The first announcement comes from the United States Postal Service (USPS), who’ll add shipping surcharges to packages moving from October 3, 2021 through the gift-giving season until December 26, 2021. Charges tacked on range from $0.25 to $5.00, increasing as packages become heavier and travel farther.
For First Class Parcel Service:
Under 1lb. or 453 gms, the increase is $ 0.30.
For Priority Mail, and Priority Express:
$ 0.25 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-10 lbs. (0-4.5 kg) $ 0.75 increase for Zones 5-8, 0-10 lbs. (0-4.5 kg) $ 1.50 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-20 lbs. (4.9-9 kg) $ 3.00 increase for Zones 5-8, 11-20 lbs. (4.9-9 kg) $ 2.50 increase for Zones 1-4, 21-70 lbs. (9.5-32 kg) $ 5.00 increase for Zones 5-8, 21-70 lbs. (9.5-32 kg)
At i Logistics USA, we're also anticipating that DHL, UPS and FedEx will announce surcharges for the season as well, as they did in 2020. And carriers will continue to hold internet retailers to negotiated parcel volume caps, requiring retailers with online order volumes that grow beyond their caps to seek service from other shippers.
“Carriers limiting retailers to an order ceiling is another reason to work with professional fulfillment partners,” says i Logistics USA CoFounder, Cesar Diaz. "Because of our overall volume and a close relationship with our carriers, we're able to accommodate small and medium businesses whether they enjoy an order volume spike during the holidays or not."
i Logistics USA holiday fulfillment advice to startups, entrepreneurs and other small and medium sized online retailers, is to communicate repeatedly with customers, encouraging them to buy early and expect delays. In 2020, holiday shipping challenges included overwhelming volumes of online orders, supply chain employees absent from work because of COVID and a massive snowstorm, causing an estimated one million gifts to be missing from below the tree on Christmas morning.
To learn more about shipping rates for the holidays, and whether working with a professional fulfillment partner like i Logistics USA is right for your business, fill out the GET A QUOTE FORM.