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October 31, 2026
UPS 2nd Day Air Cost 2026: Rates by Weight and Zone
2026 UPS rate: a 1 lb UPS 2nd Day Air package costs $27.13 to $46.67 at daily rates (zones 2 to 8), and UPS 2nd Day Air A.M. costs $30.08 to $53.63, before fuel and other surcharges. A 2nd Day Air letter is $27.03 to $46.21.
2027 update: UPS Daily Rates for Ground, Air and International services rise an average net 5.9% effective December 21, 2026. In UPS’s 2027 daily rate preview, a 1 lb 2nd Day Air package is $28.89 to $49.70 and a 1 lb 2nd Day Air A.M. package is $32.10 to $57.23. The tables below are 2026 rates until December 21, 2026. Sources: UPS 2027 Daily Package Rates preview; UPS Shipping Zones and Rates. See our UPS 2027 rate increase guide.
Quick answer: UPS prices 2nd Day Air by billable weight and zone. A 5 lb package costs $30.16 to zone 2 and $83.33 to zone 8 at 2026 daily rates; a 10 lb package costs $35.54 to $128.87. On top of the rate you pay the weekly domestic air fuel surcharge (34.25% from November 2, 2026), $7.00 if the package goes to a home and $16.00 for Saturday delivery. 2nd Day Air A.M. costs more, delivers by 10:30 a.m. or 12:00 p.m. on the second business day, and only goes to commercial addresses. Its money-back guarantee is active; the 2nd Day Air guarantee is suspended.
Rates: UPS 2026 Rate and Service Guide, Daily Rates and Retail Rates (both updated September 7, 2026). 2027: UPS 2027 Daily Package Rates preview (effective December 21, 2026). Fuel: UPS fuel surcharges, checked October 30, 2026. Guarantee: UPS Service Guarantee, checked October 30, 2026. Demand surcharges: UPS Demand Surcharges (August 26, 2026 update).
UPS 2nd Day Air Rates for a 1 lb Package
UPS numbers its second-day zones in the 200s. 2nd Day Air uses zones 202 (closest) to 208 (farthest) in the 48 contiguous states, and 2nd Day Air A.M. uses 242 to 248. The tables map them to the familiar zones 2 to 8. These are 2026 daily rates.
| Zone | UPS 2nd Day Air | UPS 2nd Day Air A.M. | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 2 (202 / 242) | $27.13 | $30.08 | $2.95 |
| Zone 3 (203 / 243) | $28.38 | $32.11 | $3.73 |
| Zone 4 (204 / 244) | $29.42 | $35.17 | $5.75 |
| Zone 5 (205 / 245) | $35.76 | $42.06 | $6.30 |
| Zone 6 (206 / 246) | $42.88 | $49.19 | $6.31 |
| Zone 7 (207 / 247) | $45.75 | $52.40 | $6.65 |
| Zone 8 (208 / 248) | $46.67 | $53.63 | $6.96 |
The two services cover different addresses. UPS 2nd Day Air delivers to all 50 states and Puerto Rico, with some limitations in Alaska and Hawaii, by the end of the second business day. UPS 2nd Day Air A.M. is committed by 10:30 a.m. or 12:00 p.m. on the second business day to metropolitan commercial destinations in the 48 contiguous states where Next Day Air is committed by those times. It is not available to residential destinations or where Next Day Air is committed after 12:00 p.m.
