Glossary
GRI (general rate increase)
Definition
A general rate increase, in two senses: a carrier's yearly (sometimes mid-year) increase to its published rates and surcharges, which flows into a 3PL's shipping rates; and a 3PL's own annual price increase on its rate card, set by the contract's price-change terms.
Where the guide uses it
- How to check 3PL invoice rates against your rate card
- 3PL price escalators and CPI clauses: how annual increases work
- How carrier rate increases (GRIs) reach your 3PL invoice
- How 3PL pricing works: an overview of the rate card
- How 3PLs bill shipping: pass-through, markup or their own rate card
- Which 3PL fees and contract terms are negotiable (and which aren't)
- Outdated 3PL rates after a contract change: how to spot and fix them
- Shipping surcharges explained: fuel, residential, handling and more
- How to verify a cost-plus shipping markup against your contract
- What is dimensional (DIM) weight, and how is it calculated?
- What is rate shopping? How a 3PL picks the carrier for each order
- Why 3PL billing errors happen, and why they keep coming back