eBay Announces 2026 Seasonal Carrier Rate Increases
FedEx and UPS will charge temporary holiday-season transportation surcharges in 2026. Some eBay Labels services are exempt from the Demand Surcharge, but additional handling and oversize fees may still apply.
What are the key facts?
- 1FedEx seasonal rates apply from September 28, 2026, through January 17, 2027
- 2UPS seasonal rates apply from September 27, 2026, through January 16, 2027
- 3Some FedEx services shipped through eBay Labels are exempt from the Demand Surcharge
- 4Some FedEx seasonal surcharges may still apply
- 5The UPS Demand Surcharge applies to multiple services
- 6Accurate weight and dimensions are required when creating labels
What happened?
The eBay Shipping team reminded sellers that FedEx and UPS will impose temporary transportation surcharges during the 2026 holiday season. FedEx seasonal rates apply from September 28, 2026, through January 17, 2027. During this period, FedEx Ground, FedEx Home Delivery residential delivery, FedEx Ground Economy, FedEx 2Day, Standard Overnight, and Priority Overnight orders shipped through eBay Labels will be exempt from the FedEx Demand Surcharge, but seasonal surcharges such as Additional Handling and Oversize may still apply. UPS seasonal rates apply from September 27, 2026, through January 16, 2027. The Demand Surcharge will apply to UPS Ground, Ground Saver, and UPS Air, while packages subject to Additional Handling, Large Packages, and Over Maximum Limits may also incur extra fees. The change affects sellers shipping within the United States with eBay Labels, as well as sellers handling large or oversize products or high order volumes during the peak season. eBay also reminded sellers that package weight and dimensions must be entered accurately when creating labels; otherwise, a post-shipment price adjustment may occur.
What does this mean for cross-border sellers?
Temporary FedEx and UPS surcharges during the 2026 holiday season may increase fulfillment costs for U.S. orders, with higher risks for large, oversize, and peak-season shipments. Some FedEx services shipped through eBay Labels are exempt from the Demand Surcharge, but Additional Handling and Oversize fees may still apply. Incorrect package weight or dimensions can also trigger post-shipment price adjustments.
What should sellers do now?
- 1This week, review the actual weight and package length, width, and height for each large or oversize listing shipped within the United States using FedEx or UPS, and retain the results from a dimensional-weight calculator; complete a weight-and-dimension checklist for use before creating labels.Dimensional weight
- 2This week, use a profit calculator to review FedEx orders from September 28, 2026, through January 17, 2027, distinguishing eBay Labels-eligible services and Additional Handling or Oversize cases; complete a record of FedEx costs and gross margins.Profit calculator
- 3This week, check UPS Ground, Ground Saver, and UPS Air orders from September 27, 2026, through January 16, 2027, and flag risks involving Additional Handling, Large Packages, and Over Maximum Limits; complete a UPS order review checklist.Breakeven calculator