FedEx & UPS Add China Import Fees Ahead of U.S. Tariff Change

Recently, major international carriers UPS and FedEx announced the reinstatement of additional surcharges on imports from China, further escalating logistics costs for cross-border e-commerce sellers.

UPS confirmed it will reapply an “Over Maximum Limits” surcharge on all shipments from Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau to the United States. The fee is set at $0.29 per pound, with no specified end date. The company noted that the charge will dynamically adjust based on the shipment’s billable weight and applicable fuel surcharges.

Meanwhile, FedEx has imposed a surcharge of $0.45 per pound on inbound packages from Mainland China, Hong Kong, and the Philippines. Each package is subject to a minimum charge of $1. This surcharge is expected to remain in effect until May 2, the date when the U.S. de minimis exemption for imports under $800 is officially revoked. FedEx previously implemented a similar surcharge from September 2023 through January 2024, which at that time stood at $1 per pound.

Industry analysts suggest that this renewed surcharge comes amid rising trade tensions between China and the U.S., driving companies to expedite shipments ahead of the looming tariff changes. Both FedEx and UPS are under pressure from increasing freight volumes and margin targets, and the reintroduction of surcharges is seen as a strategy to pass on part of these costs to shippers.

According to data from WorldACD, air cargo rates in the Asia-Pacific region rose by 4% during the week of March 31 to April 6. While shipment volumes from Mainland China and Hong Kong to the U.S. declined by 1% week-over-week—marking the first drop since early 2025—airfreight prices continued their upward trajectory.

Market observers expect this rate hike trend may be short-lived. With the May 2 policy shift fast approaching, the wave of early shipping is expected to taper off, leading to a potential decline in demand and a stabilization in freight rates.