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We asked the experts at UPS, FedEx, DHL Express, Purolator, and GlobalPost one question: What do businesses need to know about holiday shipping this year? Here's what they said.
Peak season is here, and this year’s holiday shipping landscape looks different than ever before. With regulatory shifts, evolving consumer expectations, and new technologies reshaping the industry, we sat down with experts from UPS, DHL Express, Purolator, FedEx, and GlobalPost to get their insights on what businesses need to know.
From inventory management strategies to packaging best practices, these carrier experts are sharing their top tips to help you navigate the busiest shipping season of the year. Let’s dive into what they had to say about holiday shipping in 2025.
“Efficient inventory management is the foundation of peak season success. Businesses should start by analyzing historical sales, SKU velocity, and turnover rates to forecast demand and position inventory closer to customers for faster deliveries.
According to the UPS Peak Readiness White Paper, 44% of businesses prioritize inventory first, underscoring its critical role in seasonal readiness. Smart forecasting helps ensure products are available when customers need them, helping to balance costs and minimize waste.”
“Start planning earlier than ever. One of the most important insights this year is how sensitive ecommerce shipments have become to regulatory changes and tariffs. DHL Express is helping customers navigate evolving duties, taxes, and compliance requirements to ensure timely delivery and avoid unexpected costs. Many businesses are now consolidating shipments or adjusting order volumes to better manage these increased expenses.”
“Prepare early by ensuring inventory is well-stocked and optimizing your website for increased traffic. Partner with a trusted, reliable carrier like Purolator to handle the surge in orders and provide flexible delivery options. This ensures timely deliveries and enhances customer satisfaction.”
“Prepare for the unexpected. Have a series of contingency plans that address possible scenarios that could be encountered throughout the course of the holiday. Examples might include weather issues in certain parts of the country affecting orders, micro surges or bursts of orders that come unexpectedly due to social media mentions or sudden item popularity, and weather issues impacting orders and ordering.”
“If we had to choose one thing, it’s this: pay close attention to your customs information—every detail matters. Clear item descriptions, accurate values, complete contact details, and up-to-date requirements for each destination country are what keep packages moving. Pair that with realistic customer expectations and more lead time than you think you need. Peak season puts extra pressure on every network, so build in grace and give your shipments the runway they deserve.”
“The biggest lesson learned from last year’s peak season is the importance of flexibility and adaptability. Shippers are now focusing on offering multiple delivery options and ensuring real-time tracking to meet customer expectations. Partnering with an innovative carrier like Purolator is crucial for handling the increased volume and providing exceptional service.”
“Plan further ahead than you think is needed—because even the best-laid plans go wrong, and you don’t want to be late to market.”
“Last year’s challenges—from weather disruptions to supplier delays—taught businesses to start planning 7-9 months in advance. Early preparation across logistics, staffing, and supplier coordination is key to avoiding surprises.”
“Consumers were very price sensitive and budget conscious in 2024. This is continuing into 2025 with a different set of issues and factors but resulting in the same challenge. Consumers are looking for value, promotions, discounts, and ultimately bargains. Early season promotions, value-added promotions (add-ons, add-ins), discounts, and BNPL may all be important this holiday season.”
“And as always, free shipping promotion is the most successful promotion for the past few holiday seasons. Developing a balanced, cost-effective way to offer free shipping, reasonable delivery times, and customer expectation setting are all critical.”
“Last peak season taught everyone the same lesson: the brands that planned early and stayed flexible were the ones that stayed ahead. When volumes surged, many had to pivot to carriers or service levels they’d never used before. With more alternative carrier options emerging, knowing your choices and being ready to switch lanes has become essential.”
“Beyond regulatory shifts, we’ve seen a notable change in the types of shipments moving through the network. For example, comparing August 2024 to August 2025, DHL processed 200% more informal customs entry shipments, which require different handling and clearance processes. This shift underscores the importance of allowing additional lead time to prepare shipments and ensure smooth Customs processing during peak season.”
View 2025 holiday shipping deadlines here.
“It’s more an evolution of things within the industry that is changing. The cost to serve is going up across the board for carriers, so shippers need to be aware and actively manage changes to shipping policies, fees, and surcharges. The rules in place last year may have changed this year. Not being aware may result in unexpected charges and fees that ecommerce businesses will have to absorb. It’s not just tariffs that are impacting businesses this year.”
“Peak season is no longer defined by a single surge. Instead, we’re seeing multiple mini-peaks throughout the season—driven by e-commerce promotions, major tech product launches, and tariff-related deadlines. This means shippers should plan for several smaller waves of activity rather than one concentrated spike.”
“International deadlines are creeping earlier, often much earlier than domestic cutoffs. This year, planning ahead is non-negotiable, especially with uncertainties like limited data from certain carriers and a shorter window between Thanksgiving and Christmas. With Thanksgiving falling on the 27th and Cyber Monday landing on December 1st, the season tightens quickly.”
