Have you ever looked at your UPS or FedEx invoices closely? How many different charges do you see for any certain tracking number? Sure, you have a transportation cost, an ever-rising fuel surcharge fee, and maybe an insurance fee if you choose that option. Some of these fees you know about and have accepted when you shipped it out, but for many of them, you had no idea there would be an additional cost.

What is a UPS Accessorial Fee?

A UPS accessorial fee refers to additional charges that UPS may apply to a shipment beyond the basic shipping rate. These fees are levied for special services or circumstances that might arise during the shipping process. UPS has many fees! Some common reasons for accessorial charges include:

• Residential Delivery: If a package is delivered to a residential address, an additional fee might be charged as these deliveries can be more time-consuming and expensive than commercial deliveries.
• Address Corrections: If the address on the package is incorrect and UPS has to correct it in order to make the delivery, there might be a fee associated with that.
• Extended Delivery Areas: Delivering to remote or less accessible areas can result in additional fees.
• COD (Cash On Delivery): If the shipment requires payment upon delivery.
• Saturday Delivery: Delivering on a Saturday often incurs an extra charge.
• Additional Handling: This can be due to the size, weight, or packaging of the item. For instance, an oversized box or a package wrapped in metal might warrant this fee.
• Signature Required: If the sender requires a signature upon delivery, there might be an extra charge.
• Declared Value: If the sender declares a value for the package that’s above the standard limit, an additional fee might be levied.
• Fuel Surcharge: Sometimes, depending on the fluctuating costs of fuel, UPS might apply a fuel surcharge.

This list isn’t exhaustive, and the specifics of these fees can change based on UPS policies, the service chosen, and the location of delivery. If you’re planning to ship something via UPS, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the current list of accessorial fees to avoid any unexpected costs. Always check the UPS website or contact their customer service for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

What is a FedEx accessorial fee?

A FedEx accessorial fee refers to additional charges that may be applied to a FedEx shipment beyond the basic shipping cost. These fees cover special services or requirements that might be needed for particular shipments. FedEx has dozens of fees that trigger for various reasons, including but not limited to:

• Address Correction: If the address provided is incorrect and FedEx makes a correction in order to deliver the package, a fee may be charged.
• Saturday Pickup or Delivery: Requesting a pickup or delivery on a Saturday can incur an additional charge.
• Residential Delivery: Delivering to a residential address instead of a commercial address can sometimes cost more.
• Extended Delivery Area: Deliveries to remote or less accessible areas might have an additional fee due to the extra resources required to reach such destinations.
• Signature Required: If a sender requires a signature for a package upon delivery, this can trigger an extra fee.
• Oversize or Overweight Charges: Packages that exceed FedEx’s size or weight limits can be subject to additional fees.
• Dangerous Goods: Shipping hazardous materials or dangerous goods often involves extra fees because of the special handling, documentation, and procedures involved.
• Return Label: Using services like FedEx’s print return label might come with an additional fee.
• Hold at Location: If you want your shipment to be held at a FedEx location for pickup, there might be an associated charge.
• Storage Fees: If a shipment isn’t picked up in a timely manner, storage fees might be incurred.

These are just a few examples. FedEx’s list of services and fees can change, so it’s always a good idea to consult their current service guide or contact their customer service for specific and up-to-date details on any potential accessorial charges.

Accessorial Fees

The vast majority of online retailers and large-volume shippers try to keep shipping costs as low as possible for their clients for good reason. Most people will not purchase goods online if the shipping costs outweigh going to your local store and picking it up. Price is one of the significant factors when people buy on the internet; granted, it’s easier to find some items on the internet, but on the whole, people want a deal. Naturally, as the merchant, you try to keep your clients’ shipping costs as low as possible to compete with your peers, so you aren’t making a huge profit (if any) on your shipping. So what happens when these additional charges come in like an avalanche? Now you are losing money!

This is all the more reason you need Refund Retriever in your corner. We can provide:

• Refunds for quite a few situations, such as late delivery, duplicate charges, and incorrect residential charges
• Notifications of potential problems, such as 3rd parties shipping on your account and gross overcharges
• Reports detailing your shipping activity in many ways, providing you with actionable information

All these services can lead to money in your pocket and lower your shipping costs … and our only fee is 50% of any refunds we find for you.