The general rate increase will apply to interstate and intrastate traffic, and certain shipments between the United States and Mexico and Canada.

The rate hikes follow a 4.9 percent increase at the package delivery company's ground and home delivery divisions, as well as a similar increase in air shipping rates. These rate increases will also take effect in January.

Less-than-truckoad, or LTL carriers, usually fill their trucks with freight from a variety of sources and might re-sort and redistribute it at a company terminal along their route.