UPS 2nd Day Air Rates by Weight and Zone
UPS 2nd Day Air (2026 daily rates)
| Weight | Zone 2 (202) | Zone 3 (203) | Zone 4 (204) | Zone 5 (205) | Zone 6 (206) | Zone 7 (207) | Zone 8 (208) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Letter (up to 8 oz) | $27.03 | $28.35 | $29.41 | $35.41 | $42.46 | $45.28 | $46.21 |
| 1 lb | $27.13 | $28.38 | $29.42 | $35.76 | $42.88 | $45.75 | $46.67 |
| 2 lb | $27.97 | $29.61 | $30.56 | $38.53 | $48.27 | $53.54 | $56.32 |
| 5 lb | $30.16 | $32.60 | $38.08 | $54.97 | $71.45 | $78.63 | $83.33 |
| 10 lb | $35.54 | $44.22 | $55.06 | $80.67 | $112.65 | $124.80 | $128.87 |
| 20 lb | $56.20 | $66.11 | $84.70 | $130.63 | $192.92 | $210.76 | $217.37 |
UPS 2nd Day Air A.M. (2026 daily rates)
| Weight | Zone 2 (242) | Zone 3 (243) | Zone 4 (244) | Zone 5 (245) | Zone 6 (246) | Zone 7 (247) | Zone 8 (248) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Letter (up to 8 oz) | $28.49 | $30.38 | $32.02 | $36.97 | $43.22 | $48.13 | $49.22 |
| 1 lb | $30.08 | $32.11 | $35.17 | $42.06 | $49.19 | $52.40 | $53.63 |
| 2 lb | $30.61 | $32.75 | $35.47 | $44.79 | $54.44 | $60.38 | $63.64 |
| 5 lb | $32.96 | $36.13 | $45.22 | $63.54 | $80.10 | $90.07 | $95.63 |
| 10 lb | $40.77 | $50.55 | $65.67 | $93.36 | $126.57 | $142.58 | $148.91 |
| 20 lb | $61.92 | $77.77 | $101.54 | $150.44 | $215.23 | $237.28 | $244.72 |
Billable weight is the actual weight rounded up to the next whole pound, or the dimensional weight if higher: length x width x height in inches divided by 139 at daily rates. A large, light box can bill at a much higher weight than it weighs.
Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico
2nd Day Air also has zones 224 (metro Alaska and Hawaii), 225 (Puerto Rico) and 226 (remote Alaska and Hawaii). At 2026 daily rates a 1 lb package costs $67.08, $61.97 and $81.57 to those zones, and a 5 lb package costs $98.78, $89.74 and $113.16. 2nd Day Air A.M. is only offered within the 48 contiguous states.
UPS 2nd Day Air Letter (Express Envelope) Rates
Documents, correspondence and electronic media up to eight ounces in a UPS Express Envelope pay a flat Letter rate instead of the 1 lb rate. An Express Envelope over eight ounces is billed at the rate for its weight.
| Zone | 2nd Day Air letter (daily) | 2nd Day Air letter (retail) | 2nd Day Air A.M. letter (daily) | 2nd Day Air A.M. letter (retail) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 2 | $27.03 | $25.89 | $28.49 | $27.33 |
| Zone 3 | $28.35 | $27.00 | $30.38 | $28.59 |
| Zone 4 | $29.41 | $28.01 | $32.02 | $30.50 |
| Zone 5 | $35.41 | $31.33 | $36.97 | $35.52 |
| Zone 6 | $42.46 | $37.74 | $43.22 | $42.32 |
| Zone 7 | $45.28 | $39.72 | $48.13 | $44.59 |
| Zone 8 | $46.21 | $41.44 | $49.22 | $46.92 |
A 2nd Day Air letter saves only a little over a 1 lb package ($27.03 vs $27.13 to zone 2 at daily rates). For overnight letters, see our UPS Next Day Air letter guide.
Retail vs. Daily Rates
UPS’s Retail Rate guide applies to shippers who do not receive daily rates and to packages processed at The UPS Store, UPS Alliance Locations and UPS Authorized Shipping Outlets. Third-party retailers’ charges for value-added services and surcharges may vary. Retail 2nd Day Air rates:
| Weight | Zone 2 (202) | Zone 3 (203) | Zone 4 (204) | Zone 5 (205) | Zone 6 (206) | Zone 7 (207) | Zone 8 (208) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Letter (up to 8 oz) | $25.89 | $27.00 | $28.01 | $31.33 | $37.74 | $39.72 | $41.44 |
| 1 lb | $26.15 | $27.37 | $28.35 | $32.07 | $39.28 | $41.49 | $42.30 |
| 2 lb | $26.60 | $27.91 | $28.90 | $34.71 | $44.27 | $47.79 | $50.26 |
| 5 lb | $28.67 | $30.77 | $35.98 | $48.78 | $64.44 | $70.42 | $74.61 |
| 10 lb | $33.80 | $41.72 | $51.95 | $71.62 | $101.82 | $111.95 | $115.62 |
| 20 lb | $53.31 | $62.37 | $80.22 | $115.93 | $174.80 | $188.98 | $194.74 |
In the current editions retail is the cheaper list price for second-day service. Across the letter, 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 lb rates for 2nd Day Air and 2nd Day Air A.M. in zones 2 to 8, the retail rate is lower than the daily rate in 84 of 84 cells. A 1 lb 2nd Day Air package to zone 8 is $42.30 retail against $46.67 daily, and a 20 lb 2nd Day Air A.M. package to zone 8 is $220.93 retail against $244.72 daily. Negotiated account discounts change these numbers, so check your own rates in UPS shipping software.
