{"id":9663,"date":"2026-11-05T08:38:20","date_gmt":"2026-11-05T16:38:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.freightera.com\/blog\/?p=9663"},"modified":"2026-11-05T12:08:51","modified_gmt":"2026-11-05T20:08:51","slug":"prepare-for-holiday-freight-shipping-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.freightera.com\/blog\/prepare-for-holiday-freight-shipping-in-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Prepare for Holiday Freight Shipping in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

How to Avoid Holiday Shipping Delays in Canada and the USA<\/span><\/h2>\n

The weeks before the holidays are some of the busiest on the freight calendar. In 2026, they come with trucking capacity already tighter than usual. Then, around Christmas, many of the carriers and much of the network slow down or close.<\/span><\/p>\n

If your business ships LTL or FTL either domestically or cross-border between October and January, the best way to stay on time is to simply move your freight before the rush peaks and the docks close.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why holiday shipping delays happen<\/b><\/h3>\n

The rush actually usually happens before the holidays. Retailers, manufacturers, and distributors stock up through autumn so they have their hands on the necessary goods before December. The demand during the pre-holiday rush is significant. US holiday sales<\/span> were over $1 trillion in spending<\/span><\/a> for the first time in 2025, and it looks like the total US retail sales are<\/span> up about 4.4%, to over trillion. In Canada, shoppers <\/span>spend $975 CAD per person<\/span><\/a> on gifts, and are likely to spend roughly as much or more this year. With all that spending, try to remember to use recyclable wrapping paper!<\/span><\/p>\n

Freight follows retail\u2019s patterns. Volume increases in October and November, then falls dramatically during the holidays, and returns to normal in January. Trucks number of that enter the US from Canada <\/span>decreased from 459,169 in October 2025 to 381,510 in December of 2025<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

On top of that, capacity is tight this year. US\u2019s for-hire truck tonnage<\/span> fell 0.5% in August 2026<\/span><\/a>. American Trucking Association’s Chief Economist Bob Costello said the truck market flipped this year because of reduced capacity, not due to high demand.<\/span><\/p>\n

Heading into Q4, truckload tender rejections were<\/span> at around 14%<\/span><\/a>. That means carriers are turning down more contracted loads. When the autumn rush meets a tighter market than usual, last-minute freight can face delays, misses, or even turn-downs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Late December usually goes quietly. As it should, since everyone\u2019s on vacation. Around Christmas and New Year, many carriers, terminals, and receivers have reduced schedules. Warehouses often close early or limit dock appointments. It could happen that last-minute shipments have to wait for January. Luckily, at <\/span>Freightera<\/span><\/a>, you can diversify your carrier options and be sure that someone\u2019s available to transport it.<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019re probably aware that Canada and the US have different holidays. The two countries celebrate Thanksgiving six weeks apart, and Boxing Day is a holiday only in Canada. Some smaller Canadian land ports also<\/span> halt commercial processing on holidays<\/span><\/a>. Unrelatedly to the holidays, construction can add time to transit times too. At Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle, Quebec, you can <\/span>expect border delays until winter 2027<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Winter literally slows vehicles down.<\/span> Freeway speeds <\/span>decrease 3 to 13% in light snow and 5 to 40% in heavy snow<\/span><\/a>. Better for road safety, but much worse for your shipment. This winter also brings <\/span>over a 90% chance of a very strong El Ni\u00f1o<\/span><\/a>. That means that the odds of storms and delays this year increase, although that\u2019s luckily not guaranteed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Important 2026 holiday dates for Canada and the US<\/b><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s smart to mark these dates and plan your pickups with them in mind.<\/span><\/p>\n