A package-level re-rate, then we secure the rate for you.
Not a discount estimate. Every parcel in your sample is priced on every program you qualify for: zone, billable weight, residential, fuel and delivery-area surcharges, on each program's own terms.
Describe the operation
Brand or 3PL, the carriers on your labels and how you hold them (a direct contract in your name is different from a reseller or 3PL account), what you ship, and each pickup location with its monthly parcels. This decides which programs you can sign.
Load a sample
Drop a CSV of shipped orders (destination ZIP, weight, dimensions, what you paid). No export handy? Paste your current rate matrix and accessorials and we model a representative month from your volume.
Read the lab report
Eligible programs ranked by savings, spend by zone and weight band, the parcels you overpay most, and fit notes that explain why the winner wins. Then choose one program or a split across several, with every minimum checked, and the Lab makes the introduction and runs the onboarding.
One package, every program on the bench.
Change the weight or destination. Each bar is the same box re-rated on a different program; the teal bar is a typical account today.
How a rate is secured
Every program on the bench is accessed through Parcel Rate Lab. You request a program, we confirm the pricing with the provider in writing against your sample, then disclose who they are and run the introduction and onboarding. Programs are shown by code until then. No obligation at any step.
Why some programs won't appear for you
A direct carrier contract in your own name blocks a network account on that carrier (a reseller or 3PL account doesn't). Some programs are brand-only or 3PL-only, some exclude hazmat, alcohol or AK/HI, and some have minimums. Every exclusion is shown with its reason. More in Learn →
Questions shippers ask before they test
How do I know if my parcel rates are competitive?
Re-rate a representative sample of your shipped packages on other rate cards and compare the totals. A discount percentage alone tells you little, because billable weight rules, residential and fuel surcharges and zone mix change the real cost per package. Parcel Rate Lab does that re-rate package by package and shows the spread.
What is a good discount off UPS or FedEx published rates?
It depends on volume, weight profile and how much residential delivery you ship. Small shippers often see 10–25% off published ground rates; mid-size DTC brands with pooled or 3PL rates commonly see 35–55%; the largest shippers go deeper. Surcharges and the DIM divisor matter as much as the headline discount, which is why the benchmark compares landed cost, not discount.
What is dimensional (DIM) weight and how is it calculated?
Dimensional weight is a package's volume converted to pounds: length × width × height in inches divided by the carrier's DIM divisor (139 is standard; negotiated accounts may get 166 or 194). You are billed on the greater of actual and dimensional weight. A 12×9×4 box at 139 is 3.1 lb billable even if it weighs 1 lb.
Can a 3PL get better parcel rates than a brand shipping on its own?
Often, yes. 3PLs pool volume across clients, which unlocks deeper base discounts, better DIM divisors and lower surcharges than a single brand at the same volume. Some programs are only open to 3PLs; others only serve brands directly. The benchmark shows which applies to you.
What are parcel accessorial charges?
Accessorials are fees added to the base rate: residential delivery, fuel surcharge, delivery area and extended delivery area surcharges, additional handling, oversize, address correction and peak-season fees. On lightweight residential parcels, accessorials can exceed the base rate, so they are priced per card in every re-rate here.
Why are programs shown by code instead of provider name?
Providers list live rate cards on the bench on the condition that every acquisition runs through Parcel Rate Lab. You see each program's carrier, service, surcharges, DIM rule, coverage and eligibility, which is what decides fit; the provider's identity is disclosed once you request the program and the provider accepts the account.
Can I contact the providers directly?
Rates on the bench are secured through Parcel Rate Lab. We confirm pricing with the provider in writing against your sample, introduce you once both sides have agreed, and stay on the account through onboarding and the first-month review. Requesting a program carries no obligation.
Does my order data leave my browser?
No. The CSV is parsed and re-rated in your browser. If you request a program, only a short summary (shipper type, carriers, volume, savings result) is sent with your contact details, never the file.
How often should I benchmark parcel rates?
At least once a year ahead of carrier general rate increases (announced in the fall), plus whenever your volume, weight profile or fulfillment locations change. Most carrier agreements can be renegotiated or supplemented mid-term; knowing the market rate is what gives you leverage.
Ready to test your rates?
About ten minutes. Your order file stays in your browser.