Planning for 2026 Parcel Costs? Start With This FedEx vs UPS Comparison

As 2026 approaches, parcel shippers are facing another year of carrier rate increases — but the published General Rate Increase (GRI) only tells part of the story. 

While FedEx and UPS once again announced matching 5.9% headline GRIs, the real cost impact for shippers depends on their individual shipping characteristics and on details of where pricing actually changes: by service, surcharge, weight break, and zones.

To help shippers plan with clarity, TransImpact has released its Comparing the 2026 FedEx and UPS General Rate Increases Report — a detailed, data-driven look at how the two carriers compare across the most impactful parcel pricing components. 

What the Report Breaks Down

Rather than focusing only on the headline GRI, the report examines where shippers typically feel cost pressure, including: 

• Service-level rate differences across ground and express offerings 
• Domestic minimum charge trends and their impact on effective discounts 
• Ground Economy and Ground Saver pricing, where gaps continue to widen 
• International export and import comparisons, including country-level advantages 
• Fuel surcharge behavior in late 2025, which sets the tone for early 2026 
• Key accessorial charges, focusing on the most commonly billed surcharges

What the Data Shows 

The analysis confirms that many base services remain closely aligned between carriers — but it also highlights clear exceptions that can materially affect shipping budgets. For shippers with the right visibility, these differences create opportunities to plan smarter, negotiate better, and reduce unnecessary cost exposure. Explore the details in our Comparing the 2026 FedEx and UPS General Rate Increases Report.

Why This Matters for 2026 

Parcel spend remains one of the most volatile components of transportation budgets. Without a clear understanding of where FedEx and UPS pricing actually differs, shippers risk planning around averages instead of reality. 

The 2026 FedEx vs. UPS GRI Comparison Report provides the clarity needed to: 

• Identify where cost pressure is most likely to occur 
• Prioritize services and surcharges that deserve closer scrutiny 
• Enter 2026 negotiations with stronger leverage and better data 
• Understand if a multi-carrier strategy could be beneficial

Download the full Comparing the 2026 FedEx and UPS General Rate Increases Report to see the complete analysis and prepare your parcel strategy for the year ahead.