Peak Season Surcharges Your Business Should Prepare For

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Although sellers have been experiencing peak season surcharges for most of 2021, many carriers have added even higher pricing causing more challenges for the looming holiday season.  Retailers can expect pricing increases of anywhere between $1 - $10 for shipping holiday orders! Here are the pricing changes your business should prepare for now.

Increasing Carrier Peak Season Surcharges

FedEx

Online business owners can expect 2021 shipping increases to have pricey impacts on their peak season packages. FedEx charges this year will heavily affect sellers sending out large packages and whose average weekly volume is less than 25,000 packages. Here are the general price increases retailers can expect for additional handling, oversized packages, and ground and residential delivery.

October 4, 2021 - January 16, 2022

  • Additional Handling: $5.95
  • Oversized Packages: $62.50
  • SmartPost / Ground Economy: $1.50
  • Ground / Home Delivery: $3.00
  • Express Residential: $2.15 - $6.00

Related Article: 2021 eCommerce Peak Season Trends and Challenges

UPS

Similar to FedEx, UPS will also be increasing costs significantly for those sellers sending large packages and who may also need additional handling or are over the maximum number of shipments. Business owners will also incur aggressive peak season surcharges from the shipping carrier for residential shipments beginning this fall. 

October 3, 2021 - January 15, 2022

  • Additional Handling: $6.00
  • Large Packages: $60.00
  • Over Maximum: $250.00

October 31, 2021 - January 15, 2022

  • SurePost: $1.15 - $5.15
  • Ground Residential: $1.15 - $5.15
  • Express Residential: $2.15 - $6.15

USPS

The United States Postal Service has also recently announced temporary pricing adjustments for peak season shipping. Similar to last year’s increases, these changes are focused on additional handling and were created in anticipation of heightened packages and shipping demand this season.

October 3, 2021 - December 26, 2021

  • Priority Mail: $0.25 - $5.00
  • Priority Mail Express: $0.25 - $5.00
  • Parcel Select and USPS Retail Ground: $0.25 - $5.00

The above pricing ranges by delivery zones as well as parcel weight.

Related Article: 3 Ways to Reduce Peak Season Shipping Costs

Reducing Shipping Prices 

YOY increases have severely impacted the bottom line for many online retailers. These top carriers average a 20% increase or more each year. With the 2021 peak season around the corner, now is the time to find a solution to cut your costs while still delivering your orders on time and improve the efficiency of your shipping process. Xparcel is that solution. 

Xparcel by Rakuten Super Logistics is the most cost-effective solution for shipping and fulfillment. By using a network of shipping partners, Xparcel’s algorithm determines the most efficient shipping carrier that will not only deliver your orders on time, but will also save you money. With the help of this exclusive solution, you can offer competitive shipping options to your customers without incurring high costs that usually put mid-sized companies at a disadvantage. Both Xparcel Expedited and Xparcel Ground can help you achieve success this peak season and put more savings back into your pocket.

Stop overpaying for your shipping and fulfillment and optimize your logistics. At Rakuten Super Logistics, we are the peak season experts. We’ve been the leaders in the eCommerce industry for 20 years and have the strength and expertise to support your business during the holiday season and beyond. 

Don’t trust just anyone with your business. Partner with the experts. Get a quote today!

Rakuten Super Logistics (RSL) is the leader in eCommerce order fulfillment services and freight management. RSL offers national fulfillment services and a network of fulfillment centers across the US, including Anaheim (CA), Atlanta (GA), Austin (TX), Carlstadt (NJ) Chicago (IL), Denver (CO), Houston (TX), Las Vegas (NV), Olean (NY), Reno (NV), Salt Lake City (UT), and Scranton (PA). RSL's fulfillment system allows for integration with popular shopping cart platforms and online marketplaces including Amazon, BigCommerce, Channel Advisor, eBay, Magento, ShipStation, Shopify, Volusion, Walmart Marketplace, and WooCommerce.

