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Holiday packages can face delays as shipping volumes rise. Learn how to prepare accurate documentation, package gifts securely, compare courier services and plan shipments to improve your chances of on-time delivery.
Holiday packages can become harder to deliver on time as Christmas approaches and courier networks handle higher shipping volumes. Whether you’re sending gifts to loved ones or fulfilling customer orders for your business, accurate documentation, proper packaging, the right courier service, and realistic delivery planning all become increasingly important.
While shipping early is always ideal, there are still steps you can take when deadlines are approaching. The following tips can help you prepare your holiday packages properly, reduce avoidable delays, compare available courier options, and keep your shipments moving during one of the busiest periods of the year.
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Quick Summary: Getting Holiday Packages Delivered on Time
Holiday shipping becomes more challenging as courier volumes increase and delivery deadlines approach. Here are the most important steps to take:
- Prepare accurate documentation: International shipments may require commercial invoices, customs information, and other documentation depending on the destination and goods being shipped.
- Check restricted and prohibited items: Courier rules vary, so confirm that your shipment is acceptable before creating it.
- Package gifts securely: Use sturdy boxes, sufficient cushioning, strong packing tape, and clearly positioned shipping labels.
- Compare courier services: Ground, express, and other delivery services have different costs and transit expectations.
- Allow extra time: Holiday volume, weather, customs processing, and destination can all affect delivery timing.
- Track your shipments: Monitor packages throughout transit so you can identify potential issues as early as possible.
At FlagShip, we understand how important it is for your holiday packages to arrive when expected. Preparing shipments correctly before they enter the courier network can help reduce avoidable problems during the busiest shipping season of the year.
Prepare Accurate Shipping Documentation for Your Holiday Packages
One common source of delays, particularly for cross-border and international shipments, is incomplete or inaccurate shipping documentation.
The documents required depend on the shipment, destination, goods being shipped, courier service, and applicable customs requirements.
| Document / Requirement | Purpose | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Invoice | Provides customs authorities with information about the goods, value, origin, and parties involved in applicable international shipments. | Make sure descriptions, values, quantities, country of origin, and other required information are complete and accurate. |
| CUSMA Documentation | May support preferential tariff treatment for qualifying goods traded between Canada, the United States, and Mexico. | Confirm whether the goods qualify and whether the required certification information is available. |
| Customs Broker Information | Identifies who will assist with customs clearance when brokerage services are required. | Confirm the appropriate broker and clearance arrangement before shipping when applicable. |
Check Prohibited and Restricted Items Before Shipping
Different courier companies maintain their own rules for prohibited, restricted, and regulated goods. Requirements may also vary by destination and service.
Before shipping holiday packages containing unusual, valuable, regulated, hazardous, perishable, or sensitive items, confirm that the contents are accepted by the selected courier.
Rather than relying on a general list, check the current requirements for the specific courier and service you plan to use.
| Shipment Type | What to Confirm Before Shipping |
|---|---|
| Hazardous or dangerous goods | Whether the courier accepts the product and whether special packaging, labelling, documentation, or approvals are required. |
| Liquids and perishables | Carrier restrictions, packaging requirements, destination rules, and service eligibility. |
| High-value goods | Carrier liability limits, insurance eligibility, packaging requirements, and signature options. |
| International shipments | Destination-country restrictions, customs requirements, licences, permits, or supporting documentation where applicable. |
If you are uncertain about a shipment, contact FlagShip before booking it so the applicable requirements can be reviewed.
Securely Package Your Holiday Gifts
Proper packaging is especially important during the holiday rush, when courier networks are processing higher shipment volumes.
To help your holiday packages arrive safely:
- Use sturdy boxes: Choose packaging appropriate for the weight, size, and contents of the shipment. Avoid boxes that are weakened, crushed, wet, or damaged.
- Protect fragile items: Use suitable cushioning materials such as bubble wrap, kraft paper, foam, or other protective packaging to limit movement inside the box.
- Keep decorative wrapping inside the shipping box: Decorative paper, ribbons, and bows can tear or become caught during handling. Place gift wrapping inside the outer shipping carton instead.
- Seal packages securely: Use strong packing tape and make sure all openings and seams are properly sealed.
- Apply the shipping label correctly: Place the label on a large, flat surface where it can remain visible and avoid covering seams or edges.
Find a Cost-Effective Way to Ship Holiday Gifts
Holiday expenses add up quickly, so comparing shipping options can help businesses and other shippers manage delivery costs.
With FlagShip, businesses can compare discounted rates from Purolator, UPS, FedEx, DHL, Canpar, and GLS through one online shipping system.
Available discounts can reach up to 70% off, depending on the shipment and service selected, without minimum shipping volumes.
