Guide to holiday season shipping

As the year draws to a close, global celebrations such as Christmas, Black Friday, and Lunar New Year spark a massive surge in online shopping and cross-border deliveries. Even if these holidays aren’t observed in Vietnam, their ripple effect is clear — busier airports, customs checkpoints, and longer transit times. 

According to Shopify, global e-commerce sales are projected to reach nearly US$7.89 trillion by 2028¹, with a large portion of that activity peaking during major festive campaigns. As more consumers shop online during these peak periods, couriers, ports, and airports all operate at maximum capacity to keep up with demand.

For Vietnamese exporters, online retailers, and individual senders, this growing demand underscores the importance of holiday-season shipping strategies. Planning early, choosing reliable delivery options, and understanding how to leverage global logistics during the festive seasons can make the difference between an on-time delivery and a missed celebration.

This guide explores why the holiday season brings unique shipping challenges, what small businesses and consumers can do to prepare, and how thoughtful planning ensures your shipments reach their destinations smoothly wherever in the world they’re headed.

Why the holiday season is the ultimate test for international shipping

Every year, the global supply chain is pushed to its limits as online orders surge around the festive months. From Black Friday and Christmas to New Year sales, shipping networks experience record parcel volumes, putting pressure not just on warehouses and airports, but also on customs offices worldwide.

For Vietnam, this means navigating a complex web of trade routes. The country’s top export partners — the United States (US$113.9 billion), China (US$60.7 billion), South Korea, and Japan² all see massive spikes in consumer demand during the holiday season. When these markets enter peak buying periods, outbound shipments from Vietnam inevitably face longer transit times, tighter cargo space, and slower clearance at destination ports.

Even small exporters and individuals sending parcels abroad are affected. With flights prioritizing high-value or time-sensitive shipments across the world, smaller consignments can experience additional transit time. Logistics bottlenecks can ripple through major Asian hubs like Hong Kong and Singapore, affecting Vietnam’s overall export flow.

The challenges small shippers and consumers must navigate 

The holiday season can be a make-or-break period for both small businesses and individual shippers. With international shipping volumes peaking, even the most efficient delivery networks can experience slowdowns. For those sending packages from Vietnam, understanding these challenges is key to managing expectations and avoiding disappointment.

Unpredictable delivery times

When shipping lanes and customs offices are operating at full capacity, transit times can become less reliable. Flights may be delayed, customs checks may take longer, and parcels that would normally arrive within days can take a week or more.

Late gifts and missed occasions

For individual senders, shipping gifts at the last minute often means they arrive after the celebration. A Christmas present or New Year’s gift sent overseas too close to the date may get caught in customs delays or transit backlogs — leading to disappointment and unnecessary stress for both sender and recipient.

Missed sales opportunities for small businesses

Timing is everything for small e-commerce brands. Businesses that send stock to overseas fulfilment centres or distributors too late risk missing out on peak retail periods such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or Christmas sales. Once those short but lucrative shopping windows close, delayed stock arrivals can mean lost revenue and wasted marketing spend.

Limited courier capacity

During high-demand months, large retailers and global marketplaces often book bulk cargo space far in advance. Small-volume shippers who don’t secure their shipments early may face lower priority, resulting in longer lead times and reduced flexibility.

Rising operational costs

Peak-season surcharges, higher airfreight rates, and the need for urgent express upgrades can all increase the total shipping costs. For small businesses, these additional fees can eat into margins, while for individuals, they can make overseas shipping significantly more expensive.

How to ship smarter during the holidays

Once you understand the challenges of the festive rush, the next step is knowing how to stay ahead of them. Strategic planning — from timing your shipments to choosing the right delivery service — can help ensure every parcel reaches its destination smoothly, even amid global congestion.

