Fedex raising air, ground rates for January

FedEx Corp. is raising its rates an average of 3.5 percent for both air and ground shipments, effective January 7, 2002.

FedEx, along with rival UPS, is raising rates a month earlier than usual.

The company’s rate increase reflects delivery charges for private homes, an increase in pickup charges and higher fees for handling dangerous goods. The rate increase excludes the current fuel surcharge, says the company.

FedEx Ground also will increase rates an average of 3.5 percent. The residential delivery surcharge will increase from $1.30 to $1.35 and the FedEx Home Delivery surcharge per-package will increase from $1.05 to $1.10.

Last year, FedEx Express raised its list rates an average of 4.9 percent for shipments within the United States and an average increase of 2.9 percent for U.S. export shipments.

UPS has said it would raise rates an average of 3.5 percent for commercial ground service, 4 percent for express deliveries and 3.9 percent for export express shipments. Its rates for shipments of more than 150 pounds will increase 5.9 percent.