UPS adds surcharges to various US import, export services

The new surcharges will be active throughout the peak holiday shipping season, adding to the pricing pressures shippers will face during the critical Q4 stretch. UPS is also preparing to levy peak season surcharges starting Sept. 28 on a range of U.S. package services.

Since 2024, UPS’ surge fee for international shipments has often targeted U.S.-bound goods from China amid demand spikes between the two countries. However, UPS’ average daily volume on the China-to-U.S. trade lane dropped nearly 35% in May and June after tariff pressures, CEO Carol Tomé said in July. The fee announced Wednesday does not apply to shipments to or from China.

“Our China to U.S. trade lane is our most profitable trade lane, and the volume decline here pressured our international operating margin,” Tomé said. “But it’s important to remember that with policy changes, trade doesn’t stop, it moves.”

Rival FedEx also announced temporary fees for U.S. import and export services earlier this month, but the timing, per-pound charge and affected countries differ from UPS’ incoming levies. FedEx’s demand surcharges are effective from Sept. 22 to Oct. 19 and range from $0.10 to $0.50 per pound.

“Demand surcharges are determined for each market based on regular assessments of shipment volume and capacity within our network to accommodate,” FedEx said on it’s website.