Businesses need to prepare for increased strains on their supply chain during the peak season. Read our expert tips to help you prepare for peak shipping season to keep your customer happy with on-time deliveries.
Peak Shipping Season 2023 – How to Prepare Your Business
Are you prepared to thrive during the peak shipping season of 2023? As the holiday retail season approaches, ensuring the smooth operation of your delivery services is paramount. This period, which spans from September to the end of December, presents a remarkable sales opportunity for businesses. To help you make the most of it, we’ve gathered expert insights and strategies to succeed during the upcoming peak shipping season.
Understanding the Significance of Peak Shipping Season
The peak shipping season is characterized by a surge in shipment volumes that major carriers like Purolator, UPS, FedEx, DHL, Canpar and GLS handle. This spike occurs notably before and during the holiday season, spanning from September to December. With increased carrier demand, businesses often encounter unavoidable delays and additional charges during this time. Special handling fees, for instance, are escalated, and delivery guarantees may be suspended.
Key Strategies to Thrive During Peak Shipping Season
1. Plan Ahead for Success
The cornerstone of navigating the peak shipping season successfully is meticulous planning. If you can arrange to ship a few days earlier than usual, you’ll find this foresight immensely valuable. Given the anticipated delays, shipping in advance can help you avert stress and ensure timely deliveries.
2. Offer Expedited Shipping Options
To cater to last-minute orders, consider providing expedited shipping choices. These options, such as Expedited or Express Services, guarantee next-day delivery for time-sensitive orders. Utilizing the FlagShip shipping system, you can effortlessly access various service options with corresponding pricing, tracking updates, and more. A bonus tip: Consider offering free expedited shipping for orders exceeding a certain spending threshold.
3. Familiarize Yourself with Courier Holidays
Be well-informed about courier holidays to anticipate potential service disruptions. The FlagShip team recommends referencing our detailed courier holiday schedule on our website. This knowledge will enable you to adjust your shipping plans accordingly and ensure on-time deliveries.
4. Optimize Pickup Scheduling
Given the possibility of couriers facing overload or unfavorable weather conditions, scheduling pickups earlier in the day is prudent. To accommodate potential delays, consider offering a reasonable pickup window spanning several hours. Remember, pickups are typically conducted in the afternoon, so a morning-only window might not align with reality.
5. Prepare Documentation
For international shipments, having accurate documentation is crucial. Ensure you possess the necessary paperwork, including completed commercial invoices. Additionally, verify that your suppliers possess CUSMA Certification to avoid unnecessary duties and streamline border processes. Make arrangements for brokerage to circumvent border-related delays.
6. Comply with Courier Regulations
Different couriers maintain their lists of prohibited items. Familiarize yourself with these regulations to ensure the items you’re shipping adhere to guidelines set by carriers like Purolator, UPS, FedEx, DHL, Canpar, and GLS. If you’re uncertain about an item’s eligibility for shipping, our dedicated customer service team is ready to assist you.
Key Retailer Shopping Events in 2023
Keep these significant retailer shopping events in mind as you gear up for peak shipping season:
- Canadian Thanksgiving – Oct. 9
- Halloween – Oct. 31
- U.S. Thanksgiving – Nov. 23
- Black Friday/Cyber Monday – Nov. 24 to 27
- Super Saturday – Dec. 16
- Christmas – Dec. 25
- Boxing Week – Dec. 26 to Dec. 31
Ready for a Stress-free Peak Shipping Season ?
Sign-Up for a FREE FlagShip account
Enjoy our user-friendly platform to shop for shipping rates, book, track, and manage all your shipments in one place while getting up to 70% off regular shipping cost.
Take advantage of our powerful mobile app to schedule pickups, print shipping labels, and manage shipments on the go. Plus, our exceptional customer support team is available to assist you.
Don’t let the peak season shipping stress you out in 2023. Sign-up for a FlagShip account, Plan ahead, offer expedited options, understand courier holidays, optimize pickup scheduling, prepare documentation, and comply with regulations. With our expert assistance, you’re well-equipped to conquer this peak season and emerge as a shipping champion.
Reach out to us for personalized assistance and advice:
📞 Call: 1-866-320-8383
✉️ Email: support@flagshipcompany.com