GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Aug 1, 2026
Processing Surcharge
A Swiss online retailer ships a parcel via FedEx to Germany – in addition to the actual freight rate, the courier charges a processing surcharge for the customs handling associated with the import.
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Source: Frachtportal News: "FedEx führt neue Bearbeitungsgebühr für Sendungen in die EU ein"
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Passar Hub: Everything on the new Swiss customs system
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Definition & Explanation
A Swiss online retailer ships a parcel via FedEx to Germany – in addition to the actual freight rate, the courier charges a processing surcharge for the customs handling associated with the import. The processing surcharge (also called processing fee) is a fee that courier, express, and parcel (CEP) providers charge per shipment to cover the administrative effort of import clearance into a customs territory – such as completing customs declarations, pre-financing duties, or communicating with customs authorities. The surcharge is not a government levy but a separate line item in the provider's cost structure, charged independently of customs duties and import VAT. Providers like FedEx, UPS, or DHL regularly announce such surcharges for specific origin-destination combinations, for example shipments from non-EU countries into EU member states. For shippers, it is important to list the processing surcharge separately in calculations and customer quotes, since it adds up quickly with regular shipment volumes.
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