10 Tips for a Successful December in Shipping (Save Your Sanity & Your Freight)

December isn’t “busy.” It’s peak chaos with a bow on it. Weather flips a coin, warehouses fill up faster than Santa’s sleigh, and carriers get more requests than Mariah Carey.
Here’s how to actually get your freight delivered before the holidays hit back.

1) Book Early. Like… Yesterday.

If you think last-minute requests are no big deal in December, they are. Space on trucks disappears fast. Booking early gets you better rates, more options, and fewer headaches. It’s cheaper than panic.

2) Be Honest About Your Dimensions

If your freight is shaped like a weird Christmas gift, tell us. Correct dimensions and weight = the right equipment + no delays + no surprise charges.

3) Expect – and Plan For – Delays

Weather doesn’t care about your deadlines. Ice, snow, rain, and overloaded cross-docks happen. Add buffer days to your plan.

4) Ship Earlier in the Week

Mondays and Tuesdays are your best friends. Shipping later in the week risks getting caught in a weekend warehouse reroute and suddenly your pallet is stuck somewhere eating candy canes till Monday.

5) Use Proper Packaging

Cold weather destroys flimsy packaging. Wrap, strap, and shrink everything properly. If your freight looks weak, it will lose the fight.

6) Label Clearly. Don’t Assume Anyone Has Time to Guess.

Clear label, correct BOL, and matching documents. December is busy—nobody is decoding mystery pallets like they’re Secret Santa clues.

7) Tell Us If It’s Time-Sensitive

If it needs to deliver ASAP, say it out loud. Carriers can prioritize time-sensitive freight only if you flag it. 

8) Avoid Oversized Last-Minute Loads

Specialized equipment gets booked up fast in December. If you need flatbeds, liftgates, or oversized services, book early or risk paying a premium… or sitting in the queue until New Year’s.

9) Stay Flexible With Pickup & Delivery Times

The more flexible you are, the faster we can secure equipment. If you demand one time window in the middle of the busiest season of the year, don’t be shocked if the universe says “no.”

10) Communicate With Your Team (Please)

Sales, warehouse, shipping, accounting — everyone needs to know the plan. If one person forgets, suddenly no one is ready, and your pallet is staring at a closed dock door while trucks leave without it.

Final Thoughts

December doesn’t reward the optimistic… it rewards the organized.
Plan early, package well, communicate clearly, and you’ll make it through without a meltdown.

And if you need help, we’re here — snowstorms, full docks, and all.
Ship Smart. Ship Moto. 🚛💚