DHL Express has followed the two US market leaders, UPS and FedEx, by announcing a 4.9% net rise inrates for 2008. Customers in the USA would also benefit from service enhancements next year, it
declared.The 4.9% increase in the net average shipping rate covers DHL Domestic Air Express andInternational Express as well as an average increase of 4.9% for DHL Ground shipments and forDHL@Home. The increase for air express and international shipments is comprised of a 6.9% averageincrease in the base rates, offset by a 2.0 percentage point reduction in the Air fuel surchargeindex. Another change is a $0.10 increase in the surcharge for Residential Delivery and for bothresidential and commercial Delivery Area Service. The new rates will be effective January 6, 2008.
UPS announced in mid-November that it would increase all air express and U.S. originInternational shipments by 4.9% on average (net) and increase Ground rates by the same figure witheffect from December 31. The air express and international shipment rise is based on a 6.9%increase in the base rate, less a 2% reduction in the current fuel surcharge.
FedEx announced on October 29 that it will increase the net average shipping rates exportexpress package and freight shipments by 4.9% effective January 7, 2008, but it has not yetdisclosed Ground rate increases for 2008.
DHL Express USA also announced customers could experience benefits resulting from serviceenhancement next year. These included improved on-time performance across the U.S. resulting fromexpanded hub capacity with state-of-the-art automation, and increased shipment visibility and moresecurity. There would be earlier U.S. delivery of International shipments, with all packagesdestined for locations within DHL’s morning delivery footprint now qualifying for noon delivery.
