How our fuel surcharge works
Fuel is one of the largest variable costs in same day courier work. Rather than build a high fixed margin into every job to cover price spikes, we apply a transparent surcharge that rises and falls with the diesel pump price. When fuel gets cheaper, your surcharge comes down too.
We track the pump price
We monitor the average UK diesel pump price using publicly available weekly road fuel price data published by the UK Government (DESNZ).
We map it to a band
The current average price falls within one of the bands in the table below, which sets the surcharge percentage for that period.
It's added to your quote
The surcharge is applied as a percentage of your net delivery charge and shown clearly — no hidden extras.
Fuel surcharge table
The band highlighted below reflects the current average diesel pump price. Surcharges step by 1% for roughly every 10p change in the average pump price.
| Average diesel pump price (£/litre) | Fuel surcharge |
|---|---|
| Below £1.30 | 4.5% |
| £1.30 – £1.39 | 5.5% |
| £1.40 – £1.49 | 6.5% |
| £1.50 – £1.59 | 7.5% |
| £1.60 – £1.69 Current | 8.5% |
| £1.70 – £1.79 | 9.5% |
| £1.80 – £1.89 | 10.5% |
| £1.90 and above | Reviewed weekly |
The formula behind the bands
Each band is derived from a simple, consistent rule benchmarked against a baseline pump price:
Fuel surcharge = 8.5% + ( each full 10p the pump-price band sits above £1.60 ) × 1%
The baseline is the £1.60–£1.69 band at 8.5%. For each full 10p band the average diesel pump price rises above it, the surcharge increases by 1% (so £1.70–£1.79 = 9.5%); for each full 10p band it falls, the surcharge decreases by 1% (so £1.50–£1.59 = 7.5%). Applying the rule stepwise by band keeps your rate stable within each 10p range and proportionate to the actual cost of fuel.
When we review the surcharge
Our commitment to transparency
Publicly benchmarked
Tied to Government-published UK road fuel price data — not an arbitrary internal figure.
Goes down as well as up
When diesel prices fall, your surcharge falls with them. It's a two-way policy.
Shown on every quote
The surcharge is itemised on your booking — you'll always see exactly what you're paying.
Frequently asked questions
What is a fuel surcharge?
A fuel surcharge is a small percentage added to your delivery charge to cover the changing cost of diesel. Because fuel prices move frequently, the surcharge lets us keep our core rates stable and fair while reflecting the true cost of getting your consignment delivered.
How is the current 8.5% calculated?
The current average UK diesel pump price is £1.671 per litre. That falls within our £1.60–£1.69 band, which carries an 8.5% surcharge. As the average pump price moves into a different band, the surcharge is updated accordingly.
How often does the surcharge change?
We review the surcharge on the 1st of every month against the latest published fuel prices, and update it if the average pump price has moved into a new band. During periods of significant volatility we may review more frequently. This page is updated whenever the rate changes.
What is the surcharge applied to?
The surcharge is calculated as a percentage of the net delivery charge for your booking (before VAT). It is shown clearly on your quote and invoice.
Will the surcharge ever come down?
Yes. The policy works in both directions. If the average diesel pump price drops into a lower band, the s