Peak season 2024

• 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 24): Massive orders create a spike in shipments, with label creation peaking on Cyber Monday.
• Cyber Monday (November 27): 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.

04-12-2024: DHL Same Day Delivery

DHL Same Day Delivery will be unavailable up and until January 1st.

25-11-2024: DHL Same Day Delivery

DHL Same Day Delivery is unavailable in weeks 48 and 49.

📩 Subject: Difficult weather conditions: impact on your deliveries and shipments - 22/11/2024

Dear customers,

Yesterday's and last night's bad weather and the traffic restrictions for heavy goods vehicles have caused disruption to our transport network.

• Areas significantly affected: mainly Normandy and the east of the country.
• Delivery delays: Delays are to be expected, particularly in eastern France, due to transit difficulties during the night. In the rest of the country, some parcels may also be delayed if they come from areas affected by snow and traffic restrictions.
• Your parcels will be dispatched today: Delays are also to be expected due to a lack of containers available for dispatch (these are containers that were delayed or blocked during the night from Thursday to Friday).

We are stepping up our organisation to clear all delays between tomorrow, Saturday, and Monday.

In the areas most affected, more precise information will be communicated directly to you by your agencies.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your understanding.

📩 Subject: Flash info - Chronopost vous informe - National - 22/11/2024 - Alerte neige
Dear customers,

Following the recent snowstorms in France, some roads have been blocked, which may disturb the pick-up and delivery of your parcels.

The areas most affected are Western France, Eastern France and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. However, delays may occur throughout the country.

Deliveries and pick-ups that cannot be made today will be rescheduled as soon as possible.

Chronopost has put in place exceptional measures to limit the impact of this bad weather as much as possible.

⚠️ Service Suspension Announcement: Chronopost Operations in Mayotte

Chronopost has announced a temporary suspension of their services in Mayotte following the significant impact of Cyclone Chido. This measure affects all collections from mainland France to the destination, as well as local operations within Mayotte.

Important Details:

• Impact of Cyclone Chido: The cyclone has caused substantial losses and disruptions in the region. The safety and well-being of the community remain the primary concern.
• Service Suspension: Due to current transport conditions and the ongoing efforts to manage the cyclone's aftermath, Chronopost has halted its services until further notice. This includes the suspension of all parcel collections from mainland France bound for Mayotte.
• Chronopost's Commitment: Chronopost expresses deep solidarity with the people of Mayotte during these challenging times and is committed to supporting the community in overcoming these challenges.

Chronopost appreciates your understanding and patience during this period and will provide updates as soon as the situation evolves.

CEX will only make 1 delivery attempt during the Christmas/Peak season (until January 15th approximately). If the first attempt fails, the parcel will be redirected to a service point.
This applies to all domestic CEX shipping methods (not international).

Last updated on September 4th, 2024 and until further notice, 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

UPS charges a demand surcharge for shipments to international destinations. The amount of these charges depends on the actual weight of the shipment and the destination. This surcharge applies to all UPS Express and Express Saver shipments within and outside Europe.

Europe: €0.40/kg 

Rest of World: €0.55/kg 

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.

To ensure operational continuity during a period of high demand, DHL will be activating a Demand Surcharge (formerly known as Peak Season Surcharge) effective September 15, 2024 until January 31, 2025. Charges apply in EUR per kg (billing weight), based on the shipment’s origin and destination. Fuel Surcharge applies. The charge amounts and application dates may change during the demand period. The demand period is determined by DHL. Any change will be subject to prior notice.

The applicability, duration, and amount of the Demand Surcharge is determined by FedEx for each region based on regular assessments of shipping volume and available capacity within their network and market conditions.
Demand Surcharge amounts, associated trigger points, and methods of calculation are subject to change without notice. FedEx reserves the right to adjust the Demand Surcharge at their sole discretion. See the FedEx Express Terms and Conditions of Carriage.
Effective September 16, 2024, we will implement the following Demand Surcharge changes for FedEx shipments:

Parcel Min. Charge: €1.00 / Shipment
Freight Min. Charge: €45.70 / Shipment

Parcel Min. Charge: €1.00 / Shipment
Freight Min. Charge: €45.70 / Shipment

DHL UK will apply a demand surcharge that is calculated per kg. The exact price will depend on the destination of the shipment. See the table below for more information.

