UPS may adjust label fees even after shipment if the label does not reflect accurate weight or dimensions. These post-shipping adjustments will automatically be deducted from your ShipStation balance.
Keep in mind, UPS uses dimensional weight (DIM) for both domestic and international shipments when calculating rates. Dimensional measurements will be rounded up to the nearest whole centimeter or inch, so be sure to always include accurate whole number dimensions as well as the weight of your parcel. This will ensure you are billed correctly when you create the label and reduce the chances of post-shipping adjustments.
It is the shipper's responsibility to enter accurate dimensions into ShipStation before creating the label for the shipment!
In addition to adjustments for incorrect weight and dimensions, UPS may also charge adjustments for the following:
If UPS finds packages that exceed these limits in the UPS system, the shipments are subject to additional charges. UPS reserves the sole and unlimited discretion right to return such packages to the shipper at the shipper’s expense.
You can refer to the following UPS resources for the most up-to-date details about various possible adjustment situations:
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Canada: UPS Daily Rate and Service Guide
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United Kingdom: UPS Service Guide
Remote Area & Unlawful Drug Fee Surcharges:
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Remote Area Surcharge: Starting June 1, 2025, a $15 surcharge may be applied at the time of label creation for Ground Saver® deliveries to certain remote ZIP codes in Alaska, Hawaii, and the contiguous U.S.
To see a list of applicable ZIP Codes, download the UPS Area Surcharge ZIP Code Listing.
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Unlawful Drug Fee Surcharge: Starting June 22, 2025, UPS will implement a $1,000 per-package surcharge for shipments containing illegal drugs. This fee applies only to shipments that violate drug laws in the origin, destination, or any location in transit.
The surcharge does not apply to legally permitted pharmaceuticals or other authorized substances.
"Canada" Residential Surcharges
The adjustment type "not previously billed CANADA residential delivery surcharge” is a generic surcharge name for all international shipments, not just shipments to Canada.
ShipStation applies an Adjustment Processing Fee (APF) when discrepancies are identified by a carrier after label creation for the package. These discrepancies lead to additional administrative and other costs for ShipStation. The Adjustment Processing Fee helps to partially cover these costs so that we can continue to offer you competitive rates and reliable service.
Why would this adjustment happen?
Carrier adjustments are charges billed by the carrier after the parcel has shipped IF the carrier finds a difference in the rate that was initially paid versus what should have been charged. The APF is a processing fee in addition to the carrier surcharge for the difference in parcel dimensions or weight.
Some examples of scenarios that would incur an Adjustment Processing Fee include:
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Incorrect weight or dimensions: The actual weight (or dimensions) of a package exceeds what was input during the label creation process.
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Incorrect zones: The destination zone of the package is mislabeled, and that changes the routing and delivery.
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Incorrect package type: The package type selected during the label creation process does not match the physical characteristics of the package.
Adjustment Processing Fee (APF)
Discrepancies are typically identified by the carrier during the carrier routing process. If a discrepancy is identified on a package, you will be charged the carrier cost adjustment amount in addition to an Adjustment Processing Fee.
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Fee: 20% of the adjustment amount
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Minimum Charge: $0.50
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Maximum Charge: $5.00 per shipment
ShipStation includes a way to quickly view any adjustments applied to packages after they have been shipped. The process to access this information for US accounts differs from the process used by Canada and UK-based accounts.
For US accounts to view adjustment reports:
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Click the Actions menu
next to the USPS option. Choose View Reports.
This will open a new tab in your browser to the account reports screen.
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Click the Balances option.
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Change the report type to Transactions if not selected already.
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Find the date of the transaction to view any corresponding adjustments.
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Click on the Adjustment ID link to see the adjustment details.
Non-US accounts can view adjustments in Transaction History.
If you are certain you entered the correct values, you may dispute the adjustments.
To get the information you'll need to provide to ShipStation:
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Click the Adjustment in the transaction report or transaction history page.
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Copy the tracking number and make note of the associated ship date.
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Repeat step 2 for each shipment with an adjustment you wish to dispute.
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Compare the details for the shipment with the shipment record in ShipStation.
Once you have this information, please contact ShipStation Support and provide the details for each shipment you wish to dispute: tracking number(s), adjustment amounts(s), and any other details about the shipment that may be relevant to the shipment or adjustment.
Important Details about Disputing Adjustments
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A negative balance must be resolved before creating more labels. If the adjustment has resulted in a negative postage balance, you will not be able to create labels in ShipStation until you add funds to your balance.
If refunds are due to your account, they will be applied automatically to your balance.
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Support agents may ask for photographic proof to dispute the adjustment.
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Adjustments can only be disputed up to 90 days from the delivery date.
The following UPS Tariff/Terms and Conditions can provide additional details on the types of adjustments UPS can levy on your shipments: