Mastering holiday shipping: Proven strategies for peak season success

Stop us if this is your current reality…

The holiday season is a month away and you’re already feeling the rush. Stacks of products, packing materials, and shipping labels clutter every surface as you prep for the busiest time of year.

It’s 2024—so why are you still spending hours packing boxes and running to the post office? You want to focus on growing your business, not stress over your shipping operations. And with anticipated record-breaking holiday volumes this year due to a compressed shipping window, there’s greater risk for increased strain on delivery timelines for all carriers.

I know what you’re thinking: Reading that is making you even more stressed than you were before. But I promise there’s a silver lining. Stick with me.

Although there are only 17 operational days between Black Friday and Christmas this year, you can still meet customer demands and ensure on-time deliveries. All you have to do is streamline your shipping processes. Read on to learn how in our holiday shipping guide.

1. Understand shipping deadlines

Key shipping carriers like USPS, UPS, and FedEx have already set their holiday shipping deadlines, so understanding their schedules and preparing in advance is critical for a smooth peak season.

Here’s a quick overview of the major carrier deadlines this year:

• UPS holiday shipping:
  • Ground shipping deadline: December 15
  • 2nd Day Air deadline: December 20
  • Next Day Air deadline: December 21
• USPS holiday shipping:
  • Retail Ground deadline: December 14
  • Priority Mail deadline: December 20
  • Priority Mail Express deadline: December 23
• FedEx holiday shipping:
  • Ground shipping deadline: December 15
  • 2Day deadline: December 20
  • Overnight deadline: December 21

💡 Pro Tip: Mark these deadlines on your calendar and communicate them with your customers to set clear expectations.

2. Budget for price increases and surcharges

Carrier surcharges are a big part of the holiday shipping equation, with increased costs expected from late September to mid-January. Here’s what to expect:

• UPS:
  • Residential and SurePost surcharges start at $0.25 per package, peaking at $0.50 in late November
  • Air services will see surcharges ranging from $1.00 to $2.00 per package
• FedEx:
  • Ground Residential surcharges start at $0.30, peaking at $0.55 per package
  • Domestic Express will see an initial surcharge of $1.00, increasing to $2.00 in November
• USPS:
  • The surcharges will depend on package weight and zones, ranging from $0.30 to $13.00

💡 Pro Tip: Planning for these additional costs can help maintain profitability during the peak season. It’s important to calculate how these surcharges will affect your operations and adjust your pricing strategies accordingly.

3. Get your operations in order

Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, managing an in-house team, or partnering with a third-party logistics provider (3PL), getting your operations in line is crucial:

• Forecast shipping volumes: Review your historical sales data, market trends, and upcoming promotions to estimate your shipping volume accurately. Breaking down your forecast by product or SKU can provide more granular insights.
• Invest in standard operating procedures (SOPs): Document your shipping processes, roles, and responsibilities to minimize errors and streamline operations. SOPs enhance communication, scalability, and efficiency, directly impacting your customer experience.
• Optimize your packaging: Reducing package dimensions and weights can lower shipping costs and improve your forecasting accuracy. Pre-kitting popular items in advance can also expedite fulfillment and minimize errors during peak season.

4. Explore emerging carriers

Diversifying your shipping options can mitigate delays and costs during peak season. While USPS, UPS, and FedEx dominate the market, exploring regional and emerging carriers such as Pandion, VeHo, and OnTrac can provide more flexibility and potentially faster shipping times.

If your shipping or order management platform has access to any of these carriers, you’ll  benefit not only from their costs savings (consistently more affordable and no holiday surcharges), but also their more tech-forward delivery experiences.

💡 Pro tip: Research these carriers and set up backup shipping options to handle surges in orders. Saltbox even offers a free order management platform that will show you the best shipping rates.

5. Be proactive with your customers

Clear communication builds trust, especially during peak season when delays can occur. Here’s how to keep your customers informed:

• Email reminders: Send email notifications about holiday shipping deadlines and encourage early purchases to avoid last-minute rushes.
• Add purchase-by dates: Prominently display the final purchase-by dates on your website and marketing materials.
• Notify about shipping changes: Be transparent about any changes in your shipping policies, carrier options, or expected delays due to increased volume.

In the oversaturated ecommerce landscape, your customer will be  overwhelmed with information. Utilizing clear and concise communication will enhance understanding and satisfaction.

Final thoughts

Preparation is key to conquering the holiday shipping season. By optimizing your operations, exploring flexible shipping options, and maintaining proactive communication with your customers, you can improve on-time shipping and provide a seamless experience during the busiest time of the year.

For more holiday shipping tips 👉 explore our peak season preparation hub and get ready to tackle the holiday season with confidence.

Need help navigating the holiday season? We’ve got your back 👉 Talk with our team to receive expert logistics advice.

Looking for hands-on support during peak season? 👉 Tour your local Saltbox and see how our eForce team can complete tasks like FBA prep, kitting, bundling, inventory cycle counts, and more, so you can focus on creating exceptional products.