Purpose: learn how to avoid unwanted UPS surcharges when your package does not meet the carrier shipping conditions.
Please note: As of 11-01-2022, fuel costs will be charged for shipments which receive a surcharge. This means that if you receive a surcharge for a parcel, you'll also be charged for a certain percentage of the fuel costs. You can find the latest percentage here. Fuel costs might vary based on the current fuel price.
Demand surcharges
Last updated on October 1, 2023, and until further notice, UPS applies demand surcharges to packages exceeding maximum limits, large packages, and shipments requiring additional handling. Next to those, UPS can also impose additional temporary surcharges called "Demand surcharges" (see examples of a demand surcharge).
Demand surcharges will apply to all packages originating from 19 European countries and to all destinations.
See below the demand surcharges that apply:
| Surcharges | Conditions | Prices during peak season |
| Additional Handling |
The same conditions as the additional handling surcharge are applicable during the rest of the year, except for the actual maximum weight allowed, which in this case is 25 kg and not 32 kg. |
£10.35 |
| Large Package | The same conditions as the large package surcharge are applicable during the rest of the year. | £47.80 |
| Over Maximum Limits |
The same conditions as the surcharge for exceeding the maximum limits are applicable during the rest of the year. |
£384.20 |
International shipping
UPS charges a demand surcharge for shipments to international destinations. The amount of these charges depends on the actual weight of the shipment and the destination. This surcharge applies to all UPS Express and Express Saver shipments within and outside Europe.
International shipments: £0.21 / kg
Click here for more information.
Additional resources
On the UPS Service Alerts page, you can stay on top of service disruptions that may affect your shipments, such as severe weather.
Residential delivery surcharge - £2.97 per shipment
UPS provides a delivery service to residential addresses alongside business addresses. A residential delivery is one made to a home (including a business operating out of a home). UPS will charge an additional fee for delivery to residential addresses.
Address correction - £9.90 per parcel
If the address given on the shipping label is incorrect, and the correct address is in the same delivery country, UPS will make every reasonable effort to find the correct address and complete the delivery. A fee will be charged for the additional service of correcting the address.
How can I prevent this surcharge?
To avoid this surcharge, we advise you to pay close attention to the address label. In Sendcloud, an error will appear on your order if address information is found to be missing. You must correct this information before printing your label.
Additionally, we recommend installing an address validation plugin into your webshop to prevent the chance of incorrect address data being filled in by your customer.
Special handling of undeliverable shipments - £5.59
If UPS are unable to deliver a shipment (both domestic and within the EU), the parcel will be automatically returned by UPS Standard. The return charges (including transportation and fuel costs) will be charged to the sender. For shipments outside of the EU, the sender will be contacted for instructions on how to return the parcel.
Extended/remote area collection and delivery surcharge - £0.44 per kg /£24.05 per parcel + shipping costs
UPS will apply a surcharge for any collections or deliveries to areas considered an extension of the normal UPS service area. Depending on the ease of accessibility, these locations served are classified as either an extended area or a remote area.
For more information or to check the charge for a specific location, go to the UPS Zone and Tarif calculator.
Charge for service to extended area
- £0.44 per kg or a minimum of £24.05 per domestic shipment, whichever is greater, in addition to the shipping charges
Charge for service to remote area
- £0.44 per kg or a minimum of £24.05 per domestic shipment, whichever is greater, in addition to the shipping charges
Additional handling surcharge - £10.35 per parcel, per exceeded dimension
The Additional Handling Surcharge may apply to parcels that require special handling due to their packaging or dimensions. This surcharge is assessed at UPS's discretion and is applicable to the following:
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Packaging Requirements:
- Any article encased in a shipping container made of metal or wood.
- Any cylindrical item, such as a barrel, drum, pail, or tire, that is not fully encased in a corrugated cardboard shipping container.
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Dimensional and Weight Criteria:
- Any package with the longest side exceeding 100 cm or the second-longest side exceeding 76 cm (30 inches).
- Any import, export, or domestic package with an actual weight greater than 25 kg.
- Each package in a shipment where the average weight per package exceeds 25 kg and the weight for each package is not specified on the source document or the UPS automated shipping system used.
In recognition of the additional handling required and potential delays in processing these shipments, UPS does not provide a money-back guarantee for them. Therefore, shipping charges will not be refunded if shipments requiring additional handling are not delivered by the scheduled time.
How can I prevent this surcharge?
To avoid this surcharge, we advise you to pay close attention to the packaging and the maximum dimensions as stated above.
Large package surcharge - £47.80 per parcel + shipping costs
A package will be considered large when the length plus girth (girth = (2 x width) + (2 x height)) combined exceeds 300cm but does not exceed the maximum UPS size of 400cm.
Large packages are subject to a minimum billable weight of 40kg (volumetric weight) in addition to the Large Package Surcharge.
Over Maximum Limits - £384.20 per parcel + shipping costs
Parcels that exceed the below dimensions are not accepted for transport. If they are found in the UPS small package network, they are subject to an additional charge.
Note: Packages exceeding 400cm in length and girth combined are also subject to the Large Package Surcharge.
Dimensions
- Weight is more than 70kg
- Length exceeds 274cm
UK border Fee - £2.00
A fee will be implemented, effective 01/01/2021, on all shipments (excluding letters and documents) between Northern Ireland and Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). This fee covers the incremental transportation and handling costs due to network adjustments.
Note: It does not cover any additional brokerage services.
Surcharge Return shipments - Print label - £1.70
If your customer has the return label printed at a service point, you will receive a fee of £1.70.
Signature Required - £1.46
If your customer requests a receiver signature upon delivery, you will receive a fee of £1.46.
Adult Signature Required - £3.92
If your customer requests a receiver signature of an adult (+18 y.o.) upon delivery, you will receive a fee of £3.92.
Fax Proof of Delivery - £5.50
If your customer requires proof of parcel delivery via a fax machine, you will receive a fee of £1.74.
Undeliverable Package Return Fee - £6.38
Shipments refused by the receiver, or which for any other reason cannot be delivered, will be returned to the sender's address at a cost of £6.38 per parcel.