The 2026 GRI Is Live — Here’s What It Really Means for Your Shipping Costs

The latest General Rate Increase (GRI) from major carriers is officially live. And while headline rate hikes tend to grab the most attention, they’re only one part of the story when it comes to what shippers actually pay.

If you’ve already noticed changes to programs like One Rate, you’re not imagining it. Those early adjustments are often the first signal of a broader shift in carrier pricing—and more changes typically follow throughout the year.

So what does this GRI really mean for your business?

The GRI Is Just the Starting Point

Each year, carriers announce a GRI that increases base transportation rates. On paper, it may look like a straightforward percentage increase. In reality, the true cost impact is shaped by much more than that headline number.

After the GRI goes live, shippers often see:

• Adjustments to flat-rate and simplified pricing programs

• Updates to pricing rules that affect how shipments are rated

Individually, these changes may seem manageable. Over time, however, they compound—quietly increasing shipping spend in ways that are easy to miss without a detailed review.

Why Many Shippers Feel the Impact Later

One of the biggest challenges with GRIs is that the financial impact isn’t always immediate or obvious. Costs often rise incrementally as new fees are introduced or existing ones are adjusted throughout the year.

This makes it difficult for businesses to answer a critical question:
How much is this GRI actually costing us?

Without clear visibility into shipment data and pricing structures, many shippers don’t realize the full impact until months later—when budgets are already strained.

How ShipPlug Helps: Free GRI Impact Analysis

At ShipPlug, we believe shippers deserve clarity, not surprises.

That’s why we offer a free GRI impact analysis with one of our shipping experts. This isn’t a generic overview or a surface-level estimate. It’s a personalized breakdown based on how you ship.

During the analysis, we help you understand:

• How the recent GRI affects your specific shipping profile

• Where costs are increasing the most (and why)

• Which surcharges and rules are having the biggest impact

• Opportunities to reduce or offset rising costs

Our goal is simple: give you a clear picture of what’s changing and help you make informed decisions before costs quietly add up.

Don’t Wait for Shipping Costs to Catch You Off Guard

GRIs aren’t one-day events—they’re ongoing shifts that affect shipping all year long. The sooner you understand their impact, the more control you have over your shipping strategy.

If you want to know how the newly live GRI is affecting your business, we’re here to help.

Schedule your free GRI impact analysis with a ShipPlug expert and get clarity on your shipping costs—before they grow any further.