UPS Unveils Special Shipping Discounts for SMBs to Ease Peak Season Costs

UPS Introduces Targeted Shipping Discounts for SMBs

Getting ready for the rush of the peak shipping season, UPS has rolled out a discount program tailored for small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). These savings come through a partnership with American Express, aimed at easing shipping costs and competing more aggressively in the SMB market segment. The initiative is set to run through February 28, 2026, providing a financial breather during one of the busiest times of the year.

How the Discount Program Works

Members of American Express’ Business Savings Suite can access these discounts, which apply to UPS’s base transportation rates across a range of services — including ground, air, and international shipping. What’s particularly interesting is how the discounts scale up with shipping volumes; in essence, the more a business ships with UPS, the higher the savings they unlock.

Discount Breakdown by Shipping Volume and Service

Note: All discounts end on February 28, 2026.

Additional Savings Beyond Base Rates

On top of slashing base transportation fees, UPS goes a step further by halving various surcharges such as fuel and residential delivery fees on qualifying domestic air and ground shipments. This approach not only lowers sticker shock but also helps small businesses manage more predictable shipping expenses during the holiday acceleration.

The Competitive Push Into the SMB Market

The SMB segment represents an attractive and growing part of UPS’s business — often more profitable on a per-package basis than large-volume clients. Recruiting these customers has become a hot battleground, with FedEx also playing hardball for market share.

Matt Guffey, UPS’s chief commercial and strategy officer, highlights the carrier’s strategy: “UPS is making strategic investments in areas important to SMBs like industry-leading service, flexible returns, and seamless integration with our end-to-end smart logistics network.” The emphasis on smooth, reliable service is key for SMBs juggling limited resources.

Mitigating Peak Season Surcharges

Small and medium-sized shippers traditionally feel the pinch from the surcharges carriers slap on during peak season. UPS has announced that some holiday surcharges will kick in as soon as late September, stretching all the way through mid-January. Plus, fuel fee calculations have been adjusted upwards.

By offering these discounts, UPS tries to soften the financial blow for SMBs who might otherwise face tightened margins. The program tweaks some minimum charges, especially for Ground and 3-Day Select services, and Standard shipments to and from Canada, making sure the deals balance out for the carrier as well.

Growing SMB Influence on UPS’s Business Mix

Despite challenges like tariffs and fluctuating demand, SMB shipping volumes are carving out a bigger niche within UPS’s overall customer portfolio, particularly as the carrier scales back Amazon volume. In fact, SMBs accounted for roughly 32% of UPS’s U.S. volume in the second quarter, a notable increase from the previous year.

Výzvy a příležitosti, které nás čekají

Lower-than-expected daily volume growth among SMB customers reflects the tough market conditions and tariff pressures facing the sector. CEO Carol Tomé has noted that while larger clients can absorb rising costs better, many SMBs are finding it harder to do so. This makes the new discount scheme a timely offer, potentially making a world of difference to many businesses.

What SMBs Stand to Gain

• Reduced base shipping rates across air, ground, and international services
• Discounted surcharges such as fuel and residential fees
• Increased savings the more packages they ship with UPS
• Enhanced predictability of peak season expenses with upfront discounts

Implications for Logistics and Supply Chains

Offering these discounts is more than a customer service gesture; it’s a strategic move that could influence how SMBs plan their shipping and logistics operations around peak periods. By lowering costs, UPS enables smaller shippers to potentially expand their footprint, increase shipment frequency, or experiment with more international deliveries without breaking the bank.

For logistics providers and supply chain managers, this could translate into a smoother flow of goods, more consistent shipping volumes, and potentially a better distribution network during the holiday crunch. A win-win situation: more business for UPS and better pricing stability for SMBs.

Why Platforms Like GetTransport.com Matter

When it comes to reliable, cost-effective shipping, platforms such as GetTransport.com stand out by offering versatile transportation solutions worldwide. From office and home moves to handling cargo shipments, large furniture, vehicles, and bulky freight, such platforms help businesses and individuals streamline their logistics needs efficiently.

In the context of UPS’s discounts, buyers on GetTransport.com can tap into strong shipping options combined with transparent pricing, ensuring their freight always finds the best route and rate.

Wrapping It Up: The Bottom Line for SMBs and Logistics

To sum it all up, UPS’s new discount program is a savvy strategy to support small- and medium-sized businesses through one of the busiest and costliest times for shipping. It delivers scaled savings across multiple service types while dialing down surcharges and providing more predictable costs. This initiative recognizes the growing role of SMBs within the larger logistics ecosystem, especially as they increasingly handle international and domestic freight with higher expectations for service and affordability.

While data from carrier announcements and expert commentary paints a clear picture of benefits and challenges, nothing replaces firsthand experience. Sometimes, the proof is in simply giving it a go, testing how these discounts actually impact day-to-day shipping needs and budget management.

Thanks to platforms like GetTransport.com, you can explore a wide array of shipping options at competitive prices. This transparency and convenience empower shippers to make informed choices without overpaying or facing surprises. Whether you’re managing bulky cargo, moving household goods, or handling business shipments, GetTransport.com’s global reach and ease of use align beautifully with the kind of sensible logistics planning UPS’s discounts aim to facilitate. Rezervujte si jízdu na adrese GetTransport.com.

Výhled do budoucna

While this discount program is unlikely to dramatically reshape global logistics on its own, it reflects a broader trend of carriers adapting to the needs of SMBs—key players in supply chains worldwide. As these businesses grow their freight volumes, discounted rates and strategic shipping options can help keep the flow of goods moving efficiently during peak seasons.

Staying abreast of such offers is central to savvy logistics management. GetTransport.com keeps pace with developments like these, helping customers tap into timely opportunities and navigate the evolving transportation landscape. Start planning your next delivery and secure your cargo with GetTransport.com.