As a small business committed to serving our customers with quality and affordability, we’re always looking for ways to absorb rising costs. However, the recent announcement from UPS about their 2025 rate increases makes this more challenging. Starting December 23, 2024, the following changes will take effect:
- UPS Ground, Air, and International shipping rates will increase by an average of 5.9%.
- Air Freight rates within and between the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico will rise by an average of 6.0%.
While these rate hikes are presented as part of UPS’s effort to “enhance their global network,” no specific new services or improvements have been outlined. This means small businesses like ours are left to shoulder these additional costs without added value.
How Rising Shipping Rates Impact Small Businesses
Shipping is an essential cost for small businesses, especially those selling physical products. Every rate increase directly affects our bottom line. Unlike major corporations that can negotiate discounted rates, small businesses often pay standard shipping fees, leaving little room to absorb these rising costs.
At DirtBound, we don’t raise our product prices annually to keep pace with inflation or rising shipping costs. Instead, we focus on keeping our products affordable for you. Unfortunately, with shipping rate increases like these, maintaining those prices becomes more challenging each year.
Why Stable or Lower Shipping Costs Are Crucial
Affordable and predictable shipping rates are essential for small businesses to thrive. When carriers like UPS raise rates by nearly 6% every year, it strains small business operations and, ultimately, impacts the customer experience. We’d love to see lower shipping rates or stable pricing from carriers like UPS, especially for small businesses that depend on them to deliver products reliably and affordably.
What You Can Do to Support Small Businesses
You play a vital role in helping small businesses like ours thrive. Here are a few ways to show your support:
- Shop Local: Buying directly from small businesses reduces the reliance on expensive third-party platforms.
- Plan Ahead: If shipping costs are a concern, placing larger orders or combining items can help reduce shipping fees.
- Share Your Concerns: Let carriers like UPS know that small businesses need more affordable shipping solutions to stay competitive.
At DirtBound, we remain committed to offering high-quality, affordable products and ensuring they reach you in a timely manner.
Conclusion: The Need for Affordable Shipping Solutions
As UPS increases rates again in 2025, small businesses face growing challenges. Rising shipping costs without added services strain our operations and create unnecessary hurdles for businesses like ours that strive to keep prices steady.
We appreciate your continued support and understanding as we work to navigate these challenges while maintaining our commitment to you. If you’d like to learn more about how shipping costs affect small businesses or support our mission, visit our website and explore our products today.
- Link to UPS’s rate update page