Fuel Prices Are High… Surcharges Are Higher
March marked a new milestone at the pump: US gasoline prices soared past $4 per gallon, a level we haven’t seen since 2022. Gas hit an all-time high of just over $5 in June that year. Diesel drivers can’t catch a break, either. By early April, on-highway diesel spiked to $5.64—dangerously close to its own record of $5.72.
A few months ago, we talked about how the ++carriers continued to raise fuel surcharges++ despite falling fuel prices. Now, fuel is skyrocketing, and shippers' bills are, too.
But are the fuel prices solely to blame?
Ground fuel surcharges are rising at nearly triple the rate of actual diesel prices, suggesting carriers are using these fees to expand profit margins rather than just recover costs. These surcharges aren't just a simple reflection of what happens at the pump anymore. They’ve become a clever way for carriers to build a financial cushion, making the total cost of moving goods far higher than the fuel hike alone would suggest.
UPS Fuel Surcharges
On April 13, UPS updated its US Ground Domestic, UPS Ground Saver, and the US Domestic Air ++Fuel Surcharges++. With these new rates, customers saw a fuel surcharge of 27.5% for the week of April 20-26, based on the $5.602 national US on-highway diesel fuel rate on April 13.
In addition to surprise hikes in surcharges due to increased fuel rates, a new ++Surge Emergency Fee++ went into effect on April 26. An $0.11 per lb. fee applies to all shipments from Asia (except China and Hong Kong) to the US. That’s on top of the $0.23 per lb. April 19 Surge Emergency Fee.
Shipments from China and Hong Kong into the US are now subject to a $0.23 per lb Surge Emergency Fee on top of the April 19 $0.32 per lb. fee.
The first set of Surge Emergency Fees, levied on shipments to and from the Middle East, ranging from $1.34 to $1.50 per pound, went into effect on March 22.
UPS enacted a $ 0.23-per-lb. Surge Emergency Fee on all shipments to and from most international destinations to the US on April 19.
FedEx Fuel Surcharges
++Fuel surcharges++ for FedEx Ground, FedEx Home Delivery, FedEx International Ground, and pickup services remain unchanged since December 2025. Because US on-highway diesel rates reached $5.643 the week of April 6, the fuel surcharge for the week of April 13-19 was 27.25%.
Because the carriers often take their pricing cues from one another. We can expect to see higher fuel surcharges from FedEx soon.
How to Reduce Your Surcharges
The carriers may lead you to believe that all companies are paying the published surcharge rates. That’s simply not true.
If you’re not negotiating your base parcel rates and applicable surcharges, you’re paying too much. ShipRx has more than 30 years of experience in the parcel industry, writing contracts first for the carriers before working on behalf of shippers like you.
Contact ShipRx for a ++free savings analysis++ and discover how you can see savings on fuel surcharges— even as prices at the pump increase.