Global Fuel Surcharges For Express Delivery Have Been Raised Across The Board, Putting Increased Pressure On Cross-border Logistics Costs.

On April 11, 2026, affected by the continued tension in the Middle East and the high volatility of international oil prices, many global express delivery and logistics companies simultaneously raised fuel surcharges, further increasing logistics costs for cross-border e-commerce sellers. International logistics giants such as UPS, DHL, FedEx, and SF International collectively adjusted their pricing standards, with some companies setting records for multiple price increases this year.

Specifically, DHL raised its fuel surcharge to 46%, its third increase this year; FedEx implemented its second round of price increases this year, with the surcharge reaching 31.5%; UPS had previously raised prices for five consecutive rounds, and although there was a slight decrease this week, it still remains at a high level of 28%; SF Express slightly reduced its rates on some international routes, but has already raised them twice this year, maintaining an overall level of around 25%. Several domestic express companies have also simultaneously added or increased fuel surcharges, with companies like STO Express and YTO Express raising fuel surcharges for domestic trunk lines and some international dedicated lines by 15%-20%.

The immediate trigger for this price surge was the soaring international oil prices caused by the escalating tensions in the Middle East. Since April, Brent crude oil futures prices have fluctuated above $105 per barrel, up 20% from early March, while aviation fuel prices have risen by more than 25%. The tense situation in the Middle East has also led to adjustments in global shipping routes, with shipping and air freight capacity shifting towards Middle Eastern routes, further driving up logistics costs.

For the cross-border e-commerce industry, this change will have multiple impacts. First, logistics costs will account for 35%-40% of total costs, up from the current 25%-30%, further squeezing already thin profit margins. Second, delivery times will also be affected, with some shipping routes experiencing longer backlogs; LCL (Less than Container Load) shipments in South China are already booked until late April. Finally, small and medium-sized sellers will face greater survival pressure, and some may be forced to raise product prices or reduce their business scale.

Faced with rising costs, some cross-border e-commerce platforms have begun to take countermeasures. Amazon announced that starting April 17, it will impose a temporary 3.5% fuel and logistics surcharge on its FBA services in North America, Europe, and other regions, and will expand this to more service types starting May 2. This move will pass on some of the costs to sellers, drawing widespread attention in the industry.

With global supply chains yet to fully recover, rising logistics costs will accelerate industry consolidation and drive cross-border e-commerce companies towards large-scale and branded operations. Companies should reduce costs, enhance their resilience, and achieve sustainable development by optimizing supply chains, increasing product added value, and expanding diversified logistics channels.