How is freight fuel surcharge calculated?

Percentage programs multiply the eligible freight charge by the applicable fuel percentage. Per-mile programs multiply rated miles by the agreed fuel rate per mile. For example, $1,250 at 24.50% gives $306.25, while 500 miles at $0.425 per mile gives $212.50. The carrier schedule or contract controls the method and charge basis.

What is the difference between Gross vs Net Fuel Surcharge?

A gross-base fuel surcharge uses the pre-discount freight amount, while a net-base surcharge uses the discounted freight amount. Which base is correct depends on the carrier tariff or customer agreement. If the invoice uses a different basis than the governing terms, the difference should be reviewed before payment or dispute.

What is the EIA National Average Diesel Fuel Index?

The U.S. Energy Information Administration publishes weekly on-highway diesel fuel prices. Many shippers and carriers use EIA price data in fuel-pricing formulas, but EIA does not calculate or regulate fuel surcharges and each carrier or contract may use a different method.

What is the standard tolerance for freight fuel surcharge audits?

There is no universal freight-audit tolerance. Linehaul lets a workspace apply its configured review tolerance, while the governing carrier tariff, contract, tax rules, and rounding method determine whether a difference is actually billable or disputable.

Fuel surcharge calculator

Check percentage-based or per-mile fuel math using the rate and charge basis in your agreement.

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Fuel calculation inputs

Calculation method

Freight basis in your agreement

Freight Before Discount ($)

Stated Fuel Surcharge Rate (%)

Contract Tariff Discount (%) (Optional)

Billed Fuel Surcharge ($) (Optional)

Calculation & comparison

Calculating...

Comparison basis: freight after discount.

Fuel before freight discount

$1,250.00 × 24.50%

$306.25

Billed fuel surcharge (optional)

Carrier Charged Amount

$485.00

Variance: +$178.75

Auditing fuel surcharges manually on every bill?

Upload 2–3 recent carrier PDFs. Linehaul runs its supported automated checks across extracted charges and fuel data, flags potential discrepancies for review, and can generate a Carrier Dispute Sheet for supported findings.

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How is Freight Fuel Surcharge (FSC) Calculated?

Percentage programs use the eligible freight charge × fuel percentage ÷ 100. Per-mile programs use rated miles × the agreed fuel rate per mile. The carrier schedule or contract determines the method, rate and eligible charges. A freight discount alone does not establish which fuel basis applies.

Step-by-Step Mathematical Calculation Example

Assume a shipment billed with a $1,250.00 Base Linehaul, a stated 24.50% Fuel Surcharge, and a 15.0% Contract Tariff Discount:

Scenario A: Gross Fuel Calculation

$1,250.00 × 0.2450 = $306.25

Calculated directly against the pre-discounted base freight charge.

Scenario B: Net (Discounted) Fuel Calculation

($1,250.00 - $187.50) × 0.2450 = $260.31

Calculated against the net discounted linehaul rate ($1,062.50).

Where does the fuel rate come from?

EIA publishes diesel prices, not a universal fuel-surcharge schedule. Your carrier or agreement specifies the base fuel price, index, effective date, rate table or formula. Enter that applicable percentage or per-mile rate here.

Per-mile example: 500 rated miles × $0.425 fuel per mile = $212.50. Some agreements derive the per-mile rate from (index price − base fuel price) ÷ agreed MPG; the agreement controls its rounding, floor and effective date.

The displayed $0.05 comparison threshold is a review aid, not a carrier-approved tolerance or proof of an overcharge. This calculator rounds positive dollar results half up to cents; discounted freight is rounded to cents before applying the fuel percentage. Your agreement may specify a different rounding sequence.

Related Freight Tools: Calculate CWT Base Linehaul → Check Pallet Density & Class →

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