UPS WILL RAISE AIR RATES BY 3.5 PERCENT

UPS WILL RAISE AIR RATES BY 3.5 PERCENT

UPS WILL RAISE AIR RATES BY 3.5 PERCENT

      United Parcel Service said it will raise rates for its delivery services by up to 3.9 percent effective Feb. 7.

      In its annual pricing adjustment, UPS said air express rates for UPS Next Day Air, 2nd Day Air and 3 Day Select Commercial services will increase 3.5 percent.

      Rates for UPS Ground Commercial services will increase 3.1 percent across all weights and zones. A $1 premium for ground delivery to residential addresses will remain in effect.

      A $1 surcharge implemented last year on home deliveries to remote ZIP codes has been increased to $1.50, but UPS says the number of ZIP codes affected has been reduced.

      International export rates from the U.S. will rise 2.9 percent. There will be no increase on import rates.

      UPS said it wants to compete more fiercely against U.S. less-than-truckload carriers who, to fend off rising fuel prices, have implemented rate increases ranging from 4.9 percent to 5.7 percent this year. UPS said it will raise rates on its LTL-competitive Hundredweight service by an average of 3.9 percent.