Work out fuel surcharge instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.
A fuel surcharge passes through the change in fuel price weighted by fuel's share of operating cost. A 30% rise in diesel with fuel at 32% of cost justifies a 9.5% surcharge — not 30%, which is the mistake carriers and shippers most often argue about.
Fuel surcharge
surcharge % = (current price - base price) / base price x fuel share of cost
Because only part of the operating cost is fuel. Driver wages, vehicle finance and overheads do not move with the pump price.
Typically 25-35% for long-haul trucking, lower for urban multi-drop where driver time dominates, and higher for shipping and aviation.