Holiday orders are good news. Running out of labels halfway through packing them? Not so much.
A little preparation can help your small business keep packages moving when things get busy. This peak season shipping checklist covers seven essentials: supplies, package measurements, delivery coverage, shipping tools, pickups, customer updates and tracking.
If you ship within the Western U.S., it’s also a good time to check which routes you can serve with discounted GLS ground shipping through Shiplicity. Here’s how to get ready before the holiday rush.
Your Peak Season Shipping Checklist at a Glance
- ✓ Stock your everyday packing supplies.
- ✓ Measure and weigh your most common packed orders.
- ✓ Check shipping options for your regular destinations.
- ✓ Test your shipping process from packing to pickup.
- ✓ Confirm pickup arrangements and holiday schedules.
- ✓ Set clear customer order deadlines and delivery expectations.
- ✓ Decide who checks tracking and follows up on delays.
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1. Stock the Supplies You Reach for Every Day
Start with the things you don’t want to run out of halfway through an order: boxes, mailers, tape, labels and protective packaging. Check your printer supplies, too.
Look at last year’s busy periods and any promotions you have planned. Do you have enough supplies for the orders you expect? How quickly can your supplier replenish them?
Set a reorder point for your essentials so you’re buying more before the shelf is empty. Keep backup labels and printer supplies within easy reach.
And resist the temptation to use one large box for everything. A few well-chosen sizes can help protect your products, reduce wasted packing material and keep package dimensions in check.
2. Measure Your Packages Before Things Get Busy
Your product’s weight isn’t the same as its shipping weight. The box, inserts and protective packaging all count.
Pack your best-selling products and common order combinations as you would for a customer. Then weigh the sealed packages and measure their outside length, width and height.
Keep a simple reference sheet at your packing station:
| Product or order combination | Packaging used | Packed dimensions | Packed weight |
| Your common order | Box or mailer size | Length × width × height | Weight including packaging |
This gives your team a useful starting point. If the contents or packaging change, measure and weigh the package again.
Accurate details help you get a more reliable quote and reduce the chance of billing adjustments. They also help you spot packaging that’s larger than it needs to be. Large, lightweight boxes may be priced using dimensional weight under the carrier’s rules.
For more everyday ideas, see our small business shipping tips.
3. Check Where Your Orders Are Going—and What They Cost to Ship
Before the rush, look at your most common delivery destinations. Test a few quotes using those ZIP codes and your usual package sizes.
If your business ships within the Western U.S., check whether GLS ground shipping through Shiplicity fits your routes, budget and delivery needs. Service availability depends on the exact origin and destination ZIP codes.
Review the full shipping quote, including any applicable seasonal, fuel, residential or pickup charges. If you offer flat-rate or free shipping, check that your holiday pricing still works for your most common orders.
You don’t need to investigate every possible destination. Start with the routes you use most, then check each shipment’s available rate and service when you’re ready to book.
Learn more about regional ground shipping for Western U.S. businesses.
4. Give Your Shipping Process a Test Run
A quiet afternoon is a much better time to discover a printer problem than the morning after your biggest holiday sale.
Walk through the steps your team will follow:
- Pack the order.
- Confirm the delivery address, weight and dimensions.
- Enter the shipment details and review the quote.
- Create and print the label.
- Arrange an available pickup.
- Find the tracking information.
Check that labels print clearly and everyone knows where finished packages belong. Have a second team member try the process so shipping doesn’t depend on one person being available.
Notice where you get stuck. Missing apartment numbers? A printer only one employee can access? Package measurements stored on someone’s phone? Fix those small obstacles now.
Shiplicity’s online shipping tools bring quotes, labels, pickup scheduling and tracking into one place. Get familiar with the steps before you’re working through a stack of orders.
Don’t have an account? It’s easy and free to sign up!
Simply click here to get started
5. Make a Pickup Plan
Packed and labelled is a good start. Your packages still need to leave the building.
Before your order volume increases, confirm:
- Available pickup arrangements and scheduling cutoff times.
- Carrier holiday operating schedules.
- Whether a larger package volume requires advance coordination.
- Where packages will wait for collection.
- Who will follow up if a pickup is missed.
Give your team a clear internal packing deadline so packages are ready for the planned pickup. Building in some breathing room is easier than finishing the last labels while the driver waits.
If you’re unsure about pickup arrangements for a Shiplicity shipment, contact our support team before the busy day arrives.
6. Tell Customers What to Expect
“Will it arrive in time?” is easier to answer when you’ve worked out your holiday order deadlines in advance.
Allow time for three things:
Order preparation + estimated carrier transit + a buffer
Your customer’s order deadline should account for the time you need to pick, pack and hand over the package—not just the carrier’s estimated transit time.
Make it easy for customers to find:
- How long you expect order preparation to take.
- Your recommended holiday order dates.
- When they’ll receive tracking information.
- How to contact you with a delivery question.
Keep that information consistent wherever you share it, including your website and order emails.
Estimated delivery dates are not guaranteed arrival dates. Check the route, current carrier schedules and service conditions before making a time-sensitive promise. If your packing queue grows, update your processing times promptly.
For more detail, read How Long Does Ground Shipping Usually Take?.
7. Know What to Do When a Shipment Needs Attention
Decide who will check tracking each business day during your busy period. Give that person a clear next step if a package is delayed, a delivery attempt fails or an address needs attention.
Have the shipment details ready before contacting support, and decide who will update the customer. A short, helpful message can save the customer from wondering what’s happening.
Prepare a few simple email templates ahead of time, but tailor each message to the situation. Explain what you know, what you’re checking and when you’ll follow up. Avoid promising a new arrival date until it’s confirmed.
With Shiplicity, you have access to real people who can help with shipping questions. You don’t have to figure out every issue on your own.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should a small business start preparing for holiday shipping?
A practical starting point is six to eight weeks before you expect orders to increase. Allow longer if your packaging suppliers need more lead time or you’re planning a major promotion. If the rush is already close, tackle supplies, pickup arrangements and customer order deadlines first.
How do I set a holiday order deadline?
Work backward from the date your customer needs the order. Allow for packing and processing, the estimated carrier transit time and a buffer for unexpected delays. Check current carrier holiday schedules before publishing your deadline, and make clear whether delivery timing is estimated or guaranteed.
What should I check before scheduling holiday pickups?
Confirm pickup availability, scheduling cutoff times, holiday operating hours and any arrangements needed for higher package volumes. Make sure your team knows when packages must be ready and who will follow up if they aren’t collected.
How can Shiplicity help with peak season shipping?
Shiplicity gives small businesses access to discounted GLS ground shipping for eligible routes within the Western U.S. You can check rates, create labels, schedule available pickups and track packages through one online platform, with human support when you need help. Creating an account is free, with no minimum shipping volume required.
Get Your Shipping Setup Ready Before the Rush
Your busiest shipping day is no time to learn a new system. Create your free Shiplicity account now, check a rate for a typical package and get familiar with the steps before holiday orders pick up.
Shiplicity gives businesses access to discounted GLS ground shipping for eligible routes within the Western U.S., with tools for labels, pickups and tracking—and real people to help when you need them.
