A Guide to Peak Season Surcharges. What are they and do they affect me?
What are peak season surcharges? How do they differ among carriers? How long will they last? These answers and a carrier-by-carrier breakdown will be covered in this post.
Peak season surcharges are implemented by most carriers to cover the additional operating expenses stemming from increased holiday season volume. They generally take effect from mid-October to mid-January and vary from one carrier to another. UPS, Purolator, Canpar, and Loomis all implement various peak season surcharges while DHL is the only netParcel partner carrier that does not apply peak season surcharges.
In most cases, these surcharges will be factored into the pricing you see on netParcel, but there might be cases in which they are applied as an adjustment after the shipment.
Below, you’ll find detailed breakdowns for Purolator, UPS, Loomis, and Canpar.
Purolator
UPS
Effective October 17, 2021 until further notice, previously announced Peak Surcharges for shipments from select APAC origins to Canada will increase. All other previously announced Peak Surcharges will continue to apply as set forth below and the amounts of those Peak Surcharges remain unchanged.
Peak Surcharges are subject to change and Peak Periods may be extended or otherwise changed. Shippers should continue to check ups.com for updates prior to tendering shipments.
Peak Surcharges will apply to packages shipped during the specified Peak Periods for the origins, destinations, and service levels and in the amounts set forth below. Peak Surcharges apply in addition to all other applicable Charges.
A. Peak Surcharge – Applied to shipments from China Mainland and Hong Kong SAR to Canada.1
The Peak Surcharge that applies to shipments originating from China Mainland and Hong Kong SAR to Canada will apply until further notice for the Service Levels and Peak Periods set forth below. The Peak Surcharge for shipments to Canada will be applied as a rate per pound based upon the billable weight of the shipment.
| Peak Period (inclusive of starting and ending dates) and Applicable Peak Surcharge ($/kg or $/lb) | ||
| Service Levels | October 17 until further notice | |
| UPS Worldwide Express Plus® | USD $3.50 per kg / CAD $4.64 per kg | USD $1.59 per lb / CAD $2.11 per lb |
| UPS Worldwide Express® | USD $3.50 per kg / CAD $4.64 per kg | USD $1.59 per lb / CAD $2.11 per lb |
| UPS Worldwide Express Saver® | USD $3.50 per kg / CAD $4.64 per kg | USD $1.59 per lb / CAD $2.11 per lb |
| UPS Worldwide Expedited® | USD $3.50 per kg / CAD $4.64 per kg | USD $1.59 per lb / CAD $2.11 per lb |
| UPS Worldwide Express Freight® | USD $5.25 per kg / CAD $6.97 per kg | USD $2.38 per lb / CAD $3.16 per lb |
| UPS Worldwide Express Freight® – Midday | USD $5.25 per kg / CAD $6.97 per kg | USD $2.38 per lb / CAD $3.16 per lb |
B. Peak Surcharge – Applied to shipments from Japan to Canada.1
The Peak Surcharge that applies to shipments originating from Japan to Canada will apply until further notice for the Service Levels and Peak Periods set forth below. The Peak Surcharge for shipments to Canada will be applied as a rate per pound based upon the billable weight of the shipment.
| Peak Period (inclusive of starting and ending dates) and Applicable Peak Surcharge ($/kg or $/lb) | ||
| Service Levels | October 17, 2021 until further notice | |
| UPS Worldwide Express Plus® | USD $1.00 per kg / CAD $1.33 per kg | USD $0.45 per lb / CAD $0.60 per lb |
| UPS Worldwide Express® | USD $1.00 per kg / CAD $1.33 per kg | USD $0.45 per lb / CAD $0.60 per lb |
| UPS Worldwide Express Saver® | USD $1.00 per kg / CAD $1.33 per kg | USD $0.45 per lb / CAD $0.60 per lb |
| UPS Worldwide Expedited® | USD $1.00 per kg / CAD $1.33 per kg | USD $0.45 per lb / CAD $0.60 per lb |
| UPS Worldwide Express Freight® | USD $1.50 per kg / CAD $1.99 per kg | USD $0.68 per lb / CAD $0.90 per lb |
| UPS Worldwide Express Freight® – Midday | USD $1.50 per kg / CAD $1.99 per kg | USD $0.68 per lb / CAD $0.90 per lb |
C. Applied to shipments from Australia, New Zealand, and other Asia origins to Canada1
The Peak Surcharge that will apply to any shipment from Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Taiwan, Australia, and New Zealand to Canada will apply until further notice for the Service Levels and Peak Periods set forth below. Starting November 8, Korea will be included in this group of other Asia origin countries. The Peak Surcharge will be applied as a rate per pound or kilogram based upon the billable weight of the shipment.
