The FedEx Ground Unauthorized Package Charge is a fee rarely seen by shippers, but when it appears, a shipper will take action immediately! FedEx recently announced general changes to surcharges on unauthorized shipments that require additional handling. Generally, FedEx announces these fee increases in September each year, which go into effect at the beginning of the year. FedEx unauthorized and additional handling fees go about 20% per year but have also doubled.
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
What is a Ground Unauthorized Package Charge?
- Any shipment measuring more than 108 inches in length.
- A shipment measuring more than 165 inches in length and girth combined.
- Anything weighing more than 150 lbs.
FedEx Unauthorized OS packages may be rejected, returned to the shipper, or disposed of by FedEx Ground. However, they may be accepted and delivered at FedEx Ground’s discretion. The package rating will be based on the greater of the package’s actual rounded or dimensional weight, subject to a 90-lb. minimum billable weight.
Package shape and dimensions may alter during transit, affecting the package’s dimensional weight and surcharge eligibility. If the sizes change during shipping, FedEx Ground may modify the shipment charges appropriately. This fee only applies to US and international ground services. We see numerous FedEx Unauthorized OS charges on FedEx invoices; our reports can identify each time these affect your shipments.
Historical Ground Unauthorized Package Charge
- 2015: $57.50 additional cost
- 2016: $110 additional cost
- 2017: $115 additional cost
- 2018: $300 additional cost
- 2019: $675 additional cost
- 2020: $875 additional cost
- 2021: $920 additional cost
- 2022: $1,025 additional cost
- 2023: $1,150 additional cost
- 2024: $1,250 additional cost
- 2025: $1,325 more
Peak season charge increases.
October 2, 2023, through January 14, 2024, FedEx added a Demand Ground Unauthorized Package Charge on top of the $1,250 charge. The demand charge is an additional $410 per package. Previously, from October 23, 2019, through January 17, 2020, the FedEx unauthorized package charge saw an additional $350 charge on top of the $875.
Monthly Reporting: Find your FedEx Unauthorized OS Charges
Even if you do not want your FedEx packages audited for late deliveries and other billing mistakes, Refund Retriever can help. We offer monthly reporting at a flat fee. Contact us for pricing on reports and analytics.
How to lower charges
These FedEx unauthorized package charges belong in the LTL network, not the small parcel. Many e-commerce companies ship larger packages with FedEx Ground or FedEx Home Delivery. Ground and Home Delivery require no additional effort, special documentation, or another pickup. FedEx unauthorized and additional handling fees are real and can quickly overtake your shipping spend.
LTL delivery of packages this size might take a few minutes extra but will be cheaper than a $1,250 additional fee. In short, if you want to learn more about shipping large packages correctly, check out Freight Retriever. Our freight rate shopping tool will allow you to use LTL with little additional effort.
