Parcel shippers are absorbing an expensive 2026 as elevated fuel surcharges weigh on last-mile delivery costs, and they now face an additional pricing hurdle in the form of peak season fees from FedEx, UPS, the U.S. Postal Service and Amazon Shipping, according to Supply Chain Dive. Over recent weeks, all four major U.S. parcel carriers have disclosed holiday surcharges or rate increases that begin as early as this month and extend into January.

Read also: The Future of Parcel Delivery Is Being Decided in the Middle Mile – Not the Last Mile

While the structure of the 2026 peak season fees resembles that of last year’s installments, the charges arrive at a higher cost, adding further pressure to shippers’ budgets in a year already marked by pricey last-mile delivery.

Experts indicate that customers can reduce the full impact of carrier surcharges through approaches such as negotiating discounts, giving shoppers incentives to place orders earlier, and using parcel carriers that do not impose holiday fees. Delivery provider Gofo said last month that it would maintain its policy of no peak season surcharges this year.

With the holiday season approaching, the major parcel carriers’ plans for 2026 peak season pricing are coming into focus.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform