UPS Zones change

UPS Shipping Zones 2025: What the Changes Mean for Your Shipping Costs

According to some reports, the value of freight shipments across the US is increasing every year. Shipping data is vital for businesses to lower expenses. E-commerce retailers will look for ways to reduce shipping costs. Transportation modes, services, surcharges, and delivery speed affect shipments. Businesses require reliable shipping carriers that suit their business needs.

Leading shipping carriers like FedEx and UPS offer various services and pricing models. Calculating shipping costs is complex as shippers have to consider many variables. Shipping expenses are calculated based on delivery speed, destination, package weight, etc. Further, the US Shipping Zones are used by shipping carriers to calculate shipping expenses.

Understanding US shipping zones helps businesses optimize their delivery options. Shippers can make cost-effective decisions regarding their freight and parcel deliveries. Here, we will discuss the US shipping zones and the latest changes in the UPS Shipping zones. In addition, we will look at new UPS surcharges introduced in March 2025.

Understanding US Shipping Zones

The geographical distance for package delivery is a US Shipping Zone. The US Shipping Zone calculation is across the 48 contiguous US states. Alaska and Hawaii have separate Shipping Zones. The shipping zone calculation is on ZIP codes. It is from a package point of origin to its destination. It helps companies calculate package shipping time and shipping costs.

Usually, the calculation of US shipping zones starts from 2 to 8. It varies slightly between shipping carriers. The Zone number is bigger when the destination ZIP code is further from the origin ZIP code. The division of the US Shipping Zones is as

  • Zone 2: within 150 miles of the origin
  • Zone 3: 151-300 miles from origin
  • Zone 4: 301-600 miles from origin
  • Zone 5: 601-1000 miles from origin
  • Zone 6: 1001 – 1400 miles from origin
  • Zone 7: 1401 – 1800 miles from origin
  • Zone 8: 1801+ mile radius from the origin

FedEx and UPS have their Shipping Zone numbers for different services. Moreover, the package weight across the Shipping Zones influences the shipping costs. For example, FedEx First Overnight service for a five-pound package in Zone 2 amounts to $82.45. On the other hand, in Zone 4, for the same services and package weight, the charges increase to $142.05.

UPS numbers Shipping Zones for internal purposes. For instance, UPS Next Day Air Early service numbers its Shipping Zones as Zone 102 to Zone 108. Another service, UPS 2nd Day Air A.M., numbers its Shipping Zones from Zone 242 to Zone 248.

Shipping calculator tools are available on the websites of many shipping carriers. It helps businesses estimate their shipping costs. FedEx has a particular site for calculating shipping rates based on origin and destination ZIP codes in the US. On the other hand, it is different for UPS as it allows the user to enter the first three digits of a ZIP code and then sends a corresponding Excel sheet for calculations.

UPS Shipping Zones

UPS Shipping Zones vary for US domestic shipping and to other countries like Canada and Mexico. The shipping rate calculation also varies based on the package weights and services.

UPS has a service guide that supplies complex information. Experts in this field can understand its rules and fees. Audintel provides simplified information to shippers.By leveraging our knowledge of UPS Shipping Zones, we offer several cost-effective strategies to businesses.

UPS Shipping Zones change

UPS announced recently that the US shipping zones will change for some origin/destination ZIP code pairs from March 24, 2025. Some experts believe that these changes will affect shipping costs. However, Audintel has a different outlook towards these statements.

Our Analysis of the UPS Shipping Zone Change

We have analyzed the “ZIP code pairs/combinations” of UPS based on the March update. The changes are for some ZIP code combinations. Our analysis shows:

  • Previously, UPS had 365,000 ZIP combinations. Now, it has increased to 1,164,000. These values indicate that UPS has fine-tuned its delivery commitments.
  • Out of the 1.1 million ZIP combinations, about 54,854 sets of ZIP combinations are different. Further, 30% of these changes resulted in higher zones. But, 70% of these changes saw a decrease in Shipping Zones.
  • Packages shipped to densely populated cities in areas like New Jersey were affected.
  • Shipping packages to remote locations will be costly for businesses.
  • A higher density of packages to cities will cost less with the lowering of the shipping zones.

The outcome of Audintel’s analysis

Analysis of shipping data will help reduce shipping costs for businesses. Shipping rate changes announced by carriers need thorough scrutiny. It will help shippers make well-informed decisions. Audintel has software tools that provide shippers with data visibility. We also alert shippers regarding new surcharges introduced by shipping carriers.

UPS announced changes in new rates

UPS announced a few surcharge updates and new fees affecting shipping costs. These changes include:

  • UPS Fuel surcharge

UPS Fuel surcharges are subject to change weekly. However, from March 10, 2025, UPS has adjusted fuel surcharges for UPS Ground Domestic and UPS SurePost® services. The increase in fees is 0.5%. A fuel surcharge applied to each package can increase shipping costs. Consolidation of shipments to reduce the shipping frequency will save money.

  • Paper Commercial Invoice Services Surcharge

UPS has imposed a $10 fee for each shipment to the shipper. It is for not providing digital commercial invoices using UPS Paperless® Invoice services before UPS processing. This surcharge came into effect from March 17, 2025.

  • Check Fee and Wire Fee

For every payment done by check or wire transfer, UPS is levying a $25 fee. The fee is applicable on or after March 31, 2025. It is not for Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments.

  • Print Invoice Fee

Each shipper or payor has to pay $5 for a paper-printed UPS invoice copy from March this year.

  • Late Payment Fee

This fee will increase from 8% to 9.9% of the balance of the prior dues. It also includes previous late fees.

Companies can adopt digital payment solutions to avoid the latter three fees. Payment by ACH is encouraged as it will not attract additional charges.

Wrapping up

Free shipping helps businesses get new customers, but free return shipping has challenges. Thus, companies must optimize logistics and use carrier discounts to reduce expenses. Shippers need awareness of carrier fees, which can lower shipping costs. Shipping carriers like UPS announce updates to their customers about the changes in fees and surcharges. In addition, businesses have to face UPS off-cycle changes in their shipping zones and fees. Thus, it is vital that shippers review their carrier contracts and pricing regularly.

Audintel aids shippers in analyzing carrier contracts regularly. Our team members have worked for leading shipping carriers, so they know the intricacies of contract negotiations. Our carrier pricing data analytics can navigate the complexities of UPS Shipping Zones. We calculate shipping costs for businesses based on the complex carrier rates.

To learn more about how UPS Shipping  Zones will affect costs, contact us at
 +1 (619) 354 8539. In addition, visit our Audintel website for information about our AI-enabled audit services, that can be customized to your business needs.

US Shipping Zones

U.S. Shipping Zones affecting shipping costs: here’s why

As an e-commerce business owner, understanding shipping zones is essential to fulfilling shipping orders. Shipping packages to remote locations costs money. But improving delivery time attracts consumers. Companies need to save money and reduce delivery time to be profitable among their competitors. This blog will help companies understand the U.S. Shipping zones. And highlight the effective ways to save money and time.

U.S. Shipping Zones: what are they?

Postal zones across the U.S. are the shipping zones. They are the geographical regions where shipping carriers can deliver packages. Parcel carriers can calculate the price for delivery of a parcel based on the distance. There are eight U.S. shipping zones domestically. Zone 9 is for the freely associated States or territories outside the U.S. mainland (for example, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau).

How to calculate U.S. Shipping Zones

The U.S. Shipping Zones calculations are from the point of origin of the package to the destination. They are divided into a 100-mile radius according to the postal ZIP codes. Zone 1 is the region where the shipment originates. Shipping Zones 2 to 8 are dynamic and depend on where the package is shipped. In addition, shipping packages sent to distant locations lead to a rise in shipping costs. Shipping Zone 8 will be the furthest destination. Shipping packages within a zone costs less.

For example, shipping a package from San Francisco, California, to Atlanta, Georgia, means the shipment is going to Zone 8. However, if you are shipping a package within fifty miles of San Francisco, it is within Zone 1.

Shipping Zones by carriers

Shipping costs increase by Zone and shipping carriers charge based on the distance and weight of the package. Each shipping carrier has a different Shipping Zone Map and ZIP codes in each Zone. In addition, some services of shipping carriers vary according to the U.S. Shipping Zones. For instance, FedEx Priority Overnight Express services have sixteen zones.

Now, let’s understand the shipping for the major shipping carriers across the U.S.

UPS Shipping Zones

UPS provides an online tool for entering the Postal code of origin, and the user can download the Zone Map. Further, UPS Daily Rate Guide helps companies determine the costs and services for a shipment. The weight of the packages will also increase the shipping costs. Parcels weighing less than 1 pound do not cost more than heavy ones.

FedEx Shipping Zones

On the FedEx website, entering the ZIP code of the package origin and the destination ZIP code provides the FedEx shipping zone. Further, FedEx shipping rates give price details based on package weight and FedEx service. For instance, shippers can use the FedEx Ground service chart to track their shipments from the entered ZIP code.

USPS Shipping Zones

USPS has an online site to download the Zone chart after entering the origin and destination ZIP codes. But, the pricing of the services is not in the Zone chart.

 USPS has fixed-rate pricing for many services. Most shippers opt for USPS services due to their flat-rate pricing, which is easy to understand.

Regional carrier Zones

U.S. Shipping zones are calculated differently by regional carriers. They will concentrate on particular regions for delivery fulfillment rather than an entire state. Shippers opt for regional shipping carriers to send their packages to a specific location. For example, OnTrac helps shippers to calculate the transit time based on the ZIP codes for pickup and delivery.

Ways to minimize shipping costs and delivery time

Businesses can use different shipping Optimization strategies to minimize shipping costs and delivery time. Some of these ways are:

  • Opting for multiple fulfillment centers

It allows shippers to send packages to customers quickly and efficiently. Historical shipping data helps shippers to locate the best locations of fulfillment centers. Businesses can choose the best cost-effective services and rates provided by shipping carriers.

  • Identifying shipping carriers with flat rates

Shippers can opt for shipping carriers that provide flat rates that remain consistent irrespective of the shipping zone. Shippers can save money and time with the shipping costs being predictable and reliable.

  • Using local shipping carriers

Businesses can use local shipping carriers for last-mile delivery of shipments. It lowers shipping costs and brings customer satisfaction.

  • Partnering with Third-Party Logistic Providers

Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Providers are experts in shipping optimization. They have in-depth knowledge of shipping carriers’ tables, shipping zones, shipping regulations, etc.

Audintel’s SaaS solutions help Third Party Logistics (3PL) Providers automate order fulfillment processes. Our state-of-the-art analytical tools help shippers locate the nearest fulfillment center for quick delivery of packages. Audintel also offers shipping optimization strategies to our clients for cost-effective solutions.

To Wrap it up

It becomes confusing for businesses managing their order fulfillment to understand and calculate the U.S. Shipping Zones. Further, the shipping charges vary among different shipping carriers. Partnering with a 3PL help ease shippers’ hassles of figuring out the Zones Chart of shipping carriers and save money. Audintel provides automation tools that help 3PL in transport spend management. We help clients understand the complex shipping Zones of different shipping carriers.

Learn more about how Audintel can reduce shipping costs by contacting us at +1 (619) 354 8539 or visiting our Audintel website.