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UPS: Demand Surcharges for the Peak Season 2024

Temporary demand-related and seasonal UPS surcharges

Ina Kahl avatar
Written by Ina Kahl
Updated this week

++ In effect from September 9th, 2024, until January 31st, 2025, UPS will impose a temporary Demand Surcharge for large packages and for packages that require additional handling. However, Shipcloud will not pass this surcharge on to you until September 16th, 2024, giving you an extra week to prepare for the surcharges. Additionally, as of April 17th, 2023, until further notice, UPS is imposing a Demand Surcharge for packages over maximum limits. ++


In this article, you'll learn what UPS Demand Surcharges are, why they are imposed, and when they typically apply.

In this article 👇


1. UPS Demand Surcharges in general

Demand Surcharges are temporary or longer-term surcharges that UPS may impose on certain packages, shipping scenarios, origin/destinations, and service levels. Demand Surcharges are in addition to other applicable UPS surcharges, fees or subsequent charges and are subject to change and extension by UPS without notice.

2. UPS Demand Surcharges in peak seasons

Demand Surcharges in peak seasons are temporary surcharges imposed by UPS due to increased demand or heavy traffic periods when package volumes suddenly or significantly increase due to seasonal changes, holidays, or special circumstances in retail and e-commerce.

For example, Black Friday and the Christmas season cause a spike in package volume. To ensure the best possible handling and delivery capacity during these times, UPS applies peak season demand surcharges. Demand Surcharges allow UPS to ensure that its network continues to operate effectively during peak seasons and to expand its delivery network, including providing additional personnel, to provide reliable and on-time service despite increased shipping volumes.

When are UPS Demand/Peak Surcharges imposed?

In our experience, UPS imposes demand or Demand/Peak Surcharges every year around Christmas.

In effect from September 09th, 2024, until January 31st, 2025, UPS will impose a temporary Demand Surcharge for large packages and for packages that require additional handling. However, Shipcloud will not pass this surcharge on to you until September 16th, 2024, giving you an extra week to prepare for the surcharges. Additionally, as of April 17th, 2023, until further notice, UPS is imposing a Demand Surcharge for packages over maximum limits.

3. UPS Demand Surcharges overview

The following costs apply to each UPS Demand/Peak Surcharge per package in addition to existing rates and surcharges and/or fees for domestic and international shipments. domestic and international rates, surcharges and/or fees. When shipping via Shipcloud business rates, we will charge these to you subsequently.

UPS Demand Surcharge

Description

Fees per package

Additional Handling*

Demand Surcharge for packages that cannot be processed through the UPS automated shipping system due to their size, weight or packaging:

Heavy packages

The following packages require additional handling due to their weight:

  • Packages with an actual weight (not volume weight) of 32 kg or more.

  • Any package of a shipment whose average package weight is more than 32 kg and where the weight for each package is not specified in the origin document or in the UPS automated shipping system used.

Packaging

The following packages require additional handling due to their packaging:

  • Items in metal or wooden containers.

  • Items in cylindrical containers (e.g. drums, buckets, canisters or tires) that are not fully enclosed in corrugated cardboard packaging.

The following packages require additional handling due to their size:

  • Packages with the longest side exceeding 100 cm,

  • Packages with the second longest side exceeding 76 cm.

For packages with the above specifications, UPS will impose the Demand Surcharge "Additional Handling" described here, in addition to the regular "Additional Handling" surcharge.

Demand-Surcharge:

€ 7.00

+ Regular Surcharge:

€ 14.50

Large Packages*

Demand Surcharge for large packages. A package is considered a large package if

  • its length and circumference [circumference = (2 x width) + (2 x height)] together exceed 300 cm, but the UPS maximum size of 400 cm is not exceeded.

Large packages are subject to a minimum cost-relevant weight of 40 kg, which is charged in addition to the "Large Package" surcharge.

For packages with the above specifications, UPS will impose the Demand Surcharge "Large Package" described here, in addition to the regular "Large Package" surcharge.

Demand-Surcharge:

€ 73.90

+ Regular Surcharge:

€ 49.50

Oversize/ Over Maximum Limits**

Demand Surcharge for packages that exceed UPS's maximum allowable package dimensions. A package is considered oversized if:

  • it weighs more than 70 kg

  • it's longer than 274 cm, or

  • it exceeds 400 cm in total length and circumference [(2 x width) + (2 x height)].

Oversized packages are generally not accepted by UPS. If they are nevertheless found in the UPS parcel shipping network, UPS will impose the "Over Maximum Limits" Demand Surcharge described here in addition to the regular "Over Maximum Limits" surcharge.

❗For packages whose combined length and girth exceed 400 cm, the large package surcharge will also be applied.

Demand-Surcharge:

€ 440.00

+ Regular Surcharge:

€ 49.50

* An "Additional Handling" surcharge will not be imposed if a "Large Package" surcharge has already been applied. UPS does not offer a money-back guarantee for shipments that require additional handling by UPS and whose processing may be delayed as a result.

*The Oversize/Over Maximum Limits surcharge is not limited in time and will therefore continue to be levied by UPS after January 31, 2025 if the package shipped exceeds the allowable package dimensions.

📌 Good to know: UPS will adjust Peak/Demand Surcharges as necessary without notice and reserves the right to extend or modify peak periods to reflect prevailing market conditions.


Any further questions? We're happy to help.


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