How to Lower Your International Shipping Costs in 2026 (and Beat FedEx/UPS Price Hikes)

The short answer is to open up the possibilities to alternative carriers.  Start low, go slow and monitor the changes.

1) Understand the 2026 FedEx & UPS Rate Landscape

The headline General Rate Increase (GRI) is only part of the story. Many businesses see a bigger effect due to:

• Surcharges (residential delivery, fuel, oversized/overweight fees)
• Dimensional weight pricing that penalizes bulky packaging
• Service-specific changes that can shift lane-by-lane costs
• Periodic adjustments beyond annual rate sheets

The result: even modest “average” increases can create a meaningful jump in your total invoice if you aren’t actively managing your shipping profile.

2) Leverage Multiple Carriers, Not Just FedEx or UPS

One of the fastest ways to reduce cost exposure is carrier diversification. If you rely on a single major integrator, you inherit their pricing structures and surcharge rules across all lanes—regardless of whether it’s the best fit for each shipment.

The challenge for companies is losing a carrier discount by not giving all volume to one carrier. But, by giving a carrier all your volume, you lose leverage.

We work with many companies as part of their carrier diversification strategy.   We do not impose volume commitments and those in charge of shipping appreciate having other options.  Not just for price but added value options.

• Compare international rates across carriers for every shipment
• Select economical options for specific regions and service levels
• Reduce dependence on a single carrier’s surcharge environment
• Improve negotiating leverage during contract reviews

Jet Worldwide helps businesses access multiple international shipping options so you can pick the most cost-effective route and service level per shipment.

Explore Jet Worldwide  |  Compare Shipping Rates

3) Optimize Packaging to Avoid Dimensional Penalties

Dimensional weight (DIM) is one of the biggest drivers of international shipping costs—especially as carriers refine how they calculate billable weight. If your packaging is larger than it needs to be, you may be paying for air, not product.

Packaging wins that lower shipping costs:

• Use right-sized boxes or mailers to reduce cubic volume
• Minimize void fill and unnecessary packaging layers
• Consolidate items to maximize space utilization per shipment
• Standardize packaging for high-volume SKUs to maintain consistency

This advice is pretty simple but even small reductions in package dimensions can translate into meaningful savings. This is especially true for on international destinations.

4) Audit Your Shipping Spend and Services

If you’re trying to offset carrier increases, you need clear visibility into where the costs are coming from. A shipping audit helps you identify:

• Lanes or destinations with unusually high surcharges
• Shipments that could shift from express to economy without impacting customer satisfaction
• Packages that trigger oversize or DIM pricing
• Opportunities to consolidate shipments and reduce per-order freight cost

The goal is not simply “cheaper shipping,” but cost-efficient shipping aligned to customer expectations.

5) Choose the Right International Logistics Partner

Offsetting 2026 rate increases is not just about finding a lower rate today—it’s about building a repeatable, resilient process that improves:

• Customs clearance efficiency (reducing delays, storage fees, and exceptions)
• Documentation accuracy (fewer holds and rework)
• Carrier selection discipline (right service for the right shipment)
• End-to-end landed cost control (not just base transportation)

Jet Worldwide supports businesses with international shipping expertise and multi-carrier solutions designed to reduce total shipping spend while maintaining service reliability.

6) Build a Resilient Cross-Border Shipping Strategy

Businesses that protect margins in 2026 will shift from reactive cost absorption to proactive cost control. Consider these strategic priorities:

• Multi-carrier rate shopping and lane optimization
• Service-level alignment (deliver speed where it matters; save where it doesn’t)
• Packaging governance to minimize DIM and oversize exposure
• Regular contract and surcharge reviews
• Clear processes for international documentation and compliance

With the right approach, you can counteract annual rate increases and establish a more predictable shipping cost base.