In news that must surely have folks at the Postal Service cackling with delight — or at least it would if it weren’t after 4 p.m. and they hadn’t all gone home for the day already — UPS announced that it will soon be raising its published rates almost 5% on all domestic ground, air and international shipments that originate in the good ol’ U.S.A.

Big Brown gives the specifics on the rate hike, which will kick in on Jan. 2, 2012:

The rate increase for UPS Ground shipments is based on a 5.9 percent increase in the base rate, less a 1 percentage point reduction to the index-based ground fuel surcharge. The rate increase for UPS Air and international services shipments is based on a 6.9 percent increase in the base rate, less a 2 percentage point reduction to the index-based air and international fuel surcharge.

Published rates for Next Day Air Freight and 2nd Day Air Freight rates within and between the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico will increase 5.9% while 3-Day Freight rates will remain unchanged.

Since we’re on the topic of UPS, it’s always fun to trot out the following videos of delivery guys showing just what Brown can do for you:

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