 lbs. | +$2.10 | +$5.55 |
| 11–25 lbs. | +$4.90 | +$10.50 |
| 26–70 lbs. | +$12.55 | +$18.20 |
USPS also announced commercial increases of $0.85 for most Priority Mail Flat Rate products, $1.75 for Large Flat Rate Boxes, and $2.35 for Priority Mail Express Flat Rate Envelopes.
These are increases to published commercial pricing, not the total cost of postage. Actual label prices may vary based on applicable commercial agreements and other pricing arrangements.
Source: USPS 2026 Holiday Pricing Announcement.
DHL 2026 Peak Season Surcharges
DHL’s holiday surcharges work a little differently, particularly for international shipments.
DHL Express has introduced demand surcharges effective October 1, 2026, through February 5, 2027. Charges vary depending on the service, shipment origin, destination, and billable weight.
DHL eCommerce maintains a separate peak-season surcharge schedule.
DHL Express International Demand Surcharges
For Time Definite International shipments originating in the Americas, the following demand surcharges apply:
| Destination | Demand surcharge per lb. |
|---|---|
| China / Hong Kong | $0.00 |
| Asia | $0.00 |
| Oceania | $0.25 |
| Europe | $0.00 |
| Americas | $0.14 |
| Middle East / North Africa | $0.00 |
| Rest of the World | $0.42 |
Selected DHL Express Time Definite International rates for shipments originating in the Americas. Rates are in USD per pound of billable weight. Applicable fuel surcharges are additional.
DHL Express Additional Demand Surcharges
| Service | Demand surcharge | Effective period |
|---|---|---|
| Day Definite International | $0.07 per lb. | Oct. 1, 2026 – Feb. 5, 2027 |
| Time Definite Domestic | $0.05 per lb. | Nov. 1 – Dec. 31, 2026 |
These charges apply to eligible services as defined by DHL. International charges can vary significantly depending on the shipping route.
Source: DHL Express Demand Surcharges.
DHL eCommerce Peak Season Surcharges
DHL eCommerce also publishes a separate peak-season pricing schedule for its domestic and international products.
Because DHL Express and DHL eCommerce operate under different pricing structures, merchants should consult the applicable service schedule rather than assuming the Express rates apply to eCommerce shipments.
See the DHL eCommerce Surcharge Policies for the 2026–2027 peak-season pricing document.
Editorial note: Before publication, I’d add the exact DHL eCommerce peak surcharge table from its official PDF here so this section is as complete as the other three carriers.
What Holiday Shipping Surcharges Mean for eCommerce Merchants
A surcharge of 50 cents per package might not seem like much. But multiply that across 2,000 holiday orders, and you’re looking at an additional $1,000 in shipping expenses.
Now consider packages that require special handling, oversized shipments, and express delivery services. Those costs can climb much faster.
The tricky part is that not every order will be affected equally. The same product shipped to two different destinations could have different shipping costs, and the carrier offering the lowest rate today might not be the cheapest option during the busiest weeks of November and December.
How to Prepare for 2026 Holiday Shipping Costs
There are a few things eCommerce merchants can do before holiday order volumes pick up.
1. Review your most frequently shipped products. Check package weights and dimensions, especially for items that could trigger additional handling or oversized package fees.
2. Revisit free shipping promotions. If you’re offering free shipping during Black Friday or Cyber Monday, account for temporary carrier pricing when calculating margins and minimum order thresholds.
3. Compare carrier rates. Different services have different seasonal fees. Reviewing available rates before purchasing labels can help merchants make more informed shipping decisions.
4. Watch the effective dates. Several carriers increase their surcharges again in late November, just as holiday order volumes typically rise.
5. Keep an eye on carrier updates. Seasonal rates, terms, and applicability can change. Review official carrier announcements throughout peak season.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2026 Holiday Shipping Surcharges
What are holiday shipping surcharges?
Holiday shipping surcharges are temporary fees or price increases introduced by carriers during periods of high shipping demand. UPS, FedEx, USPS, and DHL use different pricing structures, with charges that may vary based on shipping service, package size, weight, destination, and shipment volume.
When do 2026 holiday shipping surcharges start?
The 2026 holiday surcharge season began September 27 for UPS, September 28 for FedEx, October 1 for DHL Express, and October 4 for USPS. Some carriers introduce additional increases in late October or November, with certain charges continuing into January or February 2027.
How much are UPS holiday surcharges in 2026?
UPS demand surcharges vary by service and shipping period. From November 22 through December 26, 2026, the published demand surcharge is $0.75 per package for UPS Ground Residential and UPS Ground Saver, and $2.50 per package for UPS Next Day Air and other applicable UPS Air services. Additional handling, large package, and over-maximum-limits charges may also apply.
Does USPS charge holiday shipping surcharges in 2026?
Yes. USPS introduced temporary holiday price increases from October 4, 2026, through January 16, 2027, for services including Ground Advantage, Priority Mail, and Priority Mail Express. The increases vary by shipping service, package weight, and destination.
Make Holiday Shipping a Little Easier with Ordoro
Holiday shipping already comes with enough moving parts. Keeping track of carrier pricing shouldn’t require another spreadsheet.
With Ordoro, eCommerce merchants can compare available shipping rates, manage orders, and streamline fulfillment from one platform. Whether you’re shipping a handful of packages or processing thousands of holiday orders, having your shipping options in one place makes it easier to stay organized.
Explore Ordoro’s shipping and order management tools and get ready for the holiday rush.
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