2026 Holiday Shipping Rate & Surcharge Updates: UPS, USPS & FedEx
Palmstreet Official
UPS, USPS, and FedEx are all applying temporary peak-season price changes this holiday season. Below is everything you need to know, plus clear tables showing how much each carrier's rates change and when.
Key Takeaways:
Effective dates:
- UPS: Higher amounts for select existing surcharges start Sep 27, 2026; peak surcharges on shipments start Oct 25, 2026 → Jan 16, 2027
- USPS: Temporary price changes Oct 4, 2026 → Jan 17, 2027
- FedEx: Additional Handling / Oversize / Ground Unauthorized surcharges start Sep 26, 2026; remaining services start Oct 26, 2026 → Jan 17, 2027
No action needed: All surcharges and temporary rate changes will be automatically applied — no changes needed on your end.
UPS: Peak Surcharges & Higher Existing Surcharges
Peak Surcharges on Domestic UPS Shipments (Per Package)
*UPS Air includes UPS Next Day Air and all other UPS Air services.
Temporary Increases to Existing Surcharges
USPS: Temporary Holiday Pricing
Effective Oct 4, 2026 – Jan 17, 2027, covering Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage, and Parcel Select (no other USPS products affected).
FedEx: Demand Surcharges
Additional Handling / Oversize / Ground Unauthorized: Effective Sep 26, 2026 – Jan 17, 2027
Express / Ground Residential / Ground Economy: Effective Oct 26, 2026 – Jan 17, 2027
How Pricing Is Applied
You don't need to memorize any of this. Temporary carrier price increases are applied automatically at time of label purchase.
Tips to Keep Costs Down
- Right-size packaging to avoid Large Package, Oversize, or Additional Handling charges.
- Confirm dimensions and weight carefully before printing labels.
- Plan ahead for the Nov 22/23 – Dec 26/27 window, when per-package surcharges peak across all three carriers.
FAQs
Do these surcharges apply to every label?
Only to domestic UPS, USPS, and FedEx services, and the amount depends on the carrier, service, and date window.
Do I need to change anything in my account?
No. Surcharges and temporary increases are applied automatically.
When do surcharges end?
UPS and FedEx surcharges end Jan 16-17, 2027. USPS temporary pricing ends Jan 17, 2027.
