For many businesses, December is a peak month for transport and logistics. With demand rising due to Christmas, delivery networks reach peak capacity which makes last-minute bookings harder to accommodate. To ensure you don’t miss out in these festive months and your business stays moving, here are some tips for handling your logistics this Christmas.
Book Your Christmas Freight Early
Early booking for Christmas is strongly recommended so that logistics companies can allocate vehicles, plan routes and ensure your goods move through the network without unnecessary delays. Plan your bookings around your busiest days and avoid relying on next-day delivery close to Christmas to avoid disappointment. If you can, schedule collections as early as possible.
Weather-Proofing Your Freight
Winter in the UK means unpredictable weather, often meaning heavy rain, snow, ice and freezing temperatures – all of which can damage any unprotected freight. Even though your goods are transported inside vehicles, they can still be exposed to the elements in loading bays, temporary storage points and more.
To keep your goods protected:
- Wrap pallets with water-resistant stretch wrap
- Use shrink wrap or waterproof covers for vulnerable items
- Seal all boxes properly to prevent water ingress
- Use plastic-topped pallets or caps for added protection
- Avoid leaving unwrapped freight outside before collection
- Check that labels remain readable even if exposed to moisture
Weatherproofing your freight helps prevent damage, ensures labels stay intact and keeps deliveries running smoothly despite winter conditions.
Package and Label Freight Clearly
Clearly labelled and packaged freight is the key to fast processing, especially at Christmas, when warehouses are handling significantly higher volumes. Recommended practices include using sturdy, stackable pallets, reinforcing boxes for long-distance, labelling addresses and postcodes clearly and adding handling instructions. Correct packaging will not only reduce the risk of your goods being damaged but also helps facilitate quick and accurate delivery.
Allow Extra Time For Weather Disruptions
Winter weather conditions can have a significant effect on even the most efficient delivery networks. Snow, ice and heavy rain and subsequent traffic can all impact journey times. Therefore, take this into account when you’re booking in your deliveries, allowing for extra lead time for December shipments. Plan in advance for urgent or time-critical loads to ensure your goods get to where they need to be in sufficient time. If you’re unsure, speak to your logistics company who can advise you on their lead times.
Ensure Your Site Is Ready for Collection and Delivery
A major cause of festive disruption is missed delivery or collection windows. You can help keep things moving by ensuring your site is prepared. This means having your freight packed and ready before the vehicle arrives, making sure there is clear access for the HGV. Make sure to also confirm your Christmas opening hours in advance so the logistics company doesn’t miss you. Communicate any issues such as limited staffing or temporary site closures that could be a barrier to delivery/collection. Good preparation allows fast, reliable Christmas delivery schedules.
Understand Holiday Transit Times
During the festive period, transit times can slightly differ due to overall increased national freight volumes, driver availability, slower warehouse processing and public holidays. This is why it’s recommended to avoid sending critical loads on the last working day before Christmas, as this may not be moved until the logistics company or network reopens.
Clear and Up to Date Communication
The more information provided, the smoother your deliveries will be. Throughout peak season, updating your logistics handler on things such as order volume changes, urgent last-minute requests, opening hours and site access restrictions can help planning and therefore ensure your delivery is handled on time. It also helps to plan the most efficient routes so everything can stick to schedule.
Use an Expert Logistics Company to Plan Your Christmas Deliveries
At Cross Country Carriers, we manage large volumes of shipments every December. Our team has the expertise to help advise you on the best days to send freight to help you plan around busy periods. Our friendly team can also help to ensure you prepare your packaging correctly.
We’re committed to providing a reliable, efficient and customer-focused service throughout the Christmas season. If you need help planning your holiday freight or want to discuss December capacity, get in touch with our team who are happy to help.