Shipping from the UK, you can focus on the Origin EU row (displayed in bold). 

DHL will apply temporary surcharges for specific items to manage increased operational demands during the peak season. These fees help cover additional costs for handling large, heavy, and non-machinable parcels and third-party collections. Below is a summary of the updated surcharge rates.

DHL NL

General Holiday Observances:

• 1st November (All Saints' Day):

  • Belgium and Luxembourg: Closed

  • Netherlands: Normal service

• 11th November (Armistice Day):

  • Belgium: Closed

  • Netherlands and Luxembourg: Normal service

Christmas Schedule:

• 5th December (Sinterklaas): Normal service across the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg.

• 24th December (Christmas Eve): No evening delivery; pickups available until 15:00 for the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg.

• 25th December (Christmas Day): Closed across the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg.

• 26th December (Boxing Day): Closed across the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg.

New Year’s Schedule:

• 31st December (New Year’s Eve): Pickups available until 15:00 for the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg.

• 1st January (New Year’s Day): Closed across the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg.

POST NL

Parcels from the Netherlands to Belgium

• All Saints' Day (1st November):

  • Parcels dropped off on 31st October will be delivered by 2nd November.

  • No drop-off available in Belgium on 1st November; drop-offs in the Netherlands remain possible.

• Armistice Day (11th November):

  • No drop-off available in Belgium. Drop-offs remain possible in the Netherlands.

• Weekend of 9th–10th November:

  • Parcels dropped off on these dates will be delivered by 12th November.

Christmas Period:

• 24th December (Christmas Eve): Parcels dropped off on this day will be delivered by 27th December.

• 25th December (Christmas Day): Closed—no drop-offs or deliveries.

• 26th December (Boxing Day): Parcels dropped off on this day will be delivered by 27th December.

New Year’s Period:

• 31st December (New Year’s Eve): Parcels dropped off on this day will be delivered by 2nd January.

• 1st January (New Year’s Day): Closed—no drop-offs or deliveries.

Process Changes:

• 24th December (Christmas Eve):

  • Scheduled pick-ups after 21:30 canceled.

  • No self-drop-offs allowed after 23:00, including parcels brought directly to depots.

• 25th December (Christmas Day):

  • Closed: All scheduled pick-ups and drop-offs canceled. No delivery services available.

• 26th December (Boxing Day):

  • Open from 16:00. Scheduled pick-ups and drop-offs canceled for the day. Businesses wishing to schedule a drop-off must arrange it by 11th November in the Mijn PostNL Zakelijk portal or by contacting the service team.

• 31st December (New Year’s Eve):

  • Scheduled pick-ups after 18:30 canceled.

  • No self-drop-offs allowed after 20:00.

• 1st January (New Year’s Day):

  • Closed: All scheduled pick-ups and drop-offs canceled, with no delivery options available.

Volume Notification Deadlines for High-Demand Periods:

• Black Friday & Saint Nicholas (23rd November–6th December): Notify by 14th October.

• Saint Nicholas & Christmas (7th December–20th December): Notify by 28th October.

• Christmas & New Year (21st December–2nd January): Notify by 11th November.

DPD NL

Start of Peak Period:

• Begins Week 47 (18th November), covering high-demand periods including Singles Day, Black Friday/Cyber Monday, Sinterklaas, and Christmas.

• Live updates available on the DPD Package Update Page for:

  • Delivery delays

  • Pickup schedules

  • Last shipping days for Christmas and New Year’s across Europe

Holiday Pickup on Request:

• 24th, 27th, and 31st December: Pickups available only by request.

• 27th December: Confirm pickup needs by 17th December to avoid unnecessary trips.

• Submit requests via the form on DPD Package Update Page.

Email Notifications for Pickups:

• Ensure timely updates by providing your email address to your account manager.

Packaging & Labeling Tips:

• Visit Packaging Tips to optimize your shipments during busy periods.

To help carriers better prepare for the holiday season and ensure timely deliveries, we kindly ask you to provide your estimated shipping volumes for the Cyber Weekend before November 22.

