At this year’s PARCEL Forum, shippers packed the room for “How to Predict & Analyze 2026 Accessorials” – a standing-room-only session presented by Jack McCrum, Reveel’s Director of Optimization & Analytics, and Quinn Nelson, Senior Program Manager.
By popular demand, Jack and Quinn will return for an exclusive live webinar on October 23, expanding on their analysis with new data, trends, and audience Q&A.
If you’re working to forecast parcel shipping cost increases for 2026 and developing cost mitigation strategies, this is a webinar you definitely want to attend.
Redefining the GRI: What 2026 Really Means for Shippers
Accessorial charges are nothing new – but the scale, frequency, and financial impact of today’s surcharges represent an entirely new reality for shippers.
As we move into 2026, Reveel expects both FedEx and UPS to announce a 5.9% General Rate Increase. FedEx has already confirmed its increase; all eyes are now on UPS. While that number may sound familiar, the real cost story runs much deeper.
Since 2021, the cumulative effect of these annual GRIs has reached 27%, yet the proliferation of accessorials – the surcharges and rule changes that actually drive day-to-day spend – has far outpaced that number.
Beyond the GRI: The Expanding Universe of Accessorials
Jack and Quinn will unpack the data behind these changes, starting with the headline GRI and moving into the evolving carrier strategy that’s reshaping how costs are applied.
- GRI Increases Since 2021 – Including charges up over + 100%.
- Definitional Changes – Including recent dimensional changes
- New Surcharges & Fees – Consider Payment Processing Fees
- Expansion of Coverage – New Zip Codes subject to Delivery Area Surcharges
These examples reflect a larger trend: carriers are using continual, targeted pricing actions – not just annual GRIs – to drive revenue and reshape their networks.
A Change in the Pricing Paradigm
The annual GRI has become just one lever in a broader, ongoing strategy to increase carrier yield. Pricing is now a continuous process, often driven by small definitional adjustments, new surcharges, or mid-year fee changes that appear without notice.
At the same time, carriers are signaling which parcels – and by extension, which customers – they no longer want in their networks. Many of the 2025-2026 changes should be viewed as a carrier exercise to narrow ideal customer profiles and improve revenue.
Why It Matters Now
All of these developments point to a single conclusion: parcel shipping intelligence is no longer optional. To protect margins, maintain competitiveness, and stay ahead of constant carrier adjustments, shippers need real-time visibility, predictive analytics, and proactive strategies.
On October 23, Jack and Quinn will share proven approaches to mitigate these risks, leverage data to anticipate changes, and position your organization to thrive in this new era of continuous carrier repricing.
