Shipping costs often go beyond the sticker price you see when preparing a package. Many carriers add hidden fees that can increase your bill unexpectedly. Being aware of these common surcharges will help you avoid extra costs and keep your shipping budget in check.
1. Fuel Surcharges
Carriers apply fuel surcharges based on fluctuating fuel prices, adding a percentage to your shipping cost.
2. Residential Delivery Fees
Deliveries to residential addresses usually cost more than to business locations. Expect this surcharge when shipping to homes via USPS and private carriers.
3. Address Correction Fees
If your package’s address is incorrect or incomplete, carriers charge fees for manual corrections. Avoid this by double-checking addresses before shipping.
4. Dimensional Weight and Oversize Charges
Carriers charge based on dimensional weight for large but lightweight packages, which can increase costs. Using the right box size can reduce these fees.
5. Additional Handling Fees
Packages that are irregularly shaped, fragile, or require special care may incur extra handling charges.
6. Delivery Area Surcharges
Rural or hard-to-reach delivery locations often have additional fees.
7. Saturday Delivery or Pickup Fees
Choosing weekend delivery or pickup usually comes with an added charge.
8. Signature Required Fees
Requesting a signature confirmation for delivery often costs extra.
9. Fuel Recovery Fees
Sometimes separate from fuel surcharges, these fees recover additional fuel-related expenses.
10. Insurance and Declared Value Fees
Adding insurance or declaring a high value on your shipment may increase your charges.
How to Avoid These Fees
- Verify and validate addresses carefully using tools from USPS, FedEx, or UPS.
- Use appropriately sized packaging to minimize dimensional weight fees.
- Consolidate shipments when possible to reduce per-package fees.
- For frequent shipping, purchase discounted prepaid postage or shipping gift cards. You can earn cashback with a USPS gift card or get rewards with a FedEx gift card when buying through Fluz, which helps offset extra costs.
- Explore carrier loyalty programs or business accounts for fee waivers or reductions.
Being aware of these common hidden fees and adopting smart shipping practices will help keep your shipping expenses predictable and affordable.
