Relax, it’s a regular FedEx rate increase

Relax, itÆs a regular FedEx rate increase    FedEx Corp. said Friday it will raise express shipping rates 5.5 percent next year on average, but that the net price increase will be 3.5 percent because of a 2 percent reduction in the fuel surcharge.
   The new rates are effective Jan. 1 and apply to U.S. domestic and U.S. export package and freight shipments via FedEx Express.
   The Memphis, Tenn.-based package delivery company raised its rates by the same amount for 2006. In 2005, FedEx raised its rates 2.6 percent net of fuel surcharges.
   FedEx said it will also adjust other surcharges, but details will not be available until Nov. 10.
   FedEx also said it will announce rate increases for FedEx Ground later this year, adding a new dimensional weight system for oversized shipments. Ground shipments larger than three cubic feet will be subject to dimensional weight calculations if they are more than the actual weight.