Fuel Surcharge (FSC)

What is a fuel surcharge?

A fuel surcharge (FSC) is a fee assessed by a carrier to account for regional / seasonal variations in fuel costs. A fuel surcharge is most often seen in trucking, but an ocean or air carrier may also assess a fuel surcharge.

A fuel surcharge helps protect the carrier from the volatility of fuel prices.

How will I be billed for a fuel surcharge?

If applicable, a fuel surcharge will appear on your Flexport quote or invoice as a destination charge. The fuel surcharge may be included within the Pickup & Delivery rate, or it may be listed as a separate line item.

A trucking fuel surcharge is typically charged as a percentage of the base trucking cost.

An air fuel surcharge is typically charged based on chargeable weight.

What affects the size of a fuel surcharge?

Carriers usually tie the surcharge to a published fuel index, so it rises and falls as diesel or jet fuel prices change. Many carriers update their surcharge tables weekly or monthly, which means two shipments booked a few weeks apart can carry different surcharges. Ask your carrier how the surcharge is calculated and when it resets. When you compare quotes, check whether each one builds the surcharge into the base rate or lists it separately. A lower base rate can hide a higher final bill.

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