The holiday season is a busy period for air cargo. Retailers, distributors, and manufacturers have more goods to ship, and getting every shipment delivered on time takes planning. If businesses wait too long to book, they could have trouble finding cargo space or getting their goods delivered when they need them.
It’s best to start planning before the rush begins. Booking cargo space and getting the paperwork ready in advance can save businesses from last-minute hassles.
This blog breaks down the steps businesses can take to prepare their air cargo shipments for the holiday rush, avoid common shipping issues, and choose the right freight service for their needs.
What Is Peak Season in Air Cargo?
Peak season in air cargo is that time of the year when demand for air freight increases. This is the time when businesses are preparing for holiday sales and year-end orders. Retailers need new stock for sale, distributors need to restock their warehouses, and manufacturers need raw materials and parts to keep production on schedule.
The holiday rush usually starts around September or October and continues through December. The shipping activity often increases around Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the year-end holidays.
There are other busy periods throughout the year, too. Like, in January and February, businesses rush to ship goods before factories in China and other parts of Asia close for Lunar New Year. Shipping demand can also increase around the back-to-school season and major electronics launches.
Since the timing varies by route, destination, and type of cargo, we’d recommend that businesses know when shipping demand typically peaks for their particular routes so they can plan their shipments accordingly.
How to Prepare for the Holiday Shipping Rush
Get Your Holiday Inventory Moving Early
Don’t wait until the goods are ready to ship before contacting your freight provider. Discuss your shipping needs as soon as you have a clear idea of the cargo volume, destination, and delivery dates. If your shipment is expected to move during the busiest week, ask your provider how far in advance reservations should be made. A lead time of 8-12 weeks is sometimes suggested for peak-season freight planning, but the right window depends on the route, cargo volume, and service. Confirm the recommended booking timeline with your freight provider. However, the key is to plan around when your inventory needs to be available. For example, you need to send electronic components to a manufacturer before its holiday production schedule. Work backwards from the date those parts are needed.
Estimate Your Cargo Volume, Weight, and Shipping Costs
Estimate how much cargo you have to ship, including the total weight, number of packages, and dimensions of each package. Use the actual figures wherever possible, as inaccurate measurements can lead to revised shipping charges. Air freight charges are based on chargeable weight, which accounts for both the shipment’s actual weight and its volumetric weight. The carrier typically charges for whichever is greater. Volumetric weight reflects how much space the cargo takes up, which means a large, lightweight shipment could cost more than you expect. Second is the shipment’s actual weight, which is the physical weight of the cargo.
For example, a box of lightweight pillows might weigh 5 kg but have a volumetric weight of 12 kg because of its size. So the chargeable weight would generally be 12 kg, subject to the carrier’s pricing rules.
It’s suggested to review your packaging to avoid unnecessary bulk, but don’t compromise on protecting the goods. Heavy, oversized, or fragile cargo should be carefully packed with the right materials. Also, share those details with your freight provider so they can confirm the handling requirements and provide a more accurate quote.
Prepare Your Cargo for Security Screening
You’ve reserved the air freight but that does not mean your cargo is ready to ship. Before air cargo staff loads your shipment onto an aircraft, they do its security screening. During the holiday rush, missing information or cargo that is not ready for inspection can cause delays. Discuss the screening requirements with your provider. Make sure the cargo is properly labelled, packed, and accompanied by the necessary documents.
Check package dimensions, shipment markings, and any special handling requirements before the cargo reaches the airport. If you’re shipping dangerous goods, time-sensitive goods, or oversized items, confirm the rules that apply to them. Missing these requirements can lead to additional checks, missed departure, or issues while clearing customs.
Complete the Required Shipping Documents
Documents are the most important part of the air cargo shipment process, especially during the holiday rush when a small missing detail can cause delays or prevent your shipment from moving on schedule. For international air shipments, you’ll have to submit documents including an air waybill, commercial invoice, and packing list. Certain goods and destinations require additional permits or declarations. Keep the goods description, quantities, weights, and destination details accurate and consistent across the documents. If you aren’t sure which documents apply to your shipment, clear with your freight provider or customs broker before dispatch.
Allow Enough Time for Delivery
A shipment scheduled to arrive before a holiday sale is not necessarily ready for customers the moment the plan lands. It still needs to clear customs, leave the airport, and reach the warehouse or store. Any detail along the way could affect when the stock becomes available. When setting your shipping dates, account for these steps and check the expected transit time with your freight provider. If the goods are needed by a specific date, schedule the shipment to arrive with enough time to spare.
Have a Backup Plan By Your Side
Your shipment is ready to go but what if a flight gets cancelled, bad weather, or a hurricane disrupts the schedule, or your cargo misses a connecting flight? Before sending them, identify which shipments are most time-sensitive and whether you have flexibility with some shipments in terms of their delivery dates. Also, confirm alternative flights or routes if a scheduled service is disrupted. For urgent inventory, consider splitting the shipment across different departures, if capacity and cost allow, so one delay does not affect the entire order.
If you’re shipping holiday inventory through the Caribbean, Latin America, or other Amerijet destinations, contact Amerijet to discuss your peak-season shipping needs and plan for potential disruptions.
Choose the Right Air Freight Provider
When choosing an air freight provider, look for one with experience handling your type of cargo and serving your required destination. Amerijet brings more than 50 years of experience in air cargo transportation, helping businesses move shipments across the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and South America. Discuss your cargo requirements with the team, including your preferred delivery dates, shipment volume, and any special handling needs. Ask about available routes, transit times, and scheduling options to find a service that fits your shipping plans, especially during peak seasons.
You can also contact Amerijet to discuss your shipment details and request a quote based on your cargo and transportation requirements.
Get Ready for the Holiday Shipping Rush With Amerijet
The holiday shipping rush leaves less time for last-minute discussions. Booking cargo space early, providing accurate documents, and allowing enough time for delivery can help your business avoid preventable delays and keep inventory moving when demand is high.
Planning holiday shipments? Contact Amerijet today to discuss your air freight requirements before peak season gets underway.
