Hurricane season officially kicks off June 1 and runs through November 30. For small businesses, independent sellers, and anyone who ships regularly to coastal or southeastern regions of the U.S., it’s smart to understand how carriers prepare—and what you can do now to minimize disruptions later.
According to NOAA’s May 2026 seasonal outlook, forecasters are predicting a below-normal Atlantic hurricane season—with eight to 14 named storms, three to six hurricanes, and one to three major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher). A developing El Niño pattern is expected to suppress tropical activity this year. But as forecasters are quick to note, a below-normal season doesn’t mean a low-risk one. It only takes one storm making landfall to make a season impactful.
Two carriers available through Stamps.com—DHL Express and GlobalPost—shared how they approach hurricane season from preparation through recovery. Here’s what they had to say.
Preparation typically begins six to eight weeks before the official start of hurricane season. DHL’s planning focuses on employee safety, communication protocols, facility preparedness, and protecting critical equipment. Teams also review contingency plans to minimize potential service disruptions—things like securing backup fuel supplies, staging generators, and identifying alternative operating procedures if facilities or transportation routes are impacted. All stations receive DHL Express’s Hurricane Planning and Response safety brief, and weather alerts are issued to affected locations as storms develop.
GlobalPost starts planning well before hurricane season, reviewing routes, updating contingency plans, and coordinating with suppliers and facilities. Their flexible network and supplier relationships allow them to adjust routes proactively to keep packages moving and minimize delays.
GlobalPost maintains a dedicated GlobalPost Service Updates page that serves as a comprehensive hub—not just for hurricane-related alerts, but for global shipping updates including international customs delays, regional weather events, and geopolitical disruptions worldwide. In addition to this public resource, GlobalPost provides proactive email notifications and real-time tracking milestones to keep merchants and customers aligned.
When severe weather affects operations, service alerts are posted on DHL’s website and updated as conditions evolve. Commercial and customer service teams also proactively reach out to customers with updates on impacted areas, expected delays, and estimated recovery timelines.
When a storm is forecast several days in advance, merchants are encouraged to monitor conditions in destination regions before shipping. Options may include rerouting shipments to alternate locations, scheduling a hold for pickup, or requesting that shipments be temporarily held until delivery routes reopen.
Because GlobalPost sits at the intersection of various transit points, they can often divert high volumes to alternate processing centers outside a storm’s path. Their supplier network and flexible routing options help keep packages moving safely and minimize interruptions.
Packages in affected facilities are secured until it’s safe to resume processing. Where possible, GlobalPost uses its network to reroute shipments around the disruption to reduce delays and keep deliveries on track.
When a storm is expected to impact a region, DHL closely monitors conditions and may adjust operations in advance. Shipments already in transit may be temporarily held at secure facilities until it’s safe to resume movement. Customers may also request rerouting or a delivery hold until affected areas become accessible again.
Hurricanes are generally considered force majeure events, as outlined in DHL’s Terms and Conditions. Service disruptions caused directly by extreme weather may not be eligible for standard claims coverage—something merchants should factor into their pre-season planning.
Merchants can file a claim through the GlobalPost website. Their team works to investigate and resolve claims quickly, providing transparency throughout the process.
GlobalPost recommends using the Service Updates page as your hub for global shipping trends and regional alerts. They also advise against relying on a single service or gateway for high-volume shipments to hurricane-prone areas, leveraging services with added insurance, building in additional transit time during peak storm periods, verifying address accuracy, and preparing standardized customer communications so you can quickly set expectations.
DHL recommends monitoring destination regions for potential weather impacts, building in additional transit buffer time, and considering shipment value protection for higher-value goods. Advance planning and flexibility can help maintain continuity when severe weather affects transportation networks.
Recovery timelines depend on the severity of the storm and the extent of infrastructure damage. For lower-intensity storms, service may resume as quickly as the following day. More severe events may require several days to a week as teams assess facility conditions and restore transportation routes. Employee safety is the top priority—facilities are inspected and road conditions evaluated before couriers return to service.
Recovery depends on the severity of the storm, but GlobalPost’s teams and suppliers work around the clock to resume operations safely. As conditions improve, they restore service by monitoring local infrastructure, supplier availability, and transportation networks in real time.
Yes. GlobalPost has enhanced its tracking systems, strengthened contingency protocols, and invested in partnerships with suppliers to better support shippers during hurricane season. This includes linking to destination final-mile carrier tracking numbers for most shipments to enable more complete visibility. They’re also working toward offering predictive delivery insights, with ongoing enhancements focused on speed, transparency, and resilience during disruptions.
