Forum

Fuel surcharge around the globe
 

I noticed yesterday that the fuel surcharge here in the United States for international express shipments has fallen to single digits for the first time in what seems like years.

One thing shippers should always consider is how carrier fuel surcharges differ around the world. If you are in the United States and are importing from, say, China then you should be aware that their fuel surcharge in China is typically twice as high as the U.S. rate.

Example, for the month of June, DHL Express rate in the U.S. is 9%, whereas it's 21.5% in China. You might think that since your shipments come from China there's nothing you can do about that, but actually that's not correct. If a U.S. account number is being used for the shipment, then the U.S. fuel surcharge will apply. Similarly, any shipment put on the Chinese DHL account will be charged the 21.5% rate, regardless of whether it's leaving China or coming in.

It's possible that your supplier has better 'base' shipping rates, but then the inflated fuel surcharge can become an equalizer.

AlanM, would you happen to have any info on European change in fuel surcharge? Apologies if you're not in the know - seems like their rates have been on the up

I remember when fuel surcharge was almost 30% a few years ago. Shipping companies making a killing

It's all relative, but the opposite is actually true if talking about the last 3 months....

DHL Express rates for June 2013
Germany, UK, France, Italy, Russia, Poland, Israel, Saudi Arabi, South Africa, etc
>16.5% (was 17% in May, 18% in April)

India
>24.5% (was 25.5% in May, 27.5% in April)

Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, S Korea, Japan
>21.5% (was 22.5% in May, 24.5% in April)

Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Venezuela, Costa Rica,
>13.5% (was 14.5% in May, 16.5% in April)

Thanks AlanM :thumb:

Use the info to keep your suppliers honest - ask them to itemize the shipping costs, if necessary. And if they start playing games you can just sign-up for your own account and take ownership of the process.