FedEx LTL Fuel Surcharge: 2026 Guide, Tables & Tips

• 9 min read

If you ship Less Than Truckload (LTL) freight, you have likely seen the FedEx LTL fuel surcharge on your invoice. It is a variable percentage based fee that FedEx adds to your bill to cover the fluctuating cost of diesel fuel. This surcharge changes weekly, directly impacting your final bill, and often accounts for a significant portion of the total cost—recently hovering in the 32% to 34% range.

This guide will break down everything you need to know. We will explain what the surcharge is, how FedEx calculates it, where to find the current rates, and how it impacts your final bill. If you’re new to the mode, start with our LTL freight basics guide.

What Exactly is the FedEx LTL Fuel Surcharge?

The FedEx LTL fuel surcharge is a percentage based fee that FedEx Freight adds to your shipping bill to cover the fluctuating cost of diesel fuel. Instead of constantly changing their base shipping rates every time fuel prices go up or down, carriers use this surcharge to adjust costs dynamically.

Think of it as a flexible add on. The surcharge is calculated as a percentage of your base freight charge (also known as the linehaul cost). When diesel prices rise, the surcharge percentage increases. When diesel prices fall, the percentage decreases. This system helps ensure that shipping costs accurately reflect the real world expense of fueling a truck.

This fee can be substantial. In recent years, it has often accounted for around one third of a shipment’s cost. During extreme price spikes, like in mid 2022 when diesel soared near $5.80 per gallon, the FedEx LTL fuel surcharge climbed above 40 percent, dramatically increasing total shipping costs for everyone.

How the Surcharge is Calculated: The EIA Diesel Index

FedEx does not just pick a number out of thin air. The FedEx LTL fuel surcharge is directly tied to a reliable, public data source: the U.S. On Highway Diesel Fuel Price Index.

This index is published weekly by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Every Monday afternoon, the EIA releases the national average price per gallon for diesel fuel. This figure becomes the benchmark for FedEx and many other carriers.

FedEx uses a fuel surcharge table that maps specific diesel price ranges to corresponding surcharge percentages. For example, the table might state:

  • If diesel is between $3.80 and $3.89, the surcharge is 32.0%.
  • If diesel is between $3.90 and $3.99, the surcharge is 32.5%.

This method creates a transparent and predictable system. Shippers can look at the same EIA data as FedEx to understand why the surcharge is at its current level. While the EIA provides the data, it is important to remember that each carrier sets its own surcharge table and percentages. To forecast your total bill with fuel and fees, see our primer on how to calculate shipping costs.

The Weekly Update Schedule

Fuel prices change constantly, so the surcharge has to keep up. FedEx adjusts its LTL fuel surcharge on a consistent weekly schedule.

Here is how it works:

  1. Price Publication: The EIA releases the weekly national average diesel price on Monday (or Tuesday, if Monday is a holiday).
  2. Surcharge Effective Date: The new FedEx LTL fuel surcharge, based on that Monday’s price, goes into effect on the Wednesday of that same week.

This creates a short, two day lag between when the fuel price is announced and when the new surcharge rate starts appearing on invoices. This brief window gives FedEx time to update its billing systems. This schedule is fairly quick compared to some competitors who may use a full one week lag, applying the new rate on the following Monday. If you maintain internal dashboards or rate tools, consider surfacing current fees via shipping APIs so weekly changes flow into your quotes automatically.

The Official Rulebook: FXF 100 Tariff Item 570

The official document that governs the fuel surcharge is Item 570 in the FedEx Freight 100 Series Rules Tariff. This tariff is the master rulebook for FedEx Freight services, outlining all standard terms, conditions, and charges.

Item 570 specifically defines how the FedEx LTL fuel surcharge is calculated and applied. It legally establishes the link to the EIA diesel index and contains the detailed surcharge table. It clarifies that the surcharge is an additional fee applied on top of the base freight charges.

While this tariff sets the standard, large volume shippers—or those working with a 3PL—may have custom contracts that override Item 570 with a different surcharge structure or a negotiated cap. For the majority of customers, however, the rules laid out in Item 570 apply to every LTL shipment.

LTL vs. TL Surcharges: Are They Different?

Many freight carriers use two different fuel surcharge tables: one for LTL shipments and another for Truckload (TL) shipments. Historically, the TL surcharge percentage was often higher to account for the greater fuel consumption of dedicating an entire truck to a single customer. Optimizing pallet configuration and loading can also influence whether LTL or TL makes more sense for a given move.

