United Parcel Service is planning to boost rates across the board starting Jan. 2 next year for most U.S. small package services, including a 3.9% increase for commercial ground services and a 5.5% rise for UPS air and international services.
However, Atlanta-based UPS noted it’s going to reduce by 2% the index used to determine its air fuel surcharge. The fuel surcharge index calculation for UPS Ground shipments remains unchanged and remains pegged to fluctuations in the U.S. Energy Department’s On-Highway Diesel price.
Also beginning in January, UPS plans to speed up deliveries of air/ground shipments: The company said UPS 2nd Day Air A.M. guarantees are going to be moved up from noon to 10:30 a.m., with Saturday deliveries to be shipped via 2nd Day Air on Thursday. More ZIP Codes will be available for UPS Next Day Air Early A.M. delivery on top of a ZIP code expansion this past July, extending early delivery to nearly 20,000 ZIP Codes.
Other pricing changes include an increase of 25 cents and 35 cents, respectively, for the residential surcharge on UPS ground and air services. UPS also said it’s going to charge for undeliverable packages after three delivery attempts. Proof of delivery features for Delivery Confirmation and Signature Required each will increase by 25 cents per package and Adult Signature Required will rise by 50 cents.
For more information, go to www.ups.com.
