EngagementTypically less than 90 days from the initial review to a signed agreement.

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Negotiate lower UPS and FedEx shipping costs

We combine your shipping data with our carrier pricing expertise to secure lower rates from UPS, FedEx, and major providers. Because we focus on optimizing your current contract, most clients reduce their spend without ever switching carriers.

Free contract review Talk it through first

<0 daysInitial review to signed agreement

0+ yrsCarrier contract negotiation experience

~0Negotiable provisions in a typical parcel agreement

$0For an initial contract review

In shortA brief explanation of the service and what it covers.

What is parcel contract negotiation?

The short answer

Parcel contract negotiation is the process of negotiating shipping rates and contract terms with carriers such as UPS and FedEx. It can include discounts, minimum charges, fuel surcharges and other fees. The goal is to lower your shipping costs based on your shipment volume and needs. You do not have to change carriers.

We review twelve months of your shipping invoices and compare your contract terms with those available to similar shippers. This parcel rate benchmarking helps us identify changes worth requesting. We then negotiate directly with your carrier.

The problemThe terms and billing details we review before estimating savings.

Your discount is only part of your shipping cost.

Carrier proposals often emphasize the discount off published rates. That percentage is useful, but it does not explain the full cost of shipping.

Your cost also depends on the services, weight bands and zones covered by the discount, the volume needed to keep it, minimum charges, and accessorial fees. Agreements with the same discount can produce different costs per package.

We use your shipment history to calculate how these terms work together. That gives us specific requests and savings estimates to discuss with your carrier.

A parcel agreement can contain hundreds of negotiable provisions. The terms a carrier will accept change with its business priorities. Our team draws on carrier pricing experience and ongoing negotiations to assess what is possible for your account.

The leversWe review the specific terms that affect what you pay.

What we actually negotiate.

We review these terms alongside the transportation discount and assess which changes are worth negotiating.

Base rates and incentive schedule: Discounts off published rates, specified by service, weight band and zone.
Earned discount tiers: The revenue or volume thresholds that set your discount, and how the rate changes if you fall below them.
Minimum net charge: The minimum amount billed when the discounted rate is lower. We measure how many packages are affected.
Fuel surcharge: The fuel index, calculation basis, discounts and any caps in your agreement.
Residential and delivery area surcharges: Separate delivery fees that may not be covered by your transportation discount. We review the terms for each.
Additional handling and large package: Fees triggered by size, weight or packaging. We review the rate and check that the criteria were applied correctly.
Dimensional weight and the DIM divisor: The divisor converts package volume into dimensional weight. We estimate how a change would affect your billed weight and cost.
Peak and demand surcharges: Seasonal fees, including the thresholds and caps that affect your shipments.
Service guarantee and refund terms: Service guarantee coverage, any waivers and the eligible refunds associated with late deliveries.
Amendment and expiration language: Expiration dates, renewal terms and notice requirements, including surcharge discounts that end before the rest of the agreement.

Why usWe work for shippers and receive no compensation from carriers.

What makes this different.

Experience in carrier pricing

Our team has worked in carrier pricing and account management. We understand how carriers evaluate requests and which terms they may be willing to change.

Requests backed by your shipping data

We calculate what each proposed change would save using your shipment history and compare it with terms available to similar shippers. We adapt the approach for UPS contract negotiation and FedEx contract negotiation.

Support for your carrier relationship

ebb Logistics leads the negotiation with your carrier on your behalf. Our aim is a stronger relationship and a better agreement with the carrier you already use, not a switch to a new one.

Why this orderWe review your agreement and shipment data before recommending changes.

How this actually runs.

Review your current agreement
We review your discounts, volume tiers, minimum charges, fuel surcharges and accessorial fees, including any amendments. This shows which terms apply to your shipments and where changes may help.
Review
Analyze your shipping costs
We analyze twelve months of invoices by service, zone, weight and surcharge. We then calculate what the same shipments would cost under different rates and terms.
Modeling
Set negotiation priorities
We rank proposed changes by potential savings and assess which terms the carrier is likely to accept.
Targets
Negotiate with your carrier
We lead the discussions with your carrier, use your shipping data to support each request, and compare offers before recommending an agreement.
Negotiation
Check the new rates on invoices
We check each invoice against the new agreement to confirm that rates and discounts were applied correctly. If we find a billing error, we file an eligible claim and follow up on the refund.
First invoices
Monitor the agreement over time
ebb Logic™ checks invoices weekly and tracks volume tiers, annual rate increases and surcharge changes. Our team explains any change that affects your costs and recommends what to do next.
Ongoing

Common questionsContact us if your question is not listed. We can help you assess whether the service fits your needs.

Questions shippers ask first.

How much can we save by renegotiating our UPS or FedEx contract?

Savings depend on your services, zones, weights and current agreement. We review the contract at no cost and explain where changes may help. Your billing history lets us estimate savings for the shipments you actually send.

We just signed a new agreement. Is there anything to do?

Often, yes. Changes in volume, service mix or contract requirements may justify an amendment before renewal. We review the agreement and explain which terms may be worth discussing with your carrier.

Our discount is already 60 percent. Why would we renegotiate?

A high discount can still leave room for savings. It may apply only to certain services, zones and weights, while minimum charges and accessorials affect the final bill separately. We check the full cost against your shipment history.

Will this damage our relationship with our carrier rep?

