UPS: Maximum dimensions and weight, surcharges and additional fees

UPS shipping terms and possible additional surcharges

Ina Kahl avatar
Written by Ina Kahl
Updated over a week ago

++ In effect from October 1st, 2023, until January 14th, 2024, UPS will impose a temporary demand surcharge for large packages and for packages that require additional handling. Additionally, as of April 17th, 2023, until further notice, UPS is imposing a demand surcharge for oversized packages. ++


In this article you will find important information about UPS package dimensions and weight limits, as well as possible surcharges and fees.

In this article 👇


Maximum package dimensions and weight limits

Normal packages

Max. weight

max. 31,5 kg

Max. dimensions

longest side max. 100 cm, second longest side max. 76 cm

Max. girth *

max. 300 cm

Parcel shop drop-off

Max. weight

max. 20 kg

Max. dimensions

longest side max. 97 cm, second longest side max. 76 cm

Max. girth
(girth = (height + width) x 2 + length))

max. 300 cm

📌 Please note that additional costs per shipment may apply if your packages exceed the maximum package dimensions and weight limits. If the weight specified by you is exceeded, the additional weight charge will be noted on your invoice as Freight Cost. Shipcloud reserves the right to pass on to you the surcharges levied by UPS (see table below).

📌 Please note that it is not possible to send bulky shipments at Shipcloud business rates. This option is only available if you have your own UPS contract.

Surcharges and additional fees*

Surcharge

Description

Price per shipment from Jan 1st, 2024

Price per shipment
from Jan 1st, 2024

Additional Handling

This surcharge applies to all parcels that cannot be processed through the UPS automated shipping system due to their size, weight or packaging:

1. Additional Handling - Heavy Package

Surcharge for parcels with an actual weight (not volumetric weight) of more than 25 kg and for each package in a UPS shipment whose average weight is more than 25 kg and the weight is not indicated on the origin or shipping documents.

Mandatory marking of heavy parcels:

Marking heavy packages with a sticker or signal tape is mandatory and serves as a safety notice for UPS employees. It also ensures that these packages can be transported properly.

2. Additional Handling - Packaging

Surcharge for goods in a metal or wooden packaging and for items in cylindrical containers (e.g. barrels, drums, pails or tires) which are not completely enclosed in a corrugated board packaging.

3. Additional Handling - Exceedance of maximum UPS package dimensions

Surcharge for packages with the longest side exceeding 100 cm or its second-longest side exceeding 30 inches (76 cm).

No money-back guarantee for parcels with Additional Handling:

In consideration of the additional handling required and subsequent potential delays in processing these shipments, UPS does not provide a money-back guarantee for them.

€ 14.50

€ 14.50

Address Correction

Surcharge for additional handling and transportation costs incurred when the recipient's address is incorrect and UPS attempts to locate the correct address.

Further information:

If UPS has taken action to deliver worldwide shipments but has been unsuccessful, the shipments will be processed according to your instructions.

€ 6.50

€ 6.50

Peak (Demand/Peak)

1. Peak Additional Handling

2. Peak Large Package

3. Peak - Over Max (Over Maximum Limits)

Temporary surcharge or long-term surcharge until revoked for national and international shipments imposed by UPS, especially during peak traffic times. Demand/Peak surcharges apply per package and in addition to existing surcharges.

+ € 7.00

+ € 67.50

+ € 412.00

+ € 7.00

+ € 67.50

+ € 426.00

Remote Area (Extended/
Remote Area)

Surcharge resulting from higher operating costs for deliveries and collections in less populated extended and urban areas as well as in remote areas beyond UPS extended areas, which are less accessible (domestic and international services).

Further information:

An overview of the affected areas can be found directly on the UPS website.

€ 25.00

€ 25.00

Large Package Surcharge (Large Package)

Surcharge for packages whose length plus girth [girth = (2 x width) + (2 x height)] combined exceeds 300 cm but is below the maximum UPS dimension of 400 cm. In addition to the surcharge, large packages are also billed at a minimum weight of 40 kg. The "Additional Handling" surcharge is waived if the "Large Package" surcharge is already being applied.

€ 49.50

€ 49.50

Large Package Surcharge (Over Maximum Limits)

Surcharge for packages with a weight of more than 70 kg or a length of more than 274 cm or a total dimension of more than 400 cm in length and girth [(2 x width) + (2 x height)]. Generally, UPS does not accept packages of this kind for shipping. However, if such packages are still found within the UPS shipping network, the "Over Maximum Limits" surcharge will be applied for national and international shipments.

€ 49.50

€ 426.00

Proof of Delivery (POD) upon request

Surcharge that applies if proof of delivery is requested from UPS and then provided by UPS by fax or post.

€ 5.50

€ 5.50

Underliverable Return (Return of Undeliverable Packages)

Surcharge for transportation and fuel charges incurred by returning undeliverable shipments.

Further information:

All national packages and shipments within the EU, will be automatically returned to you with UPS Standard service (where available).

National:

€ 3,80

EU-wide:

€ 5,30

Worldwide:

€ 6,80

National:

€ 3,80

EU-wide:

€ 5,30

Worldwide:

€ 6,80

Saturday Delivery

Surcharge for Saturday delivery of UPS Standard packages.

Further information:

Standard packages are delivered by UPS only on working days (mo-fri) from 8 am to 6 pm. A Saturday delivery for already booked UPS standard packages (until usually 12 o'clock) is generally possible, but will be charged with an additional fee.

€ 20.00

€ 20.00

* Surcharges are charged as (net) business fees, plus the applicable 19% VAT. Please note that the carriers may make changes to the surcharge or subsequent charge prices and we reserve the right to adjust these due to additional operational expenses. The surcharges and fees listed above were last updated on December 21st, 2023, effective January 1st, 2024.

📌 Further information on possible UPS surcharges can also be found directly on the UPS website.


Any further questions? We're happy to help.


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