Effective September 28, 2025 to January 17, 2026
UPS has released its Peak Season Surcharge schedule for 2025. These temporary fees help manage increased parcel volume and operational strain during the busiest shipping months of the year. Throughout this period, surcharges apply to shipments requiring Additional Handling, Large Package designation, Over Maximum Limits, and select service levels.
Below is a clear breakdown of the applicable charges across each peak season window.
Surcharge Period 1
September 28, 2025 to November 22, 2025
| PEAK SEASON SURCHARGES | |
| Type of Charge | Amount |
| Additional Handling | $8.25 per package |
| Large Package | $90.50 per package |
| Over Maximum Limits | $485.00 per package |
Surcharge Period 2
November 23, 2025 to December 27, 2025
| PEAK SEASON SURCHARGES | |
| Type of Charge | Amount |
| Additional Handling | $10.80 per package |
| Large Package | $107.00 per package |
| Over Maximum Limits | $540.00 per package |
Surcharge Period 3
December 28, 2025 to January 17, 2026
| PEAK SEASON SURCHARGES | |
| Type of Charge | Amount |
| Additional Handling | $8.25 per package |
| Large Package | $90.50 per package |
| Over Maximum Limits | $485.00 per package |
Service-Level Peak Surcharges
These surcharges apply to UPS Air, UPS Ground, and UPS Ground Saver® shipments.
PEAK SEASON SURCHARGES | |||
| Service Level | Oct. 26, 2025 until Nov. 22, 2025 | Dec. 7, 2025 until Dec. 27, 2025 | Dec. 28, 2025 until Jan. 17, 2026 |
UPS Ground Saver® | $8.25 per package | $1 per package | $.40 per package |
| UPS® Ground | $90.50 per package | $1 per package | $.40 per package |
| All UPS Air | $485.00 per package | $2.05 per package | $1.10 per package |
Compare Peak Surcharges Across All Couriers
To view peak season surcharges from other couriers, click here. ShipTime allows you to compare UPS rates alongside trusted national couriers like Canada Post, FedEx, Purolator, GLS, DHL, Canpar, Loomis, and more. This helps you choose the right courier, manage peak-season costs, and keep deliveries moving during the holiday rush.
Understanding the UPS Peak Season Surcharges
Additional Handling
Applied when a package meets any of the following criteria:
Longest side exceeds 48 inches, or the second-longest side exceeds 30 inches
Actual weight over 50 lbs, or average package weight over 50 lbs when not specified during label creation
Any item not fully encased in corrugated cardboard, including cylindrical items such as pails, tires, drums, or barrels
Large Package
A package is classified as Large Package when:
Length plus girth exceeds 130 inches, or
Length alone exceeds 96 inches (domestic shipments)
Length = longest side. Girth = 2x width + 2x height.
Large Packages are subject to a minimum billable weight of 90 lbs (40 kg) except for UPS Ground with Freight Pricing.
Over Maximum Limits
Applied when a package exceeds any of the following:
More than 150 lbs
More than 108 inches in length
More than 165 inches in combined length and girth
Packages exceeding these thresholds require special pricing and may face dimensional weight adjustments. Over Maximum Limits vary by country due to local size restrictions.
What This Means for ShipTime Members
All UPS Peak Season Surcharges will automatically be reflected in your ShipTime rate comparisons. This ensures full visibility when choosing the most cost-effective courier during the holiday rush.
If you need help selecting the right UPS service or navigating holiday surcharges, our Heroic Support™ team is ready to assist.