UPS just announced its 2026 Peak Season Demand Surcharges

UPS has released updated Demand Surcharges for U.S. domestic package services. Per-package demand surcharges run across three windows: October 25 to November 21, November 22 to December 26 (the peak window), and December 27 to January 16, 2027. Accessorial demand fees (Additional Handling, Large Package, Over Maximum Limits) start earlier, on September 27, and follow the same three-window structure from there.

Key highlights:

• UPS is running two separate surcharge structures this year based on shipper volume. Shippers who billed fewer than 20,000 packages per week after October 2025 pay a flat per-package fee on Air, Ground Residential, and Ground Saver. Shippers above that threshold pay a threshold-based fee instead, assessed weekly against a volume baseline, and it applies to every package in that tier, not just the packages over the line.
• Additional Handling, Large Package, and Over Maximum Limits surcharges all peak during the November 22 to December 26 window ($11.90, $117.50, and $590 per package) before dropping back to their earlier rates in late December.
• High-volume shippers need to track the peaking factor closely. UPS compares each week's Ground Residential and Air volume against a June 2026 baseline, and crossing just 105% of that baseline moves the entire week's volume into a higher surcharge tier, not just the packages above the threshold.

For shippers planning Q4 logistics and fulfillment budgets, now is the time to model these costs into holiday shipping strategy and evaluate whether carrier diversification or rate negotiations make sense.

Download our guide on the full surcharge details including:

• Full breakdown of charges by service level and volume tier
• The calculation logic behind the baseline and peaking factor, so you can forecast your own exposure