| Peak Period (inclusive of starting and ending dates) and Applicable Peak Surcharge ($/kg or $/lb) | ||
| Service Levels | October 17, 2021 until further notice | |
| UPS Worldwide Express Plus® | USD $1.25 per kg / CAD $1.66 per kg | USD $0.57 per lb / CAD $0.75 per lb |
| UPS Worldwide Express® | USD $1.25 per kg / CAD $1.66 per kg | USD $0.57 per lb / CAD $0.75 per lb |
| UPS Worldwide Express Saver® | USD $1.25 per kg / CAD $1.66 per kg | USD $0.57 per lb / CAD $0.75 per lb |
| UPS Worldwide Expedited® | USD $1.25 per kg / CAD $1.66 per kg | USD $0.57 per lb / CAD $0.75 per lb |
| UPS Worldwide Express Freight® | USD $3.25 per kg / CAD $4.31 per kg | USD $1.47 per lb / CAD $1.96 per lb |
| UPS Worldwide Express Freight® – Midday | USD $3.25 per kg / CAD $4.31 per kg | USD $1.47 per lb / CAD $1.96 per lb |
D. Peak Surcharge – Applied to international shipments from Europe countries to Canada1
A Peak Surcharge will apply to any international UPS Worldwide Express Freight® or UPS Worldwide Express Freight® Midday shipment from Europe origins to Canada until further notice for the Peak Periods set forth below. Europe origins include: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, or United Kingdom. The Peak Surcharge will be applied as a rate per pound based upon the billable weight of the shipment.
| Peak Period (inclusive of starting and ending dates) and Applicable Peak Surcharge ($/kg or $/lb) | ||
| Service Levels | November 15, 2020 until further notice | |
| UPS Worldwide Express Plus® | USD $0.40 per kg / CAD $0.53 per kg | USD $0.18 per lb / CAD $0.24 per lb |
| UPS Worldwide Express® | USD $0.40 per kg / CAD $0.53 per kg | USD $0.18 per lb / CAD $0.24 per lb |
| UPS Worldwide Express Saver® | USD $0.40 per kg / CAD $0.53 per kg | USD $0.18 per lb / CAD $0.24 per lb |
| UPS Worldwide Expedited® | USD $0.40 per kg / CAD $0.53 per kg | USD $0.18 per lb./ CAD $0.24 per lb |
| UPS Worldwide Express Freight® | USD $2.00 per kg / CAD $2.65 per kg | USD $0.91 per lb / CAD $1.21 per lb |
| UPS Worldwide Express Freight® – Midday | USD $2.00 per kg / CAD $2.65 per kg | USD $0.91 per lb / CAD $1.21 per lb |
E. Peak Surcharge – Applied to international shipments from all origins (except China Mainland, Hong Kong SAR and other origins listed in sections B, C, D, and E) to all destinations
The Peak Surcharge that applies to any international shipment from all origins (except China Mainland, Hong Kong SAR and other origins listed in section B, C, D, E) to all destinations will apply until further notice for the Service Levels and Peak Periods set forth below. The Peak Surcharge will be applied as a rate per pound based upon the billable weight of the shipment. Peak Surcharges applicable to shipments originating from China Mainland, Hong Kong SAR and other origins are set forth in sections A, B, C, D, E above.
| Peak Period (inclusive of starting and ending dates) and Applicable Peak Surcharge ($/kg or $/lb) | ||
| Service Levels | April 12, 2020 until further notice | |
| UPS Worldwide Express Plus® | USD $0.25 per kg / CAD $0.33 per kg | USD $0.11 per lb / CAD $0.15 per lb |
| UPS Worldwide Express® | USD $0.25 per kg / CAD $0.33 per kg | USD $0.11 per lb / CAD $0.15 per lb |
| UPS Worldwide Express Saver® | USD $0.25 per kg / CAD $0.33 per kg | USD $0.11 per lb / CAD $0.15 per lb |
| UPS Worldwide Expedited® | USD $0.25 per kg / CAD $0.33 per kg | USD $0.11 per lb / CAD $0.15 per lb |
| UPS Worldwide Express Freight® | USD $0.75 per kg / CAD $1.00 per kg | USD $0.34 per lb / CAD $0.45 per lb |
| UPS Worldwide Express Freight® – Midday | USD $0.75 per kg / CAD $1.00 per kg | USD $0.34 per lb / CAD $0.45 per lb |
1 These Peak Surcharges apply to shipments originating from China Mainland, Hong Kong SAR and select Asia and Europe origins to Canada that are paid for in Canada. For shipments from China Mainland, Hong Kong SAR and select Asia and Europe origins to destinations other than Canada or that are paid for outside Canada, see the country’s respective UPS website for detail on Peak Surcharges.
