How is a fuel surcharge (FSC) calculated?

The standard industry method uses the EIA weekly diesel price. Starting from a base peg of $1.20/gallon, the FSC rises by 1% for every $0.06/gallon increment. For example, diesel at $3.60/gal produces an FSC of approximately 40%. Carriers may publish their own tables, but this sliding scale is the widely accepted benchmark.

Why does my carrier's FSC differ from the standard rate?

Carriers use different base pegs, increment sizes, or lag periods (e.g., prior week's EIA price). Some apply a proprietary table that can add several percentage points above the standard sliding scale. If your carrier's FSC is more than 1% above the EIA-indexed standard, it's worth requesting their published FSC schedule.

Can I negotiate my carrier's fuel surcharge?

Yes. FSC is one of the most negotiable line items in freight contracts. Shippers with significant volume can request an FSC cap, a lower base peg, or index their surcharge directly to EIA weekly diesel prices. CargoTools can connect you with carriers that use transparent, index-based FSC pricing.

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Enter your base freight rate and the FSC% your carrier charged. We'll compare it to the industry-standard EIA diesel index rate and tell you if you're overpaying.

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