Peak season is here, and this year’s holiday mailing landscape looks different than ever before. We connected with shipping experts from UPS, DHL Express, GlobalPost, and FedEx to get their practical advice on preparing for the busiest time of year.
Here’s what they had to say about inventory planning, shipping deadlines, evolving customer expectations, and everything in between.
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
View 2025 holiday shipping deadlines here.
“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.”
“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?”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“They expect accurate estimated delivery dates and communications on delivery status all along the package journey.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
Planning ahead and partnering with the right carriers are essential for a successful holiday season. With Stamps.com, you get access to UPS, USPS, and other major carriers—all from one easy-to-use platform. Plus, you’ll save with exclusive carrier discounts that help keep your shipping costs under control while meeting customer expectations for fast, reliable delivery.
Try our free rate calculator, and see how much you could be saving on postage and shipping costs. Ready to streamline your holiday mailing? Start your free 30-day trial of Stamps.com today.
