The period from Black Friday to Christmas is the busiest time of the year for carriers. Volumes rise sharply, terminals are full and delays can occur. With the right planning, good packaging and accurate information, your goods are more likely to arrive on time. Here is what to keep in mind when you ship parcels and pallets during peak season.
Plan ahead and ship early
- Ship early. The closer to Christmas, the greater the pressure on the whole transport chain.
- Don't rely on standard lead times. Collection and delivery days are not guaranteed during peak season, even if they are booked or stated in the carrier's standard lead times.
- Build in a margin, especially for goods that must arrive by a certain date.
- Book collections early. Capacity can be limited, and late bookings risk a later collection day.
Last shipping dates before Christmas
Every year, carriers publish their recommended last shipping dates for delivery before Christmas Eve. The dates vary between carriers, services and destinations. As a rule of thumb:
- Countries outside Europe, such as the US and China: the last date can be as early as late November.
- Europe: usually early to mid-December. Countries outside the EU, such as the UK, often have earlier dates.
- Domestic (Sweden): usually around a week before Christmas Eve.
Always check the exact dates for the service you use, for example with PostNord and DHL. Remember that the dates are recommendations, not a guarantee of delivery before Christmas.
Pack for tougher handling
During peak season, more shipments pass through the terminals, which puts more strain on packaging.
- Pack securely for handling at several stages.
- Use good-quality boxes, fill empty space and secure the goods so they cannot move.
- Pallets must be correctly packed, well secured and clearly labelled. Read more about how to pack and secure a pallet.
- Mark fragile goods clearly, but assume the goods still need to withstand normal handling.
Get more tips in our article on how to reduce damage and shipping costs with the right packaging.
Check addresses and documentation
- Double-check the recipient's address, contact person and phone number. Incorrect details easily lead to delays that are hard to make up during peak season.
- Make sure labels are firmly attached and readable, and remove old labels.
- Check the recipient's opening hours and any closed days over the holidays, especially for deliveries to businesses.
International shipments
- Expect longer lead times than for domestic shipments, and earlier last shipping dates.
- Complete customs and export documents correctly. Incomplete documents, such as an inadequate commercial invoice, are a common reason for goods getting stuck in customs. Read more about the new customs rules in 2026.
- Check public holidays and changed opening hours in the destination country.
Peak season surcharges
Several carriers charge a surcharge during peak season, often called a capacity or peak surcharge. It is usually a few kronor per shipment. When you book through Shiplink, the surcharge is automatically included in the price, so you can see what the shipment costs before you book.
Keep your customers informed
- Let your customers know that deliveries during this period may take longer than usual.
- Follow up shipments through tracking and be ready to act if something deviates.
- Plan ahead in your dialogue with your carrier about volumes and needs.
Peak season checklist
- Check the last shipping dates for domestic and international shipments.
- Book collections early and build in a margin.
- Pack securely and fill empty space.
- Double-check addresses, contact details and labels.
- Complete the commercial invoice and customs documents correctly.
- Tell your customers that deliveries may take longer.
How Shiplink can help
Shiplink is a freight platform where businesses can compare and book freight services from multiple carriers. With several carriers in one place, you have alternatives if a service fills up during peak season. Compare and book parcels and pallets in the portal.
The information was checked on 9 November 2026.
