General Rate Increase (GRI)

What Is a General Rate Increase (GRI)?

A General Rate Increase (GRI) is a broad, across-the-board increase in ocean freight rates implemented by carriers on a specific trade lane, typically announced with advance notice and applied to all shippers on that route.

How Does a GRI Work?

Carriers announce a GRI, often a flat dollar amount per container, ahead of a specific effective date, applying it broadly across a trade lane regardless of individual shipper contracts (though contracted rates may have protections limiting how a GRI applies). GRIs are often used around peak season or when capacity is tight relative to demand.

Why GRIs Matter

GRIs can significantly affect shipping budgets with relatively short notice, and multiple GRIs can stack within a single year on high-demand lanes. Shippers with strong contracted rate agreements are often better protected from unrestricted GRI exposure than those relying purely on spot market rates.