Are you ready for the rush?
You’re planning for peak shipping season… and so are we. From your cut-off date for Christmas shipping to handling January returns, here’s our step-by-step guide to the busiest shipping days of the year.
Start planning for peak shipping season
Christmas shipping begins in earnest with Black Friday at the end of November. But if you’re selling in Asia, the busy season starts with the build-up to Singles’ Day on 11 November. Here are some of the things you can get started with in October or even earlier:
- Demand forecasting
- Inventory planning
- Reviewing supplier capacity
- Securing shipping capacity
- Ordering packaging supplies
- Testing website and checkout performance
- Preparing customer communications
PRO TIP: Plan ahead to offer convenient out-of-home delivery options.
Pickup points, lockers and delivery redirection services provide flexibility that can reduce failed delivery attempts and improve customer satisfaction.
Set a cut-off date for Christmas shipping
Seasonal shoppers are counting on delivery by 24 December. So, you’ll need to calculate cut-off dates for Christmas shipping for domestic, regional (Europe), and international deliveries.
Take into account:
- Order processing time
- Warehouse handling time
- Packing time
- Collection and dispatch time
Your customers need to clearly understand your cut-off date for Christmas shipping and expected delivery dates for all available shipping options. Full transparency helps reduce abandoned carts and boost customer satisfaction. Don’t rely on any single announcement. Prepare communications through:
- Homepage banners
- Product pages
- Checkout pages
- Order confirmation emails
- Marketing emails
- Social media
- Customer service teams
PRO TIP: Consider FedEx International Priority® service for last-minute orders.
It offers faster delivery, so you don’t have to turn away late shoppers.
Prepare your packaging
Stock up on packaging materials, labels and shipping supplies now for Christmas shipping. You can also pre-pack product to save fulfilment time when the holiday rush hits.
Remember, busy season means busy drivers. They may not be able to hang around when they pick up from you. To avoid missed collection, make sure all your packages and paperwork are ready when they arrive.
The sheer volume of parcels transported during peak shipping season makes proper packaging more important than ever. But best practice remains the same as always:
- Use the correct box size
- Avoid overfilling or underfilling packages
- Use sufficient cushioning material
- Securely seal all packages
- Clearly label shipments
Give customs a hand
When packages are held up at customs, it’s often because of incomplete or inaccurate paperwork. Here’s a quick refresher on why customs hold shipments. (Spoiler alert: Most often, it’s because the sender doesn’t know how to write a clear description of goods.)
To avoid common documentation errors:
- Complete commercial invoices accurately
- Provide detailed product descriptions
- Declare the correct value
- Ensure all documents contain consistent information
- Include full recipient contact details
- Provide any required licences or certificates
Also, opt for Delivered Duty Paid (DDP), so customs fees are promptly paid and packages can be released without delay.
Help avoid Christmas shipping delays with FedEx Electronic Trade Documents.
It allows us to review your documents sooner, even before your shipment is picked up.
Get ready for returns
Just when you thought you can take a breath, the returns start rolling in.
A simple Christmas returns policy helps you provide a smooth experience and boost customer loyalty. Make sure your policy is clearly visible on your product pages, at checkout, in post-purchase emails and on your socials. Here are more smart strategies for managing holiday returns.
PRO TIP: FedEx® Global Returns links your return to the original shipment for a quick, seamless process.
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Calculate your rates
Understand the rates and surcharges that can affect your shipping costs.
Open an account
Sign up and get a money-saving perk with discounted rates on shipping.
Check service news
Stay on top of the latest service disruptions, news and alerts.
Don’t make these mistakes
In the run-up to peak shipping season, these are some of the most common issues companies face and how to avoid them.
| PEAK-SEASON FAILS | HOW TO AVOID |
|---|---|
| Planning too late | Start now |
| Failing to forecast demand accurately | Know your numbers |
| Running out of stock or packaging materials | Order extra |
| Not communicating delivery deadlines | Be clear and precise |
| Showing unclear delivery costs at checkout | Be transparent |
| Incomplete customs documents | Train employees |
| Not setting a clear Christmas returns policy | Prepare your processes |
Once peak season has begun, it’s important to:
- Review transit times regularly
- Monitor carrier service alerts
- Update delivery promises immediately, if conditions change
"Where’s my order?”
The holiday season includes some of the busiest shipping days of the year. Answering customer enquiries takes valuable time away from you. Use proactive shipment notifications, tracking updates and estimated delivery dates to be fully transparent. Because customers who can easily track shipments are less likely to contact customer support.
Planning for peak season success
Peak season starts with the right preparation. Watch our webinar for practical strategies and expert insights to help you prepare ahead, optimise your operations and navigate the busy season with confidence.