FedEx, UPS, & DHL Increase Shipping Rates 4.9% For the 10th Year

SANDY SPRINGS, GA, January 17, 2020 - While a recent report by the National Retail Federation found “75 percent of consumers surveyed expect delivery to be free even on orders under $50”, a recent article in The Atlantic explores “The Myth of Free Shipping”. These mixed messages may confuse retail shoppers, but the reality is that FedEx, UPS, & DHL all announced an average rate increase of 4.9% for 2020. This is the 10th year in a row they have raised their rates 4.9% - that translates to a 60% increase in retail prices during that period. FedEx and UPS also lowered the threshold for additional handling fees from 70 pounds to 50 pounds which means a 60lb package can cost 2-3x as much as it did in 2010.

After growing accustomed to free shipping with their online purchases, many retail customers encounter sticker shock when they need to pay to return a package or they send a package to a family member. Consumers have a lot of options to minimize their shipping costs -

• Ship early - The largest factor affecting the price is the urgency. When it needs to be there tomorrow morning, shipping a package can easily cost 3-4x as much as ground shipping which might take 3-4 days.
• Ship once - Shipping two packages to the same destination can cost twice as much as repacking all the contents of boxes into one box. Spending a little more on a larger box may be well worth the savings.
• Pack tight - Shipping a larger box will cost more than shipping a smaller one. The shippers calculate their prices based on dimensional weight - they measure the size of the package and base their rates on how much they expect the package to weigh. Shipping a lighter object ends up costing the same as shipping a heavier one within the same box.
• Pack right - Reducing the size of the package is smart but not when it puts the contents at risk of being damaged.

Comparing options for a common package may be confusing enough to many people but determining the best option for something expensive, fragile, or oddly shaped can be nearly impossible. Find a packing and shipping expert at your local store who can review all your shipping options, provide any packing materials, compare rates between shipping companies, and recommend how to save you money.

For more information about Mail Center Etc in Sandy Springs or to speak with a shipping expert, please call them at 404-843-0425 or visit their website www.mailcenteretc.com.

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