Fuel Levy Calculator
Important note
This calculator is intended as a guide only. Fuel surcharge methodologies vary between carriers, service types, vehicle classes, routes, and commercial agreements. Please confirm any live pricing assumptions with International Cargo Express.
About the Fuel Surcharge Calculator
A fuel surcharge, sometimes called a fuel levy, is a separate charge used to account for fluctuations in fuel costs within freight rates. It allows transport pricing to move up or down transparently without requiring the full base freight rate to be renegotiated every time diesel prices change.
In practice, a carrier quotes a base delivery rate, a base fuel price, and the percentage of fuel used within that rate. When current fuel prices rise or fall, the surcharge is calculated from the difference and applied to the quoted freight charge.
Enter the fuel percentage as a percentage value, such as 23.4, and the calculator will convert it automatically.
Base Rate Figures
The figures used in fuel surcharge calculations are usually based on the original quoted delivery rate and the fuel assumptions agreed at the time that rate was set. Depending on the operator, those figures may or may not include any fuel tax credit or rebate assumptions.
Example 1 — not including fuel rebate
- Base rate: $1,694.20
- Base fuel price: $1.00
- Fuel percentage used: 23.4%
- Current fuel price: $1.40
In this scenario, the fuel surcharge is calculated on the change from $1.00 to $1.40 using a fuel component of 23.4% of the quoted rate.
Example 2 — including fuel rebate
- Base rate: $1,628.72
- Base fuel price: $0.8350
- Fuel percentage used: 20.3%
- Current fuel price: $1.40
Where rebate assumptions are included in the operating cost model, the base fuel cost used in the surcharge calculation should also reflect that lower effective fuel cost.
How it works
| Field | What it means |
|---|---|
| Base Delivery Rate | The original quoted delivery or transport charge before surcharge adjustments. |
| Base Fuel Price | The fuel benchmark used when the base delivery rate was originally set. |
| Current Fuel Price | The current diesel price used to calculate the updated surcharge. |
| Fuel Percentage Used | The percentage of the quoted base rate attributable to fuel cost. |
| Fuel Rebate | An optional deduction if your pricing model includes a rebate or fuel tax credit assumption. |
Eligibility and assumptions
Every operator will have different cost structures depending on equipment, route length, buying power, fleet mix, warehousing, and staffing. For that reason, the figures used here are only an estimate and should be tailored to the actual commercial model being applied.
Need a shipment-specific view?
If you want to understand how current diesel prices may affect your deliveries, cartage, or container movements, speak with the ICE team for tailored guidance and live transport pricing.
Disclaimer
This calculator and the information provided on this page are intended for general guidance only. Use of this tool is at the user’s own risk. International Cargo Express recommends confirming all pricing assumptions, fuel references, and surcharge methodologies before relying on the result for commercial purposes.
