What do you call a holiday present that doesn’t arrive until January? An eCommerce brand’s worst nightmare. Disappointing customers because of missed deadlines isn’t in the holiday spirit. Instead, give yourself the gift of less stress with our guide on navigating holiday shipping. We’ll cover how to communicate carrier cutoff times to your customers and strategies to extend your shipping window.
Understanding Parcel Carrier Shipping Cutoff Times
We know that the holiday season is a pivotal time for your business and one of the biggest challenges eCommerce brands face is ensuring timely deliveries. One simple mistake can lead to lost sales and dissatisfied customers. That’s why understanding shipping cutoff times is so important.
During peak holiday periods, carriers like USPS, FedEx, and UPS experience increased volumes. To combat this, they provide specific cutoff dates for guaranteed delivery by key holidays. These cutoff dates vary based on the carrier, shipping speed, and destination.
USPS Holiday Shipping Cutoff Times
Want your order to arrive by December 25? Here are the recommended send-by dates (excluding Hawaii and Alaska) to make sure no one is left without a present under the tree.
- USPS Ground Advantage® Service: December 18
- First-Class Mail® Service: December 18
- Priority Mail® Service: December 19
- Priority Mail Express® Service: December 21
Explore all the details for international shipping, military mail, and more.
FedEx Holiday Shipping Cutoff Times
Ensure your packages get to their destinations with plenty of time to spare. Here are the must-know FedEx deadlines.
- FedEx SameDay®: December 24
- FedEx Express Saver®: December 19
- FedEx Ground® (5-Day Shipping): December 17
- FedEx Ground® Economy: December 13
For the full list of cutoff dates, check out their shipping deadline PDF.
UPS Holiday Shipping Cutoff Times
For 2024 Christmas Eve delivery, make sure all orders shipped with UPS are mailed in time.
- UPS 3 Day Select®: December 19
- UPS 2nd Day Air®: December 20
- UPS Next Day Air®: December 23
Plan ahead with their full holiday schedule.
Strategies To Extend Your Holiday Shipping Window
To maximize sales, meet customer expectations, and keep everyone in the holiday spirit, here are some strategies you can consider:
1. Leverage Multiple Carriers
Partnering with various carriers provides flexibility for your business, allowing you to choose the best options as different cutoff dates approach.
2. Offer Expedited Shipping Options
Encourage customers to select faster shipping methods closer to the holiday. While these may be more expensive, they cater to last-minute shoppers.
3. Utilize Fulfillment Centers Strategically
Partnering with a third-party logistics provider with multiple warehouse locations enables faster order fulfillment and reduces transit times. This increases the likelihood of meeting holiday fulfillment deadlines.
4. Implement Local Delivery or In-Store Pickup Options
For businesses with physical locations, offering local delivery or store pickup can extend your holiday shipping window.
Communicating Cutoff Times to Customers
Transparency is crucial in setting customer expectations. To limit your abandoned carts, make sure you clearly communicate your holiday shipping cutoff times. This will also reduce the number of customer service inquiries, helping to lighten your team’s load. There are several ways you can do this.
1. Create a Shipping Calendar
Put all the essential information into a visually-appealing shipping calendar, and share this on your homepage, product pages, and checkout screen. Highlight cutoff dates for each carrier as a quick reference for customers. This also creates a sense of urgency to encourage earlier shopping.
2. Send Targeted Email Reminders
Segment your email list by location, purchase history, or behavior, and send targeted reminders as deadlines approach. Phrases like, “Order by December 20th to guarantee delivery by Christmas!” can prompt an unsure buyer to take that final step. Consider offering limited-time discounts on expedited shipping for those cutting it close.
3. Use Pop-Ups and Site Banners
Strategically placed pop-ups and banners throughout your website remind shoppers of approaching deadlines. Banners at the top of every page ensure customers see shipping information without intruding on their browsing experience.
4. Update Product Pages and Checkout
In the final days, display clear shipping information directly on product pages and at checkout. Messages like “Order within the next 24 hours for delivery by Christmas” can help ease last-minute shopping anxiety.
5. Utilize Social Media for Last-Minute Reminders
Leverage social media platforms to post about cutoff dates and special holiday shipping promotions. Countdown graphics or stories with reminders can help ensure your followers know the latest they can order, while still driving engagement.
6. Explain Differences Between Ship Date vs Delivery Date
Make sure your customers understand ship dates vs delivery dates. As the name suggests, the ship date is the day the supplier ships the order, while the delivery date is when customers receive their item. Avoid confusion by sharing both dates with your buyers, so they can plan ahead.
Leveraging FenixCommerce For Smooth Holiday Fulfillment
While you’re in eCommerce holiday planning mode, consider integrating advanced solutions like FenixCommerce. Fenix helps streamline your fulfillment by offering tools to manage shipping cutoff dates and set clear expectations. With this platform, you can display personalized estimated delivery dates on product, cart, and checkout pages. This enhances the customer experience and reduces cart abandonment.
Accuracy is essential here. FenixCommerce ensures delivery estimates are precise, even during peak season, while navigating days your business is closed. At Jay Group, we partner with Fenix so you can offer shoppers real-time delivery information, fostering trust and driving more conversions.
Handling Orders After Cutoff Dates
For orders placed after cutoff dates, don’t worry—Christmas isn’t canceled. Consider offering alternatives like gift cards, digital downloads, or “arriving soon” notices. This approach allows customers to present a tangible gift during the holidays, even if the physical item arrives later.
Planning Early for Success
The holiday shipping window can significantly impact your season’s success. By preparing early, adopting tools like FenixCommerce, and maintaining clear communication with your customers, you can manage expectations, boost confidence in on-time delivery, and maximize your holiday revenue. But the best way to get ahead during peak season is by partnering with a 3PL provider.
At Jay Group, you benefit from our strategically-located warehouses in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and Reno, Nevada—reaching over 77% of the U.S. in two days. We also offer specialty packaging services like gift wrapping and kitting to deliver more holiday cheer. Lastly, take advantage of our warehouse management system, which keeps our shipments on-time and accurate.
Don’t let holiday shipping overwhelm you. Partner with us to make the most of the season and ensure your products are delivered on time.
Ecommerce holiday planning starts with Jay Group.