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Although sellers have been experiencing peak season surcharges for most of 2021, many carriers have added even higher pricing causing more challenges for the looming holiday season.  Retailers can expect pricing increases of anywhere between $1 - $10 for shipping holiday orders! Here are the pricing changes your business should prepare for now.

Increasing Carrier Peak Season Surcharges

FedEx

Online business owners can expect 2021 shipping increases to have pricey impacts on their peak season packages. FedEx charges this year will heavily affect sellers sending out large packages and whose average weekly volume is less than 25,000 packages. Here are the general price increases retailers can expect for additional handling, oversized packages, and ground and residential delivery.

October 4, 2021 - January 16, 2022

  • Additional Handling: $5.95
  • Oversized Packages: $62.50
  • SmartPost / Ground Economy: $1.50
  • Ground / Home Delivery: $3.00
  • Express Residential: $2.15 - $6.00

Related Article: 2021 eCommerce Peak Season Trends and Challenges

UPS

Similar to FedEx, UPS will also be increasing costs significantly for those sellers sending large packages and who may also need additional handling or are over the maximum number of shipments. Business owners will also incur aggressive peak season surcharges from the shipping carrier for residential shipments beginning this fall. 

October 3, 2021 - January 15, 2022

  • Additional Handling: $6.00
  • Large Packages: $60.00
  • Over Maximum: $250.00

October 31, 2021 - January 15, 2022

  • SurePost: $1.15 - $5.15
  • Ground Residential: $1.15 - $5.15
  • Express Residential: $2.15 - $6.15

USPS

The United States Postal Service has also recently announced temporary pricing adjustments for peak season shipping. Similar to last year’s increases, these changes are focused on additional handling and were created in anticipation of heightened packages and shipping demand this season.

October 3, 2021 - December 26, 2021

  • Priority Mail: $0.25 - $5.00
  • Priority Mail Express: $0.25 - $5.00
  • Parcel Select and USPS Retail Ground: $0.25 - $5.00

The above pricing ranges by delivery zones as well as parcel weight.

Related Article: 3 Ways to Reduce Peak Season Shipping Costs

Reducing Shipping Prices 

YOY increases have severely impacted the bottom line for many online retailers. These top carriers average a 20% increase or more each year. With the 2021 peak season around the corner, now is the time to find a solution to cut your costs while still delivering your orders on time and improve the efficiency of your shipping process. Xparcel is that solution. 

Xparcel by Rakuten Super Logistics is the most cost-effective solution for shipping and fulfillment. By using a network of shipping partners, Xparcel’s algorithm determines the most efficient shipping carrier that will not only deliver your orders on time, but will also save you money. With the help of this exclusive solution, you can offer competitive shipping options to your customers without incurring high costs that usually put mid-sized companies at a disadvantage. Both Xparcel Expedited and Xparcel Ground can help you achieve success this peak season and put more savings back into your pocket.

Stop overpaying for your shipping and fulfillment and optimize your logistics. At Rakuten Super Logistics, we are the peak season experts. We’ve been the leaders in the eCommerce industry for 20 years and have the strength and expertise to support your business during the holiday season and beyond. 

Don’t trust just anyone with your business. Partner with the experts. Get a quote today!

Rakuten Super Logistics (RSL) is the leader in eCommerce order fulfillment services and freight management. RSL offers national fulfillment services and a network of fulfillment centers across the US, including Anaheim (CA), Atlanta (GA), Austin (TX), Carlstadt (NJ) Chicago (IL), Denver (CO), Houston (TX), Las Vegas (NV), Olean (NY), Reno (NV), Salt Lake City (UT), and Scranton (PA). RSL's fulfillment system allows for integration with popular shopping cart platforms and online marketplaces including Amazon, BigCommerce, Channel Advisor, eBay, Magento, ShipStation, Shopify, Volusion, Walmart Marketplace, and WooCommerce.

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