Why Shipping Costs Are Rising — And What We’re Doing About It

We believe the best partnerships are built on honesty. When things change, we think you should hear it from us first.  Shipping costs have gone up, and we want to explain why, what it means for your orders, and what we’re doing about it.

Here’s what’s driving it:

Global oil supply pressures, stemming largely from geopolitical instability, have driven diesel fuel prices up roughly 60% compared to this time last year.

•  Diesel prices have surged – nationally averaging $5.50/gal as of April 2026, with West Coast rates exceeding $7.00/gal.
• Fewer trucks, tighter market – thousands of small carriers closed in 2025 after operating at unsustainable rates. The market has rebalanced and carriers now hold the pricing power.
• Rising operating costs – higher driver wages, new DOT regulations, increased insurance premiums and stricter CDL requirements have all added pressure across the industry.

For a business that ships physical goods every day, these costs don’t stay in the background, they show up in every shipment.

What this means for your orders:

Shipping rates are higher right now, and while we don’t expect dramatic relief in the near term, we are working hard every day to find the best possible rates for you through our carrier partnerships and shipment consolidation options.

We want to ensure customers are aware that if an initial quote is provided, the final shipping cost may vary depending on when your order is ready to ship. Since fuel surcharges and carrier rates can shift between when a quote is issued and when your shipment moves.

What we’re doing to protect you:

We’re actively shopping rates with multiple freight brokers, consolidating shipments wherever possible and staying on top of every option to protect your bottom line alongside ours.

We want to ensure customers are aware that if an initial quote is provided, the final shipping cost may vary depending on when your order is ready to ship. Since fuel surcharges and carrier rates can shift between the time a quote is issued and the time your shipment moves.

If you have any questions about a specific order or just want to talk through your options, please reach out to your sales rep directly.  We genuinely appreciate your continued partnership and trust. We hope to continue decorating with you for the long haul, through every season and whatever the market throws our way. 

The Downtown Decorations Inc. Team

Ted Peterson
President
tpeterson@downtowndecorations.com
315-565-7404

Jimmy Alexander
Account Executive
jalexander@downtowndecorations.com
830-307-9117

Jamie Turner
Logistics Coordinator
logistics@downtowndecorations.com
315-565-7419