Peak season is bringing a wave of express surcharge updates. According to a cross-border e-commerce industry bulletin dated October 9, FedEx revised its China-origin demand surcharge effective October 19: India-bound shipments rise from CNY 0.8 to CNY 1.1 per kg (+37.5%), while US-, Canada- and Mexico-bound rates are unchanged at CNY 13.9/kg for International Priority and CNY 8.4/kg for International Economy (reference rates — the FedEx official page prevails).
FedEx's 2026 peak surcharges roll out in two batches: package-attribute surcharges from September 28 and service-level surcharges from October 26, running through January 17, 2027 — covering Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Christmas and New Year. The demand surcharge is calculated separately from, and stacked on, the fuel surcharge.
DHL Express applies a demand surcharge on international shipments from October 1, 2026 to February 5, 2027. From China (including Hong Kong): USD 0.11/kg to Asia, USD 0.55/kg to Oceania, USD 2.10/kg to Europe, USD 2.25/kg to the Americas and USD 1.70/kg to the Middle East/North Africa; Economy Select is a flat USD 0.07/lb (source: DHL's official surcharge page as compiled by industry media; all reference rates). Fuel surcharge applies on top.
Impact on the China-Japan lane: China-to-Japan falls in the Asia zone, so DHL's surcharge is just USD 0.11/kg — a modest cost add. What deserves more attention is chargeable weight: billed at the greater of actual and volumetric weight (L x W x H in cm / 5000), so light, bulky cargo feels it most. Tighter packaging is the simplest peak-season cost saver.
Shipping advice: budget express costs at the new rates from October through early February, and confirm whether quotes already include demand and fuel surcharges to avoid low headline prices with add-ons later. For non-urgent cargo, compare Economy-class services. Use the buttons below for rate calculation, shipment tracking or online consultation — or click sales@ruixincargo.com to send your cargo details, and we will compare express, air and ocean options for you (all prices are reference rates; confirmed quotes prevail).