Guide 4 of 11 · 6 minute read
Table resets: the change that costs more than diesel
Carriers can raise fuel surcharges without diesel moving at all, by changing the table. You can protect against it.
What a reset is
A fuel table maps each diesel price to a surcharge. When a carrier publishes a new table, the same diesel price can produce a higher percentage. UPS reset its Ground, Ground Saver and Domestic Air tables on November 2, 2026, adding about half a point at the diesel prices of the time and moving the point where Ground switches to slower steps from $4.99 to $5.80. FedEx raised its Ground and Express pivot prices on June 1, 2026.
Why it matters more over time
A higher pivot matters most when diesel falls. Below the pivot the table steps down in coarser increments, so the surcharge eases more slowly than diesel does. Our table reset tool shows the old and new UPS tables side by side at any diesel price.
How to protect yourself
- Table freeze: your agreement references the table in force when you signed, for the term.
- Notice and re-opener: a table change gives you the right to renegotiate fuel terms.
- Points-based terms: a cap or discount stated in points is less exposed to table changes than one stated against “the published table”.
Key takeaways
- Tables change without diesel moving; that is a price increase.
- Higher pivots slow the surcharge’s fall when diesel drops.
- Ask for a table freeze, or at least a re-opener when the table changes.
By the Logistics Contract Optimizer team. Rates cited are from the week of November 2, 2026 unless stated; see the rate board for this week.