Weight, accessorials and the last mile · A network rate with accessorials
UPS Ground — commercial vs residential
UPS Ground pricing depends on weight, zone, residential status, delivery area and a weekly fuel surcharge.
Key facts
| Pricing basis | Weight, zone and service |
|---|---|
| Dimensional weight | Commonly 139 in³/lb |
| Weight limit | Generally up to 150 pounds per package |
| Size limit | Length plus girth generally up to 165 inches |
| Residential | A residential surcharge applies to home deliveries |
| Delivery area | Remote or extended areas can carry an additional surcharge |
| Fuel | A percentage surcharge updates regularly |
| Official source | UPS tariff and surcharge pages |
Zone and address matter as much as weight
Two parcels with the same weight can have different rates because one goes to a nearby commercial address and the other to a distant residential one. The residential and delivery-area lines can be larger than the difference in base rate.
If you offer free shipping, model a mix of zones and address types, not a single average. The tail of remote residential deliveries can erase the margin.
Fuel is a moving percentage
The fuel surcharge is an index that changes regularly and applies to the base rate and some accessorials. A quote built from last month's index can be wrong this month.
For repeat shipping, update the fuel assumption in your pricing model on a fixed schedule rather than chasing every weekly change.
Frequently asked questions
Why is a residential delivery more expensive?
UPS applies a residential surcharge, and some residential addresses also fall in delivery-area surcharge zones.
Does UPS Ground use dimensional weight?
Yes, commonly at 139 cubic inches per pound. Confirm the current rule and rounding for your service.
Ask a compliance question
Free first answer by email. Tell us the destination, the product and the channel — we will point you to the rule and the official source. No obligation, no sales sequence.