FedEx peak surcharges traditionally were only implemented during seasons with high shipping volumes. Unfortunately, FedEx peak surcharges are being applied on a year-round basis.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to reshape transportation all across the world. FedEx has kept commerce moving and delivered shipments throughout this trying time. Since we are entering another holiday peak season, FedEx expects extended high demand for capacity and increased operating expenses. Additionally, FedEx expects the swell in residential volume to transfer over into 2023. These adjustments are significant and will undoubtedly impact all shippers.
2023 FedEx Holiday Demand Surcharges
Services | Cost | Effective Date | |
Demand — Additional Handling Surcharge | U.S. Express, U.S. Ground, International Ground Services | $6.95 per package | October 2, 2023 – January 14, 2024 |
Demand — Oversize Charge | U.S. Express, U.S. Ground, International Ground Services | $73.00 per package | October 2, 2023 – January 14, 2024 |
Demand — Ground Unauthorized Package Charge | U.S. & International Ground Services | $410 per package | October 2, 2023 – January 14, 2024 |
Demand Surcharge | FedEx Ground Economy Services | $1.60 per package | October 30, 2023 –November 26, 2023 |
FedEx Ground Economy Services | $2.60 per package | November 27, 2023 – December 10, 2023 | |
FedEx Ground Economy Services | $1.60 per package | December 11, 2023 – January 14, 2024 |
2023 FedEx Peak Costs
Services | Cost | Effective Date | |
Peak — Additional Handling Surcharge | U.S. Express, U.S. Ground, International Ground Services | $3.45 per package | January 16, 2023 until further notice |
Peak — Oversize Charge | U.S. Express, U.S. Ground, International Ground Services | $39.50 per package | January 16, 2023 until further notice |
Peak Surcharge on FedEx Express International Services

Historical FedEx Peak Surcharge Costs
Surcharge Name | Applicable Services | 2022 Surcharge Amount | 2021 Surcharge Amount | Effective Date |
Additional Handling Surcharge | U.S. Express & Ground Services | $3.45 per package | $5.95 per package | September 5, 2022 – October 2, 2022 |
Additional Handling Surcharge | U.S. Express & Ground Services | $6.55 per package | $5.95 per package | October 2, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
FedEx Ground Economy (SmartPost) | $1.50 per package | $1.50 per package | October 31, 2022 – November 27, 2022 | |
FedEx Ground Economy (SmartPost) | $2.50 per package | $3.00 per package | November 28, 2022 – December 11, 2022 | |
FedEx Ground Economy (SmartPost) | $1.50 per package | $1.50 per package | December 12, 2022 – January 15, 2023 | |
Ground Unauthorized Package Charge | U.S. Express & Ground Services | $385 per package | $350 per package | October 3, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
Residential Delivery Charge | U.S. Ground Services | $1.25 – $6.00 | $1.15 – $6.00 | October 31, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
Residential Delivery Charge | U.S. Express Services | $2.25 – $7.00 | $1.15 – $6.00 | October 31, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
Oversize Charge | U.S. Express & Ground Services | $39.50 per package | None | September 5, 2022 – October 2, 2022 |
Oversize Charge | U.S. Express & Ground Services | $68.75 per package | $62.50 per package | October 2, 2022 – January 15, 2023 |
1Customers who ship more than 25,000 weekly average residential FedEx ground economy, express, and ground U.S. domestic (excluding FedEx One Rate )
Peak — Residential Delivery Charge
The 2023 FedEx Peak residential delivery surcharge will be billed separately and only apply to customers at the enterprise level. These are customers who:
- Within a given week, ship 20,000 residential FedEx Express or FedEx Ground residential packages combined
- (not counting FedEx SmartPost or One Rate); and
- The Peak – Residential Delivery Charge will be assessed in addition to the Residential Delivery Charge.
- Any contracted discount or cap the customer may have on the Residential Delivery Charge will not apply to the Peak – Residential Delivery Charge.
Peak Oversize Charge

If you are unsure of what an oversize charge is, here is a refresher. A FedEx oversize is any package that:
- exceeds 96 inches in length, or
- 130 inches in length and girth
The length and girth are length + (2 times the height) +(2 times the width). Remember always to round up.
How can you lessen peak surcharges?
FedEx peak surcharges will impact all FedEx shippers. However, these can be negated with enough preparation. Therefore, if you have questions about these impacts, feel free to reach out. Refund Retriever understands the cost of logistics and transportation impact your bottom line. This includes data analysis of surcharge usage or negotiating a new agreement with FedEx. We are always happy to help.