UPS Simple Rate for 2nd Day Air
UPS Simple Rate charges a flat price by box size instead of weight and zone, for single packages up to 50 lb and 1,728 cubic inches between the 48 contiguous states. The Residential Surcharge, Delivery Area Surcharges and fuel surcharges do not apply to Simple Rate shipments; other charges do.
| Simple Rate size (cubic inches) | 2nd Day Air, 2026 | 2nd Day Air, from Dec 21, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Extra Small (1–100) | $24.55 | $26.15 |
| Small (101–250) | $29.25 | $31.15 |
| Medium (251–650) | $37.50 | $39.90 |
| Large (651–1,050) | $65.60 | $69.80 |
| Extra Large (1,051–1,728) | $85.45 | $90.60 |
Because fuel and the residential fee are not added, Simple Rate can beat zone pricing on long-distance home deliveries in small boxes. A 1 lb package in an 8 x 6 x 5 box (Small) to zone 8 is $29.25 flat, against $46.67 plus fuel and $7.00 residential at daily rates.
How 2nd Day Air Compares With Other UPS Services
| Service (2026 daily rates) | 1 lb, zone 2 | 1 lb, zone 8 | 5 lb, zone 2 | 5 lb, zone 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UPS Ground | $11.99 | $15.03 | $14.19 | $21.72 |
| UPS 2nd Day Air | $27.13 | $46.67 | $30.16 | $83.33 |
| UPS 2nd Day Air A.M. | $30.08 | $53.63 | $32.96 | $95.63 |
| UPS Next Day Air Saver | $41.31 | $102.87 | $52.55 | $145.06 |
| UPS Next Day Air | $45.06 | $115.30 | $54.75 | $156.94 |
To zone 2, a 1 lb 2nd Day Air package is $17.93 cheaper than Next Day Air; to zone 8, Next Day Air costs about 2.5 times as much. UPS describes Ground as day-definite delivery typically in one to five business days, so check the Ground transit time for your lane before paying for air. For FedEx 2Day and USPS Priority Mail side by side, see our 2-day shipping cost comparison; for overnight rates, see UPS Next Day Air cost.
Surcharges Added to UPS 2nd Day Air
The rate guide says its rates do not include a fuel surcharge. The add-ons most likely to apply to a 2nd Day Air package:
| Charge | 2026 amount | From Dec 21, 2026 | When it applies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel surcharge (domestic air) | 33.00% (week of Oct 26, 2026); 34.25% (from Nov 2, 2026) | Changes weekly | Every package, on the transportation charge and certain accessorials |
| Residential Surcharge | $7.00 | $7.60 | Delivery to a home, including a home business |
| Delivery Area Surcharge | $4.50 commercial, $6.55 residential | $4.90 commercial, $7.15 residential | Destination ZIP code on UPS’s area surcharge list |
| Delivery Area Surcharge, extended | $5.70 commercial, $8.85 residential | $6.20 commercial, $9.65 residential | Destination ZIP code on the extended list |
| Saturday Delivery | $16.00 per Air package | Not in UPS’s 2027 preview | You select Saturday delivery (2nd Day Air only; not available for A.M.) |
| Demand surcharge (“All Other UPS Air”) | $1.35 (Oct 25–Nov 21, 2026), $2.50 (Nov 22–Dec 26, 2026), $1.35 (Dec 27, 2026–Jan 16, 2027) | No 2027-28 schedule yet | Every 2nd Day Air and 2nd Day Air A.M. package in those periods |
| Signature Required / Adult Signature | $7.70 / $9.35 | $8.40 / $10.25 | You select the option |
Shippers billed for more than 20,000 packages in any week since October 2025 can pay larger demand surcharges under UPS’s higher-volume tables, up to $9.35 per Air package. Every surcharge on the site is collected in our UPS surcharges guide; for the home-delivery fee and Saturday service see UPS Residential Surcharge and UPS Saturday Delivery.
