surcharge

A surcharge may mean:

• an extra fee added onto another fee or charge
  • fuel surcharge, sky freight charges which represents additions due to jet fuel prices.
  • bunker adjustment factor, sea freight charges which represents additions due to oil prices.
  • surcharge (payment systems) charged when paying with cheque, credit, charge or debit card
• an overprint that affects the value of a postage stamp
• a surcharge (sanction) against a public servant who has abused public funds
• any loading from above the soil line upon earth being supported by a retaining wall
• Surtax, extra tax levied upon tax
• An overload or excessive load on a retaining wall or flow within a sewage system (glossary of engineering)

Une surcharge est une inscription ajoutée sur un timbre-poste après son impression. Le plus souvent à l’encre noire, certaines ont pu être à l’encre rouge. Les administrations postales ont eu recours aux surcharges pour beaucoup de raisons.

Au sens général, le mot surcharge désigne l'action associée au verbe . Il désigne une charge supplémentaire, par exemple : la surcharge tarifaire maritime.