The Christmas season is upon us once again! It’s time to start planning your holiday international shipping. The Christmas shopping rush has already begun. This year, its early arrival is necessary due to probable shipping delays and supply chain issues that can impact delivery times.
Big and small business owners like you must take steps now to make sure your customers receive their orders in time. This guide will walk you through everything you need to do to ensure your international cargo arrives on schedule. So, sit down, relax, and read on.
International Shipping During Christmas Might Get Expensive
If you’re planning on shipping internationally for Christmas, you might want to do so sooner rather than later.
That’s because the closer we get to the holiday, the more expensive international shipping will become. Not to mention, you’ll also have to contend with longer delivery times. So if you’re hoping to get your cargo across the ocean in time for Christmas, start planning now!
Shipping Delays Could Happen During Christmas
It’s essential to be aware that shipping delays could happen during the Christmas season. Why? Because that’s the time when most people are shipping and receiving shipments.
Products can’t be manufactured fast enough to satisfy demand. There are labor shortages at every supply chain step, from manufacturing to international shipping and delivery services. Shipping carriers are overwhelmed by the number of cargo. These are the four causes of delays, helping to create another Christmas season of woe.
How To Avoid Christmas International Shipping Delays
Here are a few tips to help make sure your International Shipments for Christmas 2022 arrive on time.
Plan ahead. The earlier you start planning, the better. Make sure you know the deadlines for your carrier and start early to avoid any rush fees.
Check the import restrictions for your destination country. Some items, like food and plants, may not be allowed in certain countries.
Package your items securely. Heavy objects can damage other items in your package if not packaged correctly and could cause delays at customs.
Label your package clearly. This will help make sure your package is processed quickly and accurately.
Use a courier service with experience shipping to your destination country. This will help ensure that your package arrives on time, even if there are any unforeseen delays.
1. Keep A Close Watch On Your Inventory
You’ll want to keep a close watch on your inventory as the holiday season approaches. Because as much as you might want to believe that you’ll sell out of everything, that’s probably not the case.
So be strategic about what you order and how much stock you keep on hand. That way, you won’t run out of products, and you’ll be able to meet the demand of your customers.
It can also help to stagger your shipments so that you’re not overloaded in the weeks leading up to Christmas. And if any products are particularly popular, make sure you have a healthy stock of those.
2.Know the Shipping Schedules for Pre-Christmas Delivery
Make sure you can meet delivery deadlines and plan for delays. Keep an eye on your carrier’s shipping deadlines so you can factor in these details on your delivery times.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the shipping schedule for pre-Christmas delivery:
FedEx: December 20
UPS: December 19
DHL: December 22
3. Anticipate Your Customers’ Needs
First, you’ll need to anticipate your customers’ needs and ensure you have everything ready in advance. This includes choosing the right shipping method and making sure you have enough stock to cover all of your orders.
Second, ensure you’re familiar with the customs regulations in each destination country. There can be restrictions on what you can and can’t send, so it’s important to know ahead of time.
Finally, package your items securely, so they don’t get damaged in transit. The last thing you want is a customer to receive a broken Christmas gift!
4. Gather Your Shipping Supplies In Advance
Shipping delays can affect you if you need to get them shipped internationally. Preparing for the holiday shopping onslaught will help you maintain your workflow pace. Getting more than you need is also a good idea.
How To Keep Your Holiday Shipping Costs Down?
1. Choose Ocean Freight Over Air Freight
When it comes to shipping your holiday gifts overseas, you have two main options: air freight or ocean freight. And while air freight is definitely faster, it’s also a lot more expensive.
Ocean freight, on the other hand, is a lot slower but it’s a lot more affordable. So if your main concern is keeping costs down, then ocean freight is the way to go. Just make sure you factor in the extra time it will take for your gifts to reach their destination.
2. Multimodal Transportation To Save Shipping Costs
When shipping internationally, you have a few transportation options to choose from: air, sea, or land. Sea shipping is usually the cheapest option, but it can take a long time for your package to arrive. That’s why a lot of people choose to use air transportation instead.
