UPS has announced that it will introduce elevated holiday surcharges for the 2026 peak season, with these additional fees becoming effective as early as September 27. This decision comes as the carrier projects a considerable 24% jump in U.S. package volume between the third and fourth quarters of the year.
For freight forwarders and operations managers, this means an increase in shipping costs for parcels handled by UPS during the critical holiday period. Shippers should factor these higher surcharges into their budgeting and pricing strategies for goods moving in late Q3 and throughout Q4 2026. The advanced notice provides an opportunity to adjust logistics plans and potentially explore alternative shipping options or consolidate shipments to mitigate the impact of these additional costs.