“This year, businesses might be surprised by the trend of earlier shipping deadlines. With the increase in online shopping, carriers like Purolator are encouraging businesses to set earlier cutoffs to work with their dedicated Account Executive and ensure timely deliveries. This helps manage the high volume and reduces the risk of delays, ensuring a smooth holiday season.”
“No matter how well you plan, you will likely have to manage some of those last-second orders coming in right before a shipping deadline. For those times, it can help to work with carriers that offer you a multitude of product and drop-off options to help ensure your business can get those packages out and delivered to your customers on time.”
“Luckily, UPS has an industry-leading network of more than 16,000 U.S.-based UPS Access Point® locations to pick up or drop off packages, with 99% of locations open on Saturday and 85% open past 6 p.m. And did you know that 92% of the U.S. population live within five miles of a UPS Access Point® location?”
“Customers are adapting in several ways. Many are using U.S.-based warehouses and fulfillment centers to reduce cross-border duties and taxes, while exploring alternative sourcing options beyond China and Hong Kong. Smaller importers are shifting toward less frequent but larger shipments to spread out costs. At the same time, stricter customs scrutiny and additional documentation are extending lead times—making advance planning more important than ever.”
“They expect accurate estimated delivery dates and communications on delivery status all along the package journey.”
“We’re seeing growing interest in Delivered Duties Paid (DDP). With shifting tariffs and global trade changes, customers want clarity and reliability—no surprise fees and reduced customs disruptions. DDP offers that peace of mind, and shippers are leaning into it.”
“Customers are shopping earlier, across more channels, and expect faster, transparent delivery. Mobile shopping now accounts for over 54% of online sales.”
“Today’s shoppers are more dynamic than ever—starting earlier, browsing across multiple channels, and demanding faster, more transparent delivery experiences. At the same time, emerging technologies like agentic AI, augmented reality interfaces, and scan-and-go solutions are transforming how people engage with brands—both online and in-store. These innovations are reshaping expectations and redefining the customer journey.”
“Consumer delivery expectations for 2026 are shifting toward greater convenience and personalization. Customers now anticipate faster delivery options, real-time tracking, and the ability to tailor their delivery preferences. Collaborating with a dependable carrier like Purolator ensures these expectations are met, enhancing the overall customer experience.”
“Technology and fraud prevention are no longer optional. From porch piracy to returns fraud, businesses must upgrade systems and integrate AI-powered tools like UPS DeliveryDefense to protect their operations.”
“According to the UPS Capital Study 2025, 93% of businesses recognize the growing threat of fraud. As we approach 2026, investing in secure, scalable platforms isn’t just smart—it’s a strategic imperative.”
“Delivered Duties Paid (DDP) continues to be one of the biggest opportunities for shippers. It streamlines the cross-border experience and helps protect profitability, but only if you prepare early. Now is the time to review products, pricing, and shipping costs, and consider how DDP fits into your strategy. International requirements change constantly, and staying educated is one of the strongest advantages any shipper can have.”
“One emerging shipping challenge for next year is the increasing threat of shipment theft. Businesses should focus on enhancing their supply chain security by using tamper-evident packaging, real-time tracking, and secure storage facilities. This proactive approach can help mitigate risks and ensure safe deliveries.”
“Challenge: Navigating tariffs and cross-border shipping and supply chain management.”
“Opportunity: Applying AI technology to appropriate areas of the business to address challenges.”
“Wrap everything perfectly, of course! We are firm believers that we can help convert anyone from team throw it in a bag with all the bubble wrap, with some tips from the UPS Packaging Guidelines for good measure as well.”
“At Purolator, we are definitely team wrap everything perfectly. We emphasize using strong, undamaged boxes, cushioning contents with at least 3 inches of material, and sealing boxes securely with the H-style taping method. This ensures that shipments arrive safely and in one piece.”
“We’re team wrap up everything perfectly and use bubble wrap: protect what matters, pack the rest, ship it out. FedEx General Packaging Guidelines.”
“Team ‘wrap everything perfectly’—or at least aim for a smart middle ground. Proper packaging prevents damage, reduces adjustments and extra fees, and keeps deliveries on schedule. A little care goes a long way.”
The insights are clear: successful holiday shipping requires early planning, flexibility, and the right carrier partnerships. ShipStation gives you access to all the major carriers—UPS, DHL Express, FedEx, GlobalPost, and Purolator, and more—so you can compare rates, automate your workflows, and deliver exceptional experiences to your customers.
Plus, with exclusive carrier discounts built right into the platform, you’ll save money while providing the fast, reliable shipping your customers expect. Start your free trial today and see how ShipStation can help you crush your holiday shipping this season.