Last week, FedEx announced a surcharge increase for some FedEx Express and TNT international parcel and freight shipments. Due to continued supply chain disruptions from COVID-19, packages originating from Europe and MEISA (the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Africa) will see a fee increase starting November 2.
On April 6 of this year, FedEx added surcharges of $.45 per pound for shipments originating in China and APAC and $.10 per pound for other international shipments. Now, likely due to recent outbreaks and additional closures, shipments from Europe and MEISA will see fees rise from $.10 to $.25 per pound.
This latest surcharge increase more than doubles those that have been in effect since April, further straining shipping budgets for already cash-strapped businesses.
FedEx cites air cargo capacity and further supply chain disruptions as the main drivers of this increase. This follows the shipping industry’s trend of adding additional surcharges on international shipments originating from countries with high coronavirus cases and strict lockdowns. With fewer flights in and out of the area, the shipping companies have had to rely on more expensive modes of shipping.
Since the coronavirus pandemic began, FedEx has continued to escalate surcharges on international shipments, with little relief for shipments to the United States and Canada. These temporary price increases have only gone up, and there’s no indication of when they’ll end.
FedEx also noted that they had changed the name of these surcharges from Temporary Surcharges to Peak Surcharges. We’ll have to wait and see if this name change has any bearing on longevity or if it’s merely clerical.
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