Key Strategies to Thrive During Peak Shipping Season
1. Plan Ahead for Success
The key to navigating the peak shipping season is meticulous planning. Don’t wait until the last minute, especially around major shopping events like Canadian Thanksgiving, Halloween, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Christmas, and Boxing Week. These periods are marked by high shipping volumes, and couriers are often stretched to their limits. To avoid delays and disappointments, ship early and offer various shipping options to your customers.
2. Offer Expedited Shipping Options
To cater to last-minute shoppers, offer expedited shipping services, such as Express and Next-Day delivery. Utilizing the FlagShip shipping system, you can easily access a variety of services with real-time pricing, tracking updates, and more. Consider offering free expedited shipping for orders exceeding a certain amount to encourage customer purchases.
3. Familiarize Yourself with Courier Holidays
Be aware of courier holidays to prevent shipping disruptions. Different couriers have different operating schedules, with some offering limited or no service on statutory holidays. For instance, many couriers do not operate on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day. Use FlagShip’s courier holiday schedule to stay informed and adjust your shipping plans accordingly.
Courier Holiday Schedules: A Quick Overview
Courier
Holidays Observed
Service Availability
Purolator, UPS, FedEx, DHL, Canpar, GLS
Family Day (Feb 19), Good Friday (Mar 29), Victoria Day (May 20), Canada Day (Jul 1), Thanksgiving (Oct 14), Christmas Day (Dec 25), New Year’s Day (Jan 1)
Closed on major holidays; limited service on other statutory holidays depending on region
U.S. Couriers
Memorial Day (May 27), Independence Day (Jul 4), Thanksgiving (Nov 28), Christmas Day (Dec 25), New Year’s Day (Jan 1)
No service on major U.S. holidays
4. Optimize Pickup Scheduling
Couriers may experience overload or delays due to weather conditions during peak season. To avoid last-minute issues, schedule your pickups earlier in the day and provide a flexible pickup window. Keep in mind that pickups are generally conducted in the afternoon, so avoid scheduling morning-only windows.
5. Prepare All Necessary Documentation
Ensure a smooth shipping process by preparing all documentation beforehand. This includes invoices, customs forms, packing slips, and shipping labels. The FlagShip platform allows you to generate and print all necessary documents in just a few clicks. For international shipments, it’s crucial to have accurate documentation, including commercial invoices and CUSMA Certification, to avoid unnecessary duties and streamline customs procedures.
6. Comply with Courier Regulations
Make sure you comply with courier rules and regulations when shipping domestically or internationally. Couriers like Purolator, UPS, FedEx, DHL, Canpar, and GLS maintain lists of prohibited items, and failure to adhere to their guidelines could result in shipment delays or returns. Unsure whether your package meets the requirements? FlagShip’s dedicated customer service team is available to assist you.
