Online shopping has both been a boon and a bane for retailers. There is a rising demand for on-time delivery of goods in a day. Shippers and parcel carriers are racing against time to meet customers’ expectations. But even so, UPS and FedEx shipments are delivered late.
Delayed shipments negatively impact customer experience, thus causing loss of revenue. Why are UPS and FedEx shipments delayed? In this blog, let us study the top ten reasons for shipping delays.
Top ten reasons for delays in UPS and FedEx shipments
There are many reasons for UPS and FedEx shipping delays. FedEx and UPS shipping locations play a vital role in delayed shipments. In addition, UPS and FedEx delivery times vary depending on the service chosen by shippers. So, selecting the correct parcel carrier is essential for order fulfillment. Listed below are the top ten reasons:
Weather-related delays
Bad weather conditions are one of the causes of shipment delays. Inclement weather, such as blizzards, tornadoes, rainstorms, etc., makes it difficult for FedEx and UPS drivers to make deliveries on time. These delays are not eligible for a money-back guarantee by UPS/FedEx. Shippers need to inform their customers in advance of weather-related delays to show commitment to customers.
Disasters
UPS and FedEx shipment delays are due to natural and human disasters. Recently, pandemics, wars, social and political unrest, famine, floods, fires caused many shipping delays. Restrictions on the movement of goods and people have adverse effects on transportation. Hence, the delay in UPS and FedEx shipments.
Wrong documents
Several documents accompany UPS and FedEx packages. A delivery exception occurs when a parcel’s label is wrong. A commercial invoice containing the items expected by the customer is to be a part of the package. Improper documents need to be rectified, thus delaying the shipments.
Illegal or Hazardous materials in a package
UPS and FedEx label some goods as prohibited and restricted items. These goods include:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Ammunition
- Firearms and weapons
- Live animals
- Precious metals
- Fresh food and more
The entire list of prohibited and restricted items is available at UPS and FedEx sites. Shippers need to provide a declaration regarding the goods before they can be delivered. As a result, delivery delays occur.
Missing custom clearance documents
It is necessary to have custom clearance documents for international UPS and FedEx shipments. The documents include a commercial invoice, certificate of Origin, North American Free Trade Agreement Certificate of Origin, Electronic export information, and shipping label. The package is held at a customs facility or the carrier’s distribution facility when any documents are missing.
Incorrect address
Packages need correct addresses for on-time delivery. Wrong addresses on packages cause delays in FedEx and UPS shipments. For instance, customers having several delivery addresses may give the wrong address to shippers. Or shippers’ systems may enter the incorrect address for the package. Further, a delivery executive may deliver the parcel to the wrong apartment by misreading the label. Whatever may be the reason, the parcel carrier has to pick up the package from the incorrect address and deliver it to the correct address, thus causing a delay.
Holiday surge
Thanks giving, Christmas, or any National Holiday benefits businesses. However, due to the increase in shipping volumes, customers are advised to shop early. Ideally, parcel carriers offer holiday deadline dates, so customers get their packages in time. But, holiday shipments may overwhelm parcel carriers’ capacities, thus causing delays.
Unavailability of the recipient for package
For package delivery, FedEx requires a recipient’s signature to deliver parcels. Sometimes, at the time of delivery of packages, recipients are unavailable at the address. But, if the recipient is a business, and a parcel arrives outside business hours, FedEx attempts delivery another day. Failed delivery attempts by parcel carriers are the reason for the return of shipments by parcel carriers.
Poor performance of shipping carriers
Shipping carriers may suspect illegal items in packages and therefore delay shipments. Further, UPS and FedEx have different delivery times and schedules for various packages. Alternatively, prioritized parcels may get preference over others. Shipping carriers’ performance is poorly rated even if a package arrives late at a fulfillment center. All these factors cause delays in shipment.
Staff shortage
UPS and FedEx face labor shortages for many reasons, including pay and benefits. For the past two years, shipping carriers finding it difficult to retain employees. It is mainly due to people opting for working from home and not wanting the stress of blue-collar jobs. Thus, causing an impact on UPS and FedEx delivery times.
How to prevent UPS and FedEx delivery delays?
Shippers need to address the areas where the delays are occurring. Our tips for preventing UPS and FedEx shipping delays include:
- Cross-checking shipping information for incorrect addresses and shipping labels
- Open communication with customers regarding delays due to bad weather and disasters
- Automating the custom clearance documents and other necessary documents
- Order in advance to beat the holiday surge
Partnering with Audintel helps shipping businesses keep track of each shipment. Our clients benefit immensely from our customized dashboards and shipping reports. Shippers receive refunds for delayed shipments from parcel carriers with ease. Audintel‘s team helps shipping businesses to negotiate good carrier contracts and save money.
Conclusion
Delivering packages on time is easier said than done. There are lots of variables involved when UPS and FedEx deliver packages. Our top ten reasons for delays in shipments and ways to prevent delays give a brief insight regarding delayed shipments. However, keeping track of delivery expectations is best left in the hands of experts, like Audintel. We help shipping businesses deal with UPS and FedEx shipping delays. Still unsure about what to do in case of shipping delays, call us at +1 (619) 354 8539 or contact us by clicking here or visiting the Audintel website.