GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 8, 2026

Fuel surcharge

A fuel surcharge (FSC) is a variable cost supplement applied by freight forwarders, shipping lines and courier services on top of the base freight rate.

Last updated: 8 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_surcharge

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A fuel surcharge (FSC) is a variable cost supplement applied by freight forwarders, shipping lines and courier services on top of the base freight rate. It offsets fluctuations in crude oil and refined fuel prices: when fuel costs rise, the surcharge increases; when they fall, it decreases accordingly. The FSC is typically recalculated monthly and itemized separately on the invoice. For shippers, this adds transparency but also limits cost predictability in volatile energy markets. The surcharge applies across all transport modes – air, sea and ground – and is a standard industry practice.

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Fuel surcharge

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