TL;DR: How to Stay Ahead with Oversized Holiday Shipping
- Quote realistic transit times with built-in buffers
- Set clear expectations about delivery windows and services
- Plan ahead for oversized returns
- Protect both the shipment and the delivery location
- Build carrier flexibility into your strategy
- Use uShip to make the entire process easier
The holidays bring a surge in orders and expectations, and oversized e-commerce shipments are among the toughest to manage. For businesses dealing with large and bulky items (think furniture, vehicles, and other larger freight items), success depends on more than just having the right inventory. You need a strategy that ensures reliable, transparent, and customer-focused deliveries.
Here’s how to prepare oversized shipping operations to handle the busiest season of the year without letting service slip
Quote Realistic Transit Times
Unlike parcel deliveries, oversized orders rely on specialty or less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers who face unique holiday slowdowns. Weather, capacity shortages, and traffic can add days.
Best Practice: Build in a buffer of at least 3-5 days when quoting delivery estimates. This reduces the risk of missed promises and ensures customers aren’t left waiting or frustrated.
Traditional LTL can be a great option for businesses shipping palletized freight, but it has an inherently high damage rate due to most models using a hub and spoke system with lots of handoffs, and that’s where the damage happens. uShip’s LTL damage rate is well below the industry average; give it a try next time you consider that route.
Set Expectations Early
Customers want to know exactly what to expect, especially with high-value or large-item deliveries. If you offer curbside versus in-home service, spell it out at checkout and in pre-delivery communications.
Clarity around:
- Who signs for delivery
- Whether the carrier brings the item indoors
- How and when customers will be contacted
…goes a long way toward creating trust and reducing complaints.
It never hurts to be overly communicative, especially when it comes to high-dollar dollar bulky goods.
Plan for Returns
Holiday returns can be especially tricky with oversized items. Repackaging, arranging pickups, and covering return items are costly if you don’t plan ahead.
Consider:
- Clear return policies for oversized items
- Streamlined reverse logistics processes
- Thresholds for offering free returns (e.g., orders above a certain value)
A transparent returns plan can actually boost conversion rates, since buyers feel more confident making a purchase.
Build Carrier Flexibility
Holiday demand stretches traditional networks thin. If you rely on a single carrier or a rigid contract, you may face capacity issues when you need them most.
Diversify your carrier base so you have access to multiple options. The more flexible your network, the better chance you’ll have to secure timely delivery during peak weeks.
The easiest way to do this? uShip. We give you access to over 35,000 nationwide carriers who specialize in shipping big stuff.
Protect Shipments and Delivery Locations
Accidents happen, and during high-volume seasons, the risk is even greater. Protecting the goods and the property it enters is a smart move for business shippers.
- Coverage for the item itself (in case of loss or damage during transit)
- Protection for the delivery site, safeguarding homes or businesses during pickup and drop-off
Factoring protection into your peak season planning not only reduces risk, it reassures customers that you take their experience seriously.
Where uShip Can Help
For oversized e-commerce shipments, uShip connects you with thousands of independent carriers who specialize in moving large items. The platform provides instant quotes, transparent pricing, and the flexibility you need when holiday demand spikes.
Plus, uShip offers peace of mind with two unique protection options:
- uShip Protection Plan (UPP): Protects the shipment itself, covering loss or damage in transit.
- uShip Property Damage Protection (PDP): Protects up to $10,000 in damages to homes or businesses during pickup or delivery, with a simple, one-time fee.
Together, these programs help businesses safeguard both their cargo and their customer relationships during the busiest time of year.
Ready to prep for holiday oversized shipping?
We make large item shipping easy. Regardless of size, weight, or shape, we can help you get anything, anywhere on your terms.
