Ground Increases Higher Than 2025
Accessorial fees on the rise again

FedEx just announced their 2026 General Rate Increase on September 12th to be Effective January 5, 2026. The 2026 FedEx Rate Increase has few surprises, Ground increases are up compared to 2025, while Express, International, and Accessorials are trending lower, though still significant increases.

This increase doesn’t have as much sticker shock as the 2025 announcement, but as we’ve been seeing through recent and frequent announcements, we can be quite confident that this won’t be the only change to 2026 rates and policies. We will continue to update you as the carriers continue to make changes and will report back as soon as UPS makes their 2026 rate announcement.

All increases are based on “service level” averages. Additional changes in fees and surcharges will vary based on individual characteristics and product mix. Let’s break it down in more detail…

GROUND

The Ground/HD increases in 2026 are slightly higher than they were a year ago. The biggest impact in this year’s rate increase will be to higher weight, longer zone shipments. In 2026, these zone 6-8, over 50 Lb. shipments will top out at 7.2%, with an average of 6.87%. This is compared to the 2025 increase of 6.2%, for an average of 6.1%. The average increase for 1-5 Lbs. zone 2-8 in 2025 was 5.1%, and in 2026 that increase is half a click higher at 5.6%. Weight cells 11-20 Lbs. are taking on a 6.5% increase in 2026, again, a half percent above the 6% increase from last year.
The 1 LB Zone 2 rate (Ground Minimum charge) will increase 5.92%, up from $11.32 to $11.99.
Slightly up from 2025’s 5.7% increase, but down from 2024’s Ground Minimum increase of 7.91%

What does this mean for 2026?
Despite the 5.9% increase, most packages will take higher increases.
Let’s look at an example: 1 LB, Zone 8, Home Delivery package to a rural destination.
2026: $28.06: Base rate ($15.01), HD Surcharge ($6.45), DAS ($6.60), ***FSC excluded
2025: $26.32: Base rate ($14.17), HD Surcharge ($5.95), DAS ($6.20), ***FSC excluded
An increase of 6.60% for the same package 2026 vs 2025!

EXPRESS & INTERNATIONAL

Priority Overnight light weight shorter zone packages will see increases up to 7.9%.
Longer zone, light to mid weight packages will see increases of 6.5%. Some heavy weight long zone packages will reach up to an 8.9% increase. Standard Overnight packages have a much lower increase at 4.5% in the most used weight and zones.
Two Day Air has a wide span as the increases will range from 4.90%-7.90% in the 1-20 lb. range.

Express Saver will increase from 3.9% to 4.5% for 1-10 lb. shipments, though many heavier long zone increases will see only 2.9%.

FedEx International Priority Export will see increases ranging from 5.4% to 6.7% while FedEx International Priority Import will see increases averaging 6.15%. Once again actual Impact of these changes will depend on zone/product.

KEY ACCESSORIAL CHANGES

• Additional Handling: Significantly less increases than last year’s 26.6% average:
  • AHS via Dimension (5.4%-7.2%)
  • AHS via Weight (5.7%-6.8%)
  • AHS via Packaging (6%-7.1%)
• Address Corrections:
  Increase an additional $1.50, 6.3% up to $25.50 per occurrence.
• Oversize Charges:
  Com & Res will take increases ranging from 5.8% to 8.2%
• Delivery Area Surcharge: Increases across the board.
  • DAS Commercial: Increases 5.7%-6.0%
  • DAS Resdiential/HD: Increases 6.0%- 6.5%
  • Remote Area: Increases 8.1%
• Home Delivery Residential Surcharge:
  Increases 8.4% from $5.95 to $6.45.
• Express Residential Surcharge:
  Increases 6.1% from $6.55 to $6.95

For additional details and a NO COST cell by cell rate impact analysis, please contact AFMS at (800) 246-3521 or email us at info@afms.com.