Along with their Q1 investor relations conference call, FedEx announced their 2013 annual rate increases for domestic and international Express shipments. The new rates will become effective on Monday, January 7th 2013. As they have for the last several years, FedEx announced an overall increase of 5.9%, along with a 2% reduction in the fuel surcharge, for a net increase of 3.9%. However, our analysis indicates that domestic express prices are actually increasing by an average of 6.54%, and international rates are up an average of 6.12%. As in previous years, increases are targeted at specific service levels and zones, with cell by cell increases ranging from a low of 3% to a high of over 10.5%, so shippers will need to do an "old vs. new" calculation to determine the actual impact on your shipments. Also note that the increases are somewhat lower on the more expensive premium services, and higher on the deferred services. This is to minimize the impact of trading down to economy services. FedEx will announce their 2013 ground rates later in the year.

    Here are the specific increases by service level:
    FedEx First Overnight
    This premium priced early next day service shows an average 5.76% increase, with highest increases to Zone 8-US shipments travelling more than 1,800 miles. Cell by cell increases range from 3.98% to 6.35%.

    Priority Overnight
    Average 5.99% increase to this next day 10:30 AM service, with somewhat higher increases to zones 5 through 8, along with shipments to Alaska and Hawaii. Letters are showing a bit bigger hit compared to packages. Cell by cell increases range from 4.01% to 6.50%.

    Standard Overnight
    Average 6.56% increase to this next afternoon service. As with PO, FedEx has targeted somewhat higher increases to zone 5 through 8, along with Alaska and Hawaii. Note that the overall increase is a bit higher compared to Priority Overnight. Cell by cell increases range from 3.01% to 7.0%.

    FedEx 2 Day
    Average 6.65% increase, with heaviest increases to zones 2, 3 and 4. These shipments would be good targets for conversion to ground. Cell by cell increases range from 3.01% to 7.5%.

    FedEx Express Saver 3 Day
    Hefty increases, averaging 7.74%. Savvy shippers will want to compare costs and transit times with ground. In some cases, ground shipments are quicker than deferred air, and at a considerably lower price point. Is FedEx encouraging shippers to move shipments from air to ground? We think so. Cell by cell increases range from 6.4% to 10.26%.

    International Priority Export
    Increases range from 2.5% to 8.5%, and average 6.47%. Hardest hit are shipments to Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan (7.53%), while shipments to Germany and Italy get off relatively light, with increases of just 2.7%.

    International Economy Export
    Increases range from 3.99% to 8.0%, with average increases of 6.69%- a bit higher than the faster, more costly International Priority. As with IPE, shipments to Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan show the biggest increases, at 7.88%, with the lowest increases to Saudi Arabia, the Czech Republic and Russia, at 4.8%.

    International Priority Import
    Increases range from 2% to 8.8%, averaging 5.85%. These are inbound international shipments into the US, paid in US dollars. Keep in mind that you can also tender the same shipment in a foreign country, so you will want to compare rates and currency equivalents. AFMS has discovered savings of 20% or more, just by taking advantage of the lowest overall cost country and currency. Most shipments from Central and South America increased just 2.26%, while imports from Japan and South Korea are up 8.51%.

    International Economy Import
    Increases range from 2.0% to 9.0%, and average 5.48%. Imports from Germany and Italy are up just 2.21%, while inbound shipments from Australia are up 8.93%.

    Accessorial Charges
    Address Correction up $1 to $12 (9.1%).
    Residential Surcharge up $0.20 to $3.20 (6.7%).
    Declared Value up $0.05 to $0.85 per $100 coverage (6.3%). Minimum charge up $0.15, to $2.55 (6.3%).
    Commercial DAS up $0.15 to $2.15 (7.5%).
    Residential DAS up $0.25 to $3.25 (8.3%).
    Extended DAS Residential up $0.25 to $3.50 (7.7%).
    Indirect Signature Required up $0.25 to $2.25 (12.5%).
    Missing or Incorrect Account Number up $1 to $11 (10%).
    Payor Rebill up $1 to $11 (10%).

    For a complete cell-by-cell comparison of the 2013 vs 2012 rates, contact Doug Caldwell at doug.caldwell@afms.com; 800-246-3521.









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