Ecommerce Sellers Face December Start for UPS’s 2027 Rate Increase

UPS has announced a 2027 general rate increase (GRI) averaging 5.9%, with new published Daily Rates scheduled to take effect on December 21, 2026. The change covers UPS Ground, air and international services, plus UPS Air Freight.

The announcement follows FedEx and DHL Express, which announced their average 5.9% increases a few weeks earlier. As covered in a recent article, DHL Express’s US adjustment is scheduled for January 1, 2027, followed by FedEx on January 4.

For ecommerce sellers, UPS’s December start date means the change belongs in year-end shipping forecasts as well as 2027 budgets. The 5.9% average does not represent a uniform increase for every shipment. UPS says the impact depends on shipping characteristics and agreement terms. That distinction matters when calculating margins on orders with free shipping.

Sellers can assess their exposure by reviewing recent shipments against updated rates as details become available. Comparing services, destinations, package weights and applicable surcharges can support more accurate cost estimates. Reviewing free shipping thresholds and using multicarrier shipping software to compare suitable services can also inform fulfillment decisions.

Book a Descartes demo to learn how our ecommerce solutions can help you compare carrier services and manage shipping costs as rates change.