Peak season 2025

• Beginning of October: Inventory stocking by webshops starts, leading to initial volume increases.
• Halloween (October 31): Marks the start of high sales activity.
• Singles’ Day (November 11): Significant sales and shipping activity.
• Black Friday (November 28): Massive orders create a spike in shipments, with label creation peaking on Cyber Monday.
• Cyber Monday (December 1): The busiest day for label creation.
• Sinterklaas (December 5): Higher volumes in the Benelux region.
• Week before Christmas: Last-minute shopping causes another volume surge.

• Pick-ups
  • Request pick-ups early (1 business day ahead).
  • Switch to fixed pick-ups if volumes rise.
  • Keep a signed manifest as proof of handover.
    👉 Why: Prevents missed collections and gives proof for claims.
• Outgoing shipments: delays
  • Set realistic expectations, avoid next-day promises.
  • Offer multiple carriers and delivery options (e.g., service points).
    👉 Why: Reduces customer frustration and failed deliveries.
• Tracking & scans
  • Expect scan delays of 24 h +.
  • Contact support only if tracking hasn’t updated after that period.
    👉 Why: Prevents unnecessary tickets and reassures merchants.
• Returns
  • Encourage drop-off returns rather than home collection.
  • Remind that carriers usually make one pick-up attempt.
    👉 Why: Cuts failed return collections and customer confusion.
• Customer communication
  • Be transparent about possible delays and cut-off times.
    👉 Why: Manages customer expectations and avoids negative feedback.

From 12 October onwards, UPS applies demand surcharges to packages exceeding maximum limits, large packages, and shipments requiring additional handling. This will apply to all packages meeting these specifications originating from 19 European countries and to all destinations.

See below the demand surcharges that apply:

International shipping

In addition to Demand Surcharges, UPS applies Surge Fees of £0.70 during peak season for high-demand periods.

When they apply

• International Air Shipments (Express, Express Saver, Express Plus, Expedited, Worldwide Express Freight)

• Domestic shipments to residential addresses (Standard, Express, Express Saver, Express Plus)

• International ground shipments (Transborder Standard, Worldwide Standard)

Click here for more information.

Detailed explanation of the conditions

Additional Handling

• Any article that is encased in an outside shipping container made of metal or wood
• Any cylindrical item, such as a barrel, drum, pail, or tire, that is not fully encased in a corrugated cardboard shipping container
• Any package with the longest side exceeding 100 cm (39.5") or a second-longest side exceeding 76 cm (30'')
• Any package with an actual weight greater than 25 kg (55 pounds)
• Each package in a shipment where the average weight per package is greater than 25 kg (55 pounds) and the weight for each package is not specified on the source document or the UPS automated shipping system used.

Large Package
A package is considered a large package when its length plus girth (girth = 2x width) + (2 x height) combined exceeds 300 cm but does not exceed the maximum UPS size of 400 cm. Large packages are subject to a minimum billable weight of 40 kg in addition to the large package surcharge.

Over maximum limits

Packages with an actual weight of more than 70 kg, or that exceed 274 cm in length or exceed a total of 400 cm in length and girth combined (girth = (2 x width) + (2 x height), are not accepted for transportation. If found in the UPS small package system, they are subject to an additional charge.

Additional resources

For more information about shipping with UPS over the peak season, you can consult the following resources on UPS.com:

• The days of operation page displays adjustments to our service due to national holidays
• The service alerts page notifies you of disruptions, such as adverse weather conditions, that may impact your shipments.

UPS

During the busiest seasons, UPS provides the same reliable service you trust them to deliver all year. They are committed to helping you take full advantage of every available shipping day. Click here to see the operating hours during the holiday season.

Evri

Evri has prepared an overview of international posting dates for the holiday season. The first column lists the destination countries, while the following columns indicate the key holiday periods and the latest dates by which parcels should be handed over for timely delivery.