Purpose: learn how to avoid unwanted UPS surcharges when your package does not meet the carrier shipping conditions.
parcel in addition to existing rates (due volume), surcharges and/or fees.
A Peak Surcharge applies to all international shipments from 19 European countries to all destinations, as well as all import shipments arriving and billed to those 19 countries (e.g., import freight pickup shipments, but excluding shipments from Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and the other major Asia-Pacific origin countries listed above). Please refer to these surcharges here: Section B & C Peak Surcharge - International Shipments for 19 European Countries1
additional Handling, Oversize and maximum Size
UPS may charge you different surcharges. In this section you will find a summary.
| UPS Standard | UPS Express | |
| for national shipments | 9,30 € | 9,80 € |
| for international shipments | 21,05 € | 22,15 € |
when:
- Actual weight, over 32 kg
- Edge length over 100 cm
- Second-longest edge over 76 cm
- Objects in cylindrical containers that are not completely enclosed in packaging made of
corrugated cardboard - Goods in metal or wooden packaging
- Weight is higher than 32 kg and the exact weight is not indicated on the shipping documents please note that for Multicollo shipments the surcharge is per package.
Oversize
| UPS Standard | UPS Express | |
| Surcharge large package: A package is considered a large package if the total dimension exceeds 299 cm in length and circumference, but is less than the maximum dimension of 400 cm. Large parcels are charged with a minimum weight of 40 kg. In addition, a surcharge for large parcels will be applied. | €80.45 | €84.74 |
| Surcharge over the maximum size: Packages weighing over 70 kg or having a length over 270 cm or total dimension of 400 cm in length and circumference are excluded from transportation. Nevertheless, shipments of this size found in the UPS parcel system will be charged with a surcharge. For parcels whose combined length and circumference exceed 400 cm, the surcharge for large parcels will also be charged. | €123.75 | €130.35 |
Heavy shipments
A parcel weighing more than 25 kg is considered a heavy parcel. Please note that a heavy package should not be confused with an irregular package.
Marking such packages with the "heavy package" sticker and/or with the signal tape is mandatory for our customers to protect UPS employees handling these packages. The signal tape is a safety notice that allows employees to adjust to a heavy weight before lifting the package.
UPS compares the volume weight (LxWxH in cm / 5,000) with the actual weight of the shipments as part of the tariff determination. Please note that always the higher value is to be used!
| Standard | Maximal | |
| Actual weight | up to 30 kg | 70 kg |
| Edge length | up to 100 cm | 270 cm |
| Girth | up to 300 cm | 400 cm |
For volume weight calculation, we recommend the following article: How to calculate parcel volumetric/dimensional weight
Residential Fee
UPS offers delivery to residential and business addresses. A Residential fee is delivered to the address, of a business operated from home. There is an additional charge per shipment for each residential delivery.
| Price | |
|
Residential Fee
|
€1.37
|
At what point does UPS scan the shipment as a residential address?
-
All deliveries to customers living in flats, in residential complexes (student or senior residences), as well as in private houses
- Deliveries to a store located at the same address as a flat (also possible in private homes)
- Farm, dentist, or insurance office at the same address as a residence (private use of premises).
- HB deliveries whose original recipient is a private address
At what point does UPS scan the shipment as a business address?
- All deliveries to schools, funeral homes, prisons, fire stations, religious institutions, or an unoccupied house that has been converted into a business
- All deliveries to rental offices in apartments
- All deliveries at a UPS Service Point
- All deliveries to rental offices in apartments
All deliveries at a UPS Service Point
All deliveries waiting to be picked up by the customer at the parcel store (e.g. due to a re-routing because the customer could not accept the shipment).
Address correction
If the receiver's address has not been entered correctly, UPS will try to locate the correct address. A fee of €7.10 will be charged for this service.
- Surcharge Alternative Address (Future Day-Web): €3.50
- Surcharge Alternative Address (Future Day-Phone): €4.40
- Surcharge for alternative address (Same Day-Web): €7.00
- Surcharge Alternative Address (Same Day-Phone): €7.90
Explanation:
- Future Day Web: The address is corrected in advance via the UPS site (myChoice).
- Future Day Phone: The address will be corrected in advance by phone at UPS.
- Same Day Web: The address is corrected at short notice via the UPS site (myChoice) on the day of delivery, for example.
- Same Day Phone: The address is corrected, e.g. on the delivery day at short notice by phone via UPS
Custom surcharges and external territories
| UPS Standard | UPS Express | |
|
Import fee for non EU shipments
|
€7.00
|
€7.35 |
External area surcharge for certain areas
For shipments to / from external areas (s), a surcharge of €0.25 / kg or at least €11.50 / shipment will be charged in addition to the shipping costs. The higher amount applies in each case. For international shipments, a surcharge of €0.60 / kg or at least €31.00 / shipment will be added to the shipping costs. The higher amount applies in each caseSurcharge for hard-to-reach areas
For shipments to or from areas that are difficult to access, a surcharge of €0.60 / kg or at least €31.00 / shipment will be charged. The higher amount applies in each case.External area surcharge for pickups in certain areas
Shipments will be charged in addition to the shipping costs a surcharge from foreign territories of €0.60 / kg or min. €31.00 / shipment. The higher amount applies in each caseHere you can find a detailed list of all external area surcharges. Please note that UPS does not guarantee delivery in an outlying area.
Other surcharges
UPS charges an additional surcharge for delivery to the following countries:
- From Germany to all countries (except AU/NZ): UPS Standard / Express €0.25.
- From Germany to Australia/New Zealand: UPS Standard €1.00 / kg, UPS Express €1.05 / kg
- From Germany to UK: UPS Standard €5.00 / kg, UPS Express €5.00 / kg
To avoid the above-mentioned surcharges, please carefully read the shipping conditions, make sure you stay well within the permitted dimensions and, of course, select the right network for your package.