Loomis
Special Handling Peak Surcharge
From October 15, 2021, through January 15, 2022, Loomis Express will replace the Peak Surcharges currently in effect with the following Peak Season surcharges. The fees below are in addition to the normal surcharges applicable to such packages. See surcharge details below:
| Accessorial | Current Tariff rate | Peak Surcharge | Total Charge including Peak |
| Special Handling | Applicable to any article or item absent of proper packaging due to their nature (e.g., size, shape, contents) including pails, containers, tires, ball bearings, nuts, bolts and fasteners, liquids, wooden or metal crates and non-conveyable items. $15 per package | $7.50 per package | $22.50 per package |
| Oversized | Applicable to any package where a single dimension exceeds 60 inches (152 cm) in length. $15 per package | $7.50 per package | $22.50 per package |
| Overweight | Applicable to any package or article greater than 70 lbs. (32 kgs) in actual weight. $20 per package | $7.50 per package | $27.50 per package |
| Large Package Surcharge | Applicable to any package were the length and girth exceeds 130 inches (330cm). Length is defined as the longest side of the package. Girth is the distance around the package or object. Girth = 2(W+H) $60 per package | $60 per package | $120 per package |
| Overmax | Applicable to any package that exceeds any one of the following size limitations Any single side that is over 108” (274cm) in length Actual weight is over 150 lbs. (68 kgs) The length and girth exceeds 165” (419 cm) Length is defined as the longest side of the package. Girth is the distance around the package or object. Girth = 2(W+H). $125.00 per package | $775 per package | $900 per package |
Residential Peak Season Surcharge – Effective November 1, 2021
Effective November 1, 2021 Loomis Express will be implementing a Peak Season Residential Delivery Fee of $0.75 on all residential shipments.
Customers who meet either of the conditions below will be charged an increased Peak Season Residential Delivery Fee based on the level of growth in average weekly residential volume over March 2021. The Peak Season Residential Fee will be assessed in addition to the customers current residential surcharge on all residential shipments. For invoicing, the Peak Season Residential Delivery Fee will be combined with customer’s current charges.
The following table outlines the Peak Season Residential Surcharge that will be applied to residential volume effective November 1, 2021.
Condition 1:
- Customers that shipped more than 7,000* weekly average shipments from March 1, 2021 – October 31, 2021 or any week thereafter while peak period remains effective. Residential Peak Surcharge will apply to all residential shipments based on the Peak Index achieved as determined by Loomis Express in its sole discretion.
Condition 2:
- Customers with growth in volume at a Peak Index value of 300 or more compared to the Baseline Period will be assessed a Peak Season Residential Surcharge. Residential Peak Surcharge will apply to all residential shipments based on the Peak Index achieved as determined by Loomis Express in its sole discretion.
Peak Index is calculated by the following formula:
Peak Index = (Measured Weekly Volume/Baseline Period Weekly Volume) *100
*For weeks with holidays, weekly average value will be prorated based on the Loomis Express normal operating days during non-holiday weeks.
Canpar
Special Handling Peak Surcharge
From October 15, 2021, through January 15, 2022, Canpar Express will replace the Peak Surcharges currently in effect with the following Peak Season surcharges. The fees below are in addition to the normal surcharges applicable to such packages. See surcharge details below:
Residential Peak Season Surcharge – Effective November 1, 2021
Effective November 1, 2021 Canpar Express will be implementing a Peak Season Residential Delivery Fee of $0.75 on all residential shipments.
Customers who meet either of the conditions below will be charged an increased Peak Season Residential Delivery Fee based on the level of growth in average weekly residential volume over March 2021. The Peak Season Residential Fee will be assessed in addition to the customers current residential surcharge on all residential shipments. For invoicing, the Peak Season Residential Delivery Fee will be combined with customer’s current charges.
The following table outlines the Peak Season Residential Surcharge that will be applied to residential volume effective November 1, 2021.
Condition 1:
• Customers that shipped more than 7,000* weekly average shipments from March 1, 2021 – October 31, 2021 or any week thereafter while peak period remains effective. Residential Peak Surcharge will apply to all residential shipments based on the Peak Index achieved as determined by Canpar Express in its sole discretion.
Condition 2:
• Customers with growth in volume at a Peak Index value of 300 or more compared to the Baseline Period will be assessed a Peak Season Residential Surcharge. Residential Peak Surcharge will apply to all residential shipments based on the Peak Index achieved as determined by Canpar Express in its sole discretion.
Peak Index is calculated by the following formula:
Peak Index = (Measured Weekly Volume/Baseline Period Weekly Volume) *100
*For weeks with holidays, weekly average value will be prorated based on the Canpar Express normal operating days during non-holiday weeks.
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