UPS Freight , the nation's fourth-largest less-than-truckload (LTL) carrier, today announced a general rate increase averaging 5.4 percent covering non-contractual shipments in the United States and Canada.

The increase goes into effect on Feb. 4, 2008, and applies to minimum charge, LTL and truckload (TL) rates.

"We are continuing to improve service to our customers and to provide the latest technology," said UPS Freight President Jack Holmes. "On Jan. 1, UPS began offering on-time guarantees at no additional charge to customers on the current base UPS Freight tariff for shipments moving within the continental United States."

Also beginning this month, customers can process both package and LTL shipments in the UPS WorldShip® system, an enhancement that's already exciting customers, Holmes added. In addition to being able to create a Bill of Lading (BOL) for LTL shipments, UPS WorldShip users can send e-mail notifications, save BOL's for later completion, import commodities and view their negotiated rates.