Our aim is a better relationship with the carrier you already use, not a switch. We lead the negotiation on your behalf and keep it professional and grounded in your shipping data, so your account representative sees a well-supported request.

Do we have to switch carriers?

No. Most clients keep their current carrier on better terms. We consider switching only where the benefits justify the operational cost and disruption.

How long does a parcel contract negotiation take?

Under ninety days from the initial review to a signed agreement is typical. Timing depends on the analysis, carrier responsiveness and number of negotiation rounds. We check implementation after the new rates take effect.

How are you paid?

Our fees are based on recovery or documented savings. If there is nothing to recover or save, there is no fee. The initial contract evaluation is free.

What do you need from us to start?

A copy of your current agreement. One month of invoices helps if you have it handy, but we can start with the agreement alone.

Are UPS and FedEx shipping rates actually negotiable?

Yes. Carrier rate negotiation can cover incentive schedules, tier thresholds, minimum charges, fuel, residential, delivery area, additional handling and dimensional terms. We use your shipping data to identify useful requests and estimate their value.

How do we know if our UPS or FedEx rates are competitive?

Parcel rate benchmarking compares the full agreement with terms available to similar shippers. We use your volume, service mix, residential share, weights and zones to identify competitive terms and areas worth negotiating.

What shipping volume do we need before rates are worth negotiating?

There is no single volume threshold. The opportunity depends on your contract and shipment profile as well as annual spend. Our free review helps determine whether the potential savings justify further work.

Can we renegotiate before the contract expires?

Often, yes. Volume changes, a different service mix, an acquisition or a contract problem can provide a reason to request an amendment before expiration.

Why is our actual discount lower than the discount in our contract?

The stated discount may apply only to base transportation charges. Fuel, accessorials and minimum charges can reduce its effect on the total invoice, while published base rates can change over time. We review these components separately.

What is a minimum net charge, and why does it matter so much?

A minimum net charge is the lowest amount the carrier bills for the applicable service, regardless of the calculated discount. If your discounted rate falls below it, you pay the minimum. For light packages, reducing that minimum may save more than increasing the discount.

Which surcharges can actually be negotiated?

Fuel, residential, delivery area, additional handling, large package, dimensional and peak or demand terms may be negotiable through rates, caps, exclusions or thresholds. We assess the options for your shipping profile and carrier agreement.

How is this different from a parcel invoice audit?

A parcel invoice audit checks past charges for errors and eligible refunds. Contract negotiation changes the terms for future shipments. Audit findings help identify which rates, tiers, minimums and surcharges to address in a negotiation.

Is our carrier agreement kept confidential?

Yes. We use your agreement for your evaluation and do not share its terms with other shippers.

What happens if you do not find anything worth pursuing?

We tell you in writing, and there is no fee for the review.

Is a parcel shipping consultant worth the fee?

Compare the expected savings, fees and work included. Our parcel shipping consultant fees are based on recovery or documented savings, with no retainer and no fee if we find neither. The free review helps you assess the opportunity before committing.

Can you negotiate directly with our carrier, or do we have to?

Either. We can negotiate directly with your carrier or prepare the analysis and requests for your team to present. You choose the approach that suits your carrier relationship.

Before you callFree guides and tools on published carrier data, covering the terms this service works on.

Guides and tools.

How fuel surcharges are calculated

The index tables, the base fuel is charged on, and FedEx against UPS.

Guide 02

Fuel surcharge tracker

Compare published FedEx and UPS weekly fuel surcharge percentages by service group and review the index tables used to set them.

Tool 03

Dimensional weight explained

The formula, the 139 and 166 divisors, rounding, and when packaging beats the divisor.

Guide 04

DIM divisor

Compare how DIM divisors such as 139 and 166 affect the billable weight of a package.

Tool 05

Dimensional weight history

Every divisor and scope change since 2007: 194 to 166 to 139, and DIM on every Ground package.

Guide 06

Peak surcharge calculator

See the FedEx and UPS 2026-27 demand surcharge dates and per-package rates by window, the USPS holiday price adjustment by product, weight and zone, and estimate what the season adds at your volume.

Tool

Next doorThese related services may also be useful for your business.

Related work.

UPS contract negotiation

We review your UPS agreement and shipping history to identify terms worth changing, then negotiate with UPS on your behalf. After the new agreement takes effect, we check your invoices to confirm that the agreed rates and discounts are being applied.

For shippers reviewing their UPS rates and terms 02

FedEx contract negotiation

Every priced term in the agreement, from base and earned discounts to minimums, DIM, surcharges, fuel, multiweight, returns and international pricing, modeled against your own shipment file so you know what each concession is worth before you sign, then verified on the invoices after.

For shippers negotiating, renewing or reviewing a FedEx agreement 03

Parcel audit

A parcel invoice audit checks for billing errors and contract compliance. ebb Logic™ reviews service failures, duplicates, address corrections and surcharges, then checks each charge against your discounts, tiers, minimums and accessorial terms. It runs every week, so problems are caught soon after they begin.

For shippers who want their invoices checked against their carrier agreement

Request a free contract review.

Send your agreement for a written review of potential savings and recommended next steps.

Get a free savings estimate See a sample audit first Email [email protected]

Or call 888-356-4421

Free, and no obligation. A written evaluation back inside 48 hours. No fee unless we find documented savings. How we handle your documents

Your current agreement, any carrier
One recent invoice, if you have one
A written evaluation back inside 48 hours