Holiday Shipping Guide 2025: Peak Season Perfected
Welcome to your Holiday Shipping Guide 2025 from WWEX Group! Here, you’ll find everything you need to glide through the peak shipping season whether your focus is parcel, freight or a combination of both.
For most companies, the holiday shipping season doesn’t really begin with Black Friday or Cyber Monday. It starts earlier, when rising parcel and freight demand begins to influence businesses of all types, even those that don’t send out holiday gifts. Think of this hub as your carefully wrapped, go-to resource to navigate the season with confidence.
Check back often throughout the holiday shipping season for timely tips, updates and alerts. Our goal is to help you build a strategy where everything is calm, everything is bright — and most importantly, everything is delivered on schedule.
Here’s how the WWEX Group Holiday Shipping Hub will help you:
- Plan ahead — Get the details on holiday shipping deadlines and scheduling so your shipments arrive on time.
- Manage costs — Learn how to prepare for surcharges and optimize your holiday shipping rates.
- Ship with care — Explore best practices for packaging, delivery, returns and insurance.
And plenty more to make your busiest season run smoothly!
Get Ahead
Peak Season Schedules and Deadlines
When it comes to the holiday season rush, nothing matters more than timing. Meeting deadlines not only keeps your customers satisfied but also protects your business from delays, inefficiencies and costly disruptions. Here’s an overview of what you should know about important holiday shipping deadlines.
Also remember, severe weather and high demand can overturn even the most carefully prepared schedule. Stay ahead of potential disruptions by regularly checking our service alerts and monitoring updates throughout the busy season.
UPS® Holiday Shipping Cutoff Dates for 2025
Need your packages delivered by December 24? Be sure to plan around these UPS holiday deadlines to guarantee arrival before Christmas:
- UPS® Ground (Recommended): Use the UPS time and cost calculator for the most accurate transit estimates.
- UPS 3 Day Select®: Ship by Dec. 19
- UPS 2nd Day Air®: Ship by Dec. 22
- UPS Next Day Air® services*: Ship by Dec. 23
For additional details on available options, see the Worldwide Express Guide to Choosing the Right UPS Parcel Service.
* Shipments to certain destinations may require an earlier ship date. Check ups.com/ctc.
"Weather doesn't just slow trucks where it hits. It ripples across the entire network. Stay ahead by watching forecasts and setting clear expectations with your customers."
— Tal Borovsky, Senior Director of Operations at WWEX Group
UPS and Freight Carrier holiday Schedules
An essential part of B2B holiday planning is understanding when your carriers are operating — and when they’re not. Both parcel and freight shipping have unique seasonal adjustments, so review these calendars in advance to avoid unnecessary holiday shipping delays:
Peak Season Scheduling Tips
In 2025, Christmas Eve falls on a Wednesday and Christmas Day on Thursday. Many companies may remain closed through Friday, so adjust your shipping cutoffs accordingly. Here’s how to stay on your customers’ good side this year:
Work ahead of your usual fulfillment timelines to remain on schedule for pickups. Always provide carriers with accurate opening and closing times to give them the widest possible pickup window.
Set practical expectations around cutoff dates, transit times and potential delays. Share this information clearly with your customers to avoid issues, strengthen trust and encourage repeat orders in the new year.
Use Saturday service to ship earlier or ease weekday congestion. If your shipping activity spikes during the holiday shipping season, consider scheduling Saturday pickups from UPS where available. Adding an extra operating day helps reduce preparation bottlenecks, gives you another weekly pickup and keeps packages moving.
Note: Saturday service requires enrollment, includes a fee and is not available in every location.
Stay informed. Carriers, shippers and customers all depend on accurate service during the holiday rush. Be sure to monitor updates on carrier service guarantees and delivery windows. These can change throughout the season, so stay alert to updates from UPS and freight providers.
Check out the Worldwide Express Guide To Seven Ways to Stay Ahead of Freight Shipping Slowdowns during the busy season.
Expedited Options for the Holiday Season
Even the strongest peak shipping season plans sometimes require a last-minute solution. Here's what to keep in mind:
- Need to get a holiday package delivered quickly? Next-day parcel shipping offers a fast option for urgent deliveries. Stay ahead by calculating parcel time and cost in advance.
- Facing a last-minute freight crisis? Explore truckload carriers that provide ad hoc overnight services to cover emergencies.
- Many of our less-than-truckload (LTL) partners also provide shorter transit times, and some guaranteed delivery options may still be available.
Get guidance from Worldwide Express on selecting the right UPS® express service to meet your holiday deadlines.
"During the holidays, more freight means tighter capacity. Give carriers the biggest pickup window possible, get your pickups scheduled early in the day, and you’ll greatly improve the odds of your freight moving out same day. Remember, transit times are only estimates. When time is critical, choose guaranteed or faster services and build in a buffer. Shipping early is the best way to beat holiday delays."
— Tal Borovsky, Senior Director of Operations at WWEX Group
MANAGING HOLIDAY SHIPPING COSTS
Insights on Rates, Fees and Surcharges
The holiday rush brings not only higher demand but also higher expenses. While capacity pressures are unavoidable, you can prevent your budget from taking a hit by planning ahead and carefully managing seasonal rates and added fees.
UPS Holiday Rates and Surcharges
Keep in mind that seasonal surcharges* may apply to the following:
- Oversized shipments or those needing special handling
- UPS Air Residential, UPS Ground Residential and UPS Ground Saver deliveries
- International parcels moving across any origin or destination
Be sure to explore strategies from Worldwide Express to effectively manage these additional costs during the UPS shipping peak season!
* Some surcharges only apply if you exceed volume thresholds. Always confirm how they affect your business with the official UPS Peak Surcharges guide.