• Plan ahead, not last-minute: Send parcels earlier than usual to account for customs delays and high airfreight demand. Add several extra days of buffer time, especially when shipping to the US, Europe, or other major markets, where Christmas logistics can slow to a crawl. For instance, if you’re partnering with DHL Express, you can leverage MyDHL+ to schedule shipments, manage documentation, and tap into DHL’s customs expertise to keep deliveries moving smoothly.
• Check holiday schedules abroad: Every country observes different festive closures that can pause customs or last-mile delivery. Reviewing your destination’s public holidays and busy seasons in advance prevents your shipment from getting stuck in a temporary backlog.
• Prioritise express delivery: During the busiest season, choosing express international shipping is one of the most effective strategies to avoid bottlenecks. It offers shorter transit times, priority handling, and full shipment visibility, helping both senders and recipients stay informed.

Holiday shipping tips for small businesses

• Set clear cut-off dates: Publish order deadlines for different markets and make them visible at checkout to manage customer expectations.
• Automate tracking and updates: Use integrated tools like MyDHL+ (if your logistics partner is DHL Express) or your e-commerce platform’s APIs to automate shipment tracking and notifications.
• Communicate early and often: Alert customers of potential delays upfront as it builds trust and reduces complaints later.

Holiday season shipping tips for customers

• Prepare gifts early: Pack and book shipments well before the peak season rush to avoid premium rates or late arrivals.
• Schedule pickups: Arrange home pickups to save time and skip queues at service points.
• Track every shipment: Keep digital receipts and tracking numbers handy for quick reference in case of customs inquiries.
• Upgrade when necessary: For time-sensitive parcels, select express or same-day delivery options from your logistics partner for added certainty.

Turning seasonal stress into business growth

The festive season doesn’t just bring challenges; it also opens doors for growth. With the right approach, what begins as a stressful logistics period can turn into an opportunity to strengthen your brand, delight customers, and expand your reach beyond Vietnam.

Build trust through reliability

Customers remember brands that deliver on time, especially when it matters most. Consistent, reliable holiday shipping helps small businesses in Vietnam earn repeat purchases from international buyers who value punctuality and care during peak seasons.

Turn timely deliveries into reputation gains

Navigating the busiest time of the year successfully sends a strong message: your brand is dependable under pressure. Meeting customer expectations, even when networks are congested, enhances your reputation and positions your business as a trusted international seller.

Strengthen global connections

For individuals, sending gifts that arrive on time shows thoughtfulness and reliability, deepening ties with friends and family overseas. For businesses, these same values translate into customer loyalty and long-term relationships.

Leverage global holidays as market opportunities

While Christmas or Black Friday may not be celebrated in Vietnam, they represent valuable selling opportunities abroad. Vietnamese sellers can capitalize on festive demand in regions such as the US, Australia, and Europe, where consumers are actively shopping online and expect prompt shipping from overseas brands.

How DHL Express helps to manage peak delivery periods

When shipping during the busiest months of the year, experience and precision matter. DHL Express Vietnam supports individuals and small businesses alike, helping them navigate complex customs processes, tight delivery schedules, and international regulations with ease.

• Faster, more reliable delivery: With express, time-definite international shipping services, DHL Express ensures your parcels reach their destinations quickly even when demand peaks. Each shipment receives priority handling to minimize delays* and keep your delivery promises intact.
• Expert customs support: DHL’s customs specialists manage documentation and clearance requirements across borders, helping you avoid common pitfalls that lead to hold-ups. This means fewer surprises and a smoother shipping experience from Vietnam to any global destination.
• Smart tools for control and visibility: Platforms like MyDHL+ streamline shipment management, allowing you to create labels, schedule pickups, and track deliveries from one dashboard. Meanwhile, On-Demand Delivery (ODD) lets recipients choose how and when they receive their parcels, improving convenience and customer satisfaction.
• Scalable solutions for every sender: Whether you’re a small online shop preparing for the peak season rush or an individual sending gifts abroad, DHL Express Vietnam offers the same world-class reliability and global reach trusted by major corporations. 

Open a DHL Express Business Account today to get expert guidance, faster customs clearance, and complete peace of mind for your festive shipping needs.

*Actual transit times may vary depending on service selection and customs processing — check MyDHL+ for the most accurate delivery estimates.