UPS raising fuel surcharge
United Parcel Service will raise its fuel surcharge from the current rate of 0.75 percent to 1 percent, effective Oct. 7.
The surcharge applies to both ground and air shipments, and is based on an August jump in the national average of highway diesel fuel prices reported by the U.S. Department of Energy.
The higher rate applies when the average price per gallon is between $1.31-1.39.
The surcharge could go even higher in November, based on current prices. The rate would be 1.25 percent if the average price is between $1.39-1.47.
UPS did not announce the increase, but the index is shown on the carrier’s Web site. A spokesman said UPS’s sales force has informed customers of the change.
Competitor Airborne Express on Friday also announced an increase in its fuel surcharge.
DHL Worldwide Express raised its fuel surcharge from 2.5 percent to 3 percent on Sept. 1 for all U.S. domestic and outbound shipments. Its surcharge is also based on an index for the previous two months. A spokeswoman said she did not know whether it would be going up again in October.