Tariffs During Peak Shipping Season 2025
Market uncertainty is a constant, and those pressures often grow more intense during the holiday rush. This year, shippers are having to create strategies to stay profitable in the face of new U.S. tariffs.
Along with tariffs, many shippers are also navigating:
- Freight recession challenges affecting both pricing and available capacity
- Labor shortages that cause delays across carriers and distribution hubs
Each of these factors can drive up costs, extend transit times and reduce customer satisfaction. That’s why it’s essential to have a proactive plan — and the right logistics partner. Partnering with a 3PL helps strengthen supply chain resilience, reveal new efficiencies and respond quickly as market conditions shift.
PEAK SEASON CASE STUDY
Bay Island — Specialty Food, Holiday Gift Baskets
When holiday shipping pressure mounted, WWEX Group delivered. With smart solutions and caring support, Bay Island shipped smoothly, saved money and spread joy nationwide.
Ship With Care
Tips for Packaging, Returns and Insurance
The holiday season isn’t only about how fast items arrive. It’s also about safeguarding products, presenting them well and planning for inevitable returns. Here’s how to ensure your shipments bring joy — not headaches — during this busy time of year.
"The holidays should be a season of joy, not stress. Ship early, know the deadlines and give your gifts the best chance to arrive right on time. Strong boxes, smart planning and a little extra peace of mind go a long way. Pack carefully, insure if needed and stay updated so your holiday deliveries travel safely."
— Tom Cook, Vice President of Specialized Services at WWEX Group
Top Tips for Holiday Parcel Shipping
Looking to get the most out of your holiday shipping? A few smart adjustments can make a big difference in your small package strategy this season:
Stock up in advance.
The shipping peak season brings heavy volumes and urgent orders, so be prepared. Secure plenty of packaging supplies before the rush begins. Don’t wait until shelves are empty — order what you need ahead of time so you’re ready when demand spikes.
Focus on proper preparation.
The way you pack can mean the difference between a smooth delivery and an expensive return. Use this time to refresh your packaging knowledge — from adding enough cushioning for fragile items to sealing cartons securely — so every parcel moves through the system without issues.
Revisit your returns policy.
A flood of returns is as predictable as holiday music on the radio. Review your policies and processes now, before requests pile up. A clear, efficient returns strategy minimizes problems and gives your company an advantage heading into the new year.
Find more guidance on packaging, returns and related best practices in the Worldwide Express Guide to Holiday Shipping: Parcel Edition.
Practical Tips for Holiday Freight Shipping
Freight requires just as much attention during the holiday shipping season as parcel shipments do. Here are ways to keep your larger loads secure, protected and moving on schedule:
Prepare pallets correctly.
Just like with parcel packaging, it pays to review freight packing best practices. From choosing the right materials to stacking and securing loads properly, well-prepped pallets help prevent costly damage and avoid unnecessary delays.
Guard against cargo theft.
Theft activity often spikes during the holiday rush — and it's been increasing again this year. Stay ahead by knowing which types of goods are frequently targeted, improving both facility and in-transit security and having a clear plan in place if theft occurs.
Winterize your freight logistics.
Snow, ice and severe cold can all create risks for fragile or temperature-sensitive shipments. Take preventive measures to insulate and protect your cargo so winter weather doesn’t put your deliveries at risk.
Find additional advice on packaging, returns and more in the Worldwide Express Guide to Holiday Shipping: Freight Edition.
"In 19 years, I've never seen freight theft escalate like this. It's no longer just smash-and-grabs. It's full-on operations with spoofed emails, impersonated carriers and digital reselling on Amazon and Facebook Marketplace."
— JJ Lewis, SVP of Truckload at WWEX Group
’Tis the Season to Safeguard Your Business
More shipments mean fuller trucks — and with that comes greater risk of loss or damage. If you don't typically insure your freight or parcels, the holidays are a smart time to reconsider. Carrier liability has limits, and that means your goods aren't always fully protected. A small investment in coverage can prevent major losses.
Explore liability limits and how to secure complete protection with our ProfitProtectâ„¢, powered by InsureShield® shipping insurance. Offering affordable parcel and freight coverage, ProfitProtect shields you from loss or damage — and even guards against porch piracy, something not covered by standard carrier liability.
For added protection this Holiday Shipping Season, be sure to:
- Take photos of outgoing shipments to simplify claims.
- Keep all packaging materials until any claims are fully resolved.
Don't leave your business exposed — insure your parcel and freight shipments this holiday season.
Holiday Season Shipping FAQs
WWEX Group, a trusted 3PL, partners with leading carriers, delivers expert logistics guidance, and leverages technology-driven visibility to ensure your parcels and freight move dependably throughout the busiest time of the year.
Yes. We provide parcel and freight insurance, proactive tracking, claims assistance and risk-mitigation strategies to help safeguard your shipments and quickly resolve issues if loss, theft or damage occurs.
Our services include parcel, freight, final mile, expedited, international, white glove, managed transportation and more. In addition, we offer advanced technology platforms and dedicated support teams to optimize routing, consolidate loads and keep supply chains running efficiently.
Cutoff dates differ by carrier and service type. Continue to check this guide, as we'll provide updated deadlines for freight partners to help you stay on schedule.
Carriers recommend shipping earlier than normal. UPS will release its official holiday guide soon. Be sure to revisit this resource for updated timelines so you can avoid costly delays and disappointed customers during the holiday shipping season.
Discover How WWEX Group Can Help You Navigate the Shipping Peak Season
From reverse logistics to B2B holiday fulfillment strategies, WWEX Group delivers the expertise, resources and proven holiday shipping practices needed to manage the shipping peak season with confidence. With industry expertise and access to a nationwide carrier network, we ensure your holiday supply chain is managed seamlessly — from the first scan through the final mile.