FedEx and UPS have both announced rate increases, effective January 5, 2009.

The rate for FedEx Express will increase by a net average of 4.9 percent (a 6.9 percent increase in standard list rates, offset by a 2.0 percent reduction in the fuel surcharge). FedEx is also increasing the standard list rates for FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery by an average of 5.9 percent. Complete details, including changes to FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, and FedEx Home Delivery surcharges, are available at www.fedex.com/us/rates2009 [4].

UPS rates will increase by an average 5.9 percent for Ground and Ground Hundredweight shipments, and by an average of 4.9 percent on Air Express and U.S. Origin International Shipments. (The increase for Air Express and International Shipments is based on a 6.9 percent increase in the base rate, less a 2.0 percent reduction in the fuel surcharge.) Rates for UPS Freight Service will increase by an average of 5.9 percent. Updated rate, surcharge, and service information is posted on ups.com/rates [5].

ABA members enrolled in the Discount Shipping Program [6], administered by PartnerShip can save up to 31 percent on FedEx shipments and up to 64 percent on UPS Freight and Yellow Transportation shipments. To learn more about the ABA Discount Shipping Program, contact PartnerShip at (800) 599-2902 or at [email protected] [7], or visit www.partnership.com/07aba [8].