With the holiday season fast approaching, it's time to plan and prepare your shipping strategy to ensure a smooth and stress-free experience. Let's discuss what to expect and how to get ahead of the game.

What to Expect as We Approach the Holidays

The holiday season is a busy time for everyone, especially for businesses and shipping carriers. There are a few things that you should be prepared for:

• Shipping Delays:
• With the increased volume of packages being sent, there can be delays in delivery. It's important to anticipate this and plan accordingly.
• Shipping Rate Increase:
• Shipping rates often increase during the holiday season due to high demand. Account for this in your budget.
• The Shorter the Lead Time, the Tighter the Capacity:
• As the holiday season approaches, shipping carriers have less capacity to accommodate new shipments. To ensure your packages arrive on time, plan to ship them as early as possible.
• Set up Local Delivery or Local Pickup for Local Customers:
• To bypass potential shipping delays and costs, consider setting up local delivery or pickup options for your local customers.

Shipping Deadlines for Major Carriers

The holiday shipping deadline will depend on which service and carrier you’re using. Here’s a brief overview of the main carriers’ deadlines:

• FedEx:
• December 21
• UPS:
• December 22
• USPS:
• December 19

For a more comprehensive list, check out this

overview of the main carriers' deadlines.

Set Your Busy-Season Shipping and Delivery Strategy

Having a clear and efficient shipping strategy is essential for the busy holiday season. This includes deciding on your shipping carriers, setting shipping rates, and establishing delivery times. Remember to keep your customers informed and provide them with tracking information so they can follow their packages' journey.

Package and Ship Correctly

Ensure your products are packaged securely and correctly to prevent any damage during transit. This is especially important during the holiday season when packages may be handled more roughly due to the high volume of shipments.

Track and Communicate

Regularly track your shipments and keep your customers updated on their package’s status. Good communication can help manage your customers' expectations and reduce the likelihood of customer service issues arising.

To conclude, the holiday season can be a challenging time for shipping, but with careful planning, it doesn't have to be stressful. By understanding what to expect, setting a clear strategy, and maintaining good communication with your customers, you can ensure a smooth and successful holiday shipping season.