However, FedEx Freight has simplified this. As of recently, the FedEx LTL fuel surcharge percentage has been identical to its TL fuel surcharge. If the LTL rate is 33.8 percent, the TL rate is also 33.8 percent.

This is not a universal industry practice. Some competitors maintain a significant difference. For example, another major carrier might charge a 32.75 percent surcharge for LTL but a 65.50 percent surcharge for TL shipments at the same diesel price, literally double the rate. It is a critical distinction to be aware of if you are moving large volume shipments that might qualify for TL rates.

What Gets the Surcharge? Linehaul vs. Accessorial Fees

This is a key detail that affects your final bill. The FedEx LTL fuel surcharge is applied only to the linehaul portion of your freight charges.

  • Linehaul Charges: This is the basic cost of moving your freight from origin to destination. It is based on factors like weight, distance, and freight class.
  • Accessorial Charges: These are extra fees for additional services, such as liftgate service, inside delivery, or a delivery appointment.

The fuel surcharge percentage is calculated on your net linehaul charge (after any discounts) and is not applied to accessorial fees. For instance, if your shipment has a $500 linehaul cost and a $75 liftgate fee, a 34 percent fuel surcharge would be calculated on the $500 only ($170), not the combined $575. Those accessorials are considered “non fuel” charges. If you’re setting up processes to minimize surprise fees like liftgates or appointments, our small business shipping guide covers practical ways to control accessorials.

What is the Current FedEx LTL Fuel Surcharge?

Because the rate changes weekly, you need to check for the most current percentage. As of early 2026, the FedEx LTL fuel surcharge has been hovering in the 32 percent to 34 percent range. For example, during one week in late February 2026, the rate was 33.8 percent.

This means you can expect about one third of your base freight cost to be added on as a fuel fee. To find the current rate, the best source is the official FedEx website, which is updated weekly.

Trying to manually calculate total shipping costs with fluctuating surcharges can be a hassle. That is why using a tool like the Online Shipping Calculator is so helpful. It allows you to see estimated all in prices from multiple carriers, giving you a clear view of the total cost without the guesswork.

Looking at historical surcharge data reveals just how much fuel prices impact shipping. FedEx provides an archive of its past rates on its website.

  • The Highs: In June 2022, when diesel prices hit an all time high, the FedEx LTL fuel surcharge peaked at over 46 percent. Shippers were paying nearly 50 percent more than the base rate.
  • The Lows: In mid 2020, when fuel prices plummeted, some LTL surcharges dropped to around 13 percent.
  • The Trend: While the surcharge moves with fuel prices, carriers have periodically adjusted their surcharge tables upward over the years. This means that even when fuel costs fall, the surcharge may not fall to the same historical lows, effectively becoming a revenue lever for carriers.

Understanding these trends helps with budgeting and negotiation. It also highlights why simply looking at a carrier’s base rate is not enough. To find the best deal, comparing the total landed cost is crucial. You can compare shipping rates from major carriers to see the full picture, including fuel surcharges and other fees.

Frequently Asked Questions About the FedEx LTL Fuel Surcharge

1. Why does the FedEx LTL fuel surcharge exist?

It exists to help FedEx manage the volatility of diesel fuel prices. Instead of changing its base freight rates every week, which would be complicated for everyone, FedEx uses the surcharge to adjust for changing fuel costs in a transparent, predictable way.

2. How often does the FedEx LTL fuel surcharge change?

The surcharge changes every week. It is updated based on the national average diesel price released by the U.S. EIA every Monday, with the new rate taking effect on Wednesday.

3. Is the fuel surcharge negotiable?

For most customers, the standard FedEx LTL fuel surcharge as defined in the FXF 100 Rules Tariff is not negotiable. However, very high volume shippers may be able to negotiate a capped or alternative fuel surcharge program as part of their overall shipping contract.

4. Where can I find the current FedEx LTL fuel surcharge rate?

The most reliable place to find the current rate is on the official FedEx Fuel Surcharge page. The page is updated weekly with the latest percentage for LTL, TL, and other services.

5. Does the surcharge apply to every fee on my freight bill?

No. The FedEx LTL fuel surcharge is applied only to the net linehaul transportation charges. It is generally not applied to accessorial charges like liftgate fees, residential delivery fees, or appointment fees.