Your Guide to Successful Holiday Shipping
The holidays are a time when people do a lot of shopping online. Research shows that the number of online shoppers spikes during the holidays. If you’re one of the businesses taking advantage of this increase in traffic, it’s vital to ensure you’re prepared for the influx of orders.
Shipping during the holiday season can be tricky. You need to make sure you’re aware of the deadlines and requirements of different shipping carriers, as well as the possible delays that can occur. Not to mention, you want your customers to be happy with their experience, so you’ll want to choose the right shipping method for each order.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need about shipping during the holidays. We’ll cover carrier deadlines, shipping methods, and packaging tips. By following our advice, you’ll be able to ship hassle-free and keep your customers happy.
Get Your Holiday Shipping Game Plan Together Early
Now is the time to start planning your holiday shipping strategy. Don’t wait until the last minute to ship your international cargo. The closer it gets to Christmas, the busier the carrier service will be, and your international shipment will likely take longer to arrive at its destination.
Choose the Right Shipping Carrier
So you’re shipping internationally for Christmas, and you’re not sure which carrier to choose. Let us help!
UPS international shipping is a great option for shipping large items since they have a wide range of services and can handle almost anything you might need to send. FedEx international shipping is a good choice for smaller items since they have a smaller maximum weight limit. DHL international shipping is a cost-effective option for your holiday delivery.
Get 70% discounted international shipping rates on UPS/FedEx/DHL for your Pre-Christmas Delivery by contacting China Global Freight now.
Know Your Holiday Shipping Options
Just like there’s a whole sea of suppliers out there, there are different shipping options to choose from: UPS and other international carriers, Alibaba shipping, Amazon FBA shipping, Free on Board (FOB) shipping, and freight forwarding companies.
If you’re looking for the most cost-effective option, USPS, China Post, and Royal Mail are always solid choices for your mail delivery on Christmas. They don’t have as many delivery options as UPS or FedEx Christmas shipping, but they’re still reliable and will get your packages where they need to go.
USPS, China Post, and Royal Mail are some national carriers available to Amazon sellers and drop shippers. And they vary entirely in cost, delivery time, and tracking. China Post, for example, might take 20 to 50 days worldwide, while USPS can deliver in just two to15 days but is limited to the U.S.
The critical thing to note is that these changes. And, yes, it might be overwhelming to research the cheapest shipping carrier for every product for every destination – but that is the only way to know you’re paying as little as possible to fulfill every order.
Pay Attention To Carrier Shipping Deadlines
It’s important to pay attention to carrier shipping deadlines to ensure that your international or domestic cargo arrives on time. For example, UPS ground shipping will take five to seven business days, while FedEx ground shipping will take three to five business days.
Be sure to place your order well before the holidays, as these services tend to fill up fast. Christmas Shipping Deadline as the following：
DHL Shipping Service Christmas Shipping Deadline
- DHL Economy Select: Dec. 19, 2022
- DHL Express Worldwide: Dec. 22, 2022
- DHL Domestic Express: Dec. 23, 2022
- SmartMail Expedited: Dec. 15, 2021
- SmartMail Ground: Dec. 11, 2021
UPS Shipping Service Christmas Shipping Deadline
- UPS® Standard Services: Check online with UPS for Details
- UPS Worldwide Expedited®: Dec. 19, 2022
- UPS Worldwide Express®: Dec. 21, 2022
- UPS Next Day Air Service: Dec. 22, 2022
FedEx Shipping Service Christmas Shipping Deadline
- FedEx Ground Delivery: Dec. 14, 2022
- FedEx Freight Priority: Dec. 14, 2022
- FedEx 2Day® and 2Day AM®: Dec. 21, 2022
- FedEx Express Saver®: Dec. 20, 2022
- FedEx Same Day: Dec. 23, 2022
Calculate Transit Time for Your Holiday Delivery
Before you start your holiday shipping, it’s important to calculate the transit time for your international delivery. That way, you can ensure on-time delivery by Christmas.
To do this, simply visit the carriers’ website and use their shipping calculator. The calculator will tell you how long it will take for your package to arrive based on the carrier you choose. So be sure to factor in enough time for transit, especially if you’re using a slower service.
