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Key Challenges of Holiday Shipping Season

Before diving into the tips, it’s important to understand the challenges SMBs face during holiday shipping season:

• Holiday surcharges – Couriers apply extra fees to cover higher operational costs such as staffing, extended hours, and fuel.

• Capacity constraints – Limited truck and aircraft space can lead to bottlenecks and delays.

• Delivery delays – Weather conditions, volume surges, and infrastructure overload can affect transit times.

• Customer expectations – Despite courier constraints, customers still expect fast, reliable, and affordable delivery.

Top Holiday Shipping Tips for 2025

As a small or medium-sized business owner, preparing for the busy holiday shipping season can be overwhelming. At FlagShip, a leading online shipping platform, we’re dedicated to helping you deliver your products safely and on time while saving on shipping costs. Below are some valuable packing and shipping tips to ensure a successful holiday season:

1. Be mindful of packaging: Selecting the right packaging materials is crucial. Use sturdy boxes or padded envelopes to protect your items. Add proper cushioning materials, like bubble wrap or packing paper, to prevent damage during transit. Packing your products securely will not only ensure their safe delivery but also enhance customer satisfaction.
2. Explore shipping solutions: FlagShip offers a range of shipping solutions tailored for small businesses. Our platform allows you to compare rates from multiple carriers, helping you find the most affordable and reliable option. Save time and money by using FlagShip to streamline your shipping process.
3. Leverage our courier partnerships: We’ve partnered with major couriers, including Purolator, UPS, FedEx, Canpar, DHL, and GLS, to provide you with discounted shipping rates. This makes it easier and more affordable for small businesses to ship their products, helping you reduce costs while ensuring reliable service.
4. Simplify your shipping process: Running a small business can be demanding, and managing shipments should be easy. FlagShip’s user-friendly online platform helps you generate shipping labels, schedule pickups, and track shipments in real-time. Our goal is to simplify your shipping, allowing you to focus on growing your business.
5. Get support from our customer service team: Have questions or concerns about your shipping? Our dedicated customer service team is here to help. Whether you prefer calling us at 1-866-320-8383 or emailing support@flagshipcompany.com, we are available to provide timely support and guidance during the holiday season.

Why Sign Up for a FREE FlagShip Account?

Still unsure why FlagShip is the right choice for your shipping needs this holiday season? Here’s why you should sign up for a FREE account today:

1. Access discounted shipping rates: Enjoy exclusive shipping discounts with major couriers such as Purolator, UPS, FedEx, Canpar, DHL, and GLS. With a FREE FlagShip account, you can significantly cut shipping costs, helping your business save on every shipment.

2. Streamline your shipping process: Our online shipping system makes it simple to create labels, schedule pickups, and track packages—all in one place. Say goodbye to manual paperwork and experience a more efficient shipping process.

3. Dedicated customer support: Have questions? We’ve got you covered. Our experienced customer support team is available to assist you with your shipping needs, ensuring you have a seamless experience.

FlagShip: Your Trusted Shipping Partner

FlagShip is more than just a shipping platform; we’re your partner in making holiday deliveries stress-free. Our all-in-one online system lets you compare rates, book shipments, print labels, schedule pickups, and track packages in real time. You’ll also have access to exclusive discounted courier rates and the full support of our team of shipping experts.

With FlagShip, your business can deliver products quickly, reliably, and affordably—whether within Canada or internationally. Don’t miss the chance to simplify your shipping and save money this holiday season. Sign up for a FREE FlagShip account today and let us help you succeed.

FAQs About Holiday Shipping in Canada (2025)

1. What is the cheapest holiday shipping option in Canada for 2025?

Ground and economy services (like Purolator Ground, Canpar Ground, UPS Standard, and GLS Ground) are generally the most affordable options during the holidays. Express or overnight services should be reserved for urgent shipments, as they cost significantly more.

2. What are the holiday shipping cut-off dates in Canada for 2025?

Ground services: Ship no later than December 15–20 depending on the courier and destination (earlier for rural/remote).
Express/Overnight: Ship as late as December 22–23 in most major city areas.
International shipments: Deadlines are earlier (often early to mid-December, depending on the region).

3. What is the last day to ship for Christmas in Canada (ground vs. express)?

Ground: Around December 20 for metro areas; earlier (Dec 15–17) for rural or remote.
Express: Typically December 23, sometimes December 24 for certain metro lanes.

4. What are the best holiday shipping times (day/time) to avoid delays?

Ship early in the week (Monday–Wednesday) and early in the day to avoid weekend or end-of-week backlogs. Avoid waiting until the week before Christmas when volume is at its peak.

5. Do couriers offer next-day delivery for Christmas in Canada?

Yes. Purolator, UPS, FedEx, DHL, and GLS generally offer next-day delivery in metro areas right up until Dec 23. Availability depends on the origin and destination. Guarantees may be suspended in severe weather or for remote addresses.

6. How should I package fragile gifts to survive peak season handling?

Use double-walled boxes, wrap each item separately, add cushioning (bubble wrap, air pillows, or packing paper), and consider double-boxing for extra protection. Mark boxes “Fragile” and avoid leaving empty space inside the package.

7. Should I require a signature or insurance for December deliveries?

Yes. For high-value or time-sensitive shipments, use Signature Required and add declared-value insurance. FlagShip shipping insurance starts at $1.25 per $100 CAD of value, with coverage up to $60,000 CAD.

Regular insurance: Up to $15,000, at $1.25 per $100 CAD of declared value.
Premium insurance: Up to $60,000, at $2.25 per $100 CAD of declared value.

8. How can I prevent porch theft of holiday packages?

Encourage customers to:

• Use signature-required deliveries.
• Choose secure pickup locations or courier access points.
• Ship to workplaces or alternate addresses.
• Track shipments closely and set delivery notifications.

Stay Connected for More Tips, Updates, and Support:

For personalized assistance and advice, contact us via our toll-free number 📞  1-866-320-8383 or ✉️ email us at  support@flagshipcompany.com

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