But what if you want to save even more money on your shipping costs? That’s where multimodal transportation comes in. This is when you use more than one type of transportation to get your package to its destination. For example, you might use air transportation to get your package to a port, and then use sea transportation to get it the rest of the way.
There are a lot of different combinations that you can use, so it’s important to do your research and find the one that works best for you. And don’t forget to factor in the cost of each transportation option when creating your budget.
3. Solicit Assistance From Professionals
You’re not going to want to try to tackle this massive task all by yourself. It’s going to require the help of professionals. And luckily, there are plenty of them out there who are more than happy to offer their services.
Some of the ways that 3PL may help you save money on fulfillment & shipping:
FREE Warehousing: China Global Freight will not bind you to a long-term lease on warehouse space (or even a contract!). We offer up to 40 days of free warehousing in cities across China. We can place shipping requests to move your freight from China to everywhere at a moment’s notice.
Packaging Pros: Your shipments are less likely to arrive damaged due to the experience of the packing professionals at 3PL warehouses. Additionally, their competence in packaging might assist you in avoiding or reducing DIM weight costs.
Discounted Shipping Rates: 3PL service providers may provide discounted shipping prices. They may be able to pass on these reductions to you in certain situations. Additionally, you can save money on FREE packing by using the services of a third-party logistics provider.
Inventory Management: Utilize the expertise of your fulfillment center’s management. Third-party logistics can assist you in establishing replenishment levels and bringing you closer to ideal inventory levels. When you hold your inventory with China Global Freight, we can ship your cargo at a moment’s notice, ensuring your products never run out of stock.
How To Ship Urgent Shipment Internationally?
How can you get your shipment to your customers in time for Christmas? Well, don’t worry; we’re here to help! Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll be on your way to a stress-free holiday season.
1. Choose The Right International Freight Forwarder
First, you’ll need to select the right international shipping company. There are many out there, so it’s important to do your research and find one that fits your needs.
China Global Freight offers a range of shipping options via air freight, sea freight, rail freight, and international courier. We only work with reputable shipping carriers around the globe. Save money on your shipments by taking advantage of our discounts today.
2. Use UPS, DHL, and FedEx
When you’re shipping an urgent international shipment, your best bet is to use the services of UPS, DHL, or FedEx. Why? Because these companies have years of experience in the shipping industry and know how to get your package to its destination quickly and safely.
China Global Freight offers global express delivery and economy delivery using the best international express carriers at savings of up to 70%. Get discounted shipping rate Now by contacting our freight expert.
3. Air Freight Might Be Your Best Option
When you need to send a less urgent shipment internationally (let’s say you have 5-10 days), your best bet is to use standard or economical air freight. Air carriers rarely alter their schedule at the last moment, except in emergencies or changes in government plans, like during the Covid-19 pandemic; however, one can rely on the delivery times as suggested by the carrier or the freight forwarder.
As an international Air freight forwarder, China Global Freight provides a complete door-to-door service that takes care of all the logistics involved, including pick-up from suppliers, global shipping, freight cargo insurance, and customs clearance.
Conclusion
You’re all set for Christmas 2022. But one more thing to take care of: shipping your gifts internationally.
Here are a few tips to help make the process as smooth as possible:
Make sure you have all the necessary paperwork in order. This includes your shipping invoice, customs forms, and other relevant documents.
Plan for extra transit time. Urgent shipments often take longer to transport, so make sure you factor that in when planning your delivery date.
Select a freight forwarder with experience shipping to your destination country. They’ll be able to advise you on the best way to get your shipment there quickly and safely.
Contact your destination country’s customs department in advance. They may have specific requirements or restrictions that must be followed to clear your shipment through customs.
With some planning, you can get your urgent shipment overseas without any trouble and be on its way to your customers on Christmas. Ensure hassle-free international shipping to the US, Canada, UK, and Europe with your China Freight Forwarder; click here to Get A Quote.