5 Things to Know for Successful Shipping During Winter

1. 5 Things to Know for Successful Shipping During Winter Winter. While for most of the individuals it means festivity, vacations and the most awaited time of the year, for freight shipping it is arguably the toughest time. Freight forwarders have to be on their toes to cope up with the challenges posed by the winter such as frigid temperatures, hazardous road conditions and early darkness, all of which lead to shipment delays, shortages and supply chain nightmares. And out of all the modes of shipping, trucking industry suffers the worst weather-related challenges which cost around $2-$3.5 billion every year on an average. However, by planning ahead and preparing your business for the coming season, you can not only overcome the challenges but can also make the most of the festive time. Here, we have written a few tips to help you plan shipping wisely according to the US winter season and thus stay unaffected by the season’s consequences: 1.Plan ahead and expect delays As winter is not only about the terrible weather conditions but also about the holiday season, it further leads to holiday traffic, high order volumes and seemingly endless service restrictions which prevents truckers from driving when you need them the most. In other words, delays are bound to happen. What you can do: First and foremost, you should plan your shipping earlier. In fact, you should opt for expedited shipping as it will get your shipment faster than any other method.

2. 2.Plan according to the goods you are shipping Cargo like the perishables are likely to get ruined by the freezing temperatures. Some other items like the machinery and its parts are also susceptible and may get damaged due to low temperatures. What you can do: To avoid the ill-effects of winter, transport your cargo in a temperature controlled truck. It will charge you extra but is worth every dollar paid. 3.Don’t promise early deliveries No matter how early you have set the date of shipment, don’t be excited to announce the date of delivery as you will only set your customer’s expectations high during these rough shipping months when delays are inevitable. What you can do: Choose a reliable freight forwarder who offers tracking on shipment. You will have answers to questions like where is the shipment, how late it is running and when it will reach the destination. 4.Warehousing If you are a retailer, chances are that you may run out of products during the festive or the sale season. In the worst possible scenario, the delays in cargo delivery may leave the shelves of your store bare until the shipment reaches. What you can do: If you have space, stockpile the items that you think will be sold off the most. In case you don’t have enough space, you can opt for warehouses. Many businesses store their products in warehouses and distribution centers which are at locations that allow for quicker pickup and delivery times. 5.Hire the right freight forwarder A lot depends on the services of freight forwarder. If a company has records of late deliveries, there’s no chance that they will be able to deliver as per your expectations during winter. What you can do: Choose a freight forwarder who has survived many winters in the shipping industry and thus knows how to tackle the situations that are outcome of winter. And as we mentioned before that opt for the services of the one who provides tracking system as it can help you know about the delivery time of shipment. These tips can help retailers and e-commerce companies serve their customers well even during the harsh winter weather conditions. Try these but pay specifically more attention towards the last point; hire the right freight forwarder. Freight forwarder is responsible for a lot of things and it is imperative to hire the best.