Each year, shippers anticipate the announcement of UPS’s demand, or “peak,” surcharges—additional costs applied during the busiest shipping periods. These surcharges have become a critical part of carrier pricing strategy, and businesses must factor them into their logistics planning and budgets well in advance of the holiday season.
But this year, UPS has broken from precedent. While in 2024 the company announced peak/demand fees as early as mid-July (covering the period from September 29, 2024, through January 18, 2025), UPS has yet to release the comparable fee schedule for the 2025 season. This delay raises important questions about whether the company is intentionally holding back the announcement to limit shippers’ ability to prepare, negotiate, or secure reductions. Thomas Andersen explores more on this topic here.
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