United Postal Service Inc. is set to increase shipping rates by 4.9 percent starting Jan. 3. The new rates will apply to all ground, air express, and international shipments orginating in the U.S. and can be previewed on Nov. 12 at www.ups.com/rates.
The increase in ground shipping rates is a result of a 5.9 percent increase in the base rate and a 1 percent decrease in fuel surcharge.
Karen Cole, a spokeswoman for UPS, told GlobalAtlanta that this base rate increase is due to a number of factors including operating cost, market conditions, demand for services and investment in technology upgrades.
The 4.9 percent increase in air express and international shipping is based on a 6.9 percent increase of the base rate and also a 2 percent reduction in the air and international fuel surcharge, according to a UPS press release.
Ms. Cole said that these rates are re-assessed every year and that the increase is common.