FedEx underpaid shipping issues
Hi everyone,
Has anyone else experienced issues with FedEx issuing cost adjustments that don’t seem to align with the original shipping details?
I wanted to share a recent example from one of my shipments, in hopes of making sense of what happened and hearing your thoughts or similar experiences.
Please note: The edits in the attached screenshots are to protect personal information or to highlight key details.
The original cost of the FedEx shipping label was $19.20.
Dimensions: 38" x 14" x 8"
Weight: 15.50 lbs
eBay's cost adjustment notice stated the actual weight as 15.70 lbs, which is only 0.20 lbs heavier than what was listed on the shipping label.
However, when I dropped off the item at FedEx, I took a photo showing the scale reading of 15.95 lbs, which is 0.25 lbs heavier than even eBay’s adjusted weight. (Photo attached.)
The surprising part is that the cost adjustment reflects a billable weight of 26 lbs, resulting in an additional charge of $34.73—bringing the total shipping cost to $53.93.
I created a sample shipping label using the same address, dimensions, and FedEx's billable weight of 26 lbs and the quoted cost still came out to $19.20 (screenshot attached).
I tried to explain the discrepancy to eBay support, but as many of you know, resolution through that channel can be challenging.
Has anyone encountered a similar situation or found a way to successfully dispute these kinds of charges?
Looking forward to your insights.
wastingtime101
·1 year agoHey @theshawnprice2 . Your cost adjustment had zero to do with weight. The dimensions of your package mean you paid the 26 lb billable weight upfront. eBay factors in billable weight and all surcharges for package size/weight.
In your first screenshot, look at the bottom right. Expand "see cost breakdown" and you will find an "additional handling" charge.
I can see from your photo the package is "encased in plastic" and that'll result in a surcharge.
eBay's calc factors in all charges for weight and dimensions; it does not factor in nonstandard packaging. Nonstandard packaging surcharges come through after the fact as cost adjustments.
Read more in the FedEx Guide - start on page 126:
https://www.fedex.com/content/dam/fedex/us-united-states/services/Service_Guide_2025.pdf
For U.S. Package Services, the Additional Handling Surcharge rates are determined
based on the shipment's zone.
A surcharge applies to any package that:
 6 ) is encased in an outer shipping container not made of corrugated fiberboard (cardboard) materials, including but not limited to metal, wood, canvas, leather, hard plastic, soft plastic (e.g., plastic bags), or expanded polystyrene foam (e.g., Styrofoam);
 7 ) is encased in an outer shipping container covered in shrink wrap or stretch wrap;
theshawnprice2
OP1 year agoThanks for the information. I'm guessing its because I used stretch wrap to protect my bigger packages from water as some package are left on the steps or in the driveway. That will be the last time I use stretch wrap going forward. If its gets wet and damage, I'll let the insurance handle that fight. Thank you again!
wastingtime101
·1 year agoYou're welcome - sorry I didn't have better news @theshawnprice2 !
I weather-proof my packages, too, but I do it inside of the box. I realize that's not possible with something you're shipping in product packaging. The good thing with items like that vacuum, is even if the box did get soaked, all the contents inside are individually wrapped in plastic (usually even the paperwork is in plastic) so the chance of anything other than the box being damaged are minimal.
By the way, you are my favorite kind of seller to help: providing all needed info in your first post and not blaming me for the bad news as if it's my fault. 😂
kensgiftshop
·1 year agoYes, there's been a lot of post about extra charges from FedEx.
My guess would be the size of the box that added the extra charge.
theshawnprice2
OP1 year agoWell even if that's the case, that would make sense why they changed the billable weight to 26 lbs from 15.70 lbs. When I did the sample shipping label for the billable weight of 26 lbs, I still had the same shipping cost of the original shipping label .
I have shipped 120 lbs water softeners with signature confirmation and I have added insurance and the cost were between $115- $130.
It doesn't make sense why a 16 lbs package cost almost half of those extremely heavy shipments.
lakefor94
·1 year ago@theshawnprice2
Yes, FedEx is the worst, year in and year out, from what I read here on the boards.
I ship some big and heavy packages every week via UPS and never see anything other than a few chump change adjustments for a couple dollars. Been using UPS nearly every business day for 8 years.
Like Monica stated, perhaps wastingtime101 might happen along to assist,
monica-sells
·1 year agoI can only answer this portion of your question.
Yes, many posts about "adjustments"
A few of the resident members may help make sense of it
@wastingtime101