UPS to raise rates by an average 4.9 percent in December

United Parcel Service will increase rates on many basic delivery services by an average of 4.9 percent starting Dec. 26.

The higher rates will cover U.S. ground shipping, U.S. air freight and international shipping, and regular freight.

UPS said Thursday that the extra money will help pay for expansion and improvements.

UPS earned $2.4 billion in the first six months of this year, a 6 percent increase over the same period of 2015.