# Air freight surcharge

*Last updated: 2026-06-22*

> An air freight surcharge is a variable add-on charge levied by airlines and freight forwarders above the base rate to pass on fluctuating operational costs to shippers.

An air freight surcharge is a variable add-on charge levied by airlines and freight forwarders above the base rate to pass on fluctuating operational costs to shippers. The fuel surcharge (FSC) is the most common type; security surcharges, handling fees, and peak-season capacity surcharges also appear regularly. Carriers calculate them either as a fixed amount per kilogram or as a percentage of the base freight rate, with revisions typically issued on a monthly cycle. Surcharges are itemized separately on the freight invoice, giving shippers clear cost visibility. They should not be confused with the dimensional weight premium, which applies when a shipment's volumetric weight exceeds its actual mass.

**Source:** [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surcharge_(transportation)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surcharge_(transportation))

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Air freight surcharge |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 108 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-22 |
| Source | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surcharge_(transportation) |

---

*Logistics Glossary — Freight Academy: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/air-freight-surcharge](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/air-freight-surcharge)*

*Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/glossary/en/air-freight-surcharge](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/glossary/en/air-freight-surcharge)*

*JSON summary: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/v1/glossary/air-freight-surcharge/llm-summary?lang=en](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/v1/glossary/air-freight-surcharge/llm-summary?lang=en)*