Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) are not the time to gamble. One missed delivery can cost you customer trust and profits.
For BFCM 2025, the stakes are higher. Shoppers expect fast, transparent, and affordable delivery, even as volumes surge. With tariff shifts and peak surcharges in play, leaving shipping as an afterthought is no longer an option.
Here are 6 proven moves to help you stay ahead of the holiday rush.
- Secure Carrier Capacity and Diversify Your Options
- Use Demand Forecasting and Inventory Positioning for Faster Delivery
- Publish and Promote Holiday Deadlines Early
- Offer Flexible Fulfillment Options Without Losing Margin
- Optimize Fulfillment and Packaging for BFCM Scale
- Plan for Tariffs, Duties, and Cross-Border Costs
(Bonus: Last-minute BFCM Readiness Tips)
Now let’s dig deeper and see exactly how to win Black Friday & Cyber Monday with these tips in action.
#1 Secure Carrier Capacity and Diversify Your Options
Carriers are your lifeline during peak, but they run hot during BFCM. Planning ahead means more than locking in rates.
- Relying on one carrier is risky. Add regional carriers and backups to keep orders moving.
- Weather, surcharges, and surges can still disrupt networks, so always have a fallback.
#2 Use Demand Forecasting and Inventory Positioning for Faster Delivery
Speed starts before a label is printed. Forecast demand and stage products close to buyers.
- Use last year’s sales data and this year’s promos to predict volume and hotspots.
- Stock near customer hubs or with 3PLs to cut distance, cost, and delivery risk.
#3 Publish and Promote Holiday Deadlines Early
Holiday deadlines remove doubt and drive a sense of urgency. They also set clear expectations for customers and staff.
- Display cut-off dates everywhere: product pages, checkout, emails, and social.
- Shipping deadlines create urgency and show shoppers you have a clear, reliable plan.
Get a copy of our BFCM Shipping Survival Cheatsheet
#4 Offer Flexible Fulfillment Options Without Losing Margins
Customers want choice, but you cannot afford to give away freebies. The key is structuring your offers so they meet customer expectations while protecting your profits.
- Set free delivery thresholds just above the average order value to encourage bigger carts.
- Offer In-Store Pickup and Ship To Store options to save fees and ease parcel strain.
With ShipperHQ, you can show these options right in checkout, complete with store hours and maps, making the choice clear and convenient.
#5 Optimize Fulfillment and Packaging for BFCM Scale
The best deals mean little if your warehouse cannot keep up. Keep operations lean and ready.
- Use batch picking, clear packing stations, and extra staffing to handle spikes.
- Right-size packaging to speed up throughput and avoid dimensional weight fees.
#6 Plan for Tariffs, Duties, and Cross-Border Costs
Cross-border orders can boost sales, but they bring complexity. Plan ahead to protect trust and margins.
- Unexpected customs bills can ruin the customer experience.
- Show duties and taxes at checkout so buyers are not hit with unwanted costs.
With ShipperHQ, you can calculate and collect duties and taxes directly right from the checkout.
Bonus: Last-Minute BFCM Readiness Tips
Even if your planning ran late, you still have time to tighten the screws. Think of this as your two-week tune-up before order volumes spike.
- Test customer touchpoints
Place a few test orders to confirm checkout rates, tracking links, and delivery notifications. Better to catch small glitches now than when orders surge. - Reconfirm deadlines everywhere
Double-check that your last-ship dates match across product pages, checkout, email templates, and support scripts. Consistency avoids confusion. - Staff for the spike
Confirm seasonal staff schedules, overtime plans, and customer service coverage. One extra person on phones or packing can prevent a backlog. - Top off supplies
Restock labels, tape, mailers, and return packaging. Running out mid-week is the fastest way to stall operations. - Check carrier updates daily
Carriers may adjust their operations depending on delivery volumes. Stay on top of alerts, especially regarding delivery windows, so you can pivot quickly.
Why Your Shipping Strategy Matters for BFCM 2025
Every step of the buyer journey shapes your brand. From browsing to checkout to delivery, a strong strategy makes all the difference during BFCM. Even a minor slip can undo weeks of hard work.
Holiday shoppers are mission-driven, buying gifts with deadlines in mind. They expect fast, clear, and flexible delivery. If timelines are vague, they’ll walk away. Meet those expectations, and you’ll earn loyalty that lasts well beyond the holiday rush.
Start your 15-day free trial with ShipperHQ and give your customers the perfect shipping and checkout experience they expect this holiday season.
