Peak Season Surcharge

A Peak Season Surcharge is a temporary fee added by air carriers during high-demand shipping periods to offset increased operational pressures. It's applied on top of standard freight rates and is meant to offset the increased operational costs carriers face when vessels, equipment, and space are in short supply. When demand exceeds available aircraft space, surcharges help prioritize urgent shipments while offsetting increased fuel and labor costs from extra staffing and overtime required to meet peak demand. Peak season typically runs from late summer through early winter (August to December), when air freight drives tight capacity and elevated rates through year end.

A Lufthansa Cargo shipment from Frankfurt (FRA) to Los Angeles (LAX) during October peak season carries AWB 020-12345675, where the Peak Season Surcharge adds $0.50 per kilogram on top of the base air freight rate of $4.25/kg for general cargo. A FedEx Express international priority shipment from Hong Kong (HKG) to Memphis (MEM) in November applies PSS on AWB 023-98765432, with the surcharge calculated per package based on the dimensional weight pricing method during Q4 holiday rush.

• PSS
• peak surcharge
• Q4 surcharge
• peak season cargo

When are Peak Season Surcharges typically applied in air cargo during the year?

Peak season typically runs from late summer through early winter (August to December) and tends to be more common before the fall/winter holidays and before Chinese New Year. In 2026, these surcharges are no longer limited to the Q4 holiday window; they are increasingly common in Q1 and Q2 due to ongoing supply chain shifts.

How are Peak Season Surcharges calculated differently for air freight versus ocean freight?

Ocean freight surcharges are typically calculated per container (TEU/FEU), whereas air freight surcharges are usually applied per kilogram, reflecting the different operational costs and constraints of each mode. Most often, PSS is charged per container for ocean, but for air cargo it may be calculated based on weight (per ton) or volume (per cubic meter), whichever is greater.