Delivery Area Surcharge
Also known as: DAS, Extended Area Surcharge, Remote Area Surcharge
Definition
A delivery area surcharge (DAS) is an extra fee added to shipments going to ZIP codes that carriers consider remote, extended, or expensive to service. These areas typically require longer drive times or special routing.
Types of Delivery Area Surcharges
Standard DAS
- Applies to less accessible areas
- Lower surcharge amount
- More locations qualify
Extended DAS
- Very remote locations
- Higher surcharge
- Fewer affected ZIP codes
Remote/Super Remote
- Most isolated areas
- Highest surcharges
- Alaska, Hawaii, territories
Typical DAS Fees (2024)
| Surcharge Type | UPS | FedEx |
|---|---|---|
| DAS Residential | $4.00-$5.00 | $4.00-$5.00 |
| DAS Commercial | $3.00-$4.00 | $3.00-$4.00 |
| Extended DAS Residential | $7.00-$8.00 | $7.00-$8.00 |
| Extended DAS Commercial | $6.00-$7.00 | $6.00-$7.00 |
| Remote Area | $20-$30+ | $20-$30+ |
Note: Rates change annually and vary by service.
Areas That Trigger DAS
Common DAS locations:
- Rural communities
- Mountain regions
- Small towns
- Areas far from major routes
Extended DAS locations:
- Very rural areas
- Islands (non-Alaska/Hawaii)
- Areas with limited road access
- Extremely low population density
Remote areas:
- Alaska
- Hawaii
- US territories
- International remote zones
How to Check for DAS
Online Tools
- UPS: Service Maps and Zone Charts
- FedEx: surcharge lookup tool
- Enter origin and destination ZIP codes
During Shipping
- DAS appears as line item on quote
- May not show until final rate calculation
- Check “accessorial charges” section
DAS vs. Other Surcharges
| Surcharge | Reason | Typical Fee |
|---|---|---|
| DAS | Remote location | $3-$8 |
| Residential | Home delivery | $4-$6 |
| Fuel | Fuel costs | % of base rate |
| Additional handling | Oversized/irregular | $15-$30 |
Note: Multiple surcharges can stack on one shipment.
Strategies to Reduce DAS Impact
For Shippers
- Zone-skip - Consolidate and ship closer to destination
- Alternative carriers - USPS often no DAS for remote areas
- Regional carriers - May serve specific areas better
- Negotiate contracts - Volume discounts may include DAS caps
- Offer slower shipping - Ground may have lower DAS than Express
For Customers
- Choose USPS option - No DAS on most USPS services
- Use pickup locations - FedEx/UPS stores may not trigger DAS
- Ship to work - Commercial may be lower than residential
USPS Advantage
USPS generally does not charge DAS for domestic deliveries:
- Delivers to every US address
- Same price regardless of location
- Best option for rural/remote customers
- Priority Mail, Ground Advantage, First-Class
Business Considerations
E-commerce sellers:
- Factor DAS into shipping calculations
- May need different rates for affected areas
- Consider free shipping thresholds
- Offer USPS for remote addresses
When quoting shipping:
- Always calculate actual rates
- Don’t rely on zone-only estimates
- Verify destination ZIP codes
- Build buffer for surcharges
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