Example: a 5 lb 2nd Day Air package, zone 5
At daily rates the transportation charge is $54.97. A 34.25% fuel surcharge adds $18.83, for $73.80. Add the $1.35 demand surcharge for packages shipped through November 21, 2026 ($2.50 from November 22), and the $7.00 Residential Surcharge if it goes to a home (fuel can also apply to certain accessorial charges). This is a list-rate calculation, not a real invoice.
Is UPS 2nd Day Air Guaranteed?
Not right now. UPS’s Service Guarantee page lists the domestic services whose money-back guarantee is active: Next Day Air Early, Next Day Air, Next Day Air Saver and 2nd Day Air A.M. The guarantee “remains suspended” for all other services, which includes 2nd Day Air. In practice:
- 2nd Day Air A.M. (commercial addresses only) can be claimed if it arrives after its committed time. See our UPS late delivery refund guide for how to claim.
- 2nd Day Air still has a delivery commitment of end of the second business day, but late packages are not refunded while the guarantee is suspended.
- Holiday extension: for packages scheduled for delivery November 27, 2026 to January 2, 2027, 2nd Day Air A.M. deliveries to commercial locations with a 10:30 a.m. or 12:00 p.m. commitment are extended to 3:00 p.m.
Christmas 2026 Deadline for UPS 2nd Day Air
UPS’s year-end holiday schedule lists Tuesday, December 22, 2026 as the last day to ship UPS 2nd Day Air for delivery on Thursday, December 24. UPS also warns that a limited number of 2nd Day Air packages tendered on December 14, 15, 16 or 21 may need an extra day in transit, so ship before those dates when the date matters. UPS is closed on Friday, December 25. Full dates for every service are in our UPS holiday schedule 2026.
What 2nd Day Air Will Cost From December 21, 2026
UPS’s 2027 rate preview is posted. For the weights and zones in the tables above, 2nd Day Air and 2nd Day Air A.M. rates rise between 4.0% and 6.7%, around UPS’s 5.9% average, and the Residential Surcharge on air packages goes from $7.00 to $7.60. 2027 2nd Day Air daily rates:
| Weight | Zone 2 (202) | Zone 3 (203) | Zone 4 (204) | Zone 5 (205) | Zone 6 (206) | Zone 7 (207) | Zone 8 (208) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Letter (up to 8 oz) | $28.79 | $29.91 | $31.03 | $37.71 | $45.22 | $48.22 | $49.21 |
| 1 lb | $28.89 | $29.94 | $31.04 | $38.08 | $45.67 | $48.72 | $49.70 |
| 2 lb | $29.79 | $31.24 | $32.24 | $41.03 | $51.41 | $57.02 | $59.98 |
| 5 lb | $31.82 | $34.39 | $40.17 | $58.54 | $76.09 | $83.74 | $88.75 |
| 10 lb | $36.96 | $46.65 | $58.09 | $85.91 | $119.97 | $132.91 | $137.25 |
| 20 lb | $59.01 | $69.75 | $89.36 | $138.47 | $204.50 | $223.41 | $228.24 |
UPS says the preview is for information only and that the 2027 UPS Rate and Service Guide controls if the two differ. Estimate the effect on your own volume with our 2027 shipping cost calculator.
How to Pay Less for UPS 2nd Day Air
- Check Ground transit first. UPS Ground takes typically one to five business days; on short lanes it may arrive just as fast for a fraction of the price.
