UPS Middle East Surge Fee Update

The most significant update is the addition of the United Arab Emirates to the higher-priced Israel surcharge tier. That means UAE shipments no longer fall under the broader Middle East surcharge framework and instead are assessed at $1.50 per lb. for U.S.-outbound and inbound-to-U.S. traffic. UPS also increased the surcharge on the remaining Middle East countries by $0.70 per lb., raising that fee from $0.64 per lb. to $1.34 per lb. These changes modify the existing surge fee framework rather than replace it: Israel already had a $1.50 per lb. surcharge, the broader Middle East surcharge already existed, and the March 22 revision primarily changes country scope and price levels.

💡 Effective March 22, 2026, UPS moved the United Arab Emirates out of the general Middle East surge fee group.
💡 UAE is now grouped with Israel under a $1.50 per lb. surcharge for shipments between the United States and those countries.
💡 The broader Middle East surge fee increased from $0.64 per lb. to $1.34 per lb.
💡 Israel’s $1.50 per lb. surcharge is not new; the new development is the addition of UAE to that same tier.
💡 UAE is no longer included in the broader Middle East country list tied to the general regional surcharge.
💡 The March 22 update appears to change pricing and geographic scope, but not the covered UPS service set.