UPS NL

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.

UPS BE

During the busiest seasons, UPS provides the same reliable service you trust 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.

DHL BE

Would you like to send shipments during the end-of-year holidays? DHL is happy to pick up
and deliver these on time. Below you will find an overview of our services around the holidays in
Belgium.

* normale B2C delivery via partners Bpost and Post Luxembourg

GLS DE

Shipping Deadlines for Christmas

• Within Germany: December 19
• To neighboring EU countries: December 18
• To other EU countries: December 17
• Worldwide: December 13

GLS typically delivers parcels within Germany in under 24 hours. However, seasonal factors like snow, ice, and holiday traffic may cause delays. We recommend shipping as early as possible to ensure your gifts arrive on time.

UPS DE

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.

Colis Privé

Delivery Deadlines

• Monday, 16th December:
  Last day for C2C (Customer-to-Customer) and Reverse shipments for pre-Christmas delivery (France).

• Thursday, 19th December:
  Last day for D+2 service to ensure delivery before Christmas (France).

• Monday, 23rd December:
  Last day for D+1 service for Christmas delivery (France and Belux).

• Thursday, 26th December:
  Last day for D+2 service to ensure delivery before New Year's Eve (France).

• Monday, 30th December:
  Last day for D+1 service for New Year's Eve delivery (France and Belux).

Special Operations

• Saturday, 9th & Sunday, 10th November:
  Continued special hub operations with parcels distributed to all agencies on Tuesday, 12th November.

• Saturday, 11th November:
  No parcel distribution due to Armistice Day public holiday in France and other regions. Regular operations will resume on 12th November.

Network Closure Dates

• Wednesday, 25th December:
  Closed for Christmas Day.

• Thursday, 26th December (Belux only):
  Closed for Boxing Day.

• Wednesday, 1st January:
  Closed for New Year's Day.

Packaging & Labeling Tips

Ensure a successful delivery experience during busy periods by following Colis Privé best practices:

• Home Delivery - Best Practices
• Out-of-Home Delivery - Best Practices

DPD France

Holiday Operations Schedule

Share Your Business Closure Dates

Please share your business closure dates if applicable to assist DPD France with planning for the end-of-year period.

Delivery and Pickup Schedule

UPS FR

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

Delivery Deadlines

• Thursday, 19th December:
  Last day for courier collection for Christmas delivery.

• Friday, 20th December:
  Last day for Standard parcel collection at ParcelShop for Christmas delivery (cut-off at 12:00 noon).

• Saturday, 21st December:

  • Last day for Next Day parcel collection at ParcelShop for Christmas delivery (cut-off at 12:00 noon).
  • Last day to send Standard parcels for pre-Christmas delivery.

• Sunday, 22nd December:
  No collection available, but it is the last day for Next Day parcels to be processed for pre-Christmas delivery if already in the network.

Network Closure Dates

• Sunday, 15th December: No collection available.
• 25th – 26th December & 1st January: The network will be closed.

DHL eCommerce UK

Key Dates and Service Adjustments

DPD UK

Here’s an overview of our operating days during the festive period, ensuring your customers know the latest dates to place orders for delivery before Christmas Day.

Festive Operating Days

Additional Information

• Early Volume: We truly appreciate your support in getting parcels to our hubs early. This helps us deliver the best possible service to your customers during this busy period.

• Account Manager Assistance: Your Account Manager is available to assist with any queries or concerns. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if needed.

• Access Online: All the above information is also available on your myDPD portal for easy reference.

UPS UK

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.

UPS ES

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.

FedEx Italy

Click here to access the detailed schedule for national and international services, including collection and delivery days for Express and Economy options.

BRT

To ensure smooth operations during the Christmas holidays, BRT requires users to inform them about any planned business closures. This is crucial for maintaining adequate service during this busy period.

Key Details:

• If no closure notifications are provided, BRT will assume that all activities, including scheduled pickups, are suspended from December 25th to January 1st (inclusive).
• Please communicate any closures to BRT as soon as possible to avoid disruptions.

We recommend proactively managing this with your customers to ensure your shipping operations align with their service schedules during the holidays.