> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.palmstreet.app/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.palmstreet.app/seller/palmstreet-shipping-guide/2026-holiday-shipping-rate-and-surcharge-updates-ups-usps-and-fedex.md).

# 2026 Holiday Shipping Rate & Surcharge Updates: UPS, USPS & FedEx

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)**

| Period                          | Ground Saver / Ground Residential | UPS Air\* |
| ------------------------------- | --------------------------------- | --------- |
| Oct 25 – Nov 21, 2026           | $0.50                             | $1.35     |
| Nov 22 – Dec 26, 2026 (highest) | $0.75                             | $2.50     |
| Dec 27, 2026 – Jan 16, 2027     | $0.50                             | $1.35     |

\**UPS Air includes UPS Next Day Air and all other UPS Air services.*

**Temporary Increases to Existing Surcharges**

| Period                          | Additional Handling | Large Package | Over Maximum Limits |
| ------------------------------- | ------------------- | ------------- | ------------------- |
| Sep 27 – Nov 21, 2026           | $8.75               | $96.25        | $530.00             |
| Nov 22 – Dec 26, 2026 (highest) | $11.90              | $117.50       | $590.00             |
| Dec 27, 2026 – Jan 16, 2027     | $8.75               | $96.25        | $530.00             |

***

#### 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).

<table data-search="false"><thead><tr><th width="213">Product</th><th width="99">Zone</th><th width="340">Weight / Tier</th><th width="100">Increase</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Priority Mail / Ground Advantage</td><td>1-4</td><td>0-3 lbs / Cubic Tiers 1-3</td><td>$0.40</td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>4-10 lbs / Cubic Tiers 4-5 (PM), 4-9 (GA)</td><td>$0.65</td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>11-25 lbs / Cubic Tier 10 (GA)</td><td>$1.05</td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>26-70 lbs / Oversized</td><td>$3.15</td></tr><tr><td>Priority Mail</td><td>5-9</td><td>0-3 lbs / Cubic Tiers 1-3</td><td>$0.85</td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>4-10 lbs / Cubic Tiers 4-5</td><td>$1.75</td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>11-25 lbs</td><td>$3.85</td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>26-70 lbs</td><td>$9.10</td></tr><tr><td>Ground Advantage</td><td>5-9</td><td>0-3 lbs / Cubic Tiers 1-3</td><td>$0.55</td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>4-10 lbs / Cubic Tiers 4-9</td><td>$1.05</td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>11-25 lbs / Cubic Tier 10</td><td>$1.75</td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>26-70 lbs / Oversized</td><td>$7.70</td></tr><tr><td>Priority Mail Flat Rate</td><td>—</td><td>Large Flat Rate Box</td><td>$1.75</td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>All other Flat Rate products</td><td>$0.85</td></tr><tr><td>Priority Mail Express</td><td>1-4</td><td>0-3 lbs</td><td>$1.40</td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>4-10 lbs</td><td>$2.10</td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>11-25 lbs</td><td>$4.90</td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>26-70 lbs</td><td>$12.55</td></tr><tr><td>Priority Mail Express</td><td>5-9</td><td>0-3 lbs</td><td>$2.35</td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>4-10 lbs</td><td>$5.55</td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>11-25 lbs</td><td>$10.50</td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>26-70 lbs</td><td>$18.20</td></tr><tr><td>Priority Mail Express Flat Rate</td><td>—</td><td>Flat Rate Envelope</td><td>$2.35</td></tr><tr><td>Parcel Select</td><td>all zones</td><td>0-3 lbs</td><td>$0.40</td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>4-10 lbs</td><td>$0.50</td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>11-25 lbs</td><td>$0.80</td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td>26-70 lbs / Oversized</td><td>$2.35</td></tr></tbody></table>

***

#### 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**

<table data-search="false"><thead><tr><th>Surcharge</th><th>Charge Type</th><th>Standard Period</th><th>Nov 23 – Dec 27, 2026 (highest)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Additional Handling</td><td>Adjustment</td><td>$8.80</td><td>$11.85</td></tr><tr><td>Oversize Charge</td><td>Adjustment</td><td>$95.75</td><td>$117.25</td></tr><tr><td>Ground Unauthorized Package</td><td>Adjustment</td><td>$535.00</td><td>$595.00</td></tr><tr><td>Overnight (Priority/Standard)</td><td>Label Price</td><td>$1.30</td><td>$2.55</td></tr><tr><td>2Day / Express Saver</td><td>Label Price</td><td>$1.20</td><td>$2.35</td></tr><tr><td>Ground / Home Delivery Residential</td><td>Label Price</td><td>$0.50</td><td>$0.80</td></tr><tr><td>Ground Economy</td><td>Label Price</td><td>$2.55</td><td>$4.05</td></tr></tbody></table>

***

#### 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

<details>

<summary><strong>Do these surcharges apply to every label?</strong></summary>

Only to domestic UPS, USPS, and FedEx services, and the amount depends on the carrier, service, and date window.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Do I need to change anything in my account?</strong></summary>

No. Surcharges and temporary increases are applied automatically.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>When do surcharges end?</strong></summary>

UPS and FedEx surcharges end Jan 16-17, 2027. USPS temporary pricing ends Jan 17, 2027.

</details>

***