Yes. DHL has implemented its Quick Connect system and pre-positioned mobile generators at key locations along the East Coast, Southeast, and Central U.S., enabling facilities to maintain operations during power outages. These efforts are complemented by ongoing investments in facility hardening and network flexibility.
Storms are unpredictable—your shipping strategy doesn’t have to be. Stamps.com gives you access to GlobalPost and other trusted carriers, so you can keep packages moving and your customers informed. Start shipping today.
Drop off your shipment 24 hours a day, seven days a week at one of the 60,000 UPS dropoff locations across the United States. This includes UPS Stores, UPS Drop Boxes, CVS, Michaels, and Advanced Auto Parts.
You can log into your app and visit your "history" page to view real-time tracking information for every item you send. You can also enter your tracking number on the UPS website to see tracking updates.
No. DHL Express typically does not deliver on Sundays in most regions. However, Sunday delivery may be available in select areas or for time-definite international shipments with specific service upgrades. Check with DHL directly for regional availability.
UPS Worldwide Saver is faster than UPS Worldwide Expedited, offering delivery by the end of the next business day to major business centers, compared to 2-5 business days for Worldwide Expedited. Worldwide Saver provides a more economical alternative to premium express services while maintaining quick delivery.
UPS 2nd Day Air guarantees delivery by the end of the second business day. For time-critical shipments, you can choose UPS 2nd Day Air A.M., which delivers by 10:30 AM, 12:00 PM, or 2:00 PM (depending on destination) on the second business day.
UPS Standard generally delivers within 1 to 5 business days, with residential deliveries typically occurring between 9 AM and 9 PM. The exact delivery time depends on the distance the package travels and the specific destination.
UPS Next Day Air offers guaranteed delivery by 10:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m., or end of day on the next business day, depending on the destination and specific service selected. Deliveries are made Monday through Friday, with Saturday delivery available in select areas for an additional fee.
USPS Priority Mail generally delivers in 2-3 business days. First-Class Mail, while more economical, typically takes 1-5 business days for delivery.
UPS Ground tracking uses a system of scans to update customers on the location and status of their packages as they move through the UPS network. Each package is assigned a unique tracking number, and as it travels, it's scanned at various points, including when it's received, when it's transferred between facilities, and when it's out for delivery.
USPS Ground Advantage delivery time is typically the slowest for domestic shipping services, taking two to five business days depending on the destination.
UPS Ground typically takes 1 to 5 business days for delivery with 90% of UPS® Ground packages being delivered in 3 days or less.
UPS Standard is generally faster than UPS Ground Saver, as it has a typical delivery window of 1-5 business days compared to Ground Saver's 2-7 business days.
UPS Next Day Air is significantly faster than UPS Second Day Air, delivering packages by the next business day, while UPS Second Day Air delivers within two business days. It's the fastest standard overnight service offered by UPS.
UPS Ground Saver is typically slower than UPS Standard, with delivery times ranging from 2-7 business days, whereas UPS Standard generally delivers within 1-5 business days.
UPS 3 Day Select is generally faster than UPS Ground Saver, offering guaranteed delivery within three business days, whereas Ground Saver can take 2-7 business days and has no guaranteed delivery time.
UPS 2nd Day Air is faster than UPS 3 Day Select, offering guaranteed delivery by the end of the second business day, while 3 Day Select provides guaranteed delivery by the end of the third business day.
UPS 3 Day Select guarantees delivery by the end of the third business day after the package is picked up, with deliveries typically occurring Monday through Friday. It's a reliable option for shipments that aren't time-critical but need to arrive within a specific timeframe.
UPS Ground Saver typically delivers packages within 2 to 7 business days across the contiguous United States.
UPS Worldwide Saver guarantees delivery by the end of the business day, one day faster than UPS Worldwide Expedited. This service connects major business centers in over 220 countries and territories with time-definite delivery and customs clearance included.
Packages up to 15.999 ounces are priced in 4-ounce increments, while heavier packages are charged by the pound, rounded up. The further the distance, the higher the cost. Additional fees apply to oversized packages. Easily calculate discounted rates anytime at Stamps.com.
USPS Priority Mail typically takes one to three business days, depending on destination, to deliver. You can easily check for a delivery time estimate on USPS’s Priority Mail Delivery Map.
DHL Express is a premium international shipping service that offers fast, time-definite delivery to over 220 countries and territories. It's designed for urgent packages, with door-to-door tracking, customs support, and express delivery options for businesses and individuals.
