ATLANTA (AP) — United Parcel Service Inc. is raising its ground shipping rates 1.9 percent effective Jan. 5.

The rate increase announced Friday is lower than in previous years — 3.9 percent in 2003 and 3.5 percent in 2002.

While some analysts said the lower rate increase reflected the level of industry competition, UPS officials noted there have been larger increases for distant deliveries and deliveries to uncommon destinations.

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The new rates include a dollar delivery charge for commercial shipments headed for remote ZIP codes. There also are increases on the company's C.O.D. and Saturday pickup charges, said spokeswoman Susan Rosenberg.

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