A GRI, or General Rate Increase, is a carrier-driven increase to base freight rates across specific trade lanes, routes, services, or customer groups. In shipping and logistics, carriers use GRIs to respond to higher operating costs, tight capacity, equipment shortages, fuel changes, port congestion, or shifts in market demand. A GRI is separate from accessorial charges and surcharges, and it can affect ocean freight, trucking, air cargo, and other transportation pricing.
A GRI is a broad rate increase announced by ocean carriers across a trade lane, applied per container on top of existing base rates and surcharges. Carriers announce GRIs to respond to rising costs or strong demand, often with short notice.
