Major Parcel Carriers Perform Strongly During Early Holiday Rush

As the holiday shopping season kicks into high gear, major parcel carriers are demonstrating impressive performance despite a sharp increase in shipping volumes. Data from ShipMatrix reveals that FedEx, UPS, and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) successfully delivered the vast majority of packages on time during the pivotal first week of December.

On-Time Delivery Rates Stand Out

According to the analysis, which examined millions of parcels shipped between December 1 and December 6—when online orders typically surge—UPS reported an outstanding on-time delivery rate of 98.9%. FedEx followed closely with 98.3%, while the USPS achieved a rate of 97.2%.

These metrics are on par with last year’s performance for the same week. In early December 2024, UPS maintained its 98.9% rate, while FedEx and the USPS noted rates of 98.7% and 97.4%, respectively.

Record Volumes Amidst Delivery Challenges

ShipMatrix reported that the combined efforts of national carriers, Amazon, Walmart, private delivery fleets, and various regional providers facilitated the delivery of over 568 million parcels during this period. This marked an approximate 30% increase compared to off-peak shipping levels.

It’s essential to note that ShipMatrix’s on-time statistics do not account for delays attributed to severe weather, issues from shippers or consignees, or road closures. Nevertheless, the firm cautions consumers and retailers alike to act quickly; orders placed after December 17 may necessitate premium shipping options, and even those options do not guarantee pre-Christmas delivery, especially in light of potential weather-related disruptions.

Increasing Costs and Pressures as Christmas Approaches

The promising delivery performance comes at a time when carriers are introducing higher peak-season fees and implementing stricter shipping cutoffs as Christmas nears. Recently, Amazon announced increased peak-season charges for the 2025 holiday season, indicating that while delivery networks are coping adeptly, the cost of transporting packages in December is escalating for both retailers and shippers.

Planning for Successful Deliveries

Timing is becoming a critical issue, with USPS, UPS, and FedEx already publishing their shipping deadlines for the 2025 holiday season. These deadlines emphasize the urgency for consumers and businesses to plan their shipments accordingly as standard delivery timeframes draw to a close.

Overall, the combination of rising costs and early deadlines underscores the importance of proactive planning, even as ShipMatrix’s data suggests that delivery networks are managing well thus far.

For further insights on holiday shipping performance, visit Logistics Management for more of ShipMatrix’s latest data.