Top LTL Carriers for 2026: A Complete Rank
The top LTL carriers for 2026 are dominated by FedEx Freight, Old Dominion Freight Line, XPO Logistics, and Estes Express Lines, following significant market consolidation after Yellow Corp’s 2023 collapse. FedEx Freight is recognized as the leading LTL carrier based on its extensive network and shipment volume. These LTL freight carriers now control over 50% […]
A Guide to Duty Drawback: How to Recover Import Costs
Duty drawback allows businesses to get refunds on customs duties, taxes, and fees paid on imported goods that they eventually export or destroy. Especially with fluctuating global trade policies and tariffs, an effective duty drawback program is no longer just a bonus—it’s a critical component of a resilient supply chain strategy. This practice can drastically […]
Delivery Area Surcharge: How to Reduce Added Shipping Fees
A delivery area surcharge (DAS) is an added fee used to compensate carriers for shipping to remote or hard-to-reach locations such as mountainous regions, islands, or rural areas with limited access. They will vary based on factors like how far away the address is, the accessibility of the location, the shipping method used, and the […]
Managing Accessorial Charges: How to Spend Less On Shipping
Accessorial charges are additional fees applied by freight carriers for services that go beyond standard pickup and delivery, such as packing, unloading, or storage. These fees cover the extra time, labor, and equipment needed to complete a shipment and can significantly inflate your shipping costs if left unmanaged. Shipping is a complex process that has […]
What Is Shipping Insurance? A Guide for Shippers
Shipping insurance is a service that protects packages from damage, theft, and loss during transit to help reduce the risks of shipping high-value or delicate items. Carriers may include insurance with certain shipping methods, or you can buy it separately from carriers or third-party providers. If you’re a business with a high-risk shipping profile or […]
8 Best Practices for Freight Audit & Payment
With the right tools, strategies, and partner, you can save time, money, and stress on one of the most important parts of your supply chain. This article outlines 8 freight audit and payment best practices to help improve accuracy and streamline your supply chain. You’ll learn how to centralize data, use automated solutions, enhance carrier […]
2025 General Rate Increase: A Guide to UPS and FedEx Changes
With the FedEx 2025 general rate increase now in full effect, shipping costs are getting higher – again. Both UPS and FedEx have announced their General Rate Increase (GRI) changes for 2025 to keep up with an increasing supply and demand chain. Their base rates for all shipping services are increasing by an average of […]
How to Reduce Freight Costs Without Hurting Service Quality
Are rising freight costs cutting into your bottom line? Reducing freight fees without compromising on service is essential for your business’s cost efficiency. But, it’s easier said than done. In this guide, we’ll provide you with actionable strategies that any business can use to secure better rates and lower expenses without sacrificing service quality. Before […]
FedEx 2026 GRI Overview
Graphic summary: The graphic shows a 5.9% average FedEx base-rate increase effective January 5, 2026, followed by January 12 changes involving residential delivery fees, long-distance Zones 7 and 8, and cubic-volume handling. The FedEx 2026 GRI represents another year of sustained rate pressures for shippers as FedEx implements a 5.9% average rate increase effective January […]
2025 Supply Chain Excellence Awards (Supply Chain Innovation Category)
Park West Gallery was facing skyrocketing freight costs and opaque data. Within six weeks of partnering with FreightOptics, the organization transformed logistics from a volatile cost center into a data-driven competitive edge, achieving a 22% rate reduction and $3.5 million in annualized savings. What is the Supply Chain Innovation Award? The Supply Chain Excellence Awards […]