Rather than assuming one carrier or service will always be the cheapest, compare the options available for each shipment. Package weight, dimensions, origin, destination, service level, and additional charges can all affect the final shipping cost.
Create a free FlagShip account to compare available courier options.
How to Pack Gifts for Shipping
If you’re wondering how to pack gifts for shipping, the goal is to protect both the product and any decorative packaging inside the shipping carton.
Here is a simple checklist:
- Use a sturdy box rated appropriately for the parcel’s contents and weight.
- Wrap fragile or breakable items individually.
- Add enough cushioning to prevent movement inside the package.
- Keep decorative gift wrapping, bows, or ribbons inside the shipping box.
- Seal all openings with strong packing tape.
- Place the shipping label on a large, flat surface of the package.
- Measure and weigh the completed package accurately before creating the shipment.
FlagShip Tip
Enter the completed package’s accurate weight and dimensions into the FlagShip online shipping system. You can then compare the available courier rates and services for that shipment.
Choose the Right Shipping Service for Your Holiday Packages
Choosing the right service can be especially important as holiday delivery deadlines approach.
The available transit time depends on the origin, destination, courier, service, pickup timing, weather, and other network conditions, so avoid assuming that one delivery window applies to every shipment.
| Service Type | Typical Priority | Consider When |
|---|---|---|
| Ground / Economy | Cost | The shipment is not urgent and there is sufficient time before the required delivery date. |
| Express | Faster transit | A tighter delivery timeline justifies a faster service and the additional cost. |
| Priority / Next-Day Options | Urgency | The service is available for the shipment lane and timing is critical. |
Plan Around Holiday Shipping Deadlines
Holiday shipping cut-off dates can change from year to year and vary by courier, service, origin, destination, and shipment type.
Instead of relying on a single “last day to ship,” businesses should:
- Review the current courier holiday schedule
- Check available transit estimates when creating the shipment
- Allow additional time for remote destinations
- Plan international shipments earlier because customs processing may add time
- Build a buffer into customer-facing delivery promises
You can review the current FlagShip Courier Holiday Schedule when planning seasonal shipments.
Get Support for Your Holiday Shipments
If you encounter an issue with a FlagShip shipment or have questions about its status, our customer service team is available to help.
Depending on the situation, our team can assist with:
- Shipment tracking questions
- Customs documentation questions
- Courier-related shipment issues
- General assistance with your FlagShip shipment
Call us at 1-866-320-8383 or email [email protected] for assistance.
Need to ship holiday packages?
Create your free FlagShip account to compare discounted courier rates and available delivery services.
Frequently Asked Questions About Holiday Packages
Send holiday packages as early as practical. The appropriate shipping date depends on the origin, destination, courier, service level, and current holiday schedule. Allow additional time during periods of high shipping volume and for remote or international destinations.
There is no single last shipping day that applies to every package. Courier cut-off dates vary by service, destination, origin, and year. Review the current FlagShip Courier Holiday Schedule and compare available transit information before booking.
Ground and economy services are often worth comparing when delivery is not urgent, but the lowest-cost option varies by shipment. Weight, dimensions, origin, destination, courier, service, and additional charges can all affect the final rate. FlagShip lets businesses compare available courier rates in one place.
Express shipping may be useful when the delivery timeline is tight and a faster service is available for the shipment. Compare the cost and transit expectations against ground or economy options before selecting a service.
Use sturdy outer packaging, wrap fragile items separately, add sufficient cushioning to prevent movement, seal the box securely, and keep decorative gift wrapping inside the shipping carton. Very fragile or high-value items may require additional protection.
International shipments may require a commercial invoice and other customs documentation depending on the goods, destination, origin, value, and applicable customs requirements. Complete and accurate information can help reduce avoidable customs delays.
Additional shipment protection may be worth considering for eligible higher-value goods. Coverage availability, limits, terms, exclusions, and cost depend on the shipment and insurance option selected. Learn more about FlagShip shipping insurance.
Available options may include signature-required delivery, secure courier pickup locations, alternate delivery addresses, and shipment notifications. The options available depend on the courier, destination, and service selected.
Yes. FlagShip allows businesses to compare available rates and services from couriers including Purolator, UPS, FedEx, Canpar, DHL, and GLS through one online shipping platform.
Prepare Your Holiday Packages with FlagShip
As holiday deadlines approach, increased shipping volumes can make delivery planning more challenging. Accurate documentation, suitable packaging, early planning, and comparing courier services can help reduce avoidable problems.
FlagShip helps businesses compare discounted shipping rates and manage shipments through one online platform.
Ready to ship? Create your free FlagShip business account.
For personalized assistance, contact our support team at 1-866-320-8383 or email [email protected].
Happy Holidays from FlagShip! Let us help make shipping easier this season.
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