In plain English
Most carriers publish a fuel surcharge table tied to a national diesel price index. When diesel goes up, the percentage goes up, and when it goes down, the percentage falls.
Because it is a percentage, the surcharge grows with the base rate, so it is a bigger dollar figure on longer or heavier shipments.
Why it matters when you ship
Check that a quote lists the surcharge or is all-in. Two carriers with the same base price can end up with different totals because of the fuel table.
Example
A base charge of $300 with a 30% fuel surcharge adds $90, for a total of $390 before any accessorials.
Related terms
Learn more
Fuel surcharge (FSC): common questions
Is a fuel surcharge negotiable?
Usually not by itself, but a contract rate can include a lower fuel table. In quotes, compare total price rather than base rate.
Cite this page
Cite as: Transportli, “Fuel Surcharge (FSC): Meaning in Freight”, https://transportli.com/glossary/fuel-surcharge/, updated November 11, 2026.
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