For 2026, UPS is keeping the General Rate Increase (GRI) at 5.9%—a familiar figure. But the cost drivers underneath are shifting. What looks steady on the surface will translate into much higher increases for most shippers.
The GRI headline obscures surcharge increases, along with notable jumps across key weight breaks and rule changes, pushing many shipments well above the published average. For many businesses, the real impact of UPS’s 2026 pricing will exceed 5.9% by a wide margin.
TransImpact’s analysts saw this coming. Throughout 2025, UPS made multiple off-cycle adjustments, updated fuel tables, reclassified ZIP codes, and implemented rule changes.
In our annual UPS GRI analysis, you’ll find:
Side-by-side illustrations of 2026 UPS rate changes across major services.
A clear look at surcharge increases, including Residential, Additional Handling, and Large Package.
The weight breaks and package types hit hardest.
Actionable steps to prepare, renegotiate, and control costs before the increase takes effect on December 22, 2025.
The GRI is only the starting point—surcharges, minimums, and rule updates are often where the true cost pressure emerges.
As always, the devil is in the details. And this is where TransImpact can help. By combining expert analysis with advanced parcel intelligence, we quantify the exact effect on your network, show you where you can regain control, and help you build a plan that protects your margins in 2026.
Download the full 2026 UPS GRI analysis to get the insights you need now.