diff --git a/.env.demo b/.env.demo
index 4bd2b133..5f69b5f0 100644
--- a/.env.demo
+++ b/.env.demo
@@ -58,9 +58,9 @@ RATE_LIMITING_ENABLED=true
 RATE_LIMIT_DEFAULT=100/minute
 
 # Rate limit for file upload endpoints
-# Lower limit to prevent resource exhaustion from large file uploads
-# Default: 20 uploads per minute per IP/user
-RATE_LIMIT_UPLOAD=20/minute
+# Allows faster uploads while still preventing abuse
+# Default: 10 uploads per second per IP/user (600/minute)
+RATE_LIMIT_UPLOAD=10/second
 
 # Rate limit for document processing endpoints (OCR, metadata extraction)
 # These operations are resource-intensive
diff --git a/app/config.py b/app/config.py
index 696ab4bf..12af0fe3 100644
--- a/app/config.py
+++ b/app/config.py
@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@ class Settings(BaseSettings):
         description="Default rate limit for all endpoints (format: 'count/period', e.g., '100/minute', '1000/hour').",
     )
     rate_limit_upload: str = Field(
-        default="20/minute",
+        default="10/second",
         description="Rate limit for file upload endpoints to prevent resource exhaustion.",
     )
     rate_limit_process: str = Field(
diff --git a/docs/ConfigurationGuide.md b/docs/ConfigurationGuide.md
index 3fb4582f..f31c6976 100644
--- a/docs/ConfigurationGuide.md
+++ b/docs/ConfigurationGuide.md
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ Rate limits are specified in the format `count/period`, where:
 | **Variable**           | **Description**                                                      | **Default**      | **Applies To**                          |
 |------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------|-----------------------------------------|
 | `RATE_LIMIT_DEFAULT`   | Default rate limit for all API endpoints                             | `100/minute`     | Most API endpoints                      |
-| `RATE_LIMIT_UPLOAD`    | Rate limit for file upload endpoints (prevents resource exhaustion)  | `20/minute`      | `/api/ui-upload` and similar            |
+| `RATE_LIMIT_UPLOAD`    | Rate limit for file upload endpoints (prevents resource exhaustion)  | `10/second`      | `/api/ui-upload` and similar            |
 | `RATE_LIMIT_PROCESS`   | Rate limit for processing endpoints (OCR, metadata extraction)       | `30/minute`      | `/api/process`, OCR endpoints           |
 | `RATE_LIMIT_AUTH`      | Stricter rate limit for authentication (prevents brute force)        | `10/minute`      | Login, authentication endpoints         |