It is recommended to book sea freight cargo at least 3 to 4 weeks before the expected due date.
For international shipments transported by air freight, we recommend booking about 10 – 15 days before the air cargo ready date.
Negotiate Better Freight Rates for Your International Shipment
You’ve probably been busy preparing for the holiday season and have yet to have time to think about your shipping strategy. But don’t worry; China Global Freight is here to help.
One of the most important things to keep in mind is freight rates. You need to make sure you’re negotiating the best possible rates with your freight forwarder. This is especially important if you’re shipping internationally.
If you’re not sure where to start, our freight experts can help. We’ll work with you to create a shipping plan that meets your international shipping needs and fits within your shipping budget.
Get Freight Insurance for Your International Shipments
The key to Successful Holiday Shipping is to plan ahead and get insurance for your shipments. That way, if something goes wrong, you’re covered. And believe me, something will go wrong at some point during the holiday season. It’s just inevitable.
So don’t take any chances and make sure your international shipments are fully insured. It’ll give you peace of mind and help you avoid any nasty surprises.
Minimize Packaging to Save Shipping Costs
You’ll want to make your packages as small as they can be (while still protecting the products inside) and weigh as little as possible.
But this still costs money, too! Here’s where freebies come into play. Many shipping companies offer free materials and boxes for shippers to use.
When working with a China Freight Forwarder, for instance, China Global Freight, you can trust us to deliver reliable, efficient export packing, China warehousing and international freight services.
Hire An International Freight Forwarder
If you feel overwhelmed when arranging shipments from another country, hire an International Freight Forwarder, they will negotiate freight rates on your behalf with the major international shipping line, assist with documents, customs and organize transport and deliveries.
It takes significantly less time for freight forwarders to complete the necessary paperwork and deliver the goods to their destination as soon as possible, avoiding unnecessary delays and collecting multiple shipment projects. A freight forwarder can reduce your overall cost of goods delivery thus improving your return on investment.
At China Global Freight, we are a dependable freight forwarder shipping from China to the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, and other Europe countries. We are specialized in air freight, sea freight, and rail freight and express shipping. Get A Quick Quote to get the best international shipping rate now!
Be Prepared for Any Shipping Delays
No one wants to deal with shipping delays during the holiday season, but they can unfortunately happen. That’s why it’s important to be prepared for them and have a backup plan in place.
If you’re shipping internationally, make sure you allow plenty of time for your international freight to arrive. And if you’re shipping domestically, make sure you choose a shipping method that will get your domestic package to its destination in time.
It’s also a good idea to have a contact person at the receiving end who can help in case of any problems when working with an international freight forwarder. That way, you’ll know who to contact if there is a problem with your international freight.
Finally, keep in mind that shipping delays are usually beyond your control. So stay calm and relax—everything will work out in the end!
Track Your Shipments
Now that you know all about the ins and outs of holiday shipping, it’s time to put it into practice. And the best way to do that is by tracking your shipments.
Most shipping carriers offer tracking services, so be sure to take advantage of them. And if you’re ever in doubt, don’t hesitate to reach out to the customer service team for help. They’re there to support you throughout the process!
Holiday Shipping Doesn’t Have to Be Scary
Listen, we all know that holiday shipping can be a bit of a nightmare. But it doesn’t have to be. You just need to follow these simple tips, and you’ll be good to go.
First and foremost, start planning early. Take your time because chances are you’ll end up frustrated and stressed out. And we definitely don’t want that.
Second, make sure you know your deadlines. Every carrier has different cutoff dates, so make sure you know what they are and plan accordingly.
Third, pack your items well. This is especially important if you’re using a courier service. Make sure everything is securely packed, so it doesn’t get damaged in transit.
Fourth, choose the suitable carrier. Not all carriers are created equal, so do your research and find the one that will work best for you.
Fifth, get insurance for your international shipment to protect your high-value items from loss, theft, and damage.
Sixth, track your package every step of the way. This way you’ll know exactly where it is and when it will arrive.
And last but not least, stay calm and have patience. We got this! It’s going to be ok.
If you have any questions about Holiday Shipping and International Freight Forwarding, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our expert freight team: sales@chinaglobalfreight.com