- Use Simple Rate for small, light boxes going far. No fuel, residential or delivery area surcharges are added.
- Keep documents under eight ounces in an Express Envelope so they bill at the Letter rate.
- Cut box size. Large, light boxes bill on dimensional weight.
- Pay for A.M. only when the morning matters and the address is commercial. It is the only second-day UPS service with an active money-back guarantee.
- Classify addresses correctly. A business address billed as residential adds $7.00 plus fuel.
What to Check on Your UPS Invoice
Confirm each package was billed at the right billable weight and zone, that residential surcharges only hit true residential addresses, that Saturday Delivery charges match packages you asked to have delivered on Saturday, that demand surcharges match the published periods, and that late 2nd Day Air A.M. deliveries were credited.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is UPS 2nd Day Air in 2026?
At 2026 daily rates, a 1 lb UPS 2nd Day Air package costs $27.13 (zone 2) to $46.67 (zone 8), and a 5 lb package costs $30.16 to $83.33, before fuel and other surcharges.
How much is UPS 2nd Day Air for an envelope?
A UPS Express Envelope up to eight ounces is $27.03 to $46.21 by 2nd Day Air at daily rates and $25.89 to $41.44 at retail rates, zones 2 to 8.
What is the difference between UPS 2nd Day Air and 2nd Day Air A.M.?
UPS 2nd Day Air delivers by the end of the second business day to all 50 states and Puerto Rico. 2nd Day Air A.M. delivers by 10:30 a.m. or 12:00 p.m. on the second business day, only to commercial addresses in the 48 contiguous states, and costs more.
Is UPS 2nd Day Air guaranteed?
The UPS Service Guarantee is currently suspended for 2nd Day Air. It is active for 2nd Day Air A.M., Next Day Air Early, Next Day Air and Next Day Air Saver.
Does UPS 2nd Day Air deliver on Saturday?
Only if you select Saturday Delivery, which costs $16.00 per Air package in 2026. Saturday Delivery is not available for 2nd Day Air A.M.
What is the last day to ship UPS 2nd Day Air for Christmas 2026?
Tuesday, December 22, 2026, for delivery on Thursday, December 24. UPS says some 2nd Day Air packages tendered December 14, 15, 16 or 21 may need an extra day in transit.
How much will UPS 2nd Day Air cost in 2027?
From December 21, 2026, UPS’s 2027 preview lists a 1 lb 2nd Day Air package at $28.89 to $49.70 at daily rates, zones 2 to 8, before fuel.
Is UPS 2nd Day Air cheaper at The UPS Store?
In the current 2026 guides, retail 2nd Day Air rates are lower than daily rates at every weight and zone we compared (letter to 20 lb, zones 2 to 8). A 1 lb package to zone 8 is $42.30 retail and $46.67 daily. Negotiated discounts can change this.
Related Reading
- 2-Day Shipping Cost 2026: UPS 2nd Day Air vs FedEx 2Day vs USPS
- UPS Next Day Air Cost 2026: Package Rates by Weight and Zone
- UPS Late Delivery Refund 2026: Money-Back Guarantee Rules & How to Claim
- UPS Saturday Delivery 2026: Cost, Eligibility & How to Avoid the Fee
- UPS Residential Surcharge 2026: $6.50 Ground / $7.00 Air
- UPS 2027 Rate Increase: Every 2027 Surcharge and Accessorial Change
Get a free shipping invoice audit
We audit UPS invoices line by line for air packages billed at the wrong weight, residential fees on business addresses and guaranteed deliveries that arrived late without a credit. Request a free invoice audit to see what you can recover.
This article is for informational purposes only. Carrier rates, surcharges, and policies change frequently — always verify current terms directly with the carrier for your specific situation. Have questions? Reach out to us — we're happy to help.
Meet the Author
paul@darrigoconsulting.com
I’m Paul D’Arrigo. I’ve spent my career building, fixing, and scaling operations across eCommerce, fulfillment, logistics, and SaaS businesses, from early-stage companies to multi-million-dollar operators. I’ve been on both sides of growth: as a founder, an operator, and a fractional COO brought in when things get complex and execution starts to break
