UPS raising US ground and air shipping rates by 4.9 percent

ATLANTA: UPS Inc says it’s raising rates for ground and air shipments next year by 4.9 percent. The package shipping company typically announces rate increases in fall for the following year.

The new rates apply to air and ground shipments within the US, as well as air shipments that originate in the US and are headed overseas. The Atlanta company is also raising rates for next-day air freight and second-day air freight in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico by 5.9 percent. The new rates take effect January 2.

UPS had raised its freight unit prices 6.9 percent for shipments in the US, Canada and Mexico on August 1. The freight unit moves heavier shipments like refrigerators.