Trade disruptions globally are impacting the shipping industry. In addition, the three-day Gulf and East Coast port strikes are causing stress to shippers. As per the news, thousands of shipping containers were at the wrong ports. As a result, shipping carriers will take weeks to clear the cargo backlogs. The rise in inland transportation costs is due to trucking companies getting extra for round trips. The U.S. economy will be affected as U.S. seaports from Maine to Texas handle half of U.S. imports.
Shipping giants like FedEx have recently announced the annual rate charges for 2025. Further, with the upcoming holiday season, shipping charges are increasing rapidly. This article will examine the recently announced FedEx rates and surcharges for 2025. Moreover, we will give tips on how to lower shipping costs by reviewing the FedEx GRI of 2025.
FedEx GRI 2025
Shipping carriers announce the General Rate Increase (GRI) annually. It is the shipping price that shippers will pay for U.S. deliveries. It also includes imports into and exports from the country. FedEx package and freight shipping rates will rise from Jan 6, 2025, according to FedEx. Significant price hikes in FedEx Ground and Express services are visible. Further, the shipping surcharges are also increasing in 2025.
FedEx GRI is an average of the base rates and includes the operating costs, such as fuel and labor. These rates help FedEx Company be profitable and efficient. FedEx 2025 GRI will affect businesses based on the services and other factors affecting the shipment.
FedEx has standard list rates that give information about the price for small packages weighing less than 150 lbs. for the different FedEx services. It also provides the shipping rates for packages for various shipping zones.
FedEx 2025 Rate Increase by Service & Weight
FedEx rates for packages under 150 pounds vary across services in the contiguous United States. These services (for zone 2) are:
- FedEx First Overnight® – quick services for package delivery to businesses and residences the next day (by 8 am or 8:30 am).
The 2025 rate is $73.31, while the 2024 rate is $70.96 for a pound package.
- FedEx Priority Overnight®- express services for package delivery to customers by the next day at 10:30 am to businesses and by noon to residences.
The 2025 rate is $42.31, while the 2024 rate is $39.96 for a pound package.
- FedEx Standard Overnight®-services expedited for delivery to customers by the next day (5 pm to businesses and 8 pm to residences).
The 2025 rate is $38.55, while the 2024 rate is $36.41 for a pound package.
- FedEx 2Day® A.M.- services for delivering packages in two business days (by 10:30 am to businesses and by noon to residences on the second day).
The 2025 rate is $28.72, while the 2024 rate is $27.12 for a pound package.
- FedEx 2Day®- expedited services for delivering packages in two business days by 5 pm to businesses and 8 pm to residences.
The 2025 rate is $25.23, while the 2024 rate is $23.83 for a pound package.
- FedEx Express Saver®- affordable shipment deliveries in 3 business days, by 5 pm to businesses and 8 pm to residences.
The 2025 rate is $22.95, while the 2024 rate is $21.97 for a pound package.
FedEx has increased the shipping rates for express overnight services by almost 3-4 dollars. Shipping expenses for package deliveries by the second day are higher at all the weights. However, standard delivery options like FedEx Express Saver are more affordable for customers, even after three business days.
Similarly, U.S. package FedEx shipping rates to and from Alaska and Hawaii will rise in 2025. For example, FedEx First Overnight® services for a pound package from the contiguous U.S. and Hawaii to Alaska metro is now $145.80. It will be $153.26 in 2025. Also, it is for select ZIP codes only.
FedEx Rate Increase by Service & Zone in 2025
Alternatively, FedEx shipping rates vary based on the shipping Zones. There are eight shipping Zones within the contiguous U.S. for package deliveries. Zone 2 for FedEx shipment deliveries is for zip codes within 150 miles from origin. On the other hand, Zone 8 is for shipments 1801 miles or more from the package origin. The FedEx shipping rates increase when a package has to be delivered far away. For example, FedEx’s First Overnight 2025 rate is $73.31 in Zone 2 for a pound package. Further, it is $137.55 in Zone 8 for a pound package.
