FedEx Will Increase Shipping Rates in January 2027

FedEx is set to raise standard shipping rates by an average of 5.9% beginning on January 4, 2027.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Transportation

Isometric editorial illustration of a stack of cardboard shipping boxes on a pallet, representing national freight logistics and rate changes. — FedEx will implement a 5.9% average increase in shipping rates and new surcharges for paper-based documentation beginning in January 2027. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you plan to adjust your shipping habits in response to upcoming carrier rate hikes?

Starting January 4, 2027, FedEx will implement an average 5.9% increase in shipping rates across its services. The company is also introducing new surcharges for paper-based documentation starting later that month.

Why it matters

The price hike follows the company's typical annual practice of adjusting rates to account for operational costs and service demands. These changes will impact shipping costs for businesses and individuals relying on FedEx across the United States.

Specific service increases include 6.01% for First Overnight and 6.65% for 2Day A.M. packages, while Ground packages weighing one to five pounds will see a 6.49% rise.

The players

FedEx

FedEx is a multinational conglomerate that provides global transportation, e-commerce, and business services.

The details

FedEx will impose a $25 fee for non-electronic trade documents and a $5 fee for shipments initiated with manual paper airbills. The exact rate increase for any individual package will vary based on the specific service, shipment weight, and distance.

Jan. 4, 2027: Average 5.9% shipping rate increase takes effect.
Jan. 18, 2027: Additional paper document and airbill fees begin.

Market Landscape

This move follows the standard pattern of annual logistics pricing adjustments observed throughout the shipping industry. FedEx continues to balance rising operational expenses with the need to maintain a competitive position against rival major logistics carriers.

Consumers and businesses should prepare for higher shipping costs beginning in early January. You can avoid the new $5 and $25 paper documentation fees by transitioning all shipment initiation and trade document processes to electronic formats before January 18.

The takeaway

Shippers should audit their current documentation workflows now to determine if they are relying on manual paper airbills. Switching to digital shipping tools will mitigate the impact of the upcoming fee structure additions.