FedEx shipping services for the eight shipping zones within the U.S are expedited services such as
- FedEx First Overnight®
- FedEx Priority Overnight®
- FedEx Standard Overnight®
- FedEx 2Day® A.M.
- FedEx 2Day® and
Standard services such as FedEx Express Saver®
Shipments to and from Alaska and Hawaii fall in shipping zones 9-16. The rates vary from the metro and rural regions. Third parties deliver shipments to select ZIP codes in remote areas. The shipment delivery commitment times also vary in some ZIP codes. For instance, the U.S. package rate from the contiguous U.S. to Hawaii Rural, Zone 12, for a pound package, is $ 157.36 for FedEx First Overnight® service. The package delivery time is for the next day by noon in select ZIP codes. The 2024 rate was $148.11 for the same service, Zone, and weight. It is close to a $10 rise. This rise in shipping rates will augment the overall shipping costs for shippers.
Minimum rates increase for FedEx shipping
FedEx package minimum charges are the lowest shipping costs required to ship a package. The shipping expenses will vary for each service. In the FedEx GRI of 2025 of FedEx Ground and Home delivery packages, the GRI increase will be 5.79%. For instance, FedEx Ground service for Zone 2 for 1 pound package is $11.32, in 2025 compared to $10.70 in 2024.FedEx Ground delivery services are affordable for businesses that want to ship packages in 1 to 5 business days. However, the shipping rates differ across shipping Zones and package weights.
See this link to learn more about the FedEx standard list rates.
FedEx shipping surcharges in 2025
FedEx surcharge rates are higher than the annual GRI rates. The shipping expenses vary based on the shipping zones, weights, dimensions, and packaging. Specific surcharges are more costlier for shippers than other surcharges. These specific surcharges include
- Additional Handling Surcharge (AHS)- are fees levied by FedEx for packages that do not conform to FedEx standards. The 2025 rate for U.S. package services for Zone 2 is $28 per package by dimension. On the other hand, the 2024 rate is $22 per package by dimension. The increase is $6 per package.
- Address Correction-FedEx levies extra fees for incorrect or incomplete addresses. For U.S. Package Services, and International Package Services, it is $24 per correction in 2025 and $22 in 2024.
- Delivery Area Surcharge-FedEx imposes fees for shipments to select destination ZIP codes. The 2025 rate for U.S. Package Services (Commercial) is $4.20 per package, and the 2024 rate is $3.95 per package.
- Oversize charges- fees levied by FedEx for packages exceeding in length, girth, and DIM weight. For example, the 2025 rate for U.S. Package Services is $205 per package (Zone 2), while the 2024 rate is $160.
- Residential delivery surcharge- delivering packages to residential addresses will cost more for shippers. For U.S. Package Services, the 2025 rate is $6.55 per package, while the 2024 rate is $6.15 per package.
These are a few specific surcharges among other surcharges for different services. Businesses will pay more for shipments if they have to ship heavy items and send them to distant places. Shippers will have to reconsider their shipping methods to decrease shipping costs.
Audintel tips on shipping strategies to lower shipping costs
Businesses have to outline their shipping strategies to control shipping expenses. Audintel has the following tips for shippers to manage their shipping spend.
- Review your shipping requirements, including packaging goods, customer locations, etc.
- Collaborate with multiple shipping carriers
- Negotiate with carriers for discounts on surcharges and list rates
- Use shipping data analytic tools to identify shipping patterns and save money
Conclusion
Shippers are worried about the global strife affecting businesses. Further, FedEx’s GRI of 2025 has impacted the shipping expenses. The calculation of FedEx shipping rates for each package is complex. Advanced software tools can simplify the process and provide cost-saving opportunities.
Audintel has intelligent solutions that help shippers navigate the complexities of FedEx shipping rates. Our easy-to-use, customized dashboards can provide an in-depth analysis of managing shipping costs. Shippers who partner with us have no hassles in calculating the precise FedEx shipping rates and saving money. Contact us at +1 (619) 354 8539 to understand the impact of increasing expenses due to FedEx GRI 2025. Learn more about lowering shipping costs from our experts: Visit our Audintel website.